or affliction but such as are incident to men such as usually befall men even Gods own children Though the devil do tempt yet he brought no unusual temptations upon the Corinthians though they not formerly have been acquainted with such temptations which might think them so strange yet they may assure themselves that those temptations under which they lie are no other than such as usually befals men * 1331. 1 Cor. 10.13 Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able 2 Cor. 2.8 That we were pressed above measure above strength What we are able to bear through Gods goodness and grace is one thing and above this we cannot be tempted What we are able to bear by our own strength is another and thus Christians and men thus Paul were pressed above measure 1332. 1 Cor. 10.15 Judge ye your selves what I say Joh. 5.39 Search the Scriptures The Apostle makes all men judges of his cause if any could not judge it was not imbecility of the Law but the deed because all were bound to know things that concerned their faith for by the Word of God we may judge concerning things that belong to faith the knowledge whereof is necessary for all men and it is acquired by reading meditation invocation and searching the holy Scriptures 1333. 1 Cor. 10.15 I speak as to wise men Chap. 3.1 As to carnal and babes The Corinthians were wise in respect of their doctrine but carnal in their affections by reason of their strife and contentions for the most learned have their carnal desires nor were they all wise or carnal for often what belongs to some is imputed to all 1334. 1 Cor. 10.21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of devils Chap. 11.29 He that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh his own damnation The first place is of right and so they cannot not must not eat or drink though they do eat and drink the latter is understood of the fact whereby they take it 1335. 1 Cor. 10.24 Let no man seek his own but every man anothers wealth 1 Tim. 5.8 But if any man provide not for his own especially for his own house he hath denied the faith and is worse than an Infidel The first is to be understood with limitation that no man out of overmuch love of himself should do his own occasions boastingly which is far from Christian charity which teacheth that a man is not born for himself but to serve God and to do good to his neighbour Let no man seek his own principally and solely but thus let him seek Gods glory and after this and in reference to Gods glory let him seek his own * 1336. 1 Cor. 10. ult I please all men in all things Gal. 1.10 If I yet pleased men I should not be the servant of Christ Things are either indifferent in their own nature and so may be used or not used according to opportunities persons Or else they are such as are sinful in their own nature being forbidden of God S. Paul pleaseth all men in things that he lawfully might as in Ceremonies to observe or forbear them but in such things as were simply evil if by doing them he should please men he were not the servant of Christ but of men whom he intends by such actions to please while on the other side should he not wherein he lawfully might please all men to gain them to Christ he was not the servant of Christ * 1337. 1 Cor. 11.16 If any seem to be contentious we have no such custome Jude 3. Contend earnestly The Apostle would have no man contend against reason and authority presumptuously and yet we ought to contend earnestly where the authority of Scripture and the truth of reason is evident and makes it appear that the thing contended for is matter of faith and salvation 1338. 1 Cor. 11.24 Eat this is my Body Rom. 6.9 The body dieth no more In the Lords Supper the Body of Christ is not broken by a natural or carnal manner the Body and the Bloud the Bread and the Wine are received conjunctively in respect of the instrument but they are received disjunctively in respect of the manner for the Bread and Wine is received after one manner the Body and Bloud after another manner * 1 Cor. 11.24 This is my body Rom. 6.9 The body dieth no more This is in signification not in essence my body this is my body as the seven wheat ears were the seven dear years as Christ is a door this signifies my body Christs body died but once but it may be signified a thousand times to be dead 1339. 1 Cor. 11.24 Which is broken for you Luk. 22.19 Which is given The Apostle received from the Lord what he delivered to the Corinthians concerning the sacred Supper without doubt in the first institution the Lord used both the words and because the Evangelists make mention of the name of giving the Apostle adds the other * 1 Cor. 11.24 Luk. 22.19 So broken with cares within and with nails and wounds without as he might be said a man of sorrows so given as to be broken and so broken as to be given a broken Christ for a broken soul The Apostle had an eye to the substance and matter and may seem in this to interpret what is meant by giving as to the manner of the gift a broken gift or a bleeding Christ to make us have whole souls * 1340. 1 Cor. 11.28 Let a man examine himself Psal 26.1 Examine me O Lord. Our examinatiod of our selves hinders not our praying that God may examine us for when we have examined the most strictly yet we shall leave much unexamined but when God examines he examines every corner of our heart and sets our sins in order before us He finds our sins as he found Saul hid under the stuff The Psalmist would have God to examine him to see the justness of his heart in that cause 1341. 1 Cor. 12.3 No man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost Isa 29.13 Mat. 7.21 Mat. 7.21 Not every one that saith unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven In the first place it is not only historically with outward lips to say that Jesus Christ is the Lord Tit. 1.16 but with faith to believe that he is the Lord which hypocrites and devils cannot do for though with their mouth they confess him yet with works they deny him also no man can say for his own salvation that Jesus is the Lord unless he have the Holy Ghost 1342. 1 Cor. 12.6 God worketh all in all Phil. 2.12 Work out your salvation God works all that we may work out our salvation God as the first cause works all good in all men we with God work out our salvation subordinately we are called by God moving and helping us freely and by his grace we co-operate * 1 Cor. 12.6 with Phil. 2.12
and openly without any shadows or externall propitiatory which Christ hath abolished 689. Dan. 9.25 Vnto Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks and threescore and two weeks Acts. 2.7 It is not for you to know the times and seasons By divine revelation seaventy weeks that is four hundred and ninety years were foreshewed to Daniel that within so many years Christ should come and performe the office of a Messias such a knowing of times is not forbid but that which is rashly attempted by us without divine revelation TEREASAR that is as they are commonly called in Hebrew The Prophesies of the twelve minor Prophets not for their authority but the quantity of the Book HOSEA HIS PROPHESIE THE SONNE of BEERI HE chides the Jewes for their idolatry He shews their casting off and the espousing of the Gentiles to God He declares salvation to those that should repent He Prophesied fifty years in the time of Osiah Jotham Achaz Ezekias Kings of Judah and in the dayes of Jeroboam sonne of Joas King of Israel about the year 3150. 690. HOS 1.2 Go take thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms Lev. 21.14 A widow or a divorced woman or prophane or an harlot these shall he not take but a virgin The command of God to the Prophet was not that he should marry a whore but a lawfull wife yet with such an infamy as though she were a Harlot and her children bastards By this embleme the Israelites are admonished of their spirituall fornication * Hos 1.2 with Lev. 21.14 As for the first place its probable that all this was commanded and seemed to the Prophet to be performed in vision that by this allegory they might perceive their duty toward God and rebellion against him 691. Hos 1.7 I will not save them by bow nor by sword nor by battel Rom. 13.4 The Magistrate beareth not the sword in vain The first place is of the conservation of the Kingdome of Judah against the Assyrian not by corporal weapons but by miracles which takes not away the lawfull power of the Magistrate against the enemies of the Church externall or internall 692. Hos 1.9 Ye are not my people Vers 10. Ye are the sons of the living God The Prophet divides the people of Israel into those which are and those which shall be Those which are he divides into righteous and wicked the righteous that remain shall be few but the wicked shall be more he saith that even the whole people of Israel should forsake God yet some few should be saved to the coming of the Messias Jer. 3.18 Ezek. 34.27 whilst all Nations both Jewes and Gentiles should be gathered into one people and one sheepfold under one King and one shepherd 693. Hos 2.13 I will visit upon her the dayes of Baalim when she burnt incense to them 1 King 18.40 Elias the Prophet killed Baals Prophets at the brook Kison The Baalites were destroyed in the time of Elias and of Jehu yet their superstition remained and stuck to the posterity of the people 694. Hos 4.23 Swear not The Lord liveth Deut. 6.13 And thou shalt swear by the name of the Lord. An oath is part of Gods worship and therefore the Prophet warneth Idolaters not to abuse it as they did in Bethel that they might seem to serve God and not the Calfâ— 695. Hos â— 4 They have set up Kings but not by me Rom. 13.1 There is no power but of God The Prophesie respects the breaking of the ten Tribes from the house of Solomon that was not from God as the Israelites did it who would not be subject to the Judges of Judah contrary to Gods revealed will but yet it was from God because he would punish the sinnes of Solomon So Tyrants are from God not onely as a scourge but by reason of their power because the power must be distinguished from the corruption of the person who useth it c. * 696. Hos 10.6 Ephraim shall be ashamed and Israel shall be ashamed Joel 2.26 My people shall never be ashamed It s one thing to be ashamed of sin and the basenesse of mens wayes as Ephraim and Israel were when they saw themselves in their own colours It s another thing to be ashamed of the wayes of God the latter Text tells us we should never be ashamed of worshipping God for he would so answer their expectations and assist them in their necessities that they should have no cause of being ashamed 697. Hos 11.1 When Israel was a childe then I loved him and called my sonne out of Aegypt Matth. 2.15 This Prophesie was fulfilled in Christ being brought back from Aegypt These words were spoken of Israel Gods adopted Sonne and of his onely begotten Sonne according to the union of the body with the head and comparison of the Type with the truth The deliverance of the children of Israel out of Egypt was a figure of our Redemption and freedome by Christ 698. Hos 13.14 O death I will be thy plague O grave I will be thy destruction 1 Cor. 15.55 O death where is thy victory The first place may be explained by the latter for in both is shewed that death hath lost its strength and is swallowed up in victory * Hos 13.14 with 1 Cor. 15.54 55. That which in one place is called plague in the other is called Victory but the difference of metaphors causeth not a difference in sense for as a plague conquers where it comes and eats up all so doth death conquer and eat up all and gets Victory JOEL HIS PROPHESIE THE SONNE of PETHVEL HE Prophesied in the year 3239. That the Israelites should be carried captives into Assyria he exhorts them to repentance and promiseth mercy to them that are penitent 699. JOel 1.13 Chap. 2.12 Turn you unto me with fasting with weeping and with mourning Matth. 6.17 When thou fastest annoint thy head and wash thy face that thou seem not to fast before men Christ discommends not private or publick fastings but he taxeth the hypocrisie of the Pharisees in their fasts for godly people must not sound a Trumpet but be content to have God the witness of their works 700. Joel 2.14 Who knoweth whether God will returne and repent and pardon us James 1.6 He that doubts is like a wave of the Sea Who knoweth Belongs not to remission of sinnes but removing of punishment for that is to be prayed for upon condition of the will of God and our good 701. Joel 2.28 Isai 44.3 And it shall come to passe after this that I will powre out my spirit upon all flesh 2 Sam. 32.2 2 Pet. 1.21 Holy men of God spake as they were inspired by the holy Ghost Joel speaks of the state of the Church after the coming of Mossias and of the comparing of the spirituall gifts of the Jewish and Christian members of the Church And he teacheth that after the Messias shall be come the spirituall gifts of God shall be
of men taken in a carnal sense also the flesh profiteth nothing in that manner as the Capernaites dream't concerning it * Joh. 6.54 with v. 63. The first place imports that he who eateth Christs flesh i. e. believeth in and resteth on that which he hath done in his flesh or humane Nature shall have nothing And the latter place is an Exposition how flesh is to be taken in the former place not litterally as flesh is external and visible for that doth not profit no not Christs flesh as seperate from the Spirit but it is the spiritual flesh that must be eaten It is the spirit which is in me must quicken you and the spiritual meaning must be here used 1008. Joh. 6.54 He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my bloud hath eternal life 1 Cor. 11.28 He that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh his own damnation The flesh of Christ in it self giveth life because it is alwaies so also in respect of men because some are faithful which it doth actually give life to others Infidels who are not quickned in Christ the cause whereof is not from Christ but from their own Infidelity and unworthiness for not discerning the body and bloud of the Lord they draw on the judgements of God upon themselves * Joh. 6.54 with 1 Cor. 11.28 He that eateth my flesh Flesh is twofold it is material substantial flesh or secondly that which was purchased by that flesh spiritual flesh Eating is twofold with material teeth and with spiritual faith He that spiritually believeth in and relieth on that which I did in my flesh i. e. those spiritual and eternal advantages I have obtained he hath a right to and a pledge of eternal life he hath those graces which will bring him thither and he shall assuredly have eternal life as if he had it 2. The wicked eat neither Christ's spiritual or material Flesh they only eat that which represents his flesh and that flesh they do eat unworthily by eating it only with carnal apprehensions or carnally he eats the sign not the substance 1009. Joh. 7.5 Neither did his brethren believe in him Chap. 16.27 Ye have believed that I came out from God The former place must be understood of his brethren and corporal kindred the latter of the Apostles and his Disciples which were not all kindred to Christ according to the flesh * Joh. 7.5 with 16.27 We must distinguish of times that we may reconcile the Scripture At the first preaching of Christ or the beginning of his Ministry his own kindred which were not disciples did not think of Christ as his deserts exprest but afterwards many of them did believe and were converts 1010. Joh. 7.7 The world cannot hate you Chap. 15.19 Ye are not of the world but I have chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you In the first place Crist speaketh to his Brethren and Cousins according to the flesh that did not believe in him living carnally and after the manner of the world in the latter place he speaks of the Apostles who believed in him and were purged from all dregs of Infidelity and he assigns the causes wherefore they and other believers were hated of the world * Joh. 7.7 with 15.19 Christ in the former place looks on his kindred as then having not made any profession of Christianity but living according to the manner of the Jews and so long as they did so they would not be hated of the world but if once they came to believe as they did Chap. 15.19 Then they must expect that the world would hate them 1011. Joh. 7.8 I go not up yet unto this Feast Ver. 10. He went up to the Feast He went not openly with his friends that he might be seen but privately by this example of his he hath taught us not to venture our selves rashly amongst our enemies * Joh. 7.8 with 10. The former place tells us that Christ was resolved not to go immediatly but yet when he had got quit of those carnal relations he went to the Feast whether it were that day or the next I know not 1012. Joh. 7.16 My Doctrine is not mine but my Fathers who sent me Chap. 17.10 All mine are thine and thine are mine The Doctrine of Christ is said to be his Fathers and his in different respects the Father hath it from himself Christ from his Father also it is said to be the Fathers because he sent his Son for Christ was sent from the Father to publish it * Joh. 7.16 with 17.10 My Doctrine is not mine originally as I am the Son of Man but it is that Doctrine which as I am the Redeemer of the world or the Prophet which Moses said should be raised from among the Brethren the Father had determined I should preach The latter place speaks of Persons not Doctrine all my sheep and people or if of Doctrine then so all things are Gods as they are Christs and so Christs that they are Gods * 1013. Joh. 7.24 with Mat. 7.1 Luk. 6.37 Judge righteous Judgment when you are called upon to judge matters or things in controversie betwixt man and man or betwixt a mans actions and the Law Judge without partiality But judge not private transactions wherein you are not called to judge or do not pass your censure rashly on mens persons 1014. Joh. 7.26 Do the Rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ 1 Cor. 2.8 Had they known it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory The knowledge of Christ is either carnal and historical so the Rulers of the Jews and the devils knew Christ but this is nothing to salvation or a spiritual knowledge by faith which justifieth believers and which the Jews that crucified Christ had not Here the same thing is said in both places and what in the first place is explained by an Ironical Interrogation in it self negative that in the latter place is done affirmatively 1015. Joh. 7.34 36. Where I am thither ye cannot come Chap. 17.24 Father I will that they also which thou hast given me be with me where I am Christ in the former place speaks to the Pharisees and carnal men rejecting his grace and he saith to them Where I am ye cannot come that is into heaven In the latter place he speaks of all the faithful which his Father hath given him 1016. Joh. 8.15 I am not alone but I and the Father that sent me Chap. 16.5 Now I go my way to him that sent me In the first place Christ speaks of the unity of the Divine Nature and the inseparable conjunction of the Person In the latter concerning his Death and Ascention into heaven to intercede with God the Father for us * Joh. 8.16 with Joh. 16.5 The first place shews Christ to be so conjoyned to God by his Divine Nature that he was never alone The second place tells us that Christ according to his Humane Nature was to go to such a place as
hear and grant though not just in the same mode and time another thing to hear and presently give a supply in the same manner and method 1051. Joh. 11.50 Caiphas a wicked man prophesied by the instinct of the Spirit Rom. 8.14 As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God The gifts of Gods Spirit are of Sanctification and Salvation and those are proper to the elect children of God or gifts of administration which are common to good and bad men amongst which is the gift of Prophesie * Joh. 11.50 That one man should dye c. Rom. 8.14 The gifts of God are one thing the graces of God are another Caiphas though a wicked man might have this gift given or by a thorough consideration of the Scriptures might know that one man was to dye and yet this hinders not but that only the Sons of God should have the graces of the Spirit * 1052. Joh. 12.25 He that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto eternal life 1 Joh. He that loveth wickedness hateth his own soul Hatred is not here taken properly for so man never yet hated his own flesh but hating is taken for less loving i. e. He that less loveth his life than trouble for the Gospel while he lives here shall keep his soul to eternal life though he may suffer the loss of his external life Hatred in the second place is taken for the effects of hatred He that loveth wickedness effecteth that to his soul which a man that hateth him would do that is he punisheth his own soul 1053. Joh. 12.27 Father save me from this hour Phil. 2.8 He became obedient unto death Christ feeling the sins of the world lying upon him feared death as he was man and desired rather to live than dye if that might have been granted without detriment to Gods glory and our salvation but because it was not possible that that Cup should pass from him he submitted himself to his Fathers will and said Therefore came I unto this hour 1054. Joh. 12.30 Now shall the Prime of this world be cast out Eph. 6.12 We have yet war with the Prince of this world That casting out was out of the hearts of the faithful whom though the devil do tempt and oppose many waies yet he cannot vanquish them but is cast out Also Christ respects the casting out of the devil whilst both Jews and Gentiles amongst whom the devil reigned were called to the grace of Christ by his coming * Joh. 12.30 with Eph. 6.12 Satan is cast out while the darkness of Ceremonies neglecting the Substance and the Idolatry that was amongst Jews and Gentiles was cast out and Christ by the preaching of the Gospel was exalted 2. Satan is cast out of the hearts of Gods people when he hath not his Regal and full sway in the heart but by the power of Gods grace he is mastered though satan as a tyrant even in them may strive and make onsets against the grace of God so that he being cast out as to his reigning yet not as to his tempting and striving warring against the hearts of Gods children which the latter place speaks of * 1055. Joh. 12.50 And I know that his Commandment is life 2 Cor. 3.7 The Law is the ministration of death The Commandment of God is that which either may be accounted Legal or Evangelical The former place intends Evangelical Commands i. e. such commands as were given by Christ or concerning Christ The latter is meant of Legal Commands without reference to Christ or else without the ministration of the Spirit * 1056. Joh. 13.1 Loving his own in the world he loved them to the end Hos 1.9 For you are not my people and I will not be your God Hos 9.17 My God will cast them away c. Gods People are his own first in a general or National way so are they which make an external profession of the Lord and are in outward covenant with him as the Jews these may have the external signs and impresses of Gods love and these turning away from the Lord the Lord will turn from them Secondly Gods own Elect or chosen forth of others which he once setting his love upon he loves to the end The former place is meant of his Elect. 1057. Joh. 13.27 After the sop satan entred into him Ver. 2. And supper being ended the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot The first place is of total possession when after so many admonitions from Christ and so many humane favours received Judas yet continued in his purpose of betraying Christ he is delivered to satan to be ruled so that he could think on nothing that was sound and good * 1058. Joh 13.27 Do quickly God commands no sin These are not the words of exhortation or command but spoken Ironically as if he should say Well take thy course and do what thou wilt make haste man * 1059. Joh. 13.29 Judas had the bag Mat. 10.9 Provide neither gold nor silver nor brass in your purse The latter place speaks of Christs Command upon a peculiar and particular occasion not upon the account of all times and that temporary command expired with that expedition But Christ having a purse-bearer constantly as Judas was shews that it is lawful to have and use money for our necessaries 1060. Joh. 13.34 A new Commandment I give unto you that you love one the other Mat. 22.27 This was the greatest Commandment in the Old Testament to love God and our Neighbour It is called a new Commandment not by reason of the substance but because Christ renewed it and the singular affection of love which Christ requires in his followers As he loved them and gave himself for them so he would that they should love one the other with singular affection * Joh. 13.34 with Mat. 22.37 It was an old command as to the substance of the command but a new command as to the circumstances Christ commanding it in a new manner it is not now Love your Neighbour as your self but As I have loved you The Gospel or Testament whereof this is a part is new the Spirit works it in out new hearts 1061. Ioh. 14.3 I go to prepare a place Mat. 25.34 Inherit the Kingdom prepared from the beginning of the world The place was predestinated from the beginning of the world but now by Christ it was particularly designed and fitted by the Ascension of Christ actually for the Godly 1062. Ioh. 14.4 Whither I go ye know and the way ye know Ver. 5. We know not They did know inchoatively and imperfectly but because they know not that they did know the cause was their rudeness and forgetfulness of Christs words * Joh. 14.4 wi h 5. The Disciples knew that Christ was to go to heaven but they were not so thoroughly instructed what heaven was or that he would go then thither Possibly they might imagine him to speak of
Churches allowance as for any other of the Apostles nor doth this say that they were idle or thwart the other place for there is a labour with our head and with our hands He that will not labour with head or with hand according as his Calling is is not worthy to eat but the Apostle and Barnabas did labour with their heads in their Callings * 1320. 1 Cor. 9.9 Doth God take care for Oxen God preserves both man and Beast God doth preserve and take care for Oxen to preserve them and feed them but yet God doth not take care for Oxens preservation as he doth for Mans. The former place is spoken comparatively and not Negatively 1321. 1 Cor. 9.15 It were better for me to dye than that any man should make my glorying void Chap. 1.29 That no flesh should glory in his presence The first place is of true and honest glory necessary for a good conscience that hath faithfully discharged it self in its office The latter is concerning vain unjust boasting and unnecessary which must be avoided 1322. 1 Cor. 9.20 To the Jews I became as a Jew Acts 13.46 We turn to the Gentiles The Apostle would have won both Jews and Gentiles unto Christ for the Jews cause he circumcised Timothy shore his head paid his vow in the Temple and observed other Ceremonies for a time In the latter place he turns to the Gentiles from the Jews who were hardened and thrust away from them the Word of God The former place tells us what he did in prudence The latter what he did in justice The former shews what the Apostle did to the Jews The latter what the Jews made him do to the Gentiles 1323. 1 Cor. 9.22 I am made all things to all men Gal. 1.10 If I yet pleased men I should not be the servant of Christ In the first place as a wise Teacher he accommodates himself to strong and weak to edifie them in the Gospel not as flatterers and hypocrites do * 1 Coâ— 9.22 I am made all things to all men Gal. 1.10 If I should please men I were not the servant of Christ In matters that are indifferent which may be done or not done with a good conscience I have changed my self into all fashions to comport withall that I might win at least some of all sorts Non Mentientis astu sed Compatientis effectu Nor by the deceit of Dissimulation but by the effect of Compassion If I should please men by doing unlawful actions and things that in their own nature are not indâ—fferent then I could not please Christ 1324. 1 Cor. 9.24 So run that ye may obtain Rom. 9.16 It is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth but of God that sheweth mercy The first place is of those that are justified and heirs of eternal life that fight a good fight The latter is concerning the efficient cause of our salvation which is the grace and mercy of God * 1325. 1 Cor. 9.27 But I keep under my body lest that by any means when I have preached to others I my self should be a cast away Rom. 8.39 Who shall separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus Paul mortified his lusts and subdued his flesh to the obedience and discipline of the Spirit of God lest he should be a Cast-away or reprovable or unapproued so the Greek may signifie the word signifies not a reprobate as if he were uncertain of his election for so who can separate us from the love of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies not here to be cast away for ever out of Gods favour but to be rejected either as base and refuse Oare or dross Or to be cast out of their society and company who wrestled or ran for the prize The Apostle only shews that his care was that his life might be conformable to his doctrine His practice to his preaching that so the one might not cross or confound the other and that he might not be taxed to preach that he practised not So that this thing to be a cast-away was in the sight of men not of God which nothing impedes his salvation 1326. 1 Cor. 10.2 They were all baptized unto Moses Chap. 1.13 Were you baptized in the name of Paul To be baptized in the name is taken improperly unto Moses that is in the Doctrine and Law delivered by him or by his Ministry as Acts 19. into John's Doctrine but in the latter it is taken properly so we are baptized in the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost for baptism cannot be performed in the name of any creature because to be baptized in the name of any one that is by his command and authority to be baptized for his worship faith and obedience * 1327. 1 Cor. 10.2 The Fathers were baptized into Moses The Socinians would gather Christ not to be God by comparing this with Mat. 28.19 In the name of Christ and here in Moses they would have to be in the name of Moses and so it is no more than to be baptized into the Legate of God But there is a difference betwixt to be baptized into Moses and to be baptized into his name though to be baptized into Christ and into Christs name be the same This of Moses is no otherwise to be understood than the Syriack and Arabick render it in manu in the hand i. e. by the Ministry of Moses to baptize in any mans name as 1 Cor. 1.13 In Pauls or Moses or the like is added in Scripture as they being instruments or means of the administration * 1328. 1 Cor. 10.3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat scil Manna Psal 78.24 And had rained down Manna upon them and had given of the corn of heaven Manna and the water out of the rock were in regard of their substance corporal meat and so Manna was the corn of heaven yet in regard of their spiritual and sacramental signification the Apostle calleth them spiritual meat and drink for so they were to believers who by faith in eating and drinking of them laid hold upon Christs body and bloud the true spiritual food of our souls * 1329. 1 Cor. 10.8 There fell 23000 in one day Num. 26.9.24000 Of these 24000. there was 23000 died by the immediate hand of God and those are here reckoned but besides those there was execution done upon others which might make up another thousand Or else the Apostle may well reckon 23000. as the lesser is included in the greater 1330. 1 Cor. 10.13 No temptation hath befallen you but such as is common to men Mat. 4.3 The devil is a tempter Temptation is the divine probation of our faith and obedience or a devillish tempting of us to sin or when men tempt us to persevere in sin or when the weakness of our nature draws us into faults and errours such were the temptations of the Saints and of the Corinthians here * 1 Cor. 10.13 with Mat. 4.3 No temptation
they cannot stand with love But when we are affraid out of the love and respect we owe to God to displease him or we moderately fear the punishments of the Lord. These may stand with love Perfect love casts out all tormenting fear not all fear whatsoever for Matth. 10.28 Fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell * 540. Psal 129.1 Many times have they afflicted me from my youth up Nahum 1.9 Affliction shall not rise the second time The first place tells us that the godly are often afflicted The second place tells nothing to the contrary but that the enterprises of the Assyrians against Judah and the Church were against God and therefore he would so destroy them at once that he should not need to return the second time to destroy 541. Psal 132.13 God hath chosen Sion for his habitation this is my rest for ever here will I dwell because I have chosen it Acts 6.14 We heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth should destroy this place and change the traditions of Moses In the first place is a promise of the conservation of the Temple and of the Jewish polity upon condition of their obedience if the Jews should do that which God commanded them and keep his holy Covenant In the last Stephen from the predictions of Christ and the Prophets concerning the ruine of the City and Temple at Jerusalem invites them to repentance 542. Psal 136.1 to 26. The goodnesse and mercy of the Lord is for ever and ever Tit. 3.4 When the gentlenesse and love of God our Saviour appeared The Fathers under the old Covenant did no otherwise taste the goodnesse of God than we do by looking unto Christ to whom God commended his goodnesse and him that he promised to give our Fathers for their salvation he hath given unto us revealed in the flesh 543. Psal 139.1 O Lord thou hast proved me Gal. 6.4 Every man shall prove his own work The Psalmist prayeth that God would prove him not that he was free from sinne but he desires by mercy to be cleansed The Apostle sheweth what is our duty namely to make our works approved to God which he will prove * 544. Psal 139.21 22. Do not I hate them O Lord that hate thee c. Matth. 5.44 Love your enemies There is a difference betwixt our enemies cause and his person Their sinnes and evill causes must be hated we must give no approbation thereto but their persons being Gods creatures and was his Image must beloved Enemies are of two sorts private and publick a private enemy is he which hateth a man for some private cause such a one we must love and not hate A publick enemy is he that hates an enemy for Gods cause for the Gospels cause and these be of two sorts curable and incurable if curable pray for their conversion hating their conditions incurable 1 Cor. 16.22 and even to these we must haâ—e their sinâ— and for their sinnes hate their persons and no otherwise David in the former place speaks of publick not private who hated not him but God and were incurable 545. Psal 145 8. The Lord is gracious and full of compassion Exod 33.19 I will have mercy on whom I will Rom. 9.15 19. God is gracious and mercifull so that he offereth his goodnesse to wicked men also and declares in them the effects of his grace and clemency he made them he given them temporall goods he defers his temporall and eternall judgments though they are ungratefull to him but he sheweth mercy to whom he will not looking on our worth but he saveth us frely without being obliged he doth all of his own goodnesse and mercy * Psal 145.8 with Exod. 33.9 The former place speaks of Gods mercy compared with his other attributes as they are communicated to men and so comparatively his mercy is above all his works for even wicked men have many mercies from the Lord. The second place shews Gods mercy from eternity on particular persons which no waies crosseth the former 546. Psal 147.9 He giveth to the beasts his food c. 1 Cor. 9.9 Doth God take care for Oxen God takes care for Oxen so as to give them their food in due season Yet he takes no care for Oxen in comparison as he cares for man The Apostles meaning is to shew that the end of the Law was not to shew or prescribe how Cattle should be sed though that may be occasionally delivered in it but to command equity to be used in the just rewarding of those who labour for us and under similitudes and shadows these werâ— prefigured in the Law The PROVERBS OF SOLOMON VVIthout doubt it was taken out of his three thousand Parables and his most wise sentences for the good of the Church teaching good men patience and wisdome and the fruit of it is to be imbraced and sinne to be fled from Relating the works of the wise and foolish he commends the manners of an honest woman 547. PRov. 1.15 My sonne walk not with sinners remove thy foot from their paths Luk. 15.1 All the publicans and sinners came unto him to hear him and he received them Solomon forbids us to run to evill with wicked men or to allow of their wickednesse Christ receiving publicans and sinners reproved their faults exhorted them to repentance by his great love toward them * 548. Prov. 1.20 Wisdome uttereth her voice in the streets Esay 42.2 He shall not cause his voice to be heard in the streets Christ the eternall wisdom of his Father uttereth his Gospell in the most publick places so as none can plead ignorance Nor doth this hinder Christ in his Incarnation to come privately and not with the externall pompe and glory of worldly Princes which by reason of their followers and triumphs make a noise in the streets 549. Prov. 1.26 I will mock at your trouble and laugh when your destruction cometh Ezek. 18.32 I will not the death of a sinner for I take no pleasure in the destruction of a sinner God is delighted in his justice when he punisheth those which despise his grace and that will not hearken to his fatherly vocation but of his mercy he will not the death of sinners as death is the destruction of nature The former place belongs to Gods consequent will the latter to his antecedent will that is ruled by justice this by mercy * 550. Prov. 1.28 They shall seek me early but shall not find Mat. 7.7 Seek and ye shall find When Christ saith seek and find he bids seek in time and not out of time not deferre our repentance and calling on God till Gods time be past for then if they seek God as many may do in distresses and calamities they shall not find a return of deliverance But if any man in the day of grace will seek God he shall find him * 551. Prov. 2.19 They that go in to her return no more 1 Cor. 6.10 Such were some of
her by beginnings of holinesse in this life and will in the next life set her compleatly holy before his Father without spot or rinckle * Cant. 1.5 with Cant. 4.1 Blacknesse in Scripture is put for tribulation or for sinne or thirdly for sorrow for both the former The first place speak of her blacknesse as she was in her own eyes Secondly As she was in others eyes in all these three relations I am black in yours and mine own apprehensions with tribulation sin and sorrow The second place speaks of beauty or fairenesse in Christs account It is one thing what a woman accounts her self another thing what her husband accounts her she was faire in the latter sense It is one thing to be faire in it self another thing to be faire by reflexion or imputation The spouse was inherently black but by imputation and reflexion as she was to the glasse to the Sun Christ so fair 594. Cant. 5.1 Eat O friends drink yea drink abundantly beloved Isaiah 5.11 Woe be to ye that rise early in the morning to drinke strong drink Ephes 5.14 Luke 21.34 Amb. lib. 1. cap. 5. de Cain Abel Drunkennesse with grace not with wine which makes us rejoyce not stumble must be here understood To be drunk here is to be filled with the grace of the holy Ghost and with spirituall joy concerning the Gospell which thing produceth healthfull and pleasant fruit Isaiah cries out woe to drunkards filling themselves with Wine and luxuriating in over much drink 595. Cant. 6.10 The Church is terrible as an Army with banners Chap. 7.6 How fair how pleasant art thou O love for delights She is terrible to the Devill the World to Hell but most dear and and delightfull to her Bridegroome the Lord Jesus Christ ISAIAH HIS PROPHESIE He prophesied ninety years IT was written by Isaiah the sonne of Amos the Brother of Amasiah King of Judah about the year of the World 3190. It contains legall Prophesies from Chap. 1 to the 40th with the History of Ezechias And from Chap. 40 to the end it contains Evangelicall Prophesies 596. ISai. 1.2 I have nourished children and they have rebelled against me Vers 4. Ephes 5.27 The Church is glorious without spot or wrinckle The Church of it self and from it self is full of sinnes and deformities but she is without spot or wrinkle in her Husband and head Christ who loved her and gave himself for her that he might sanctifie her cleansing her with the laver of water in the word of life Ephes 5.26 597. Isa 7.14 And they shall call his name Emanuel Luk. 2.21 His name was called Jesus In the Scriptures sometime the name is given to the person not according to the word but the thing signified Emanuel in effect is the same with Jesus Emanuel is God with us by this word the Prophet would explain the person the office and the benefits of Christ and the mystery of the personall Union and that that Sonne should be God and Man and live amongst men in his humane nature that he should assume that he might redeem them and save them from their sinnes 598. Isai 8.20 To the Law and the Testament 1 Cor. 2.2 â—etermined to know nothing amongst you Matth. 1.21 but Jesus Christ and him crucified Since Christ is the end of the Law and the Prophets it is most profitable for us to believe in him and to seek comfort in his Crosse for without he had been crucified he had not wrought salvation for mankind * 599. Isai 8.20 with 1 Cor. 2.2 He that sends us to the Law and testimonies he sends us to Christ for the Law is a Schoolemaster to bring us to Christ and the Prophets are they which testifie of Christ To be sent to them was in relation to him so that the precept of Isaiah and the practise of Paul were the same 600. Isai 9.3 Thou hast multiplied the Nation and hast not increased their joy Chap. 60.5 Then thou shalt see and shalt flow together and thine heart shall fear and be enlarged because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee The joy of the Nation and the people under the yoak of Rome though it be not increased yet it is enlarged whilst the Heathen people being called into the Church forsaking their heathenish rites do embrace the Christian Religion 601. Isai 9.6 Vnto us a child is born unto us a son is given Luke 2. After seven hundred years Christ was born under Augustus Caesar It is usuall in the Scripture to have the present tence and preter tence put for the future tence and the future tence for the present and preter tence So Psal 22.8 All make a mock of me 602. Isai 9.6 His name shall be called the Prince of peace of his peace there shall be no end Matth. 10.34 Think not that I came to send peace on the earth I came not to send peace but the sword In the former place is understood the true Christian peace of God and Christ which we have with God our Neâ—â—â—bour and our selves In the latter is meant worldly peace that we have with men of this world which is often bad Yet Christ doth not of himself bring the sword but by accident in regard of the malice of the World and the Devill who are the authors of contentions 603. Isai 9.6 He shall be called the everlasting Father 1 Cor. 15.24 He shall deliver up the Kingdome to his Father when he shall have put down all principality Since eternall and Kingly power belongeth unto Christ it shall never be taken from him but the manner of his governement shall be changed for he shall no longer governe his Church by the Ministery of his Word and Sacraments but shall represent it to his heavenly Father freed from all evill Nor shall there be any more worldly governements after the blessed resurrection * 604. Isai 9.6 with 6. A son is given The everlasting Father He is the sonne of the everlasting Father by nature He is the everlasting Father in respect of us whom he hath bought by his Blood begotten by his Spirit preserved by his Power and created by his Divinity 605. Isai 9.7 Of the increase of his Government and peace there shall be no end Luk. 12.49 I came to send fire into the earth and what will I but that it may be kindled It is not meant a fire of discord and malice amongst men but a fire of pure doctrine consuming all filth and temptations betwixt the spirit and the flesh the true and false teachers the godly and the wicked the Devill and men For the Gospell is no cause of troubles but as lime when it is mixt with water groweth hot so the wickednesse of men stirred up by Gods Word rageth against Christ and his Gospell * 606. Isai 26.10 with Isa 40.5 The first place shews what wicked men will do the second what the
sate at the right hand of God Chap. 14.22 This is my body Christ ascending and sitting at the right hand of God doth not take away the presence of his body in the holy Supper but confessing it Phil. 2.9 that he is exalted above all things into glory 935. Mar. 16.19 Christ sits at the right hand of God Eph. 1.20 Col. 3.1 Heb. 1.3 c. 8.1 1 Pet. 3.22 Act. 7.56 Steven saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God To sit is the part of the Judge to stand the part of him that fights and helps us saith Gregory Homil. de Ascens Domini Steven therefore being at the conflict with death saw him standing whom he had for to help him but Mark describes Christ sitting after his Resurrection for after the glory of his Ascension he shall come as Judge in the end of the World The Gospel of St. LUKE IT comprehends the Conception of John Baptist and Jesus Christ with their Nativity Life Vocation Sermons in special the Miracles of Christ his Passion Death Resurrection Apparition and Ascension into Heaven 936. LUK. 1.13 Zacharias prayer is heard ver 18. He believed not Although he had a conflict through the weakness of his faith of the special gift of so wonderful a Son yet he had a general faith concerning a Messias the Deliverer of the people from their disgrace and therefore his doubting did not exclude his prayers from being heard 937. Luk. 1.32 The Lord God shall give unto him the Throne of his Father David Joh. 18.36 My Kingdom is not of this world To sit in the Throne of David here is not to govern a temporal Kingdom as David did here on earth but a spiritual wherein Christ reigns by faith in the hearts of his followers and he rules over sin death and the devil 938. Luk. 1.33 And he shall reign over the House of Jacob for ever 1 Cor. 15.24 He shall deliver up the Kingdom to God the Father ver 28. He shall be subject unto him Christs Kingdom is eternal and without end not as Davids earthly Kingdom was for a few daies but it must be continued for ever in the Person of Christ and the faithful after a spiritual manner he shall deliver the Kingdom to the Father not that he shall no longer rule with the Father but because â—fter this world is ended he will fully joyn us to his Father and will govern his Church otherwise than it is now governed * Luk. 1.33 with 1 Cor. 15.24 28. There is a twofold Kingdom of Christ 1. Essential as God 2. Oeconomical as Mediator God and Man betwixt God and Man The first Kingdom is not here spoken of in either place And as for the second which he received from his Father he shall surrender it up again to his Father after he hath subdued sin and death and put all his enemies under his feet Christ governs his Kingdom his Church and people here by means and instruments as the Word Sacraments Ministers c. By Angels Men Ecclestastical or Politick opposing means for the suppressing his childrens adversaries Now he shall deliver this Mediatory rule when he hath fully reconciled all men to God and perfected his work to God the Father who will rule his Children in a new and hidden way without men or means nor mediatly but immediately by himself Christ shall still reign He shall reign over Israel for ever because he shall rule till Eternity come and after him there shall be no King for when Eternity comes he shall rule though in a new way 939. Luk. 1.36 Elizabeth Maries Cousin ver 5. She was of the daughters of Aaron Luk. 2.5 Mary was of the Tribe of Judah of the house of David In the Scripture they are called Cousins though they are not at all of the same family so vulgarly Anna is affirmed to be the mother of Mary and the sister of Elizabeth 940. Luk. 1.44 The babe leaped in my womb for joy that is Iohn Baptist in the womb of his Mother when Mary came to her Joh. 1.31 I knew him not saith Iohn Christ was known to John before by internal and spiritual knowledge but John knew him externally and corporally in his baptism 941. Luk. 1.67 Zacharias prophesied being full of the Holy Ghost Joh. 7.39 The Holy Ghost was not yet because Christ was not yet glorified The first place is meant of the gift and Spirit of Prophesie the latter place is concerning the visible and wonderful effusion of gifts of the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles after Christs glorification 942. Luk. 2.11 There is born to you a Saviour in the City of David which is Christ the Lord. 1 Pet. 3.21 Baptism doth save us Subalternates do not disagree Christ makes his people safe from their sins principally as the efficient meritorious cause Baptism serves but instrumentally and not alwaies for it is not the want of Baptism but the contempt which condeâ—ns us 943. Luk. 2.33 His Father and mother marvelled at those things Mat. 1.8 Jesus according to his humanity had no Father Heb. 7.3 According to his Divinity had no Mother The Father of Jesus Christ Joseph was only so for his care but not really and naturally so for he was appointed by God to be a keeper of the Virgin Mary espoused to him and her Son and Christ being a little child gave him honour and reverence due to a Father The Virgin Mary was his natural Mother according to the flesh for he received his humane nature of her substance 944. Luk. 2.34 Simeon blessed him Heb. 7.7 The lesser is blessed of the better Simeon prayed well for Mary congratulating her concerning her happy and blessed Off-spring and by a Prophetick Spirit foreshewing the hard success she and her Son should have but he did not prefer himself before them 945. Luk. 3.7 The Baptist cals the Pharisees a generation of Vipers Mat. 5.22 He that saith to his brother Thou Fool shall be in danger of hell fire John Baptist calls them not so reproachfully out of an ill affection but from his Office because such were full of poyson and malice working the Viperous works of the devil the old Serpent So the Ministers of the Church must publickly complain of the sins of the people 946. Luk. 5.10 Fear not from henceforth thou shalt catch men Joh. 1.42 Andrew brought Simon his brother to Christ Simon is brought by Andrew to follow Christ and to profess the Gospel by a general call but Christ calls him by a special call to the Sacred Function about the matter of Fishing 947. Luk. 6.1 And it came to pass on the second Sabbath after the first that he went through the Corn fields Mat. 12.1 At that time Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the corn The Jews calâ—ed the eight day of the great solemnity the second Sabbath after the firâ—â— for some of their Feasts lasted for eight daies and the first day with the eighth day were the most solemn and the intermediate
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 speaks 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 rudeness could not bear before they had received the Holy Ghost nor did they understand it * Joh. 15.15 with 16.12 All things I have heard either he spake this Prophetically as if things to come were past or else I have declared the substance and maine though not the particulars which are to be revealed afterwards I have revealed what the Father would have me to reveal for that which is to come when the Father gives me license and authority to do it I shall * 1074. Joh. 15.24 If I had not done such works as none other man Joh. 14.12 The works that I do ye shall do and greater The former place speaks of what had been done in the time past Christ did such Miracles as none did the like The latter place tells of what the godly should do and so they should do greater works 1075. 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 part 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 whilst he conversed amongst the Gentiles * Joh. 16.13 with Gal. 2.11 The Spirit of Truth did lead them into all truth necessary for them to know they were led into all truth but not into all truth at the same time God dispensed his truth to them sometime after a fall or doubt sometime without a fall but we know that they were led into all truth in their writings 1076. 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 * Joh. 16.24 with Mat. 6.9 Luk. 11.2 We cannot imagine that the Patriachs and Prophets with the Disciples did pray explicitely and distinctly in the name of Christ the Mediator or for his Cause though probably the Apostles and others did it more implicitely Before Christs rising from the dead they might pray for their Saviours cause and sake in general terms and yet not pray in this Christs name and for his sake as the promised Saviour to come and though they might take him to be the Christ yet not so distinctly call upon God in his name 1077. 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 and at his command pray in full assurance which is necessary for our salvation * Joh. 16.26 with Rom. 8.26 Christ in the former place would have the Disciples to know that they have favour with God and not only by his means but also of the natural propensity and proclivity of the Fathers nature towards poor Creatures who sent Christ for sinners and who is as ready to grant as they are to ask in Christs name therefore I do not say that the Father contemns you and only when I pray the Father hath a respect for you for you are even dear to the Father as you are to me The second place shews that the Spirit intercedes for us but it is by the merit of Christ and yet this hinders not but God hath a love towards us else he had not sent Christ to save us 1078. 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 Only here doth not exclude the Persons in the Divine Essence but Creatures and Idols which are no gods * Joh. 17.3 The only true God The Socinians would have the exclusive adjection heâ—e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to know thee to be solum verum Deum the alone true God Christ said not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that they may know thee only to be the true God It is not the Father alone as the solitary subject of the Enunciation of being the true God but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 solus ille verus Deus is the predicate and attributed to the Father as he that sent Jesus Christ Here is excluded all that are called Gods as the Objects of Religious Worship and only the true God introduced 1079. 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 publikely and in the Temple not in private corners In the latter place he taught privately explaining those things which he had taught publikely * Joh. 18.20 with Mar. 9.28 Christ taught nothing in private which he bid his hearers keep to themselves but what he taught in private he would have it revealed on the house top * 1080. Joh. 18.28 That they might eat the Passeover Exod. 12. The fourteenth day Doubt Our Saviour had eaten the Passeover over night so that either Christ or the Jews hit not on the right Fourteenth day either he a day too soon or they a day too late Answer Neither the one nor the other Christ and the Jews eat both on the same night Mat. 26.17 Mar. 14.12 Luk. 22.7 The Passeover which the Jews reserved to themselves to be eaten now was not the Paschal Lamb that was eaten the night before but of the Passeover Bullock mentioned Deut. 16.2 2 Chron. 35.7 8 9. Which Bullocks were slain at the Passeover time but not for the Passeover Beast properly taken for that must be of a Lamb or Kid unalterably But those Bullocks were slain as attendants upon the Paschal from the nature of which Sacrifice they differed * 1081. Joh. 18 31. It is not lawful for us to put any man to death And yet they killed Stephen and James The Romans had taken from the Jews the power of putting to death leaving them only power to take Cognizance of an offence and judge it according to their Law not execute that Law Stephen had no legâ—l tryal but slain tumultuously and James was slain by Annas who then was no more than a private person being deprived of his authority Or else it is not lawful to kill any in the Passeover time * 1082. Joh. 18.31 with Joh. 19.7 We have a
affirm that all the Gentiles do fulfil 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 latter by the name Carnal he understands the unregenerate part and the corruption of nature 1171. Rom. 2.14 The Gentiles have not the Law 1 Joh. 3.4 Sin is the transgression of the Law The Gentiles indeed had not the Law published in writing by Moses but the natural Law in the first Creation was printed in every man which we transgressed in Adam and so were made sinners Adam was saith Ambrose on Luke l. 7. and in him we were all Adam fell and in him all men fell * 1172. Rom. 2.14 Do by nature the things contained in the Law Eph. 2.3 Were by nature children of wrath as well as others The Apostle in the former place describes the Gentiles in general even before the times of the Gospel and such as had no other direction than by the Law of Nature which they had as appears both by the external works of the Law and by the inward Testimony of their conscience Yet the Apostle saith not they followed the Law they only did certain things prescribed in the Law and he speaks rather De notitia naturali quam de implendi legis facultate of the natural knowledge which he had not of any power or faculty to fulfil the Law and he meaneâ—h not all the Gentiles in general but the wiser sort among them as Solon Socrates Aristides c. who outwardly did some external works which the Law commanded though they wanted the inward obedience The sum is this place speaks of doing the same things in kind with Christians but not out of a Christian principle much less with all Christian Qualifications and so though they did by the light of nature some things contained in the Law no man can imagine they did all yet could not be justified by the Law * 1173. Rom. 2.23 Circumcision profiteth if thou keep the Law Gal. 5.2 5. 6.1 If you be circumcised Christ shall profit you nothing In the places last mentioned the Apostle speaketh of Circumcision then abrogated in the times of the Gospel but in the former he hath respect unto the times of the Law while Circumcision was an ordinary Sacrament of the old Testamenâ— The Apostle speaks here of the profit which Circumcision brought which was only during the continuance of such legal Sacraments which were profitable unto them then as being seals unto them of the righteousness of faith in Christ so then Circumcision with other legal Rites was profitable under the Law But after the Ceremonies were abolished they became unprofitable in the mean time between boâ—h as they profited not such as believed of the Circumcision so they hindred not if they did not repose their trust and confidence in them 1174. Rom. 2.25 Circumcision verily profiteth if thou keep the Law Gal. 5.2 c. 6.15 If you be circumcised Christ shall profit you nothing External Circumcision in the Old Testament was a Sacrament upon condition of the Law fulfilled Under the New Testament as other Ceremonies it is mortal in the place of this came Baptism In former times it did profit the Fathers as a seal of the righteousness of faith after Christ came and the Gospel was planted it was taken away by the full plenty of spiritual Circumcision 1175. Rom. 3.2 The Jews exceed the Gentiles much every way Ver. 9. What then Are we bâ—tter than they No in no wise Chap. 10.12 The Apostle speaks in the former place in respect of the Jews excellency from the Covenant of God A temporary priviledge is on thing an everlasting is another who was pleased to bestow on the Jews the grace of his Covenant and his Law before the Gentiles were called In the latter place he speaks of the Jews themselves who deserved no more favour at Gods hands than the Gentiles nor were they better than we and continuing in their unbelief they have lost their priviledges they were nothing to be preferred before the Gentiles Gal. 3.28 but now we are all one in Christ and that prerogative is taken away 1176. Rom. 3.4 Every man is a lyar Chap. 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 enlighâ—ened with the Holy Ghost he embraceth truth as is manifest in Paul 1177. Rom. 3.8 We must not do evil that good may come Chap. 9.18 God hardening the wicked produceth that which is good In the former place is spoken of evil of sin in the latter of evil of punishment It is the singular goodness of God that he so over-rules sin that it may be converted to good as we see in Joseph 1178. Rom. 3.12 There is no man that doth good no not one Joh. 13.10 Ch. 15.3 You are clean through the word which I have spoken By nature by reason of inherent sin we are all unclean by the grace of God in Christ we are cleansed and our hearts are purged 1179. Rom. 3.20 For by the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight Chap. 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 latter the Apostle urgeth works as necessary not by necessity of the cause to justifie Bern. but to be present in him that is iustified for works are no cause of reigning but they are the way to the Kingdom * 1180. Rom. 3.24 Being justified freely by his grace Rom. 5.1 Being justified by faith We are justified freely in respect of any merit of or in us what God doth he doth it freely and by his grace We are said to be justified by faith not in opposition but subordination to grace grace is the cause faith is the instrument We are justified by faith as it brings home Christ the cause of our salvation but not as the cause it self 1181. Rom. 3.28 Faith is greater than 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 Exod. 3.17 we please God but charity without faith is sin Charity is said to be greater than faith or hope because it never fails but shall endure in our future state and 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 1182. Rom. 3.25 God hath sent forth Jesus Christ to be a propitiation Joh. 18.2 Judas delivered him to the Jews The Father delivered his Son out of
love to us but Judas delivered Christ out of covetousness The Father for us and for our salvation Judas for thirty pieces of silver to his own destruction 1183. Rom. 3.28 We conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the Law Jam. 2.24 You see that by works a man is justified and nat by faith only Paul doth not separate as to existency works from faith which works by love but the object of Justification before God Gal. 5.6 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 Iustification 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 faâ—â— he doth it not that works should be despised because they follow the man justified they do not go before Justification * Rom. 3.28 with Jam. 2.24 St. Paul tells us a man is justified by faith in opposition to that justification which the Jews expected by the deeds of the Law St. James tells us a man is justified by works in opposition to a pretence of faith or such a faith as men say they have while they pretend to believe in Christ and yet do nothing that Christ commands St. Paul tells us it is a faith alone that justifies but not such a faith as is alone for that faith which justifies though it justifie as alone yet it alwaies is accompanied with good works St. James saith a man is justified by works or a faith which is working St. Paul speaks of faith as it justifies in foro divino before God St. James of works as they justifie in foro conscientiae vel humano as they justifie us to our selves or to others Faith justifies our Persons Works justifie our Faith 1184. 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 weakness thereof The first place is of the Moral Law which faith confirmeth because Christ came to fulfil it and not to destroy it and the end of the Law is to bring us to Christ The latter place is concerning the Ceremonial Law which is abrogated because the shadow was to give place to the substance * 1185. Rom. 4.3 Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness Psal 106.31 And Phinehas executed judgment and it was counted unto him for righteousness Abraham was not justified merito fidei by the merit and worthiness of his faith Abraham was justified by faith not materialiter materially as it was an act but relate objective as it hath relation unto the Object the Justice of Christ and Organice instrumentally as it applyeth the righteousness of Christ Abraham believed the Promise of God to be his shield and to give him an heir of his own body and to multiply his numerous Posterity of whom Christ was the chief and by whom all Nations were to be blessed As for Phinehas God accounted his Act as a righteous Act though men might count it an an Act of rash Zeal So that the Act did not Justifie the Person but the Person doing that Act sincerely was justified as to that Action * 1186. Rom. 4.5 God justifieth the ungodly 1 Kin. 8.31 Condemning the wicked to bring his way upon his head and justifying the righteous God justifieth the ungodly not as he is ungodly but as he is penitent and turning from his ungodliness He is said to justifie the ungodly as those who were so in themselves and are cloathed in Christ and so are esteemed godly * 1187. Rom. 4.5 But to him that worketh not but believeth Lu. 10.28 This do and thou shalt live The former place saith He who is not able to fulfil the condition of works not grounding himself thereon taking the way to be saved by believing to him is the reward reckoned The latter place shews us a man who sought Eternal life by the works of the Law which he could not fulfil whom Christ referred to the Law to shew him his sin knowing that would be a means to bring him to Christ or leave him inexcusable and so they intend the same thing 1188. 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 merciful In the first place is spoken of the cause of blessedness namely remission of sins and imputation of righteosness In the latter place of vertues which are the way to blessedness 1189. Rom. 4.15 Chap. 5.20 Where there is no Law there is no transgression Chap. 2.12 As many as sin in the Law shall be judged by the Law In the former place the Law is taken generally without which there can be no transgression In the latter place he speaks of the natural Law for even the Gentiles shall perish for violating of it * 1190. Rom. 4.17 Even God who quickneth the dead 2 Kings 4.35 Elias raised the dead c. God only and of his own power raised the dead the Prophets and Apostles raised the dead by power of God and not by their own power They as Instruments God as the Cause 1191. Rom. 4.18 Abraham against hope Ver. 18. Believed in hope He believed contrary to humane hope by his hope in God having confidence contrary to the reason of the flesh the force of nature for all these would have weakned hope would make him doubt and despair also yet he overcame all those difficulties by firm hope he hoped in things desperate distrusting himself but trusting in God * 1192. Rom. 4.20 He staggered not at the Promise Gen. 17.17 Abraham fell upon his face and laughed This laughing is of admiration at Gods favour nor at distrust of his power though he had hitherto found an indisposition in his body to beget a Child and having been so long without he could not but entertain the Promise by way of wonder and rejoycing and in this rejoycing his faith might reach as far as the joy of the Messiah Luk. 2.10 Joh. 8.56 1193. Rom. 4.25 God raised Jesus Christ our Lord from the dead Joh. 10.18 I have power to lay down my life and I have power to take it up The Resurrection is ascribed to God the Father because the works of the Trinity ad extra are indivisible to the Son because he hath the same power with the Father who willingly underwent death and therefore the Resurrection is to be ascribed to his free will 1194. Rom. 5.2 By faith we stand and rejoyce 1 Cor. 10.12 Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed least he fall We stand founded on Gods grace whilst we are kept by the power of God by faith unto salvation by sin we fall when we think we stand 1195. Rom. 5.4 Patience worketh experience Jam. 1.3 Experience worketh patience Probation in the first place is taken
shew themselves unworthy of them so here is a Metonymy of the effect for the cause Neither are all Gods gifts without repentance but such gifts as depend upon Election Neither is every Vocation unchangeable but only the internal and spiritual God had chosen Saul to be King and furnished him with excellent gifts but they were only temporal Though he had a temporal Election to the Kingdom it follows not that he was eternally elected for God had decreed or foreseen that Saul should not continue in the Kingdom appointed unto David 1243. Rom. 11.32 God hath concluded them all in unbelief that he might have mercy upon all Mat. 7.14 For streight is the way which leadeth unto life and few there are that find it The Apostle understands all that is Jews and Gentiles who are not saved by themselves but of the meer mercy of God * 1244. Rom. 11.32 God hath shut them all in unbelief Psal 92.16 And there is no iniquity within him God doth not commit iniquity by shutting all up in unbelief for they are shut up as in a prison in punishing them as a just Judge with the fetters as it were with Gives of their own blindness and hardness of heart Rom. 1.26 Like as a Judge doth inflict imprisonment upon offenders and restraint of liberty So men are kept in the prison of infidelity by the justice of God their sins so deserving But here is the difference Civil imprisonment is for sin yet it is not sin but Spiritual imprisonment is blindness and unbelief is sin And God justly punisheth sin with sin Quis dicat Achabum non peccasse credendo spiritui mendaci c. Who can say that Ahab sinned not in believing the false Spirit And who will say that sin was not the punishment of sin coming from the judgment of God 1245. Rom. 11.34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord 1 Cor. 2.16 But we have the mind of Christ The first place is concerning the inscrutable secrets of Gods wisdom which are not needful for us to know the latter is concerning mysteries that belong to our salvation revealed in Gods Word and such which no man by his natural reason were it never so acute could ever come to know * 1246. Rom. 12 2. Fashion not your selves with 15. Rejoyce with them that rejoyce weep with them that weep Fashion not or be not conformed or apply not your selves to the customs dispositions and Practises of worldly and corrupt men The latter place bids us not rejoyce with wicked men but with the godly and weep with them which contradicts not the former 1247. Rom. 12.20 Thou shalt heap coals of fire upon the head of thine enemy Mat. 5.44 Love your enemies do good to them that hate you The Apostle understands here by coals the spiritual things of conscience not naturall coals for benefits done to an enemy are a cautery to his conscience which pricks and burns out adversary doth justly convince him and stirs him up to peace concord amendment of life let us therefore overcome evil with good and so win the victory over our enemies * 1248. Rom. 12.44 Love your enemies bless them that curse you Psal 139.21 22. Do not I haâ—e them O Lord that hate thee c. We must put a difference betwixt our enemies cause and his person betwixt sin and a sinner Their evil causes and their sins must be hated and we must give no approbation thereto but yet their persons being Gods Creatures and bearing his Image in some sort must be loved Enemies be of two sorts Private and Publick A private enemy is he that hateth a man for some private cause in himself or concerning his affairs and such a one we must love and not hate as Christ commandeth and the Apostle here A publick enemy is he that hateth a man for Gods cause for Religion and the Gospels sake and these enemies be of two sorts curable and incurable We must pray for the publick curable enemies that they may be converted and yet hate their conditions If they be incurable and we have plain signs of their final impenitency then we may hate them for so we hate the devil and yeâ— so hate as to direct ouâ— hatred to their sins and for their sins hate their persons and no otherwise The latter place speaks of publick enemies 1249. Rom. 13.1 There is no power but of God 1 Pet. 2.13 Be subject to every Ordinance of man The Magistracy is a Divine Institution It is called the Ordinance of man because men undergo it and it is employed for the government of men and was ordained for the good of man though the Magistrate be ordained of men yet that is done by Divine authority and subalternates disagree not * 1250. Rom. 13.1 The powers that be are ordained of God Hos 8.4 They have set up Princes but not by me they have made Princes and I knew it not We distinguish betwixt the power in it self considered and the way of attaining unto that power and the use and manner of execution The first is alwais of God but not the second and the third for when any by bribery cruelty or any other corrupt meanâ— attaineth unto any Magistracy or abuseth his power tyrannically or wickedly in neither of these respects is he said to be of God As to that of Hosea the renting of the Kingdom from Solomon and giving ten Tribes to Jeroboam was the Lords own act 1 Kin. 11.31 But in respect of the circumstances as the rebellion of the people against their lawful King and their falling away from his obedience without consulting with God so was it not the Lords act Besides He is said to have reigned but not by God in respect of the manner of his government Qâ—â—â— se non accomodavit ad scriptam patefactam Dei voluntatem and so they reign but not by God both because it is contrary to the order instituted of God and they reign to themselves not to God 1251. Rom. 13.2 Whosoever resisteth the power resisteth the Ordinance of God Mat. 22.21 Render unto Caesar the things that are Cesars and unto God the things that are Gods Preachers have authority to reprove the Magistrate Theologically for his sins but not politickly to resist him when he applies himself to Gods Commandments But if he shall degenerate into a Tyrant and Idolater and opposing himself to God 1 Tim. 5.20 2 Tim. 4.2 Acts 5.29 shall set up what is contrary to God then we must obey God rather than men For the second Table of the Law must give place to the first Table * 1252. Rom. 13.2 Magistracy is the Ordinance of God 1 Pet. 2.13 Magistracy is intimated to be the Ordinance of man The Powers are not simply of God as other things but especially ordained that is by special precept from God there are other things of God as Famine Sickness War but not ordained by Precept and Command Three waies may these Powers be said to be
or by his being apprehended by faith in the heart of believers or of Doctrine because the fundamental Doctrine necessary to salvation respects Christ which Doctrine is contained in the Law and the Gospel in the Law because Christ is the end of the Law and perfect charity this is the principal foundation the second foundation is ministerial and that is of the Prophets and Apostles because by their Ministry the fundamental Doctrine is delivered 1286. 1 Cor. 3.15 Hereticks shall be saved by fire Mat. 7.22 They shall be condemned The first place is not concerning obstinate Hereticks who overthrow the foundation but of such as hold the foundation they that build upon this foundation wood hay stubble that is they that darken the Gospel of Christ with improper obscure frivolous foolish expositions mingling with questions mens inventions Philosophical traditions such if they renounce their opinions and hold the true foundation they may be saved * 1 Cor. 3.15 with Mat. 7.22 The first place shews that if any mans Doctrine will not endure the tryal of the Word he shall lose the praise of his labour which shall not be accepted nor praised of God Notwithstanding if he have not so erred as to destroy the foundation he himself shall be saved by the fire of revealed brightness of Christ or of the fire of the spirit which will shew the vanity of his work or by the fire of affliction or so saved as one that escapeth naked out of the fire without carrying away or saving any of his goods His person may be saved but he shall lose his reward of a well-qualified Minister The latter place tells us how Christ will do with such as preach but live not as they preach or else that preach in Christs name and destroy the foundation * 1287. 1 Cor. 3.18 If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world let him become a fool that he may be wise Jam. 1.5 If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God c. If any man be worldly wise let him lay aside that wisdom and become such an one as the World accounts a fool a Believer in Christ that so he may be truly and spiritually wise If any man want this spiritual wisdom though he be worldly wise let him ask this wisdom which is spiritual of God 1288. 1 Cor. 4.1 Let a man so account of us as of the Ministers of Christ Joh. 15.15 You are my friends We are servants in respect of Creation Aug. in Joh. trac Redemption Vocation friends in respect of Adoption and Revelation of things necessary to Salvation 1289. 1 Cor. 4.3 With me it is a small thing to be judged of you Chap. 14.32 The spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets Paul despiseth not the judgement of the Church and godly men but he denieth that he hunts after favour or applause from men 2 Cor. 10.15 or that he cares for the sinister judgment of those that contemned him therefore he appeals to the censure of the Church 1290. 1 Cor. 4.3 I judge not my self Vers 4. 1 Cor. 10.15 For I know nothing of my self I do not judge my self so as to prefer my self before others nor do I commend my self lest I should seem to boast nor do I dispraise my self lest I do wrong to my Office saith Chrysostome The Apostle was so modest who when he might have commended himself in respect of his vocation doctrine and fidelity lest he should seem to be a Judge in his own cause he leaves the judgment to God Lastly he knew nothing by himself in respect of his Office and a good conscience wherein he lived honestly but he speaks not of his fore-past life 1291. 1 Cor. 4.3 I judge not my self Chap. 11.31 If we would judge our selves we shold not be judged In the first place he avoids the judgment of dignity of preferring himself before others In the latter he commends the judgment of correction and proving of our selves which belongs to all men 1292. 1 Cor. 4.5 Judge nothing before the time Chap. 10 15. Judge ye The Apostle in the former place appeals from the corrupt judgment of the Corinthians unto Christ the supream Judge as if he should say Do not pass your censure before you know the matter perfectly and the parties have been heard or before the last judgment day when God shall judge us all by which words he casts a bridle on all perverse censurers and condemns untimely judgment before things be certainly known * 1 Cor. 4.5 Judge nothing before the time 1 Cor. 10.5 Judge you what I say The former place forbids not all judging of things and persons but a rash and precipitate censuring of persons and actions misconstruing doubtful things which might in the judgment of charity have admitted a better interpretation Judge not rigidly without mercy exaggerating small faults Judge not partially having an eye to the offenders rather than to the offences Things and actions that are not clear and conspicuous judge not before the time of Gods revealing yet you may judg Doctrines which are delivered unto you seeing you have the Word to judge by nor is this judging before the time for the time is come to judge the Doctrines of men by the Word of God * 1293. 1 Cor. 4.14 I write not these things to shame you 1 Cor. 6.5 I speak to your shame It is one thing to write scoffingly at their vanity by comparing his own estate with theirs Another thing to write to them shewing them their own faults to themselves in such a convincing manner as may make them to avoid those courses which may make them ashamed Paul did not the former but he did the latter * 1294. 1 Cor. 4.15 You have not many Fathers for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the Gospel Mat. 23.9 Call no man father on earth The first place speaks after this sense You may have many Ministers to instruct you and to feed you being already begotten but yet you cannot say you have many Fathers or those which first preached the Gospel to you and by that preaching begot you to believe in Christ I did that office for you The second place bids us call no man on earth primarily or originally father secondarily and as instruments we may * 1295. 1 Cor. 4.20 The Kingdom of God is not in word but in power Rom. 10.10 By the mouth confession is made to salvation The former place tells us the Apostle doth not govern nor handle the hearts of his by Rhetorical art and speeches after the manner of worldly States but by the strength of his Spirit which gives life to the plainness of mens preaching The second place tells us that God requires of them whom he hath won by his Spirit that they should make confession of the name of Jesus Christ if they think to be saved God doth not only require that you should believe with the heart that Jesus is the
Christ but he doth expect if you would have salvation by Christ you should confess his name So that the former place tells us how and by what we come unto the kingdom of grace by the Spirit The latter how we should come unto the kingdom of glory and that is by believing and confessing 1296. 1 Cor. 5.1 It is reported that there is fornication amongst you and such as is not amongst the Gentiles Rom. 1.26 The Gentiles were given up to all unclean affections The Apostle sheweth that this wickedness was detested by the more honest heathens that without detestation it could not be named before chaste ears also the offenders themselves did detest that wickedness * 1 Cor. 5.1 with Rom. 1.26 The former place shews that Incest was practised among these Corinthians a crime that the very Gentiles detested severely punished in their Laws if any among them which seldom fell out defiled themselves with any such unnatural contract or abominable act The latter place shews that the Gentiles were given to all unclean affections in the whole yet that this sin of Incest was generally practised of them or by any of them without punishment is not said 1297. 1 Cor. 5.12 What have I to do to judge them that are without Cha. 6.2 Do you not know that the Saints shall judge the World The first place is of his Apostolical function whereby Paul was very careful of those who were made members of the Church by the word he preached to them The latter is of the Saints in general and their judgment of approbation The Saints saith Chrysostome shall judge the world by their exemplary judgment because by their example the perfidiousness of the world shall be condemned 1298. 1 Cor. 6.1 Dare any of you go to Law before the unjust Rom. 13.1 Let every soul be subject to the higher powers In the first place the Apostle condemns their desire to contend before an unbelieving Judge yet he doth not forbid them to appear before civil Judicature * 1 Cor. 6.1 with Rom. 13.1 The Apostle condemns not their going to law or their trying civil Causes at the Tribunal of Infidels if right could not be had else where and if the matter were of very great consequence and not only concerning our selves But he condemns them for going to law before Infidels whereas there were brethren and Christians enough to compose differences and not out of spleen or other sinister affection to implead one another before heathen Judges which could not be done without great scandal to the godly and wrong to Christian Religion for this laid open to the Gentiles the Ambition Envy Covetousness c. of the Christians who at the best are but men though the Heathens considered it not but were subject to throw the failings of Professors on Profession it self * 1299. 1 Cor. 6.2 Do ye not know that the Saints shall judge the World Psal 9.8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness God judgeth the World authoritatively and Primarily The Saints judge the World derivatively and as Assessors and approvers of Gods Judgment to be just 1300. 1 Cor. 6.5 Is there not a wise man among you Chap. 1.20 There are not many wise In the first place he makes the question in the next he asserts that there are not many wise men amongst the Corinthians but he requires not carnal wisdom but Christian wisdom the beginning whereof is the fear of the Lord. * 1 Cor. 6.5 with 1 Cor. 1.26 While he asks the question Whether there be a wise man He doth not deny that there is but rather asserts it And while he saith that not many wise men after the flesh He doth not assert that there were many wise men among them but this that in all the world we should find that not many carnally wise men were converted to believe in Christ The former place is spoken of discreet and prudent Christians The latter place of carnally wise men 1301. 1 Cor. 6.13 God shall destroy the belly Phil. 3.21 He shall change our vile body The first place is of the abuse of the belly of the flesh and worldly pleasures the belly being it is a part of mans body shall not be destroyed but glorified with the other members 1302. 1 Cor. 7.1 It is good for a man not to touch a woman Ver. 2. Let every man have his own wife Good here is not opposed to evil or to sin as if it were sin to live in Wedlock but it signifies tranquility of life especially in time of persecution The wife before the fall was given to man by God as a helper to his devotion society generation education oeconomy and much more after the fall is she a helper to him in his infirmity and is the remedy of unlawful love 1303. 1 Cor. 7.6 I speak this by permission and not of commandment Vers 5. Defraud you not one the other Vers 2. Let every man have his own wife The first place leaves it free to married people to live continently if they can and are willing so to do Gen. 2.24 Mat. 19. â— In the latter places the pious custome of married people by the Institution of God and the approbation of Christ is commended 1304. 1 Cor. 7.10 I command Mat. 5.32 c. 19.3 yet not I but the Lord. Ver. 12. Speak I not the Lord. First he saith not I but the Lord because it was a Law to forbid divorcements Afterward I saith he not the Lord because by him without a commandment of God the Holy Ghost did then teach * 1 Cor. 7.10 with 12. I command you from the Lord and not by any new doctrine or Law and yet not by meer counsel and advice of wisdom but by Christs express command He speaks not this by peculiar revelation as some other things afterwards but that he had an express command for it in Scripture Yet I speak not the Lord I guided as I suppose by the Holy Ghost but I cannot be so confident of this as of the rest because I have not so clear a revelation from God nor have the express Word of God for it so as for the other * 1305. 1 Cor. 7.10 Let not the wife depart from her husband Luk. 18.29 No man hath left House or Parents or Brethren or Wife c. There is a double departure from a Wife the one in body the other in spirit and affection let no man depart from his wife in the latter account some may be forced upon the account of the Gospel to depart from their Wives bodily and separate thus from them though they that are thus separated are not separated in spirit and if it be put to the question Whether we should obey God in forsaking all or else forsake God and keep us to our Wives The answer will be that our obeying God though in opposition to our Wives doth not argue our hating our Wives or departing from them in affection but our loving God better
than our Wives * 1306. 1 Cor. 7.10 with Mat. 19.9 Except for the cause of fornication When he saith the wife may not depart he intends not depart not upon any occasion but depart not upon any trifling or lesser occasion than the Word of God hath expresly laid forth which is fornication And yet it is one thing for the Wife to depart from the Husband another thing for the Husband to put away his Wife Though the former is the safer opinion for reconciliation of this place 1307. 1 Cor. 7.14 Your children are holy Eph. 2.3 We were the children of wrath The first place sheweth the honest procreation of Christian children who though they are by nature the children of wrath yet by reason of the Covenant and faith they are called holy * 1308. 1 Cor. 7.19 Circumcision is nothing Gen. 17.16 And you shall circumcise the flesh c. To say Circumcision is nothing is one thing and that it was commanded of God is another Though God commanded Circumcision yet he commanded it so as not to be an Ordinance further than to reach that Age which was till Christ came and suffered When the Apostle said it is nothing he meant now in the daies of the Gospel it is nothing or of no force to salvation * 1309. 1 Cor. 7.20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he is called 1 Tim. 3.1 If a man desire the Office of a Bishop he desireth a good work Doubt How can a man desire the Office of a Bishop which is a ruling over other Churches and yet abide in his first calling of being a Deacon or Presbyter Ans A man may abide in his Calling and yet desire an higher degree in that Calling to be a Minister and to be a Bishop are not different species for a Bishop when he doth assume that Office leaves not his Ministry 1310. 1 Cor. 7.21 Art thou called being a servant Care not for it Ver. 21. But if thou maiest be made free use it rather The first place is to comfort servants against the troubles of servitude and he will not have them for that condition to forsake the faith of Christ whereunto they were called and lose their Christian liberty for their corporal service So that the instruction added to it makes no disagreement because servants ought with a willing mind to embrace lawful freedom obtained by reason and a safe conscience 1311. 1 Cor. 7.23 Be not servants of men Chap. 9.19 The Apostle makes himself a servant to all men It is indeed a most ignominious slavery and sad service to depend on the commands of other men besides the commandments of God but to be serviceable for the sacred Ministry is not ignominious but honourable 1312. 1 Cor. 7.23 Be not servants of men Eph. 6.5 Servants obey your Masters Service is spiritual or carnal from that he disswades in the former place for we must not obey the wicked desires of men and dishonest commands Gal 5.1 Eph. 6 6. but must so serve them that we may not offend God or wrong our consciences this he chargeth us to do which though it may be thought hard yet whilst we do it in the sincerity of our hearts for that God requires it it will be accepted * 1 Cor. 7.23 with Eph. 6.5 The former place bids us if we be free we must not wilfully or willingly especially when the times are as they were in Pauls time betake our selves to the services of men but be as little entangled as may be that both in body and spirit we may be Christs Or however be not so the servants of men that you may forbear the commands of Christ or be not so mens servants as to give men any command over you depend only on Christ and his Word The second place forbids nor our being servants but when we are servants to behave our selves as servants yet if we can be lawfully made free to chuse that rather 1313. 1 Cor. 7.25 Concerning Virgins I have no commandment of the Lord yet I give my judgment Mat. 19.12 There are some Eunuchs which have made themselves Eunuchs for the Kingdom of heavens sake There is no command of Virginity in both the Covenants Christ speaks of the Essence of the time past condemning them of rashness because they sought for the Kingdom of God in perpetual continency which is a singular gift of God and given to very few Paul speaks for necessity setting down what is expedient for all by reason of time and place because it was not safe for Christians because of persecutions to stay alwaies in one place and because of the cares which ordinarily follow married people 1314. 1 Cor. 7.29 Let those that have wives be as though they had none Ver. 3 4 5. He approves conjugal custom In the first place he forbids not the use of Marriage but he would not have the husband too uxorious and he bids them to use the goods of this world moderately lest we should be overcome with evils or suppose the good of this life to be perpetual Since if we lose not all here by some accidents yet in our doubts we must leave them all 1315. 1 Cor. 7.32 I would have you to be without carefulness 2 Thes 3.10 He that will not labour let him not eat By carefulness here he means not to call men from their vocations and houshould cares but the inconveniences of Matrimony whereby we are often called from the service of God 1316. 1 Cor. 8.1 Knowledge puffeth up 1 Cor. 1.5 Enriched in Christ with all knowledge The first place condemns vain knowledge adjoyned with pride Knowledge puffeth up not of it self but by accident smatterers and boasters abusing it neglecting what is for their edification The latter praiseth knowledge joyned with charity as it was a gift of God in Christ amongst the Corinthians * 1317. 1 Cor. 8.4 We know that an Idoll is nothing Isa 41.45 46. Idols are silver and gold c. Materially they are something so Silver and Gold and the works of mens hands but effectually they are nothing that is not able to work any thing they are nothing in the value of God or of good men they are nothing worth 1318. 1 Cor. 8.11 Through thy knowledge shall thy weak brother perish for whom Christ died Joh. 10.28 Those that are Christs sheep shall never perish Infirm Christians may perish by reason of first their infirmity secondly Satans malice and thirdly the impudency of the wicked who abusing their Christian Liberty are an offence to the faithful they cannot perish 1. In respect of the counsel of God 2. And the merits of Christ 3. And the efficacy of his intercession who by a mighty hand preserves them to salvation * 1319. 1 Cor. 9.6 Or I only and Barnabas have not we power to forbear working 2 Thes 3.9 He that will not labour let him not eat The former place tells us it was as lawful for Paul and Barnabas to live upon the
end of the Oeconomy of Christs Mediation and God shall be all in all 1353. 1 Cor. 15.27 He hath put all things under his feet Ver. 28. The Son also shall be subject to the Father That subjection shall be effected in his members and Church which is his Body and by resignation of his Kingdom that now he administers at present by his Ministers in the midst of his enemies but not without battel also he shall declare his subjection to the Father answerable to that nature according to which all power is given to him in heaven and in earth * 1354. 1 Cor. 15.44 It is raised a spiritual body Job 19.21 I shall see him in my flesh A spiritual body not in respect of substance or beeing but by reason of those qualities which the glorified body shall partake of Or a spiritual body a body free from carnal desires being wholly subject to and ruled by the Spirit Job speaks of rising with the same body for substance but doth neither imply nor deny but the body may have more glorious qualities 1355. 1 Cor. 15.50 Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God Ver 53. This corruptible must put on incorruption Flesh and bloud here signifies the corrupt nature of man in the state of sin this as it is such cannot inherit the Kingdom of God but our nature purged from corruption shall put on incorruption 1356. 1 Cor. 16.15 The houshold of Stephanus addicted themselves to the ministry of the Saints Heb. 5.4 No man taketh this honour to himself but he that was called of God In the first place is meant the ministry of transparting the collections to the brethren and they did it by the sending of the Apostles by them in a most dangerous time 1357. 1 Cor. 16.22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ let him be Anathema Mat. 5.44 Love your enemies The Apostle doth not pronounce this Anathema out of his own private affection but being led by the Holy Ghost it is not lawful rashly to use private imprecations unless the glory of God require it in an especial manner and there be no hope left of their salvation Love our own enemies but not love Gods enemies he pronounceth a curse not against his but Christs enemies if they love not Christ 1358. 2 Cor. 1.1 Timothy with Paul wrote that Epistle 1 Tim. 1.3 He was left at Ephesus when Paul went into Macedonia Paul sayling from Corinth into Asia Acts 18.19 left Timothy at Ephesus together with Aquila and Priscilla but that they were with the Apostle at Corinth at that time the Inscription it self testifieth 1359. 2 Cor. 1.8 In Asia we were pressed out of measure above strength 1 Cor. 10.13 God will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able The first place is concerning temptation exceeding bare humane strength the second concerning faith and strength given to us by God which is our victory * 1360. 2 Cor. 2.5 But if any have caused grief he hath not grieved me but in part with Ver. 4. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you If the incestuous person or any other have been the cause of your and my grief together I make no reckoning of the grief which I have received thereby in respect of that which my censures have brought upon you whereof he hath been the cause And yet my aim hath not been to afflict you as bearing you any ill will but rather to give you a certain proof of my charity by gaining your salvation through repentance 1361. 2 Cor. 5.2 In this we groan earnestly desiring to be cloathed upon with our house which is from heaven Ver. 4. We groan being burdened not that we would be uncloathed The first place is concerning the groaning by grace the second by nature for the Holy Ghost stirs up a desire of life eternal in the mind of the godly and it is natural to fear death because it destroys nature 1362. 2 Cor. 5.16 We know no man after the flesh Rom. 1.3 Christ of the seed of David according to the flesh Phil. 2.8 To know according to the flesh is to praise that which corrupt flesh delights in and to despise what it despiseth so we knew not Christ carnally but out of Gods Word we know him to be of the seed of David 1363. 2 Cor. 5.19 God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself Ver. 20. We pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled to God Reconciliation is ascribed to God as the principal cause to Christ as the meritorious cause or to the Ministry of the Word as to the Instrumental cause or to our selves apprehending it by faith and applying it for our salvation 1364. 2 Cor. 8.20 Avoiding this that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administred by us 1 Cor. 4.3 With me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you The first place is of just dispraise wherein our hearts convince us the latter is concerning the unjust judgments of the world which proceed from mens depraved affections 1365. 2 Cor. 11.4 If he that cometh preacheth another Jesus whom we have not preached or receive another Gospel which ye have not accepted ye might well bear with him Gal. 1.8 Though we or an Angel from heaven preach any other Gospel unto you then that we have preached let him be accursed In the first place is meant by another Christ and another Gospel a better Doctrine than the Apostle taught but in the latter by another Gospel is meant false doctrine which overthroweth Gods grace and Christs merits 1366. 2 Cor. 11.17 That which I speak I speak it not after the Lord but foolishly 1 Pet. 4.11 If any man speak let him speak as the Oracles of God Paul being forced to it by the calumnies of false Apostles said somethings concerning his own labours and dangers which did not directly appertain to his Ministry Peter speaks of those things which directly appertain to the Ministry of the Word wherein the rule of our words must be the Oracles of God revealed in the Scriptures The Epistle of St. PAUL to the GALATIANS HE defends the Justice of faith against false Apostles that a man is justified not by the works of the Law but by faith in Christ and exhorts to good works that the fruits of faith must be sowed in Christian charity and liberty It was written from Rome in the Year of Christ 60. 1367. GAL. 1.1 Paul an Apostle not of men neither by man but by Jesus Christ Chap. 2.2 I communicated unto them the Gospel which I preach among the Gentiles Ver. 6. Who seemed to be somewhat Paul came to Peter and the rest of the Apostles not that he might learn the Gospel from them but to have their testimony of his Doctrine that he preached nothing to the Gentiles but the Gospel of Jesus Christ 1368. Gal. 1.17 I went not up to Jerusalem to them which were
you but you are washt When Solomon speaks of none returning he speaks comparatively none in regard of the multitudes that never return There are so few return that they may be accounted none in comparison of the multitudes that perish by whoredome And though some of the Corinthians returned yet they were but some few and unus vir nullus vir 552. Prov. 4.3 Solomon was the only son of his Mother 2 Sam. 11.27 Bathsheba bare sons to David Siman Sobab Nathan Solomon was so beloved of his Mother for the singular gifts of nature as though he had been her only son 553. Prov. 6.6 Go to the Airs thou sluggard and consider her wayes Psal 55.22 Cast thy way upon the Lord and he shall bring it to passe Solomon by the example of the Pismire would bring idle slothfull people to honest labour The Psalmist warns all to trust in God and his providence yet not so that we should omit any thing of our duty for so God doth govern all things that he will have us to use lawfull means and effect all our works by them So when Christ faith Be not carefull for the morrow Luke 12.15 Theoph. he doth not forbid us to work or to give our selves over to care and to neglect Gods providence for we are commanded to till the ground and to take care to live 554. Prov. 6.39 It is no great fault for a man to steal to fill his hungry soul Exod. 20.15 Thou shalt not steal Solomon compareth Theft with Adultery and he determines that the punishment and the offence is lesse in Theft than Adultery 555. Prov. 6.31 A Thief if he be found shall restore seven fold he shall give all the substance of his house Exod. 22.1 If any man steal an oxe or a sheep or have killed or sold it he shall restore five oxen for one and four sheep for a sheep If a man stole money or cloaths he must restore seven fold for the seventh number being perfect he must redeem his life by it Thefts which could be hid were more heavily punished than such as could not so well be hid as Cattle * 556. Prov. 8.5 O ye simple understand wisdome Prov. 24.7 Wisdom too high for a foole Simplicity which is naturall is one thing simplicity which is heightned is another Oh ye poor souls which are naturally simple though you cannot by your selves understand wisdom which is spirituall yet come hither and by using of the meanes you may attain to a right understanding of wisdom or divine knowledge There are men which are naturally ignorant and bemone their ignorance being willing to be instructed in the things of God such simple ones are called Others are fooles in spirituall things and yet think themselves wise these cannot attain to wisedom * 557. Prov. 8.17 I love them that love me 1 Jo. 4.19 He loved us first God first loves the creatures and infuseth his graces into their hearts whereby they love him and then he loves them for loving him so that the last Text shews that Gods loving us is the cause of our loving him The second Text tells us he rewards our loving him not as merita nostra but as dona sua 558. Prov. 8.23 I Wisedom was creaâ—â—d from the beginning 2 Peter 1.19 21. Holy men spake as they were moved by the holy Ghost in time First is meant the essentiall wisdome of God that is Christ the Lord but the Apostle means wisdome revealed by the Prophets 559. Prov. 8.35 He that findeth wisdome findeth life Eccles 2.16 There shall be no remembrance more of the wise than of the fool forever In the former place we must understand divine wisdome which conferres eternall life In the latter humane wisdome which profits nothing after death * 560. Prov. 13.15 The way of transgressors is hard Mat. 7.13 Broad is the way The way of transgressors is hard or harsh displeasing to good men Nor doth the breadth hinder the hardnesse of the way For a way which is broad may be hard Broad in regard of the liberty they take to themselves hard in regard of the judgement of others yea their way is hard in themselves * 561. Prov. 15.27 He that hate-eth gifts shall live Prov. 17.8 A gift is a pretious stone in the eyes of him that hath it whithersoever it turneth it prospereth He that hateth gifts shall live comfortably in respect of his own house of his own conscience and of his own renown he shall live in the desires and memories of good men and he shall live in the sight of God and with him When Solomon tells us of a gift being a precious stone he intends in the eyes of those which giveth it they thinking that they by their gifts shall prosper and be glorious Not that he doth by these words approve either of giving or taking gifts but shews what the givers commonly esteem them 562. Prov. 15.27 He that hates gifts shall live Chap. 17.8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it Chap. 18.16 A mans gift maketh room for him and bringeth him before great men A gift to corrupt covetous Judges is accepted and causeth that he that corrupts the Judges may attain his end that he desires for he that bribes oft-times obtains what his mind wished for * Prov. 15.27 with 17.8 and 18.16 The first place relates to Magistrates and those who may have gifts offered them to hinder justice Such as refuse gifts as bribes may live in the favour of God The second place speaks of gifts as they are commonly esteemed of men by reason of the corruption of their minds even as pretious pearles drawing mens eyes The third place speaks what effects gifts have with many if not with the most men it tells us not what they ought to have 563. Prov. 16.4 God made all things for himself Vers 4. The wicked also for the day of wrath Since God hath ordained the wicked for the day of wrath he hath ordained him for his own glory for when he punisheth wicked men with temporall or eternall punishments he justifieth himself in his own glory God created wicked men also but he created not their wickednesse * Prov. 16.4 with 4. For the day of wrath The end of a thing is either ultimate or lesse principall God made all things ultimately for his own glory but there are proximate or lesse principall ends and thus God made the wicked for the day of wrath yet he so made them for the day of wrath that in the ultimate end they might be to his glory 564. Prov. 16.6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged Heb. 9.22 And without shedding blood there is no remission Mercy and Truth are understood of God himself 1 Joh. 1.7 who is the primary cause of the remission of sinnes nor doth this contradict the meritorious effusion of Christs bloud for us whereby we are cleansed * Prov. 16.6 with Heb. 9.22 Mercy and truth are either understood
of God or of man Of God so the words run to this sense by his mercy in promising and his truth in performing iniquity is done away Prov. 14.22 And thus Gods mercy in sending Christ and his truth in performing it Christ shedding his blood iniquity is done away Secondly Mercy and truth as they are graces in man do sinne away Sinne is done away two wayes 1. Meritoriously in the Court of Heaven Or 2. Declaratively in the Court of conscience The former way Christs bloud only puts away sinne The latter way mercy and truth purge away sinne i. e. where the soul finds mercy and truth as graces of the Spirit implanted within it there it may conclude that the sinnes thereof are forgiven these being a good Index to shew that the father loves it 565. Prov. 17.15 He that justifieth the wicked and he that condemneth the just even they both are abominable to the Lord. Rom. 4.5 God justifieth the ungodly He that justifieth the wicked against the Law of God or Man without satisfaction made by himself or one for him is abominable unto God But God justifieth the wicked not that it is so now but was so freely by faith for the merits of Christ and his full satisfaction * 566. Prov. 18.21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue Job 14.6 Till he shall accomplish as an hireling his day Vers 5. His dayes are determined Death and life are in the power of God originall and primarily in the power of the tongue instrumentally and secondarily Evil and treasonable words may cut off our lives and hasten our deaths Our dayes are said to be determined that is in relation to Gods decree and fore-knowledge that we shall live so long and no longer But our dayes may be cut off as we consider them having relation to the crasis constitution and habit of the body which might have naturally been enlarged if we by our words had not cut them off God might determine to give us a body so well compact as would live long and yet determine to leave us to our selves to speak this or that which speeches should occasion our cutting off much the sooner 567. Prov. 20.9 Who can say I have made my heart clean I am pure from my sin Psal 24.3 He that hath pure hands and a clean heart shall stand in the holy place We are all unclean in the sight of God and corrupt by nature yet our hearts are purified by his grace through faith in the bloud of Christ 568. Prov. 21.20 There is desirable treasure in the dwelling of the wise Matth. 6.19 Treasure not up for your selves treasures upon earth Pious wisdome in honest gain is not reproved by Christ but covetousnesse and confidence in worldly wealth is forbidden since we lose thereby the heavenly treasure 569. Prov. 22.28 Remove not the ancient Land-mark which thy Fathers have set Ezek. 20.18 Walk not in the statutes of your fathers neither observe their judgments Solomon speaks of the bounds of Land and Inheritance Ezekiel concerning the statutes of their Fathers about the worship of God and the profanation thereof Let us not imitate those who oppose themselves against Gods Law but let us walk in his laws and keep his statutes 570. Prov. 24.17 Rejoyce not at the fall of thine enemy Psal 137.8 Happy shall he be that rewardeth thee as thou hast rewarded us The Godly do not rejoyce for the destruction of their enemies and for revenge of wrongs but for Gods glory and the edification and good of the Church So Moses after the drowning of Pharaoh in the Red Sea by his great zeal for Gods glory sang a song of praise * Prov. 24.17 with Psal 137.9 The former place tells us that we ought neither as men or as Gods children rejoyce in destruction of our enemies as our enemies but we may rejoyce in the destruction of the enemies of Gods Children and that by the destruction of these men Gods children may have more liberty to serve him more freedome from presures and security in their lives The latter place shews that wicked men may be destroyed if there be a lawfull call thereto if so be they aime not at malice or revenge on the persons but to deliver Gods people from danger by the destruction of the wicked 571. Prov. 26.4 Answer not a fool according to his folly lest thou be like him Vers 5. Answer a fool according to his folly The art of dealing with fools is necessary that we speak not foolish things with a fool foolishly for if a fool that is an ungodly person blinded prophane speaks with scorns and evill speeches and derisions we must not answer him likewise but when Gods glory is questioned if there be danger we must reprove his folly and his arrogancy lest he proceed to please himself and corrupt others * Prov. 26.4 Answer not a foole with Vers 5. Answ Answer not a foole with words for they are in vain but with blows and correction restraining his saucinesse The spurre for the Horse the saddle for the Ass and the rod for the fooles back Secondly Answer not a foole c. lest thou answer foolishly as he doth and so be made like him The second Text according to his folly that is as his folly deserves the LXX hath it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Answer not a foole foolishly but wisely not foolishly as he speaks or as soothing humouring or consenting to him therein imitating his foolish passions and undecent carriage and raling Answer him gravely opportunely observing time place person and manner of answering or if necessity require sting him and stop his mouth * 572. Prov. 27.2 Let another man praise thee and not thine own mouth 1 Cor. 15.10 I have laboured more abundantly than they all When Solomon would not have us to praise our selves he doth not exclude our just defence of our selves but our vain boasting David may speak of his innocency and Paul of his labour in opposition to those which would make the world believe he was inferiour in labours c. to other Apostles When men speake of themselves to manifest the truth it is one thing when they doe it to their own glory and not Gods is another Paul did it for Gods glory * 573. Prov. 27.23 Be thou diligent to know thy flocks c. Matth. 6.19 Lay up for your selves treasuers c. These are congruous being diligent in our calling and laying up treasures in Heaven there is a diligence about the work it self or flocks themselves that they may thrive or prosper this may lawfully be done there is a diligence about the end of the work or issue or event of it And besides this diligence that the work may succeed well and come to an happy issue there is a carking and distrustfull care used about the issue and events of things we setting our hearts wholly on them This is not to be used we may use diligence but we must not use our affections