hath not But if it be unchangeable then what shall I do I le never stir and trouble my self but take my pleasure c. for if I shall be damned I shall so be whatsoever I do I le never hear Sermon more while I live for all the Sermons of the world will not help me if I be ordained to Damnation O the folly and falshood of this blinde and desperate rage It s not possible for him that is ordained to life to live as he list If thou give thy self so to do thou hast then indeed a mark to thy self of thy Damnation yea what a desperate wretch is he to resolve himself to live like a reprobate before he know whether he be one or no as if one should run to the gallows and put the rope about his neck before he know whether the Judge hath any purpose to condemn him Again know you not that whom God ordains to the end he ordains also to the means Therefore these must be used As for Gods decree towards you the Preacher knoweth not therefore he must preach and call all to Repentance neither do you know therefore must you hear and follow the revealed will of God and by obeying that you shall in time come to know his secret will We must not live by the secret but by the revealed will of God and we must not stand upon that desperately and blindely at first If I be ordained c. but meekly hear the will of God in his Word which being followed of us it will be in time an Argument that we not are onely no Reprobates but such as are ordained to Salvation But if thou wilt desperately shake off the revealed will and onely run upon the secret and cast off all means that should do thee good and run into sin and means of destruction then thou hast a bad sign of Reprobation Whoso stumbleth at Christ and at the Word and live in disobedience and so continue to the end its certain they are Reprobate and so long as any continueth in that state they can have no other knowledge of themselves Thus of the fourth Verse 9. But ye are a chosen generation a royal priesthood an holy nation a peculiar people that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light NOw he returns to the Believers again and having spoken grievous things of the wicked that they stumbled at Christ and the Word and should perish lest they should be dismaid as if this also might be their case some of them having been very grievous sinners he now endeavors to prevent this their fear But ye saith he are a chosen generation as if he should have said They stumbled because they were ordained to it but you shall stand because you are elected of God Thus he comforts them and reckons up a number of priviledges whereof Gods election was the ground as that they were a royal priesthood an holy nation a peculiar people in all which he opposeth them to the Unbelievers You are a chosen generation they a reprobate rout You a royal priesthood they a prophane and base company You an holy nation they whether Gentiles or Jews an unholy company You a peculiar people they the servants of sin and Satan Then sets down the end of all In general observe we two things 1. That the Apostle not onely divides the people into good and bad and sends the Sheep to their fold the Fox to his den but he speaks exceeding comfortably to the good exceeding terribly to the wicked setting forth the ones happiness and the others misery and so must the Ministers of God do 2. That he delivers the Word so warily that the godly might not be dismaid at the threatnings against the wicked Hence may Ministers learn wisdom to give every one their portion and this is to divide the Word aright to cut and part it not to rend it Thus the Prophets having vehemently threatned by and by lest the godly should be cast down adde comforts and promises When they deliver comforts they must bid the wicked stand off so when they speak of judgements they must so speak that the afflicted in Conscience may not be troubled for people are ready to misapply that they hear Wicked men when they catch hold of the Doctrine of Gods mercy they snatch that which no way belongs to them and for humble ones in affliction of Conscience Oh all terrible things they can apply and they work on them but the promises and comforts they cannot fasten on In particular consider we the priviledges here mentioned and the end of them A chosen generation This is the first priviledge Election is the decree of God whereby in himself and for his own glory he hath unchangeably ordained some men to Salvation and life Eternal Where consider 1. That God before the world hath ordained some men to Salvation This is plain from these Scriptures Luke 10. 20. Eph. 1. 4. Phil. 2. 12. 1 Thess. 5. 9. 2 Thess. 2. 13. His election is compared to a Book and the Lord to a General that books his Soldiers names or a Corporation where they book all the Freemens names Again we see some men be saved therefore were it so decreed for whatsoever is was eternally decreed of God 1. This sets out the infinite love of God to mankinde who might have been glorified in the Damnation of us all 2. This confutes that Opinion That God elected none before the World but that he generally appointed all to be saved alike and therefore gave Christ to dye for all and when any receive grace then God elects them Doth every wise man set down certainly his end before he begin his work and onely the God of Wisdom go uncertainly to work And did Christ lay down his life for any other but his sheep vouchsafeth he intercession for any other nay excludeth he not all others If Christ had dyed for them then they should have been saved for his death is infinitely meritorious If he dyed for any and they not be saved he should miss of his purpose Adam and Christ are two common persons and roots therefore as Adam lost all so Christ restored all They are indeed alike in many respects as namely in this That they communicate to others that which was in themselves Adam sin and death Christ righteousness and life but not to both alike Adam lost all Christ recovered but some Then Adams sin was of more force then Christs death and obedience Not so for its easier to destroy then to build If Christ had saved but one it had argued more force then Adams sin to destroy all A childe can break a glass which all the men in the Town cannot make up again yet the childe hath not more force then they Why then is Christ preached to them Christ must be offered to all
A GODLY FRUITFUL EXPOSITION Upon all the FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER BY That Pious and Eminent Preacher of the WORD of GOD JOHN ROGERS of Dedham in ESSEX JOHN 5. 39. Search the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal life and they are they which testifie of me 2 PETER 1. 20 21. Knowing this first that no prophesie of the Scripture is of any private interpretation For the prophesie came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Ghost LONDON Printed by JOHN FIELD and are to be sold by Peter Cole at the Sign of the Printing-Press in Cornhill near the Royal Exchange 1650. To the Reader THe Name alone of the Author of this Exposition and Commentary doth put a great price and value on it yea command thy reading and study of it It is the work of John Rogers Minister of Dedham in Essex written by his own hand Being dead he yet speaketh that is his Name is as a sweet savour poured forth and his praise amongst the Saints in all the Churches of Christ wheresoever he is spoken of this may be said of him That he was a burning and a shining light having a heart inflamed with love to Christ Truth and the Souls of men his words were as sparks of fire As his light directed his zeal so his zeal wrought with his light and made it powerful Animum non faciunt qui animum non habent Some Books are like a frosty day clear but dry and cold and leave the Reader in the same temper As in preaching so in writing also the stirring of the heart and affections should be endeavored as well as Information and such words be used and so set as may rather make a Sermon then a Tract and beget rather a love to the Matter as this Author endeavoreth then an opinion or an esteem of the VVriters abilities He was a Scribe indeed taught of God instructed and prepared for the Kingdom that is the Church of God having yea being a Treasure of things both new and old that is of all sorts of Doctrine and all ways of Application of them He was a Boanerges a Son of Thunder for the power and efficacy God gave unto his Ministry and a Barnabas a Son of Consolation too As the Thunder shaketh the Pillars of the Earth overthroweth the Rocky Mountains causeth the wilde and savage Beasts to fear and as the Lightning powerfully insinuates it self breaking the bones but not the flesh So was it the pleasure of the Lord to bring down by his Ministry the high and stout hearts of many rebellious ones and to lead them in subjection to his wil through Christ To throw down and to build up by him even as high as Heaven As the Scriptures give us the Genealogies of the Saints so many came out of Adam Abraham c. How numerous are the Children whom this Author hath had given him by God Many Families persons of all sorts and ranks in many Counties and Nations even so far as his sound went forth will and do acknowledge him to have begotten them to God and call him Blessed Reader read his VVorks and thou shalt know him work what thou readest on thy own heart that thou mayst be like unto him one of his children also which is the hearty desire of him who cannot but make this honorable mention of the Author and is May 1650. Desirous of thy good in Christ SIDRACH SIMPSON THE CONTENTS OF THIS EXPOSITION Page THe scope of this Epistle both general and particular with the several parts thereof and matter contained therein 1 CHAP. I. Verse 1 2. 1. THe sum and parts of the Preface 2 2. The several names of this Apostle and why so named ibid. 3. What names Parents are to give to their Children ibid. 4. Such as set forth Books ought to set their names thereto ibid. 5 Why some worthy men have not done thus 3 6. Wherein the Apostles differed from all other Ministers ibid. 7. A Minister must have an inward calling and an outward ibid. 8. Why our Apostle nameth his Apostleship 4 9. Repentance wipeth away our sins 5 10. Why the Jews were called strangers ibid. 11. Among them there were sundry believers ibid. 12. Gods Church here on earth is under persecution 6 13. Lawful to fly in the time of persecution 7 14. The large extent of the Church under the New Testament ibid. 15. The Apostles diligence and care in his charge ibid. 16. God hath chosen some to salvation 8 17. How we may know the election of others ibid. 18. Christians must so live as that even others may be perswaded they belong to God 9 19. Why God decreed to save some ibid. 20. The ends why we were elected 10 21. Sanctification the end of our Redemption ibid. 22. Christs obedience and sufferings the meritorious cause of our Salvation 11 23. Christs death is to be particularly apprehended by faith 12 24. A proof of the holy Trinity 13 25. Election the work thereof ibid. 26. Why Gods favor is to be sought ibid. 27. Ministers must labor that their people may be brought into Gods favor ibid. And may grow in grace 14 Verse 3. 1. THe sum and substance of the whole Epistle 14 2. Gods blessing man mans blessing man and mans blessing God 15 3. Gods mercies to be thought on and spoken of with admiration ibid. 4. We must not think or speak of God but with reverence 16 5. Why God is termed the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ ibid. 6. Gods Son why termed Jesus Christ our Lord ibid. 7. What meant here by Hope 17 8. Assurance of Salvation comes not by nature 18 9. The means whereby God works Faith ibid. 10. Why termed a lively hope 19 11. Gods free favor the cause of all our good 20 12. Man could not be saved without abundant mercy ibid. 13. The means whereby we are begotten to this hope 22 14. Benefits arising from Christs Resurrection ibid. Verse 4. 1. THe Kingdom of Heaven why termed an inheritance 23 2. The happiness of Gods people in heaven abideth for ever 24 3. Why termed undefiled ibid. 4. The Kingdom of Heaven always one and the same ibid. 5. God hath appointed to glorifie his Saints in Heaven 27 6. The prevention of a conceit of the Jews and of an Objection 28 7. Gods Children shall not miss of Heaven 29 8. To be particularly assured of Heaven a special comfort ibid. Verse 5. 1. THe prevention of another doubt 30 2. Gods Children have many Enemies to hinder their salvation 31 3. Christians cannot stand of themselves 31 4. Gods almighty power is sufficient to uphold us against all our enemies 32 5. Gods people are kept through Faith 33 6. How Faith bringeth us to Salvation ibid. 7. Christians must not look here for outward prosperity 34 8. The fulness of our happiness not to be had here 35 9. The
in them and onely lean upon Christ Jesus for Salvation and so become happy indeed They also hold that Peter is the head of the Church and Foundation thereof who would not wonder at their wickedness when as Peter himself saith it here of Christ and attributes nothing to himself But is it not confirmed by that of our Savior Thou art Peter and upon this Rock I will build my Church The Question propounded by our Savior was moved to all the rest as well as Peter and answered of all though by the mouth of Peter Christs meaning is That on himself whom he had confessed he would build his Church Would he build it on Peter then either on his Person or on his Faith not on his Person and how weak was his Faith which was so sore shaken by the speech of a Maid that could be no meat foundation to build on 4. Those fools among our selves who though they acknowledge no other foundation yet build not upon him but on their civil life their bare hearing of the Word which yet they do because it s commanded by Law and stands most with their safety and as the Papists but for their purse so they would not come to Church but for shame or punishment their doing as others do c. foolish Builders that build on the sand their house as every other that is not built on Christ by true Faith how fair soever in their own eyes will fall on their heads if any storm of trouble arise for the Gospel they will quckly yield and change as oft as Religion changeth and if no such change be yet at death they shall drop into Hell for want of a foundation as the five foolish Virgins were shut out of Heaven for that they had no oyl for their Lamps no stock of Faith to feed or back their outward Profession They that content themselves with any thing with any gift before they have got a true justifying Faith will fall away will perish may prove Persecutors or any thing They that so hear the Word as they never give over till it hath humbled them and brought them to Christ and they have found sure foundation on him and footing and grace to be changed these build upon the rock Therefore content not your selves with hearing the Word nay hearing it with joy and reforming many things nay that you have been troubled for your sins as some have wept for their sins at a Sermon but let it go over and wear away ere they came at Christ so bearing your selves in hand that ye are converted persons for afterward by your falling away or at your death it will prove nothing so and all for want of a foundation There be even now thousands in hell that have heard as many Sermons as ever you heard or ever shall 2. That Christ is a foundation and the onely foundation of his Church is no small comfort to all that believe on him They may quiet themselves amidst the multitude of contrary Opinions in the world or temptations of Satan to make them waver they may answer If Christ be not sufficient to save me I am content to be damned I 'le never seek other foundation you may well enough Again being built on Christ there be many enemies will lay Battery against you to beat you off but be of good comfort they may shake you indeed but to overcome you or pull you off the foundation it s not possible All the gates of Hell shall not prevail against you all their power shall not quail you As in a City the strength is placed at the gates as the Port-cullis and the Canon to keep from entrance so if Hell should plant all its force against a Christian yea the poorest Christian it shall never be able to prevail against him he is so surely joyned to the foundation by the Spirit of God that lies so fast Will Christ suffer his Building to be defaced or one member or the least joynt to be pulled out of his body Christ that prayed that his Disciples might be kept prayed also for all that should believe Living Christ is a living foundation not onely because he hath life in himself as he is the Living Bread the Truth and the Life but because he giveth life to others even all that believe in him Hence percieve 1. That Christ differs from all other foundations he gives life to his but whoso trusteth on any other shall dye eternally 2. An encouragement for all to come to Christ He is not such a one as can do them no pleasure but as he can and will save them so he will also put life into them that whereas before they were as dead as a stock to any thing concerning the glory of God or their own good no Wit Will Memory Affection no Hand Foot Tongue but all were stiff and stark lame to any good yea dead being joyned to him he will make them alive give them Wit Will and a Heart to that which is good so a Hand Foot and Tongue yea so change them that they shall be nothing the same but new Creatures Hence it is that some that were as very wretches as could be to their lusts that loved a Sermon Sabbath or good Exercise as a Bear doth the stake have yet by the preaching of the Word been brought to Christ the case is so altered with them that now they loath what they loved love what they loathed It is not a strange thing to see a man that loved money as his life and had no savor in any good to set as light by it as his shoes and to love the word that wrought this dislike in him So for a man that loved a pair of Cards and Tables and to ramble abroad on the Lords Day and who could not abide to take a book in his hand or to be in any Religious persons company now to abandon the one and to be earnestly affected with the other yet this Christ worketh in those that be joyned to him O come to this Christ Jesus humble thy self believe in him and give over thy self to him and though thou beest as bad as the worst he will so alter thee as thou mayest prove a worthy Christian. 3. This serves to uncase a number of Hypocrites that think themselves stones of this Building and hope to be saved by Christ and to be Believers and yet have no Spiritual life in them If you can shew me that Spiritual life that you have got from Christ to dye to sin and live to righteousness then you say something but there be no dead stones in this Building but living answerable to the foundation Therefore they that remain dead in their sins and old lusts or any of them Christ and they are assuredly as yet two and not one Shew your Christianity by renouncing all ill and by your love to good Prayer good duties in your Families and
for we know not who they be for whom Christ dyed let us take knowledge of Gods Ordinance all be not saved for there is no Election where all are taken Besides if he did Elect all and all be not saved as we know they are not then is God hindred of his will which were impious to imagine He doth whatsoever he will and man cannot over-rule his will 2. That the cause why God ordained some men to Salvation was because he would I will have mercy saith he on whom I will have mercy It s according to the good pleasure of his will nothing out of himself He saves no man but by faith in Christ and new obedience but this was not the cause of Election but the will of God onely for we must put a difference between the Decree of God and the execution thereof 1. This confutes that opinion of foreseen Faith and Works Faith and Sanctification are the consequents of Election and not any thing precedent God could not see any difference between men that some would of their own accord receive grace believe and obey for there is no such thing in our nature we are all alike And could noâ— the Lord as well chuse men to Salvation freely before the World as in the World to bestow grace upon them denying it to others and hereof not mans Salvation but his own glory is the further end 2. This ought to binde us to thankfulness and duty to God for ever that of Free grace hath loved us and to walk humbly before him acknowledging nothing in our selves but wretchedness and that all our welfare past present and to come is of his free and especial grace By grace we are saved 3. That the number of Elect is small Many called few chosen Christ calls his A little flock that shall have the Kingdom True by themselves they are numberless The true Israel of Jews and Gentiles that already are or hereafter to be gathered by the Preaching of Christ and the Gospel is to man without count yet if compared to the wicked they are onely an handful As may appear before Christ when onely the little handful of the Jews was Gods Church and among them most Hypocrices and Idolators few true worshippers of God Since Christs coming and at this time what vast Nations know not Christ What a breadth under Antichrist that know him corruptly and among our selves that have him truly Preached and offered in the Word and Sacraments yet how few believe and obey and have the inward calling which should make Election known And its certain and determined the number can be made neither less nor more How ought this to whet on our care and diligence to know our selves of this number That which all have no man greatly esteems but that which few have most strive after as Wealth Honor Offices c. so should we in this If of Twenty Traitors a Pardon were but for six what earnestness would be in all to know whether they were of that small number Is it not therefore fearful to see how desperate the world is that this being so yet so few lay it to heart but rather are so secure as if very few were appointed to miss of Salvation and as if all mens names were written in the book of life But we must give diligence to make our calling and election sure 4. That they which be Elect cannot but be saved they cannot perish God will certainly call them out of the world and their bad estate and being effectually called he will keep them to Salvation that they shall never perish He will not lose one but call them either ordinarily by his Word Preached if it be in the Church or by some extraordinary means if it be among Gods enemies Among our selves they that belong to God shall at one time or other be brought to the Word or the Word to them and hence comes the removing of the Gospel from place to place How many have been brought to the Word upon occasion of a Marriage or to see their Friends or to wait on their Masters or to speak with some body at Sermon or to make their Market or being provoked by some Neighbor c And hence it is also that when the Word is Preached some have their hearts opened humbled converted others remain blinde and impenitent namely because God hath elected those not these True it is that the Elect before their calling are as other men as bad as the worst yea commit any sin that a Reprobate doth save that against the Holy Ghost What were Abraham and Paul the one an Idolator the other a Persecutor Hence the World lasts still to gather up the Elect behinde Whosoever belong hereto shall certainly be called 1. This confutes that blinde and desperate speech of them that say If they be Elect they shall be saved howsoever they live This cannot be for whom God hath Elected he will call they shall have the means and they shall be effectual therefore thou must come to the means and pray they may be effectual If thou contemnest the means and wilst not be obedient thereto it s a certain argument of no Election for whom he Ordains to the end he Ordains also to the means so also having once effectually called them he will never lose them His gifts and calling are without Repentance The foundation of God standeth sure having the Seal The Lord knoweth them that are his They may indeed stumble and fall but by vertue of Gods Election they shall rise again as did Peter and David Their falling shews their own weakness their rising the unchangeableness of Gods Election The Apostle speaketh to whole Churches that they were Elect of God and yet many fell away 1. He so speaks in respect of the better part the true Elect among them 2. In the Judgement of charity for that they did outwardly profess the Word of God and live within compass and so we do and must esteem of such till they shew the contrary It s said Him will I blot out of my book It s no more but declare by my Judgement that they were never written therein by discovering them to be but Hypocrites But Moses his wish was To be blotted out of the book of life and Pauls To be accursed from Christ. These were but to shew their fervent affection to the people and exceeding zeal to Gods glory not that they could so be But saith our Savior I have chosen you twelve and one of you is a Devil This is meant of an outward choyce to the office of Apostleship and not the eternal decree of Gods Election And 2. This is matter of exceeding comfort to all that can prove themselves of this number They must not be dismaid though they be weak and see
time of Popery they wondred at the Martyrs that they would not at some times yield a little as to speak a few words c. Thus it is now for the world lives still and is like it self If any dare not play or riot or talk of the world on the Lords Day they are thought to be mopish fools who had rather be poring on a book then doing as others If any care not to get by Lying Deceiving and the common ways of the world they are wondered at as fools so if any now and then omit some of their businesses and go to hear the Word they are accounted idle as Pharaoh said to the Israelites and such as have little to do If any be humbled for their sins they think them melancholy and that they will be out of their wits and they would not be in their case for no good and would have them be merry and play it away If any at the hearing of the Word perceiving it to be high time to forsake his old wont and take a better course now dare not do as he hath formerly they wonder at him What! art thou turned Puritan will they say Wiltst thou forsake thy sports and merriments which they think a little heaven cast off thine old companions and sworn brethren c. What wondrest thou at them for thus doing What for coming out of the fire for taking pains to save their souls for not daring to wound poyson or destroy themselves by provoking God for taking pains to do that which must keep them by Gods appointment with all needful graces for being troubled about their sins and the danger thereof for longing to be in the favor of God c Assuredly thou hast small reason so to do but it s for that they savor not the things of the Spirit of God for that they perceive not the things that are of God are blinde and cannot see afar off If we should see one of a strange Country come through our Town we would wonder at their strange attire nothing like ours The children of God be not of this world but chosen out of the world and may not fashion themselves like the world but be of the fashion of Heaven the world therefore wonders at them 1. Therefore let none think that if they turn to God and take a good course that they shall be generally beloved and well thought of of God Angels and good men they shall but of the world they shall be wondered at and hated ere you begin make account hereof even to have the ill will of those which have loved you yea it may be the displeasure and frown of Father Mother c. yet let not this hold you off nor keep you still in your old course as long as God and good men love you what need you care Wo be to you when all men speak well of you better be wondered at and hated of the world for well-doing then condemned of God for ill-doing 2. For those that are entred into a good course already and finde it thus let them not be discouraged it s no new thing the worthy servants of God have been counted fools and madmen for well-doing We must have an Heroical courage not to be daunted herewith we must not think the worse of our selves because the world thinks basely of us who know us not nor our course which of them that be very fools indeed is counted foolishness we may wonder as much and much more at them that be so desperate to go on in their sins and take no thought for death or day of Judgement that hang over a pit and yet can be merry that run on in the score and never think of reckoning that dare buy a few short profits and pleasures at so dear a rate at the loss of their souls that deprive themselves of the inward and true comfort and peace they might have in God and spiritual things as the Word and Sacraments for the short and vain pleasures of honor and deceiveable riches that prefer Hogs meat before Angels food We have cause I say to wonder at their folly and madness and to pity them thanking God that hath not left us in their woful blindeness and miserable estate If thus by wondering at them we can do them any good so it is but let not their wondering hurt us 3. For those that think strange of Gods servants for not doing ill or for well doing they bewray themselves to be of the world and so to be carnal They that mislike the fashion of Gods children it s a sign they be of another Countrey not of Heaven and that they be none of wisdoms children for all they justifie wisdom wheresoever they see her and in whomsoever Labor therefore not onely not to think their course strange but to acknowledge it the best course in the world and accordingly to follow it That you run not with them This sheweth that Though we be dull and dead and slow to that that is good yet our proneness and eagerness to that that is naught is exceeding great We can run to Play-sports Vanities and Follies please us but we come to the Word Prayers and good Duties with a leaden heel at this we are drowsie but at the other watchful enough Many run so fast in the ways of sin and make such haste that they run themselves quite out of state and credit with God and man and out of their health too and have brought untimely destruction upon themselves they have made such haste that it seemeth they thought long till they were in hell Too too many also are now a running but it s in the broad way wherein the faster they run the sooner they come to destruction if it were well considered they can see small cause to make such haste O that they could be perswaded to turn head and enter into the way of good men and then let them run as fast as they will run the race set before them so run that they may obtain and as before we rejected all counsel that might do us good so now let us shake off all impediments whether within or without us that would hinder us in our Christian course or from running the way of Gods Commandments The faster we have heretofore run in vanity run we now the faster in the right way we could then take great pains think the time short spend our money in vanity now after the same maner le ts do the contrary it s our great fault that we did run apace after the world with the profits and pleasure thereof but now our fault is that we go a foot pace nay a Snails pace in goodness To the same excess of riot When men give way to sin and their hearts are set on evil there is no hoe but they will run over head and ears As the Sea if it break over a bank it can scarcely
preach to them he writes which would stick to them and whereunto they might resort again and again at their pleasure Hence I might speak of the profitableness of writing Epistles how much good Gods servants may do to each other being absent by Prayers by Letters How much good hath been done by the Letters of the Fathers and of godly men in latter times as of Calvin Beza the Martyrs c. who knoweth not what a fault is it that it s no more used as Parents to their Children being absent friends to friends c. whereas wanton Letters and Letters about worldly businesses are frequent enough Written Thus God moved the hearts of his Servants and assisted them extraordinarily to pen the parts of holy Scripture O what a a benefit it is that we have the whole and most holy Word of God written and before us and how should we in token of thankfulness be exercised therein But most busie their heads with other matters namely Their worldly profits and pleasures fools bables in the mean time little using or regarding the Bible Briefly 1. Because he would have them the oftner in it and take the more delight to read it over 2. Because he sent Silvanus to open and unfold it at large by preaching out of it and making application thereof for their good Here see how God in his infinite wisdom hath provided us his Word wherein is all his minde and that in few words to provoke us to be exercised therein for if the Word had been written as large as we had need for our understanding the world could not have contained the books that must have been written but the Lord hath revealed his will briefly laid down much in few words yet for our further benefit God hath Ordained the Ministery of his Word and given gifts to men to preach it expound it apply it to every bodies use so that both together do most happily How should God have provided better for us If therefore people profit not their answer must be heavy Exhorting and testifying c. These words afford sundry points as 1. In that the Apostle testifieth by sound Arguments that they were in the right way note that Its needful for every one to know and be well assured of the Religion he professeth that it is the truth of God for there be many Religions yet but one truth miss that and perish we must not go by guess in our Religion It s not enough that we have the true Religion except we know it to be so that we be not wavering and carried about with every wind of contrary Doctrine 1. This rebukes those that take occasion because there be so many Religions therefore they will meddle with none but take their ease and tarry till all agree 2. It rebukes those that profess a Religion as all do but know not whether it be truth or not but believe as the Church believes as they be told but have no ground from the Word for the same Turks may not its death to question about their Religion Papists may not especially the Laity who are forbid to read the Bible or any good Book that way but we may yet how do the most in this Land profess the Gospel which by Gods goodness is the truth indeed alas how few know and are able to prove it 3. As it s our duty to testifie and prove our Religion to be the onely true way of Salvation so it s yours to know and acknowledge it that if an Angel should come and inform you otherwise you might not give ear to him 2. In that the Apostle thought it not enough to prove to them that that was the true Religion they were in but exhorted them to continue constant in the same note that They that know the truth ought so highly to esteem it and be so thankful to God for it as they never suffer themselves to be removed therefrom whether for hope of gain or fear of trouble c. we must buy the truth not sell it The Martyrs would rather lose their lives then the truth if we let that go we lose our Souls 3. In that the Apostle takes such care and pains with those Jews that now stood in the truth to hold them therein we may note that Its an hard matter for those to hold out stedfast that have begun to do well for our heart is deceitful the Devil is subtile and strong and there are also many Seducers many baits many discouragements c. What are they then that say there 's too much Preaching and Reading They know nothing that belongs to true Christianity A little means may serve to keep men in a loose carnal and prophane course but to keep us in a good course there must be precept upon precept line upon line c. and all little enough Therefore Ministers ought to continue with all diligence not onely to gain home more but even to hold on and confirm them that be gained that they fall not away into error sin and security and people have also need to use all good means to this end 4. In that his Epistle consisteth in testifying by sound reasons for the confirmation of their judgements and then of the Exhortation for the whetting on of their affections Note That Both parts are necessary in Preaching the one still to accompany the other 1. Ministers therefore must labor in and for both 2. People must make use and account of both regard Doctrine for knowledge and suffer Exhortation for practice Some cannot endure Application and Exhortation but are all for knowledge and to feed the understanding and it appears in their lives for they cannot endure but to live at elbow-room as they list notwithstanding the profession some make in hearing Sermons Verse 13. The Church that is at Babylon elected together with you saluteth you and so doth Marcus my son ANother part of the conclusion consisting of Salutations from the whole company of the faithful with him and particularly from Mark. The Church The company of the faithful that were at Babylon knowing of our Apostles writing to these his dispersed Brethren entreat to be remembred to them and pray the Apostle for he would not send their commendations without their knowledge that he would signifie to them that they remembred them loved and reverenced them and were glad of them praying to God for them c. Gods people though far distant one from another yet must be mindeful one of another Which is at Babylon Namely a City of Assyria whither the Jews were carryed Captive by Nebuchadnezzar and there abode for Seventy years There were here now sundry believing Jews as God hath his Church in the worst places where Satans Throne is and though most of the Jews rejected Christ yet some here and in other Cities embraced him The Papists will needs have this meant of Rome but upon