or to sinne as if it were sinne to live in Wedlock but it signifies tranquillity 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 unlawfull love 917. 1 Cor. 7. 6. I speak this by permission and not of commandment ver 5. Defraud you not one the other ver Let every man have his own wife The first place leaves it free to married people Gen. 2. 24. Mat 19. 6. to live continently if they can and are willing so to do In the later places the pious custom of married people by the Institution of God and the approbation of Christ is commended 918. 1 Cor. 7. 10. I command yet not I but Mat. 5. 32. ch 19. 3. 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 919. 1 Cor. 7. 14. Your children are holy Ephes 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 920. 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 corporall service So that the instruction added to it makes no disagreement because servants ought with a willing minde to embrace lawfull freedom obtained by reason and a safe conscience 921. 1 Cor. 7. 23. Be not servants of men ch 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 922. 1 Cor. 7. 23. Be not servants of men Eph. 6. 5. Servants obey your Masters Service is spirituall or carnall from that he disswades in the former place for we must not Gal. 5. 1. Eph. 6. 6. obey the wicked desires of men and dishonest commands 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 923. 1 Cor. 7. 25. Concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord yet I give my judgement Matth. 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 Essens of the time past condemning them of rashnesse because they sought for the Kingdom of God in perpetuall 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 624. 1 Cor. 7. 29. Let those that have wives be as though they had none ver 3 4 5. He approves conjugall 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 least we should be overcome with evils or suppose the good of this life to be perpetuall since if we lose not all here by some accidents yet in our doubts we must leave them all 925. 1 Cor. 7. 32. I would have you to be without carefulnesse 2 Thess 3. 10. He that will not labour let him not eat By carefulnesse here he means not to call men from their vocations and houshold cares but the inconveniences of Matrimony whereby we are often called from the service of God 926. 1 Corinth 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 nor of it self but by accident smatterers and boasters abusing it neglecting what is for their edification the later praiseth knowledge joyned with charity as it was a gift of God in Christ amongst the Corinthians 927. 1 Cor. 8. 11. Through thy knowledge shall thy weak brother perish for whom Christ died John 10. 28. Those that are Christs sheep shall never perish Infirm Christians may perish by reason of their infirmity Satans malice and the impudeney of the wicked who abusing their Christian Liberty are an offence to the faithfull they cannot perish in respect of the counsell of God and the merits of Christ and the efficacy of his intercession who by a mighty hand preserves them to salvation 928. 1 Cor. 9. 15. It were better for me to dye then that any man should make my glorying void ch 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 later is concerning vain unjust boasting and unnecessary which must be avoided 929. 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 later place he turns to the Gentiles from the Jews who were hardened and thrust away from them the Word of God 930. 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 edisie them in the Gospel not as flatterers and hypocrites do 931. 1 Cor. 9 24. So runne 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 eternall life that fight a good fight the later is concerning the efficient cause of our salvation which is the grace and mercy of God 932. 1 Cor. 10 2. They were all baptized unto Moses ch 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
be Saints ver 5. Enriched with all knowledge The Corinthians were more or lesse carnall who walked according to men depending on mens authority in doctrine given to contentions and troubling the Church of God with carnall desires 901. 1 Cor. 3. 7. Neither he that planteth nor he that watereth is any thing but God who giveth the increase ver 8. He that planteth and he that watereth are one Any thing is not to be taken absolutely or for being in nature but comparatively and secundum quid for all our labour without Gods operation prosits nothing 902. 1 Cor. 3. 8. He that planteth and he that watereth are one ver 4. Paul was not one with the Teachers at Corinth One is said to be either in number degree vocation gifts authority time labour or reward Preachers are not one all those waies Paul was not one with those Teachers who preached up themselves more then Christ 903. 1 Cor. 3. 10. Paul laid the foundation Heb. 3. 4. He that built all things is God God is the chief Work-master and builder of all things and who alone giveth faith to his Church but to commend the Ministry he gives this honour unto others which he saith do that which he himself doth so in the Old Testament he cals the Prophets in the New the Apostles the Architects of the Foundation other Doctors that build the Wals others who cover the House and Paul saith by his Apostolicall Office that he laid the Foundation 904. 1 Cor. 3. 11. Other foundation can no man lay but that is laid which is Christ Jesus Ephes 2. 20. You are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Christ is the Foundation of salvation by the eternall Decree by his sending and delivering himself to death or by his being apprehended by faith in the heart of beleevers or of Doctrine because the fundamentall 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 principall foundation the second foundation is ministeriall and that is of the Prophets and Apostles because by their Ministry the fundamentall Doctrine is delivered 905. 1 Cor. 3. 15. Heretiques shall be saved by fire Matth. 7. 22. They shall be condemned The first place is not concerning obstinate Heretiques 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 vain questions mens inventions philosophicall traditions such if they renounce their opinions and hold the true foundation they may be saved 906. 1 Cor. 4. 1. Let a man so account of us as of the Ministers of Christ John 15. 15. You are my friends We are servants in respect of Creation Redemption Vocation friends in respect of Adoption and Revelation of things necessary to Aug. in John Tract salvation 907. 1 Cor. 4. 3. With me it is a small thing to be judged of you ch 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 denyeth that he 2 Cor. 10. 15. hunts after favour or applause from men or that he cares for the sinister judgement of those that contemned him therefore he appeals to the censure of the Church 908. 1 Cor. 4. 3. I judge not my self ver 4. For 1 Cor. 10. 15. I know nothing of my self I do not judge my self so as to preferre my self before others nor do I commend my self least I should seem to boast nor do I dispraise my self least I do wrong to my Office saith Chrysost The Apostle was so modest who when he might have commended himself in respect of his vocation doctrine and fidelity least he should seem to be a Judge in his own cause he leaves the judgement 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 909. 1 Cor. 4. 3. I judge not my self ch 11. 31. If we would judge our selves we should not be judged In the first place he avoids the judgement of dignity of preferring himself before others in the later he commends the judgement of correction and proving of our selves which belongs to all men 910. 1 Cor. 4. 5. Judge nothing before the time ch 10 15. Judge ye The Apostle in the former place appeals from the corrupt judgement of the Corinthians unto Christ the supream Judge as if he should say Do not passe your censure before you know the matter perfectly and the parties have been heard or before the last judgement day when God shall judge us all by which words he casts a bridle on all perverse censurers and condemns untimely judgement before things be certainly known 911. 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 wickednesse was detested by the more honest heathens that without detestation it could not be named before chast ears also the offenders themselves did detest that wickednesse 912. 1 Cor. 5. 12. What have I to do to judge them that are without ch 6. 2. Do you not know that the Saints shall judge the world The first place is of his Apostolicall function whereby Paul was very carefull of those who were made members of the Church by the word he preached to them the later is of the Saints in generall and their judgement of approbation The Saints saith Chrysost shall judge the world by their exemplary judgement because by their example the perfidiousness of the world shall be condemned 913. 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 condemne their desire to contend before an unbeleeving Judge yet he doth not forbid them to appear before civil Judicature 914. 1 Cor. 6. 5. Is there not a wise man among you ch 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 carnall wisdom but Christian wisdom the beginning whereof is the fear of the Lord. 915. 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 916. 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
great quantity of silver and gold to the oppression of their subjects otherwise they had need of great riches to preserve their Countries and their Kingly Majesty 165. Deut. 18. 10. There shall not be found amongst you an observer of time 1 Sam. 28. 7 Lev. 19. 13. Ch. 20. 17. Rom. 14. 6. He that regardeth a day regardeth it to the Lord. Moses condemns superstitious observation of dayes as if one day were more happy then an other The Heathens divided dayes into white and black fortunate and unfortunate The Apostle shews the liberty of Christians against those who by an opinion of sanctity would have the legall feast dayes observed 166. Deut. 18 11. You shall not consult with Wisards or seek truth from the dead Mat. 17. 3. Moses and Elias spake with Christ in Mount Tabor It is an abomination in the sight of God and a heathen superstition to consult with Wisards c. The appearing of Moses and Elias was of another way and their speaking with Christ was to confirm the Disciples in the doctrine delivered by Moses and the Prophets 167. Deut. 20 17. Thoushalt destroy with the edge of the sword the Hittites the Amorites the Canaanites the Perisites the Hivites and the Jebusites Josh 9. 15. Joshua made a league with the Hivites and the Jebusites Solomon spared the Amorites 1 King 9. 20. The Gibeonites craftily saved their lives laying down their high spirits and Solomon made the Amorites tributaries the other enemies of God and his people who continued stubborn in their wickednesse were destroyed 168. Deut. 20. 19. When you besiege a City you shall not destroy the trees 2 King 3. 19. You shall fell euery good tree Those trees that bear fruit the Israelites could feed on were not to be cut down in the promised land but in the Country of the Moabites God would shew a peculiar example of his just anger for their sins 169. Deut. 21. 16. The sons of the hated being first born must be acknowledged for the first born Gen. 48. 5. Jacob assigned the right of primogeniture to Joseph the son of his beloved Rachel and gave two tribes to his children Jacob lived before the promulgation of the Law Joseph was his first born of his beloved Rachel to whose children he wisely assigned two Tribes as he made to Judah born from Leah the primogeniture and gave him the dominion over his brethren Gen. 49. 8. 170. Deut. 21. 21. If any man beget a stubborn child he shall bring him to the Elders of the City to the gate of judgement and he shall be stoned with stones till he die Prov. 19. 18. Instruct thy son and despaire not of him Moses speaks of the incorrigible son Solomon concerning fatherly correction whilst there is hope of the sons amendment and warns him that he shall not set his mind to destroy him 171. Deut. 23. 2. A bastard shall not enter 2 King 14. 6. 2 Chron. 26. 4. into the Congregation of the Lord. Ezek. 18. 20. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father God would not suffer bastards to be admitted to publick offices for the disgrace of their births and the honour of Matrimony lest the Common-wealth should grow contemptible by such but that exclusion is not to be taken for a punishment but an affliction which God in the next life will reward with more glory if they be pious and penitent 172. Deut. 23. 6. Thou shalt make no peace with the Ammonites and Moabites Rom. 12. 18. If it be possible as much as lyeth in you live peaceably with all men Those Nations did not only lay snares for the Israelites temporall life but also for their eternall life we so farre as we are able and where piety is not indangered must hold and embrace peace with all men 173. Deut. 23. 15. Thou shalt not deliver to his master the servant which is escaped from his master unto thee Philemon vers 13. Paul sent Onesimus who was fled from his Master to his Master again The fugitive servant was not to be sent back to his angry master who was ready to kill him There was a difference amongst the servants of the Jews for he that was to serve seaven years if he ran away after he had served six years he was not to be sent back to his Master but the Gentiles were bond-servants all their lives 174. Deut. 24. 1 If a man have taken a wife and married hor and she find no favour in his eyes because he hath found some uncleannesse in her let him write her a Bill of divorcement and give it 1 Cor. 7. 15. in her hand and send her out of his house Mat. 5. 32. Chap. 19. 7. Whosoever shall put away his wife saving for the cause of fornication causeth her to commit adultery and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery The law of divorcement of wives was nothing but a concession of Moses for the hardnesse of the hearts of the Jewes and the danger of the lives of the women Christ abrogated that custome by the divine Law and a precept from the beginning and corrected the false glosses upon the Divine Mal. 2. 6. Law 175. Deut. 24 2. She that was sent away from her husband might marry an other husband Rom. 7. 3. Whilst her husband liveth she shall be called an adulteress if she be married to an other man Divorce by a bill of divorcement doth not dissolve matrimony therefore they that are unlawfully parted must not attempt second marriages because they that are once marryed are made one body 176. Deut. 24. 16. The children shall not be Gen. 5. 1. 1 Cor. 15. 35. put to death for the parents Rom. 5. 12. By one men sin entred into the world The innocent children are not punished for the sins of their fathers but in Adam we all sinned and we are dayly polluted with many actuall transgressions 177. Deut. 25. 3. Forty stripes he may have given him and not exceed 2 Cor. 11. 24. I received of the Jews five times forty stripes save one The Jews to seem more mercifull subducted one stripe 178. Deut. 25. 4. Thou shalt not musle the Ox Jos Ant. â—â— 4. c. 8. which treadeth out the corn 1 Cor. 9. 9. Doth God take care for Oxen The former place doth not properly appertain to Oxen but it is a figurative speech In the latter the Apostle speaks tropologically of the Ministers of the Church as if he would say if God take care for Oxen then much more doth he care for men and the Ministers of his Church 179. Deut. 27. 15. Cursed be the man that maketh a mâ—lten Image Rom. 12. 14. Blesse and curse not The former place must be understood to proceed from duty and zeal to the glory of God not out of desire to revenge So Moses and Paul did curse Let us follow the example 1 Cor. 4. 12. of Christ who being reviled reviled not again when he suffered
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 Neighbour 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 himselfe bring the sword but by accident in regard of the malice of the World and the Devill who are the authours of contentions 409. 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 government shall be changed for he shall no longer govern 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 governments after the blessed resurrection 410. Isa 9. 7. Of the increase of his Government and peace there shall be no end Luke 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 411. Isai 26. 20. The wicked will not behold the Majesty of the Lord. Chap. 40. 5. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it The Prophet speaks concerning the Kingdome of Christ and the state thereof and and he teacheth in the former place that the wicked shall be so blinded that they cannot perceive the mighty work of God wherein he hath shewed his greatnesse his glory his power and his mercy which blindnesse of theirs doth not take away the glory of God and of Christs Kingdome which all men may see in the saving worke of mans Redemption 412. Isai 28. 16. Behold I lay in Sion a stone a sure foundation saith the Lord. 1 Cor. 3. 10. I have laid the foundation saith Paul God laid the foundation of our salvation in respect of his decree the sending of his Son and the perfection of mans salvation Paul laid the foundation in respect of manifestation and of his office and of the Christian Religion at Corinth 413. Isai 38. 1. Set thy house in order for thou shalt die and not live Vers 5. I 2 King 20. 1. 2 Chron. 32. 24. will adde unto thy dayes fifteen yeares saith the Lord. Augustine saith that Ezechias was in order to die according to some causes of future events In Gen. tit l. 6. c. 17. yet God added fifteen years to his life doing only that which be foreknew he would do before the beginning of the world Gods Justice brought the command for Ezechias death but his Mercy prolonged his life and so Ezechias Piety and Repentance is proved 414. Isai 41. 7. Chap. 46. 6. They lavish gold out of the bag and weigh silver in the ballance and hire a Goldsmith and he maketh it a God 1 Cor. 8. 4. An Idoll is nothing Silver and Gold and such materials as the Idols are made of were created by God but relatively unto God they are said to be nothing because they have nothing of God in them for God will not be worshipped by Idols 415. Isai 42. 8. Chap. 48. 11. I will not give my glory to another Mat. 11. 29. Chap. 28. 19. All power is given to me in heaven and in earth God will not give his praise and glory to an Image Christ to whom all power and glory is given is not only man but the true and eternall God also with the Father and the holy Ghost having co-equall glory with them but by reason of his office of Mediator all things are given him of the Father 416. Isai 42. 8. I will not give my glory to an other Rom. 8. 14. The glory of God shall be revealed in us The first place is concerning those things wherein God will be glorified by us in this life that is by worship adoration invocation The latter concerning the participation and place of glory in the life to come which he will communicate to us 417. Isai 42. 10. Sing unto the Lord a new Song that is the Gospell Gen. 3. 15. It was sung in Paradise concerning the blessed seed of the woman That Evangelicall song is called new not from time but because it comprehends new and wonderfull things a new light is kindled by it it makes a new Creature and shews us the new way to heaven 418. Isai 45. 6 7. I am the Lord and there is none else I forme the light and create darkenesse I make peace and create evill I the Lord do all these things Gen. 1. 31. And all that God made was good God makes evill not of sin but of punishment and calamity by which he justly afflicts sinners Also the Prophet here opposeth the evill of the misery of war to the good of peace Mad men here wrest the name of evill as though God were the author of evill that is sin but it may easily appear how absurdly they do it abusing the testimony of the Prophet The Antithesis sheweth this sufficiently the members whereof must be compared together for he opposeth peace to evill that is to adversity 419. Isai 49. 6. I wil also give thee for a light to the Gentiles that thou mayest be my salvation unto the ends of the earth Mat. 10. 5. Christ sent the twelve saying unto them Go not into the way of the Gentiles but to the lost sheep of the house ef Israel The first is concerning the generall gracious Ministery of Christ to both Jewes and Gentiles The latter concerning the especiall sending forth of the Apostles to the Jews alone to whom the Gospell was first published untill such time as the partition wall betwixt the Jews and Gentiles was broken Mat. 28. 19 Mark 16. 15 Luk. 2. down which was done in the resurrection of Christ Afterwards he sent the Apostles to all Nations for he was the light of the Gentiles 420. Isai 52. 10. The Lord hath made have his holy arme in the eys of all the Nations Mat. 15. 24. I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel Christ was sent for the salvation and redemption of all Nation His office of teaching and confirming his Doctrine by
the beginning and the Father of lyes Satan fals from heaven when he is cast out of our hearts by sound doctrine and loseth his light that is his authority by the preachiny of Gods Word here as it were by a Thunderbolt from heaven that is from the Kingdome of God in the heart of man is he cast down and trod under foot but he was a murderer and lyar from the beginning that he fell not from that he was created 681. Luk. 10. 22. No man knoweth who the Son is but the Father and who the Father is but the Son Joh. 15. 26. The Spirit of Truth he shall testifie of me Christ excludes not the Persons of the Deity but the creatures and the false gods for the Father by the Son from eternity infinitely Joh. 16 13. communicating his infinite wisdome revealed it to the holy Ghost and therefore Christ saith the Spirit shall not speak of himself but whatsoever he shall hear that shall hee speak 682. Luk. 10. 24. Many Prophets and Kings have desired to see those things that you see Joh. 8. 56. Abraham saw my day There are different manners of the Visions 1 Cor. 13. 12. of Christ and of God We see now in a glasse darkly but then that is in the next life we shall see face to face Abraham and the faithful in the Old Testament saw Christ promised that he should come the Apostles saw him manifested in the flesh The Prophets saw him of old in shadows and figures the Apostles and the Christians now see him clearly and manifestly 683. Luk. 10. 28. Doe this and live Rom. 4. 5. But to him that worketh not but believeth his faith is counted for righteousnesse The parts of Gods Word are the Law and the Gospel the Law promiseth life eternal to them that doe it the Gospel to them that believe Christ by the words Doe this doth not shew that the Lawyer was able to fulfil the law but only admonisheth him so that he might grow sensible of his own weaknesse 684. Luk. 10. 41. Martha Martha Thou art careful and troubled about many things 1 Tim. 5. 14. I will that the younger women marry guide the house Christ reprehends not Marthas care of her house but for presumption and false opinion because she preferred the care of her house before the Word of God 685. Luk. 11. 41. Give Alms and all things are clean unto you 1 Cor. 13. 3. If I bestow all my goods to feed the poor it profiteth me nothing Christ speaks of alms proceeding from faith and charity the Apostle speaks of hypocritical alms without Christian Charity 686. Luk. 12. 33. Sell what you have and give alms 1 Tim. 5. 8. But if any provide not for his own especially those of his own houshold he hath denyed the faith Christ would not have us forsake our neighbour in his wants and necessities but rather to help him we should sell our possessions to declare our conpassion so far as we are able without doing injury to our family 687. Luk. 14. 23. Compell them to come in 1 Pet. 5. 3. Not as being Lords over Gods heritage There is used an internal compulsion spiritually when men are drawn to the knowledge of their sins by the law of God explained to them and are urged in thier consciences to fly to the mediation of Christ so from the dayes of John the Baptist untill now the Kingdom of heaven suffereth violence and the violent take Mat. 11. 12. it by force an external compulsion is when men not sufficiently instructed and forced by carnal weapons to religion against their conscience such are made rather hypocrites then good Christians therefore the Apostle warns us well that no man should affect to Lord it over Gods people that is the Church and to use a tyrannical power over their consciences 688. Luk. 14. 24. None of those men which were bidden shall tast of my Supper 2 Pet. 3. 9. God is long suffering to us-ward not willing that any should perish The Gospel since it is the power of God to salvation to all that believe they that hear it being invited by God and receive it not dying in their sins without repentance they are the cause of their own ruine and not God 689. Luk. 14. 26. He that hateth not his Father and Mother and Wife and Children and Brethren and Sisters yea and his own life also he cannot be my Disciple Ephes 6. 2. Honour thy Father and thy Mother that it may be well with thee c. 5. 25. Husbands love your Wives 1 Joh. 3. 15. He that hateth his brother is a Murderer Christ is to be beloved above all creatures and rather our Parents brothers and sisters and our own life should be lost then we should deny the Gospel He that loveth his Father or Mother more then me is not worthy of me saith Christ otherwise we must honour our Parents and love our children 690. Luk. 16. 9. Make you friends of the Mammon of unrighteousnesse 1 Tim. 4. 4. Every creature of God is good Riches are good in themselves as they are a creature but because they are after got unjustly and many abuse them to injustice pride tyranny luxury gluttony c. therefore Christ cals them the Mammon of unrighteousnesse thorns Mat. 13. 7. 1 Tim. 6. 9. the Apostle cals them the snare of the Devil and will have us so to dispose of our wealth that we may reap fruit of them in another world 691. Luk. 15. 7. The righteous need no repentance c. 3. 8. Bring forth fruits worthy of repentance Repentance of those that stand which is spoken of in the first place must be distinguished from repentance of those that are fallen which is meant by the latter place and we are admonished to it and to bring forth the fruits of it 692. Luk. 17. 10. When you have done all those things which you are commanded say We are unprofitable servants we have done that which was our duty to doe 2 Cor. 11. 12. Paul glorieth and reckons up his good works and divine Revelations In the former place Christ saith that no man can deserve any thing at the hand of God since we are all bound to obey God in all things unto the end so that we cannot boast before God In the latter Paul mentioneth his labours not of vain glory boasting but being compelled to it for the defence of his Ministry against all back-biters and false Apostles that unjustly reproached him 693. Luk. 18. 29. Verily I say unto you there is no man that hath left house or parents or brethren or wife or children for the Kingdome of Gods sake who shall not receive manyfold more 1 Cor. 7. 10. The wife must not depart from her husband and the man must not put away his wife For Christ his sake we may leave our Wives and al things when necessity constraineth us but we cannot leave our Matrimony Paul admonisheth the wife that she should not by
a mans faith and judgeth by the works as the effects of mens faith and life and condemns bad works for unbelief 822. Rom. 2. 13. The doers of the Law shall be justified Gal. 2. 16. For by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified Justification is attributed to the Law and to Works not simply but by supposition if any man can perfectly fulfill the works of the Law but no man can in this weaknesse perfectly fulfill the Law 823. Rom. 2. 14. The Gentiles which have not the Law do by nature the things contained in the Law ch 8. 7. The carnall minde is enmity to the Law of God for it is not subject to the Law of God The naturall Law convinceth the Gentiles the written Law the Jews The Apostle doth not in the former place affirm that all the Gentiles do fulfill the Law but indefinitely the things contained in the Law for he speaks of outward works and civil discipline which was honest amongst some Gentiles In the later by the name Carnall he understands unregenerate part and the corruption of nature 824. Rom. 2. 14. The Gentiles have not the Law 1 Joh. 3. 4. Sinne is the transgression of the Law The Gentiles indeed had not the Law published in writing by Moses but the naturall Law in the first Creation was printed in every man which we transgressed in Adam and so were made sinners Adam was saith Ambr. on Luke l. 7. and in him we were all Adam fell and in him all men fell 825. Rom. 2. 25. Circumcision verily profiteth if thou keep the Law Gal. 5. 2. ch 6. 15. If you be circumcised Christ shall profit you nothing Externall circumcision in the Old Testament was a Sacrament upon condition of the Law fulfilled Under the New Testament as other Ceremonies it is mortall in the place of this came Baptism in former times it did profit the Fathers as a seal of the righteousnesse of faith after Christ came and the Gospel was planted it was taken away by the full plenty of spirituall Circumcision 826. Rom. 3. 2. The Jews exceed the Gentiles much every way ver 9. What then are we better then they no in no wise ch 10. 12. The Apostle speaks in the former place in respect of the Jews excellency from the Covenant of God who was pleased to bestow on the Jews the grace of his Covenant and his Law before the Gentiles were called in the later place he speaks of the Jews themselves who deserved no more favour at Gods hands then the Gentiles nor were they better then we and continuing in their unbelief they have lost their priviledges they were nothing to be preferred before the Gentiles but now we are all one in Christ and that prerogative is taken away Gal. 3. 28. 827. Rom. 3. 4. Every man is a lyar ch 9. 1. I say the truth in Christ I lye not Man as he is man corrupt is subject to lye but being regenerated and enlightened with the holy Ghost he embraceth truth as is manifest in Paul 828. Rom. 3. 8. We must not do evil that good may come ch 9 18. God bardening the wicked produceth that which is good In the former place is spoken of evil of sinne in the later of evil of punishment It is the singular goodnesse of God that he so over-rules sin that it may be converted to good as we see in Joseph 829. Rom. 3. 12. There is no man that doth good no not one John 13. 10. chap. 15. 3. You are clean through the word which I have spoken By nature by reason of inherent sinne we are all unclean by the grace of God in Christ we are cleansed and our hearts are purged 830. Rom. 3. 20. For by the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight ch 2. 7. To them who continue by patience in well-doing shall he render glory and honour and eternal Life The first place shuts out all works from mans Justification not by fault of the Law but by accident that is by the fault of men In the later the Apostle urgeth works as necessary not by necessity of the cause to justifie but to be present Rem in him that is justified for works are nâ—â— cause of reigning but they are the way to the Kingdom 831. Rom. 3. 28. Faith is greater then charity 1 Cor. 13. 8. Charity then faith Faith is greater as it is the cause of charity and our victory by faith Christ dwelleth in our hearts we please God but charity without Exod. 3. 17. out faith is sinne Charity is said to be greater then faith or hope because it never fails but shall endure in our future state of perfection faith and hope then ceasing as to their actions but it is not greater in respect of Justification because charity doth not justifie Legally for in many things we offend all and it is not perfect nor Evangelically because in the Gospel the act of Justification is ascribed to Faith 832. Rom. 3. 25. God hath set forth Jesus Christ to be a propitiation John 18. 2. Judas delivered him to the Jews The Father delivered his Son out of love to us but Judas delivered Christ out of covetousnesse The Father for us and for our salvation Judas for thirty pieces of silver to his own destruction 833. Rom. 3. 28. We conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the Law James 2. 24. You see that by works a man is justified and not by faith only Paul doth not separate as to existency Gal. 5. 6. works from faith which works by love but the object of Justification before God James rejects faith which wants good works that is a dead faith of the devil v. 17 19. and attributes to works the declaration of Justification v. 21. yet he confirms a lively faith v. 22. by the example of Abraham Augustine saith that when the Apostle saith a man is justified by faith he doth it not that works should be despised because they follow the man justified they do not go before Justification 834. Rom. 3. 31. Do we then make void the Law through faith God forbid yea we establish the Law Heb. 7. 18. There is a disanulling of the Commandment going before through the weaknesse thereof The first place is of the Morall Law which faith confirmeth because Christ came to fulfill it and not to destroy it and the end of the Law is to bring us to Christ The later place is concerning the ceremoniall Law which is abrogated because the shadow was to give place to the substance 835. Rom 4. 7. Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered Mat. 5. 2. Blessed are the poor in spirit the clean in heart the mercifull In the first place is spoken of the cause of blessednesse namely remission of sins and imputation of righteousnesse in the later of vertues which are the way to blessednesse 836. Rom. 4 15.