the motions of your owne naturall corruptions See Gal. 6. 8. Yee shall dye namely the everlasting death Through the spirit if you make use of the gifts of the holy Ghost and of his exercises continually desire his assistance and co-operate with his motions and power to mortifie the concupiscences and sins which are practised by the body â—nd doe yet reside in you during this corporall life Now he seemes here to oppose that onely effectuall meanes of the spirit to all humane meanes which are too weake as lawes reason doctrines disciplines c. Ye shall live namely in heavenly glory and happinesse V. 14. For as many he gives a reason why the promise of life is made to regenerate mens namely because being made children of God by adoption sealed by the spirit of regeneration thay are consequently heires V. 15. For ye he proveth further that they are children by the holy Ghost who is the seal of their adoption imprints the feeling thereof in them and causeth them to feel the effects thereof and bear the fruits and yeeld the duties thereof contrarie to his operation towards those consciences which are absolutly under the law servisely tied to work to gain the wiges being in continuall terror of the punishment without comfort liberty or confidence In which manner the spirit of God in some sort had also used the beleevers in the legal discipline under the old testament vsing them as younger sons under tuition with much subjection and feare whereas now the spirit of grace being fully powred out as upon eldest sonnes filleth them with confidence and liberty towards God Gal. 13. we cry with a holy boldnesse wee sweetly and tenderly call upon our heavenly father crying out like little children See upon Marke 14. 36 V. 16. The spirit as he sets us on to call upon God our father so he likewise assureth us on his part and sealeth it in our hearts that we are his children V. 17. Then heirs having right by this gift of adoption to the everlasting goods of the heavenly father in the communion of Christ essential sonn of the father and sole heire by nature See Mat. 38. 12. Heb. 1. 2 if so be S. Paul purposing to go on to the effect of the holy ghost namly to comfort beleevers in their afflictions doth first set down that they are by Gods appointment a necessary condition to attain to glory to the imitation of Christ their head with him as he hath suffered for his cause in the communion of his body in manner of an army that fighteth with its head See 2. Cor. 1. 5. 6. 7. Col 1. 24. V. 18. For I we must supply This condition ought to be freely embraced by beleevers for the good which is promised under that condition is farre greater then the evil which they can feare therein V. 19. For the he proves the height of this glory because it is the end of all things which do aspire thereunto by a naturall instinct but especially beleevers who have the chief part therein waiteth for lookes attentively for the time when it shall cleerely appear which are the true qualities rights and priviledges of Gods children in the perfect love of God in his likenesse in the inheritance and possession of his blessednesse and in the enjoying of his glory V. 20. For the he gives a reason of the whole words ayming at this last mark namely because it hath been by mans sin put besides its first and naturall establishment into which as one should say it disires to be set again made subject being drawen by man to serv for an instrument to sinne and to the vaine end of seeking its good an creatures forsaking the creator and consequently being enfolded in Gods curse in the continuall disorder ruine and destruction of many of its parts and finally to the annyhilation of this faire outward fabrick of the world Psa 102. 26. not willingly according to Gods first institution who hath given all creatures certain naturall vses to which they seeme voluntarly to incline whereas seduction seemes to have some resemblance of violence of him namely man who was the onely cause of this curse Gen. 3. 17 in hope grounded upon this that it having suffered part of the curse for mans sin when he shall be fully reestablished in grace and glorie all trackes of curse shall be also quite extinguished in the world as it is set downe Isa. 51. 16. and 65. 17. and 64. 22. V. 21. Delivered it shall be no more subject to any alteration nor corruption as it is this present nor should not serve for obiect or instrument of sin but shal according to its degree and nature participate of the glorious estate of Gods children freed from all evills and wants V. 22. For we know that is to say though the world seem at this present to be in its highest splender and beauty yet it hath an evil which burthens it and sincks it namely sin of which burthren it would faine be eased in a maner like a woman that is great with child which not withstanding will not be untill the last resurrection V 23. and not only that which the world doth by a secret inclination without any feeling or discourse we beleevers do it thorow knowledg and spirituall judgment fighing for grief under the burden of sin which we bear with a desire to be perfectly freed from it the first fruits namely that first degre of regeneration and gifts of the spirit which is conferred in this life for a pledge of the perfection which shall be in the eternall life 2. Cor. 1. 22. and 5. 5. Ephes. 1. 14. the adoption namely the full manifestation and effect hereof in the delivering of our bodyes from the power of death by the resurrection Psal. 49. 15. V. 24. For we it ought not to seeme strange that I say that we waite though wee be saved alreadie for we are not so as yet but onely by right and not perfectly in deed which is evident by the nature of the vertue of hope chief amongst those which the sp 〈…〉 creates in us which would not take place if the effect of our salvation were present See 1. Cor. 13. 13. V. 25. But if wee the Italian and if wee if that hope by which even at this time wee doe appreheâ—â— our happinesse which is not as yet revealed be lively and well grounded it ought to produce in us an inuincible patience for any length of time suffering of troubles and oppositions to receive the effect at the appointed time See 1. Thess. 1. 3. Iam. 1. 4. V. 26. Likewise the same spirit which hath imprinted these perswasions and desiers in us doth also worke another effect in us namely to strengthen and beare us up in our weaknesses and that by the meanes of holy prayers by which wee obtaine from God his grace and strength and whatsoever else is necessarie for our salvation 2 Cor. 12. 8. 9. maketh in 〈…〉 ess
suffered to raise themselves to that dignity and authority Teare As they use to doe in the slaughter houses for to devoure up all Or worse then ravening beasts who alwayes leave some foot or bone Amos 3. 12. V. 17. The sword namely the punishment of my judgements His arme Which signifieth the power as by the eye is signified counsell and advice as much as to say I will take away from them the place of Conductor and Head and will degrade them quite see 1 Sam. 2. 31. CHAP. XII Verse 1. THe burthen The Prophecie uttered by Gods commission For Israel the Italian concerning Israel concerning the victories which God shall grant unto his Church which is the true Israel according to the spirit V. 2. Jerusalem My Church being set upon by her enemies shall be an occasion that I will strike them with amazement So that they shall not be able to bring their designes to any happy end but shall be the causes of their owne ruines Isai. 51. 17 22. Jer. 51. 7. In the siege In the very instant that they were ready to doe their best and last endevours V. 3. A burthensome stone the Ancients observe that this is taken for an exercise or game which was very frequent in Judea namely to take up a great round stone to try ones strength lifting it up from the ground sometimes to their knees sometimes to their navels sometimes to their shoulders and sometimes as high as their heads at which sport many times they did grievously hurt themselves The meaning is the enemies of the Church shall strive and endevour who shall be able to doe her most hurt but the stoutest and valantest of them all shall be overcome See Matth. 21. 44. V. 4. I will smite I will take away all strength and understanding from mine enemies See Psal. 76. 5 6. V. 5. The Governours The Apostles and Euangelists shall fill the world with wars and dissentions by preaching of the Gospel Luke 12. 49. by which the enemies shall goe to ruine and the Church shall be re-established Obad. 18. V. 7. Shall save The meaning is Christs salvation shall first be proffered to the poore and weake like to the tents of those poore Jewes that lived in the fields and were not comparable to Jerusalem which was a royall and strong city belonging to the House of David that is to say The Kings and great Ones shal be last converted as the event did verifie it under the Gospel to shew the prerogative of meane ones with God See James 2. 5. V. 8. And he The weake and feeble shall by Gods Spirit be strengthened and confirmed in heroicall vertues as David was see Joel 3. 10. The House of David namely The Princes of the blood royall who were also chiefe Officers of the Crowne by which are meant the Apostles who should be endowed with so many graces in Majestie Authority Strength and Truth that they should seeme to be Gods and Angels in the world rather then men See Gal. 4. 14. V. 10. I will powre A prophecie of the last conversion of the Jewes whereof see Mat. 23 39 Rom. 11. 26. 2 Cor. 3. 16. The Spirit namely The presence the operation and the gifts of Christs Spirit which is given through grace and is the Seale and earnest of Gods grace and doth alone produce in Believers holy and acceptable prayers Rom. 8. 25 26. They shall looke that is to say They shall turne to me by Faith Have pierced Psal. 22. 16. Matth. 27. 35. Jâ—h 19. 34. Mourne â—â—r him They shall be exceedingly grieved at their forefathers misdeeds See Jer. 3. 21. Acts 2. 37. V. 11. As the mourning It is likely that hee hath a relation to those solemne lamentations which were appinted for Josias his death who was slaine in the field of Meghiddo 2 Chro. 35. 22 25. And it seemes that Hadradrimmon was some city or strong hold in the said field made mention of onely Zech. 14. 10. V. 12 Every Family Circumstances taken from the manner of publike mournings in which they used to shut themselves up in their houses with their families and refraine the company of women and all manner of delightfull conversation see Numb 20. 29. Of Nathan A branch of Davids posterity out of which sprung Zerobabel who was next to the crowne after Solomons line failed See 2 Sam. 5. 14 Luke 3. 27 31. V. 13. Shemeâ— It seemes that it was some Familie of the Levites 1 Chron. 6. 17. and 23. 10. And the Prophet doth in this manner specifie these Families whereof some had held temporall and some Ecclesiasticall offices to shew that as the Church and State were united and joyneâ— in persecuting of Christ and in putting him to death so they should joyntly doe penance for it CHAP. XIII Vers. 1. IN that day namely when the Messias shall be come into the world A sountaine namely The grace of God in remission of sinnes and regeneration of Spirit shall be proffered to all Believers in Christ. A figure taken from the Waters of the Temple and thâ— washings according to the Law V. 2. The Prophets namely The false prophets by which are meant all seducers and teachers of lies Uncleane spirit namely the Divels wicked and uncleane inspirations V. 3. Shall yet A represention of the spirit of knowledge discretion and zeale in Christs true Church to discerne false doctrines and oppose them Figurative termes taken from that which was commanded to false Prophets Deut. 13. 5 6. and 17. 2. V. 4. The Prophets All false doctrine and worship of former times shall be beaten backe by the cleare light of the Gospel Shall they weare They shall not dare to counterfeit the true Prophets who used to weare such kindes of garments 2 King 1. 8. Isa. 20. 2. Matth. 3. 4. V. 6. Shall say unto him If it appeares that he hath passed through the Church's Discipline because hee hath been a seducer hee shall confesse it and give God the glory approving of the Churches severity used for his correction A representation of the wonderfull power of Gods Spirit and light in convincing and correcting the ministers of error See Acts 8. 13. and 19. 18 19. V. 7. Osword True it is that for a time my Church shall be an enemy to all manner of false doctrine and false teachers but there shall likewise come a time in which by my secret providence Christs true Ministers according as hee himselfe was slaine by the Jewes for a false Prophet shall also be persecuted and slaine whence shall follow a great dispersion of Believers and of Churches in the world Hee seeme to have an especiall relation to the times of Antichrist My Shepheard Christ as well in his owne person as in the persons of his faithfull Ministers My Fellow To shew the unity of Essence and union of the will of the Father and the Sonne the Mediator See upon Isa. 5. 1. Jer. 11. 15. Joh 10. 30. and 17. 22. And I will In this
true Christians made Priests by him Rer. 1. 6. to offer unto God spirituall sacrifices Rom. 12. 1. which were figured by the Ceremoniall sacrifices as Mal. 1. 11. In righteousnes rightly lawfully and according to his ordinance without any default See Psal. 51. 19. V. 5. Come neare to you my Spirit shall effectually redargue all sinners Isa. 4. 4. John 16. 8. and the execution shall speedily follow that inward redargution V. 6. For I am under the Gospell I will proceed with a speedy operation of my Spirit and judgement whereas now I doe use a great deale of clemency and patience out of my meere loyalty and constancy in my promises See Lam. 3. 22. 23. V. 7. Wherein wherein have we sinned that we should returne V. 8. In tythes keeping those things back which are my right and are to furnish out my service and for the maintenance of mine Officers Neh. 13. 10. V. 10. The store-house of the Temple 1 Chron. 26. 20. See the performance of this Commandement Neh. 13. 12. Prove me whither if you obey my Commandements I will faile in my promises I will not open A figurative terme to signifie as it were a deluge of goods See Gen. 7. 11. 2 King 72. 19. V. 11. The devourer the Italian the beasts namely those insects which doe spoile the fruits of the earth Cast her fruit they shall not lose their fruit by any accident V. 12. A delighâ— sâ—me A most happy Land and abounding in all things as can be desired in the world V. 14. Walked moâ—rnfull the Italian gone mourning as Job 30. 28. Psal. 38 6. he seemes to have relation to those Fasts which are set down Zech 7. 3. V. 15. The proud an ordinary title given to the most grievous sinners who sinne maliciously and boldly Set up established and preserved in lasting happinesse V. 16. Spake whilest the wicked did blaspheme in this manner the true beleevers opposed themselves against them and strengthened themselves against those temptations A Booke God shall remember them in due time and reward them for their faith and constancy Termes taken from men Psal. 56. 9. That thought that have his feare alwayes in their hearts and before their eyes that meditate upon his grace and his commandements have a care to call upon him and doe actually remember him in all their works V 17. Make up namely execute my judgements upon the wicked Spare I will love them and preserve them carefully V. 18. Returne you doe wrongfully impute to God that he doth not reward those that serve him serve you him heartily and uprightly and then you shall finde the effect of his promises whereas now you deprive your selves of it because your service is defiled with hypocrisie and impiety CHAP. IV. Ver. 1. THe day of Christs comming wherof he had spoken Mal. 3 2 3. Neither root A proverbiall terme as Job 18. 16. and 29. 19. Isa 5. 24. Amos. 2 9. V. 2. Ariâ—e by faith you shall know and enjoy Christ who shall be a devouring fire to the wicked but unto his Elect a Son of yeelding a vivifying and comfortable heate by vertue of his perfect righteousnes by which he will reconcile them to God his Father and obtaine his Spirit for them which shall regenerate sanctifie and save them perfectly See Isa. 60. 1 2 19. Goe forth A description of the liberty of Spirit in the Elect in joy vigor and promptitude of spirituall motions V. 3. Tread down A representation of the Churches victory over her spirituall enemies which is very frequent in the Prophets V. 5. Eliah that is to say John the Baptist who shall come in the Spirit and power of Eliah Luke 1. 17. The great that stately apparition of the Sonne of God in the flesh accompanied with the consuming power set downe before Mal. 3. 2. 4 1. Especially in regard of the Jewes who shall be destroyed by him by reason of their rebellion and ingratitude V. 6. Shall turne his preaching shall be for 〈◊〉 bring backe the children of Israel that are gone astray to the true faith and piety of their fore-fathers whereby their fathers as Abraham Isaac and Jacob who as one may say did not know them againe Isa. 29. 22 23. shall re-accept them for their lawfull posterity which thing failing I will finally and totally destroy the whole Nation FINIS An Advertisement concerning the Books which are called Apocrypha IT is most certaine that in the ancient Jewish Church to which Gods Oracles were sent and lay deposited the Books of the Law and the Prophets having bin faithfully kept there untill such time as the gift of Prophecying and the Prophets Ministry ceasing there was a Register or authenticall Catalogue made of all the said Books gathered into one volume by Ezra either alone or with the assistance of other Prophets which lived in his time being guided therein by the same infallible conduct of the Holy-Ghost by which they had composed their owne writings This Volume being gathered together was the firme rule of the Church at that time the only modell of all its Religion and rule of divine worship the foundation of all their hopes the forme and soveraigne Law of their customes and government and the only subject of all their Expositions and Lectures which were made in their Assemblies And though there were even at that time many other Books of pious subjects as Ecclesiasticus and the Books of Maccabees and some also of more antiquity as the Prophecye of Enoch mentioned in Saint Jude his Epistle and also some History out of which Saint Paul had the names of Jâ—nnes and Jambres 2 Tim. 〈◊〉 8. yet the Jewish Church never gave place for publicke uses to any other Books but such as were divine and sacred and comprehended within their Catalogue The same care of the divine Providence was also shewed in the Christian Church For the last Apostles and especially Saint John who outlived all the rest made also as ancient writers relate such a Catalogue of the Holy Books of the New Testament for the same end as there had been one made of the old And it seemes that Saint John in the last Chapter of his Revelation would seale and shut up the close of it by His Apostolicall Authority and by His terrible protestations But the Christian Church after the death of the Apostles did not use the same scrupulous circumspection as the Jewish Church did For many writings of seeming piety passing through the Churches hands under the name of divine Books The care and severity in discerning cutting off the supposed ones was not used but only in such as were most notoriously false and did most dangerously corrupt Christian Doctrine as containe false Gospels and Epistles which were written in the name of the Apostles Being the worke of some Jewes which were turned Christians or of some Heretickes which were reproved and banished even in their first beginnings But a greater toleration was used with other Books
hath in his humane nature and in regard of his office of Mediatour receaved the fulnesse of the Spirit knowledge and all other gifts Iohn 1. 14 16. Col. 1. 19. and 2. 9. and not as each beleever in a cortaine limited portion and measure Romans 12. 3 6. 1 Cor. 12. 7. 11. 2 Cor. 10. 13. Ephes. â—7 Verse 35. The Sonne in the qualitie of Mediatour CHAP. IV. VER 3. HE left to not derogate out of time as it is likely from Iohns authority by his presence Or to not give any cause or matter of making comparison or opposition betweene two baptismes to the prejudico of both Oâ— to shunne the occasion of vaine ambition and popular applause V. 5. Syâ—har it is thought to bee the same place which is elsewhere called Sichem V. 6. Well it was some noted well of springing water which did beare Iâ—cobs name Yet the Scripture doth no where else make mention of it Saâ—â— thus like to a man that was weary without seeming to stay there a purpose though in the secret of his divine providence he had an intent to convert the people of that place The sixt houâ—e namely about noone Ver. 7. Of Samaria a Samaritan by nation and prosâ—ssion Or who was borne in Samaria though shedwelt in Syehar V. 9. The â—ewes for the Samaâ—icans were but a mixture of Pagan Nations 2 King 17. ver 24. who after the Captivity had built themselves a Tempâ—e upon mount G 〈…〉 zim and together with some apostaâ—ed lewes had there established a false worship to imitate that of Ierusalem Neh 13. 28. wherefore they were excommunicated by the Iewes and did hate one ano her exceedingly V. 10 The gift namely the Saving grace which God presents to men by me Living water he calleth the grace of God so and the gift of the Holy Ghost which are of a continuall lastingnesse and power for to quench the burning of the conscience scorched by Gods curse To satisfie them that thirst after eternall goods and warer the barrennesse of the soule and make it fruitfull in good works V. 12. Art thou as much as to say seeing thou câ—nst not give me any of the water of this well having nothing to draw it and take it up withall I doe Imagine that thou puttest mee in hope of some other water more pure and excellent then this but how can that be seeing that Iacob with whom thou art not to be compared was content with this Our father Jacob for these nations did yet beare though falsly the name of Israelites by reason of some remainder of the ten Tribes and some mixture of the Iewes which were amongst them V. 14. Never thirst with that thirst of the soule which is an entire privation of Gods grace and of the comfort of his spirit with a burning and desperate feeling thereof Isa. 66. 13. Hos 2. 3. Luk. 16. 24. Not of the thirst of feeling his own wants nor of the servent desire of enjoying that grace which the beleever ought to have continually so long as he is in this world where he is never satisfied nor appaied Isa. 55. 1. Mat. 5. 6. Revel 21. 6. and 22. 17. But the water that is to say that spirituall gift is not like a draught of water which being dranke up passeth away sodainely and the effect thereof is not long lasting but it is a grace residing in the believer like a provision or slore which he hath lying by him to goe unto whensoever he needeth to preserve in himselfe the spirituall life till such time as it bee compleated in the eternall Ver. 16. Goe call Christs end was not onely to make this woman know that he was true God who knew her evill life but also to awaken her conscience to acknowledge her sinne and desire pardon from GOD thorow saith and Repentance which is the true refreshing and watering of the soule V. 20. Our fathers namely the ancient Patriarchs as lacob Gen. 33. 20. Now being convinced in her conscience and finding that Christ was a Prophet she imagineth that Christ being a Iew would desire nothing of her but that she should become a Iewesse and thereupon she frameth this objection Mountaine namely of Garizim Yee say according to Gods order who had restrained that ancient libertie of serving him in other places V. 21. When yee shall neither that all distinction of places shall be annihilated as well as the difference of nations by the preaching of the Gospell you Samaritans being receaved into the covenant of grace and admitted into his service as well as the native Iewes Mal. 1. 11. V. 22. Ye worship that is to say for the present your Samaritan worship is altogether false being contrary to Gods law notwithstanding all your intentions of serving the true God whom you do not know seeing you do not follow the light of his word and doe not serv him according to his wil. Contrariwise the Iews onely have the true God and his externall service established and approved by him in which outward service notwithstanding true piety consists not but in the internall and spiritual service of faith invocation conversion c. which I will shortly establish in the world we know namely the Iewes whereof I am one Salvation that is to say the saving doctrine of the covenant of grace is preserved amongst the Iewes and must be sought out amongst them Rom. 9 4. V. 23. In spirit spiritually by actions and motions of the soule regenerated by the Holy Ghost which is the substance and the true body of the shadowes and figures of ceremoniall worship the use of which shall be disannulled by me to establish the other see Rom. 14. 18. Vnlesse Christ by the Spirit do meane the spirituall forme which God had ordained and by truth the sincerity and uprightnesse of heart to observe it V. 24. Must worship to yeeld him a service befitting his nature V. 25. I know from hence it appeares that the Samaritans themselves expected the Messias which was promised to the Fathers who they beleeved should fully reveale the will of God and the doctrine of salvation Christ in the Greek tongue which was in those dayes commonly used in Palestine V. 27. That he talked a thing which they thought was to meane and unfitting for him V. 34. My meate namely mine only delight is to do mine office as at this time to convert this woman and these people U. 35. Say not yee earthly harvest indeed is'not ready as yet but the spirituall harvest of the conversion of Nations by the Gospell is which is as it were ripe fruit of the seed sowne by the Prophets as you shall soone see by the example of these Samaritans Foure moneths these speeches being spoken presently after the Passeover Ioh 2. 13. and the harvest being in Iudea at Pentecost called therfore the feast of harvest Exod. 23. 16. it seems that by harvest here ought to bee understod the heart of summer which is all the world over
acknowledge Christ to bee the head and foundation of this covenant and by this meanes hope for the benefit thereof and especially the gift of the Spirit Shall call Namely by his Gospell So he doth restraine the Israelites to whom the promises are directed onely to those who by Gods gift beleeve in Christ. See Rom. 9. 8. Gal. 4 28. Ver. 40. Save your selves quickly joyne your selves to the Church withdrawing your selves from the corrupt societie of unbeleeving Iewes that you may not participate of their sinnes and plagues Rev. 18. 4. V. 41. Were added namely to the body of the Church V. 42. Doctrine in the hearing publike exercisâ—s and profession thereof Fellowship of holy assemblies and other sacred actions And generally in christian societie and all the duties thereof both spirituall and temporall In breaking a phrase taken from that which God did at his last Supper Matth. 26. 26. used to signifie the celebration of the holy Supper together with which in those dayes were made certaine feasts of Charity Sec Acts 20. 7 11. 1 Cor. 11. 21. 2 Pet. 2. 13. Iude 12. V. 43. Feare came they were all dismaied at this new and miraculous estate increase gifts miracles and power of the Church whereupon no man durst to molest or hinder them V. 44. Common this community was not of all the goods of all beleevers but of that part which every one would consecrate for the publick necessities or of thole of particular persons Acts 5. 4. and was used only in Ierusalem in those first beginnings And we doe not reade that it was made a president for other times and places V. 27. Asshould be according to the everlasting election Others those who saved themselves namely those who according to the exhortation of v. 40 did reduce themselves into the Church there to seek for their salvation CHAP. III. VER 1. THe ninth namely three a clock in the afternoone Of a prayer the Iewes having three houres in the day appointed for prayer Whereof see up on Psal. 55. 17. and of this ninth houre Acts 10. 3. 30. V. 2. Beautifull by v. 11. it appeares that it was the gate which was in the first Court towards the East where Solomons Porch was See upon Iohn 10. 23. V. 4. Looke on us a word which questionlesse was accompanied by some internall motion of the Holy Ghost to kindle in him some spark of 〈…〉 i th V. 6. In the name I speake by his authority and commission and by his power my word shall take effect V. 11. Held thanking them and witnessing his acknowledgement and affection The Porch which was at the comming in of the Easterne gate of the Temple where the greatest concourse of people was See Acts 5. 12. Ver. 13. Denied him that is to say you refused him for your King Iohn 18. 40. and 19. 14 15. V. 16. His Name that is to say he himselfe his power Through faith through the faith of us Apostles and of the lame man himselfe faith being a disposition and condition necessary in man for to have the work of God take effect in him See Phil. 3. 9. Which is by him which is his gift by his spirit Or which hath all its being and power from him who is the true object and foundation of it V. 17. Ye did it he speakes of the common sort of people for otherwise a great many had sinned against their owne conscience Ioh 7. 28. and 15. 22. And not altogether excusing their offence he doth notwithstanding give them hope of pardon which is altogether denied to those as reject or deâ—y Christ out of pure malice against the light and internall motion of the Spirit Matthew 12. 31. See 1 Tim. 1. 13. V. 19. When the times not that the remission of sinnes be put off till then but because it shall be publikely declared and shall bring forth its eternall effect of life and glory See upon Mat. 12. 32. Of refreshing a figurative terme taken from worke-men who in the evening doe retire into the shade and to rest after the labours and travails of this life Luke 16. 25. Revel 7. 15. 16. From the presence Namely that eternall happinesse being granted to all the elect by the full revelation of Gods face 1 Corin. 13. 12. 1 Ioh. 3. 2. V. 20. Shall send againe into the world to judgment to gather up all his Church into Heaven 〈◊〉 preached that is to say was set before you and p 〈…〉 as it were into your hands by the preaching of the Gospell V. 21. The Heaven his humane nature residing in heaven and no more upon earth Of re 〈…〉 Namely of the accomplishment of Christs Kingdome by which all the disorders and ruines which sinne hath brought into the world shall be repaired and restored See Rom. 8. 20. Since the the Greek after the age which may also be translated from ancient times V. 24. Of these days namely of the Messias his spirituall Kingdome and especiallie of the accomplishment of it in heaven V. 25. The children of the stock of the Patriaches their heires and fellowes of the covenant made with them for all their posterities V. 26. Sent him presented him for your salvation by the preaching of the Gospel To blesse you the Italian First to bless you be fore the Gentiles Mat. 10. 6. Act. 1. 8 and 13. 46. with that spirituall and heavenlie blessing which was promised to Abraham Christ being the holy seed which is the foundation and roote of that blessing which was to bee spread over all the earth Gâ—l 3. 9 14. CHAP. IV. VER 1. THe Captaine the Italian The chieâ—â— See of these chiefes or Captains of the Temple upon Luke 22. 4. The Sadduces whose sect emulating that of the Pharisees was so increased in dignitie that it was admitted into pâ—â—like judgements especially in criminall ones wherein they were exceeding severe whereas contrariwise the Pharisees were very clement and milde See Acts 5. 17. and 23. 6. V. 2. Through Jesus propounding him for a Soueralgne example Or by the power of Iesus and by whome as the head being rison againe all those that belieued in him should likewise rise againe 1 Cor. 15. 21. Or by his authoritie and command The Resurrection denied by the Sadduces Mat. 23. 6. V. 5. Scribes See upon Mat. 2 4. V. 10. By the Name by his power required by ouâ— prayer V. 12. None other any other person or power in all the world V. 17. In this name namely as for Christ preaching of his doctrine V. 20. We cannot neither in reason having Gods command for it nor in effect being driven thereunto by the Holy Ghost V. 22. Was above and therefore could himselfe testiâ—â—â— with that firmenesse as befitted his age and set forth all the circumstances thereof Or having beene so long in that misery hee was knowne by all â—en and they all did the more rejoyce at his being healed because hee had suffered for so long a time V. 27. A 〈…〉
meane simple and milde manner Ver. 55. And sow this was a miraculous vision in which Steven by a supernaturall light and vertue did see into Heaven and behâ—ld that splendor and Majestie with which Christ is clothed there Vnlesse one will say that it was but a created image of of it which was represented to Sevens inward and outward sences See Acts 10. 11. V. 58. The witnessé who according to the law Deutrenomie 17. verse 7. were to throw the first stones V. 60. Hee fell a sleepe he quietly and sweetely breathed a Scripture phrase for the assured hope of the blessed Resurrection CHAP. VIII VER 1. ALL scattered namely the body of the Church for the most part V. 5. Philip it is likely it was the Deacon Acts 6. 5. rather than the Apostle who remained in Ierusalem with the rest ver 1. V. 9. Bewitched the Italian Seduced or astonished and besotted V. 10. The great power the greatest instrument of Gods power that can be remembred V. 12. Were bappized renouncing all manner of impietie and superstition especially that of Simon V. 13. Believed made outward profession of the saith Or gave some ascent to the doctrine but hypocritically not giving way to the inward operation of the Holy Ghost to a true conversion and lively regeneration V. 15. The Holy Ghost not only the inward gift thereof in light and grace but also the externall and miraculous ones which in those beginning were conferred upon many after baptisme especially upon those who were by God appointed for the sacred ministerie V. 17. Laid they See upon Acts 6. 6. V. 21. In this matter Namely in this sacred Office of the Gospell in which the laying on of hands is required to obtaine the grace of the Spirit Or in this faith and doctrine Or in this businesse Ver. 22. If perhaps this word sheweth the difficultie of the thing by reason of the grievousnesse of the sinne Without cutting off the hope of grace but rather to serve for a greater spurre to the sinner to bring him to repentance See 2 Tim. 2. 25. That thou art that thou art possessed with a most wicked malice and art a slave to the Devill for to do all manner of wickednesse V. 24. That none that the most unhappie estate of the soule which you describe unto mee may not drive mee into eternall perdition which you threaten me with V. 26. Which is desert this may bee referred to the Citie of Gaza which at that time was desolate and ruined or to the way which was thorow a disinhabited Country V. 27. Queene of for amongst the Aegyptians women might raigne See 1 King 11. 1. For to worship See 1 Kings 8. 4 1. Ioh 12 20. Uer. 29. Said by Revelation or secret inspiration V. 33. In his because hee voluntary humbled himselfe even to the death to which hee was condemned God did deliver him and hath Soveraignly exalted him Phil. 2. 8 9. V. 37. With all thine that is to say sincerely and firmely with all thine heart V. 39. Caught away that is to say carried him away by a swift and sodaine motion See 1 Kings 18. 12. Ezeck 3. 12 14. CHAP. IX V. 2. TO the Synagogues the Romans having taken Iudea suffered the Iewes to live according to their Law and Religion Whereupon the High Priest as head of the great Councell might imprison and judge of the quality of a Iewes crime but had reserved unto themselves the pronunciation of the judiciall sentence and the publike capitall execution Of this way the Italian Of this Sect or profession of Religion V. 5. Whom thou in my members from which I have nothing separate and in my doctrine service and glory It is hard a terme taken from restie Cattell which the more obstinate they are the worse they cause themselves to bee used and yet at the last are forced to obey To signifie unto Saul that for all his fiercenesse he could not withstand Gods motion and calling and that therefore hee ought to yeeld unto it quietly otherwise he should draw great plagues upon him See 1 Cor. 9. 16. V. 7. Hearing See Dan. 10. 7. Now Acts 11. 9. it is said that they saw the light but did not hear the voyce Wherefore we must say that they heard Sauls voyce but not Christs Or some confused sound Or the sound of the Hebrew words which the Lord used Acts 26. 14. but not the meaning as Matth. 27. 47 Ver. 8. Hee saw no man his eyes being dazeled with that heavenly light which by miracle or by condensation of the naturall humour of the eyes produced those scales which are afterwards spoken of to shew that he was altogether blinde in spiritual things and that he must renounce all presumption of of wisdome and become a child and a foole before God for to be made wise by him See upon Iohn 9. 6. 1 Cor. 3. 18. V. 9. Three dayes during which time it is likely hee had his raptures and revelations mentioned 2 Cor. 12 2. V. 11. For behold by verse 17. it appeares that God revealed unto Ananias the subject of Sauls prayer namely to be enlightened in body and in spirit to performe Gods will and that he was sent thither for to fulfill it V. 12. And hath seen God by another vision prepared Saul for the comming of Ananias and for the worke which by his meanes he would do upon him V. 15. To beare to give knowledge of me to preach the doctrine of my person and truth V. 16. For I will We may suppose Which hee shall freely doe notwithstanding all persecutions for I will instruct him and frame him to a most invincible patience V. 22. Proving the Greeke word signifieth to confirme a thing by comparing of reasons and authority and it is like that here is ment the comparing and conferring of prophisits See Acts. 17. 11 and 28. 23. V. 23. Manie namely three yeares Gal. 1. 18. V. 25. The disciples the beleeuers which were afterwards called Christians V. 27. Declared some referre this to Saul himselfe others to Barnabas who might live at Damascus where this act was well knowne or might elsewhere certainely have heard of it V. 28. With them Namely with Peter and Iames. Gal. 1. 18. 19. For the other Apostles were then absent V. 29. The Gracians See upon Acts. 6. 1. V. 31. Edefied Going forward in their spirituall estate with delight and content by interchangable instructions and holy examples which is the frequent sence of this word opposite to scandals and in the or they were filled with comfort c. V. 32. The Saints A common name to all beleevers sanctified by their calling by Faith and by the Spirit of regeneration Lydda a city or great Castle in the tribe of Ephraim called also Diospolis V. 35. Saron another city in the same tribe neere to Lydda V. 36. Joppa a Sea Towne neere to those othertownes in these dayes called Japha V. 37. Washed According to the customes of those dayes
making any set meale Ver. 34. This is God shall deliver you from this Sea danger But you must take heed that you do not dye or weaken your selves with hunger seeing God gives you the meanes to prevent it that you may on your part endeavour as much as in you lyeth to escape expecting the rest from God Fall from a proverbiall terme as 1 Kings 1. 52. Matth. 10. 30. Luke 21. 18. V. 35. Gave thankes See upon Matth. 15. 36. 1 Tim 4. 4. Ver. 40. Rudder which were two great Oares hanging on each side of the poope And it is likely that when they let downe their sailes and let the ship drive at Sea they tooke away and made fast the rudders which now being willing to runne the Ship on shoare they untie to keepe it upright V. 41. A place some shelfe which was separate from firme land The Epistle of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Romans Argument AS under the Old Testament the H. Ghost moved his Prophets to set down in writing the summaries of their Sermons to endure for ever in the Church not onely for instruction but also for a certaine and immoveable rule of heavenly truth So did he the like in the New inspiring his Apostles to write the same doctrine as they had in speech uttered in their life time And Gods most wise and free providence hath to this end chosen the formes of Epistles as most befitting the simplicitie of the manner of teaching which Christ used and most apt to joyne the doctrine to the uses of practice in all the parts of a Christian life And the said Epistles written or subscribed with the Apostles hands and well verified were with great reverence reserved and kept in the Churhes to which they were written and were from time to time read and expounded in publike assemblies and were also communicated to other Churches for the generall edification of them all And Saint John who out lived all the other Apostles gathered them together and added them to the body of the New Testament setting upon them the Seale of Apostolicall authoritie as Esdra s had done to the bookes of the Old Testament Now although these Epistles were written upon particular occasions yet the divine providence directed the Apostles to comprehend in them the necessary explication of all the chiefe heads of Christian doctrine And Saint Paul who had in speaking laboured more than any one else hath likewise written more and more largely and highly unfolded all the mysteries of salvation the duties of Gods spirituall service and the rules of lawfull governement and discipline of the Church Intermixing also excellent Revelations of things to come which God had manifested unto him Amongst other Epistles of this great vessell of election that to the Romans holds the first degree in all kindes being he doth in a most exquisite order lay open therein each severall part of Christs benefit and the duties of enterchangeable acknowledgement and service to which all beleevers are bound The Romans to whom he writes were such beleevers amongst the Gentiles as were assembled in Rome where the Gospell had bin carried even before the Apostles comming thither And as the Apostleship of the Gentiles was fallen to his lot so did he performe this great duty towards it after he had for a long time caused it to shine with incomparable gifts of Gods grace to instruct and dificit with this divine Epistle which may very well be called the great sea of Christian doctrine And in it after he had in the beginning set downe his vocation and desire to contribute to the advancement of the faith of those who beleeved in Rome he sheweth that the Gospell receaved by faith is the only an most powerfull meanes to obtaine true righteousnesse before God and by the meanes of it life Seeing that all men by sin are subject to Gods wrath and curse the Gentiles being condemned by the Law of nature imprinted in their hearts and the Jewes much more by Moses his Law which yeeldeth no man any prerogative to righteousnesse but doth rather aggravate their judgments who having the knowledge of it are not correspondent thereunto by an entire obedience And therefore he concludes that all men to sirun their condemnation are bound to seeke without themselves that righteousnesse which is wanting in them and have a recourse to Christ in whom this treasure is laid up to the remission of sins and full justification of sinners And that as God presents this righteousnesse out of his meere grace and to all Nations indifferently so the onely meanes to receave it is lively faith without any necessitie or use of Circumcision or other ceremonies of the Law or any intercâ—ssion of mans owne works as he shâ—weth it by the example of Abraham the Father of all beleevers and generall patterne of faith Then he goeth on to declare the effects of faith and of Gods fatâ—erly love in Christ which are peace and quiet of conscience towards God securenes Ioy and spirituall reioycing in tribulations and assured hope of everlasting glory And concludes this part by shewing the foundation and ground of this communication of Christ to his beleevers which is Gods order who hath established Christ to be the head and stocke of his Church that from him may derive into her the vertâ—e of his righteousnesse and justification everlasting life and happinesse as Adam was the naturall head of all men whereby he inclosed and infolded them all in his sin and consequently into his death and condemnation Then he commeth to the subsequent and inseperable blessing of sanctification brought forth in beleevers by the holy Ghost to the resemblance of Christ their head by vertue of which the beleever doth not any more fight against the law of God and againe the law iâ—not an instigation to sinne for him to incense a d 〈…〉 rden him therein but a loving and friendly guide and rule of holinesse to which he willingly and peaceably doth frame and co-order his will and actions though still with much weakenes and repugnancy of flesh which God leaveth in those that are his for a continuall exercise and spurr to their sides to cause them to sigh aftâ—r their perfect deliverance and freedome in the heavenly life And therefore he comforteth them by telling them that these first fruits of the holy Ghost and his motions and strivings are unto them a sure earnest of Gods love and of their adoption justification and future glory which they at the present doe taste but onely in faith and hope but yet is infallible being grounded upon Gods everlasting decree and immutable election Whereupon also there groweth in them a firme confidence against all the assaults of the Devill and the World either internall or externall And afterwards because that the grace of the Gospell had beene promised to the â—ewes Eldest sonnes of the Family and naturall heires of the covenant and promises and yet they for the greatest part did reject it
this gift by their â—all doth not hinder the foresaid priviledge from subsisting For God shall also recall the Iewes in his appointed time making use of his grace best 〈…〉 wed upon the Gentiles to provoke the Iewes to conversion verse 11 14. V. 32. For God the Soveraigne cause of these things which have happened is Gods absolute will Who hath suffered the Iewes to fall into the same state of â—ebellion against him as the Gentiles were in because he might likewise shew towards them at the appointed time the some mercy that it may appeare that all Nations of themselves are in an equall condition before God and are all equally saved by the only meanes of his grace Upon all Namely to the generality of those two Nations Iewes and Gentiles V. 33. Of the riches Namely of Gods grace to sinners Rom. 9. 23 Ephes. 1. 7. and 2. 7. Of the wisedome iâ— the meanes and times appointed by him His judgements the rule and proceeding of all his actions and government Ver. 35. Or who this is added to stoppe the mouthes of all those whom the Lord forsakes from complaining V. 36. Of him he alone is the Soveraigne cause of all things he himselfe creates all and disposeth all the meanes and secondary causes 〈◊〉 and finally hee and his glory are the onely ayme of all great things CHAP. XII VER 1. I Beseech you a conclusion drawne from all the precedent doctrine of this Epistle By the mercies even so far as the infinite mercies of God binde yoâ— See 2 Cor. 10 1. That 〈◊〉 that in acknowledgement of all the favours ye have receaved from God in stead of sacrifices of thanks-giving and of praise which were formerly used and are now disannulled under the Gospell you will consecrate your whole persons quickned by the power of the Holy Ghost A living sacrifice namely in a new life in regeneration of spirit which also hath a correspondencie with ancient sacrifices in which a beast that was dead or torne by wild beasts was uncleane and unacceptable but they were to be presented living to be Lord and the bloud of them to bee spilt at the foote of the altar Reasonable that is to â—ay spirituall opposite to the sacrifices of bruit beasts under the Law See Hos. 14. 2. Mal. 1. 11. Phil. 4. 18. Heb. 13. 15 16. 〈◊〉 Pet. 2. 5. V. 2. To this Namely to the customes inclinations and actions of worldly and corrupt men Transformed that is to say regenerated and changed from your naturali wickednesse in all the parts of your soule beginning from the highest which is understanding and reason by which the spirit of God also worketh upon the inferior Gods grace following the order of nature in its operation Ye may prove that ye may by this gift of spirituall judgment discerne and approve that Gods Law is all good lovely and compleate Psalme 19. 8 11. Rom. 7. 16. 22. to submit your selves unto it with a free will Or that yee may prove that which according to this Law is good acceptable to God and rightly correspondent to his will to doe it See Phil. 〈◊〉 10. and Rom. 2. 18. Ephes. 5. 10 17. Colos. 1. 9. and 3 10. V. 3 Forl this instruction of having the knowledge of the will of God for a guide in all our actions is a very great one for it takes place in all callings especially ecclesiasticall ones to not undertake any thing therein of ones proper minde Through the grace namely the charge and authority of Apostle guided by an infallible conduct of Gods spirite Soberly that is to say modestly holily keeping within the bounds of the revelation of Gods Word the onely rule of faith and within the measure of the degree of knowledge which others have in it V. 4. For as he gives a reason of this diversity of measure because that there be diverse functions amongst beleevers and according to those functions God conferreth his gift V. 6. Prophecie this was one of the extraordinary degrees of Ecclesiasticall ministery in those dayes in which some persons by speciall inspiration of the Holy Ghost were enlightned in the knowledge of Gods mysteries to expound them in the Church to which was oftentimes joyned the revelation of secret and future things See Acts 〈◊〉 27 and 13. 27. and 13. 1. and 16. 32. and 2 1 9. According to according to the fust measure of this illumination in the doctrine of faith without adding of changing any thing therein of their owne mind Ver. 7. Ministery under this word are comprehended all ordinary ecclesiasticall functions which afterwards are divided into two generall kindes of the word and of pious works that of the word likewise into two of Doctors and Pastors that of pious works into distribution of Almes into the externall government of the Church and the relieving of the sicke and afflicted c. Let us waite on without going beyond the bounds of our vocation or of the gift of God belonging unto it He that teacheth whose office was to expound the tenents of the Christian faith in their substance truth and purity by plaine interpretation as they doe in the Schooles without an applications to demeanours or any exhortations or comforts or reproofes as they use to doe in the Church V. 8. He that exhorteth namely the Pastor of the Church who addeth the foresaid uses to the doctrine and taketh them out of it and especially that of exhortation See Acts 13. 15. 1 Tim 62. Tit. 1. 9. and 2. 15. That giveth the Italian He that distributeth namely he that hath the office of giving or distributing the publicke almes which was the Deacons charge Acts 6. 5. With simplicitie without any fraud Or with an upright affection without acceptation of persons without hatred or favour Or liberally as a pure and simple gift See 2. Cor. 8. 2. That ruleth he meanes the office of Elders who together with the gravest wisest and most qualified Pastors made up the Ecclesiasticall Senate to provide for the occurrent affaires govern demeanours pacific differences administer discipline in admonitions censures c. 〈◊〉 Tim. 5. 17. That sheweth mercy the Italian Hee that doth pious workes as the particular care of the sicke impotent Widdowes Orphans Prisoners strangers c. V. 10. Preferring the Italian Preventing namely without staying untill it be done to you and then requiting it Or goe beyond one another in honouring one another that is to say strive who shall doe most honour to each other give your selves enterchangeable examples of honour V. 11. In businesse the Italian In studie which every one is bound to doe in his own vocation to be spiritually carefull of the glory and service of God the benefit and profit of the Church and of the salvation of the faithfull Fervent zealous and burning in spirituall affection Serving that is to say having no other end in all your actions but onely his service Ver. 13. Given to that is to say with a free will
spirit that the truth of our word might be wholly correspondent to the 〈…〉 h of what Christ hath done as he himself in effects hath bin correspondent to Gods promises V. 21 Stab 〈…〉 sh he giveth us grace and power to preach the Gospell without erring or varying and you firmely to beleeve in it 〈…〉 d us consecrated us to this high office of Apostles and endowed us with sitting gifts for it V. 22. Who hath he hath done that in us in regard of our Apostle-ship by vertue of the same spirit as maketh good in us and in all his beleevers his vocation and election by the gift of regeneration marking us for his own as it were with a seale 2 Tim. 2. 19. and as it were by an earnest or gage assuring us of the future perfect enjoyment of his goods V. 23. Upon my soule submitting my person to his judgement if I lie To spare you to give you time for voluntary repentance before my comming to the end that being present I might not be forced to use any severitie Ver. 24. Not for that that which I speake of sparing you is not because that I am Master of your Consciences to give or take away from you the grace of God at my pleasure For in this regard you depend upon Christ onely in believing in whom consists your spirituall life and subsistencie But because the chiefe end of my ministerie is to comfort you and not to grieve you without any urgent necessitie I have stayed my comming that you might prevent my just rigor and that I might freely performe towards you this pleasing office of comforting you CHAP. II. VER 1. I In heavinesse bringing you cause of griefe by my severitie and censures V. 2. For if I for causing this griefe in you I doe conceave it yet greater in my selfe by reason of your errors and there is buâ— one only way to comfort me namely your amendment V. 3. This same namely in the contents of my former Epistle I should have least my griefe for your errors might bee redoubled by your continuance and impenitencie That my joy that the conjunction of our soules is such that you rejoyce at all that which I rejoyce at and likewise are sorry for all I am sorry for V. 4. Affliction for your disorders and for being forced to deale severely with you Not that yee mine ayme hath not beene to afflict you as bearing you a 〈…〉 hatred or evill will but rather to give you a certaine proofe of my charitie by gaining your salvation through repentance V. 5 If any Nameâ—y thâ—t incestuous person particularly 1 Cor. 5. 1. Have caused gâ—iefe have bin the cause of your and my griefe together He haâ—h not I make no reckoning of the griefe which I have receaved thereby in râ—spect of that which my censureâ— have brouâ—ht upon you Whereof hee hath beene the cause But in part this is a mitigation of his speech as if he should say I will â—ot burthen him with all the cause of the displeasure which you have received I doe take part of it upon my selfe Ver. 6. To such a man it appeares that the Church of Corinth had begun to proceed against the incestuous man by grave censures and adraonitions before they went on to excommunication as the Apostle had appointed 1 Cor. 5. 5. And these tryalls having brought forth serious repentance in him it is likely that the Apostle was demanded whither that notwithstanding his said repentance he were to be cut off from the Church and he answereth no. Was inflicted of that is to say publikely in the face of the whole Church which also gave a generall assent and yeelded obedience unto it See Matth. 18. 17 1 Tim. 5. 20. V. 7. Contrariwise so far am I from being willing to have him excommunicate Swallowed up that is to say utterly sunck in dispaire V. 8. Consirme to receave him into the peace and charitie of the Church and seale him his reconciliation by the communion of the Sacrament of the holy Supper by pâ—ayers c. and by all particulas offices of charitie V 9. Did I write in my former Epistle Obedent to the Holy Ghost speaking by mee In all things namely in amending the faults in your manner of living as well as in receaving pure doctrine in seperating your selves from evill livers as in abstayning from evill doing your selves in using severitie against enormious scandalous persons as in shewing clemencie towards those who are weak and penitent V. 10. To whom as his will was that the Corinthians should with him condemne the incestuous man 1 Cor. 5. 4. so he now will have the pardon granted by common advice offering himselfe thorow an humble modestie to subscribe to what they should first judge to bee reasonable If I so gave his meaning seemes to be If in the beginning of your Church before the order of its government was well established I have at any time alone wâ—thout any others receaved some repentant sinner to mercie I have not done it thorow any ambition but in meeâ—e charitie towards you In the person the Italian hath it In the sight that is to say I call the Lord to witnesse for it V. 11. Leâ—st Satan Least we give him occasion by any immoderate rigor of ours to take away or precipitate any member of the Church to make the Gospell and the Ministers thereof odions and to corrupt the holy use of discipline whâ—ch consist in the temperature of charitie and the end whereof is nothing but the saving of sinners Ver. 12. A doore namely an occasion of advancing Gods work by his word and vertue V. 13. Titus whom Paul had sent to Corinth to informe himsolfe truely of the state of that Church and was not as yet returned againe as hee did afterwards 2 Cor. 7. 6. Of them namely of the Church of Trout V. 14. Causeth us to maketh our Ministery glorious by the power of Christ in new conquests and converting of Nations overcomming all oppositiens Now hee seemes to intimate that this voyage into Macedonia which hee undertooke beyond his intent he intending rather to have gone to Corinth if he had beene certified what state they were in had a happie issue and event V. 15. For we are wee doe propound Christs pure doctrine not infected with any false-hood vicious affection or end Unto God that is to say divinely according to God and according to the understanding which hee granteth his beleevers by his spirit Others as God seeth it and judgeth of it Or to his glory and for his service In them that are the Gospell is preached indifferently to all manner of persons whatsoever but it works in them very differently for being receaved by beleevers it bringeth forth life and salvation having all the causes thereof in it selfe and being rejected by unbeleevers and rebellious persons it is to them a cause of greater condemnation and makes their perdition inevitable according to their sentence which is irrevocable
of Gods covenant V. 24. Schoolmaster that is to say a meanes and instrument to governe our soules and actions fitting for the Churches childhood with much rigor and servitude That we might namely that looking still upon Christ the Church might even in those dayes receive from him the gifts of righteousnes and life and that at this present time the effect of free justification might shew it selfe at full by those rigors and labours of the Law V. 26. For ye for the Christian Church is at this time come to such an age that childish servitude is taken away and the â—ight of her adoption is fully revealed and the use of holy libertie is given unto her by the holy Ghost Rom. 8. 15. Gal. 4. 1 5. V. 27. For as many Faith in Christ causeth Christ to be effectually applied to all true Believers who are baptized in his Name with internall as well as with externall Baptisme even as a garment to the bodie to communicate his righteousnesse life rights and dignitie unto them that as he is the son of God by nature they may also be made the like by grace and adoption and that without any distinction of nations states or conditions V. 28. Ye are all all Believers indifferently are one bodie enjoy the same rights and are reputed to be of one and the same condition V. 29. Christs his members by faith and by the communion of his Spirit Then are ye then need ye no more be joyned to the blessed nation by circumcision and other ceremonies as the ancient proselites were and as the false Apostles would tie you to be for being united with Christ the reall Head of the blessed race whereof Abraham was but onely the titular father you are sufficiently incorporated into it CHAP. IIII. VER 1. Dâ—ffereth nothing that is to say he is kâ—pt in strict subjection as concerning his person and hath neither the entire knowledge nor the 〈…〉 ment and enjoyment of his rights and 〈◊〉 V 〈…〉 the Law the 〈…〉 l members for it was composed of Gods children who had right to the heavenly inheritance in Christ Rom. 4 13 16. and yet by reason of their minoritie namely the small common distribution of Gods Spirit it was all hidden under a forme of servile conduct Under the namely under the discipline of the Law called elements because that in comparison of the full and solid doctrine of the Gospell the Law was but onely as an Alphabet or rough rudiments Hebr. 5. 12. by which the world began to be instructed in the mysteries of redemption or because the Law made use of many corporeall and earthly meanes which were not so simply and generally spirituall as the Gospell see Hebr. 7. 18. and 9. 1. V. 4. The fulnesse which was appointed and ordained by God Sent-forth he would have him taking upon him humane flesh manifest himselfe unto the world comming forth as one should say our of the everlasting habitation of his glorie and fulfill in his own person the worke of humane redemption Made of having assumed humane nature which he had not before according to which he hath been true man and a creature Iohn 1. 14. Rom. 1. 3. Phil. 2. 7. Borne of the holy Virgin without any worke of man Gen. 3. 15. Isai 7. 14. Mich. 5. 3. Made under namely hath taken upon him the forme of a servant Phil. 2. 7. subjecting himselfe to the the entire observation and satisfaction of the Law to acquire by vertue thereof to his humane nature and to all Believers the right to eternall glorie and to free them not onely from the curse of the Law but also from that hard externall government of it which hath been spoken of before Instead whereof he hath instituted the strong and free conduct of his Spirit V. 5. We might namely the whole Church of this present time The adoption not onely the benefit thereof but also the use and fruition See Rom. 8. 15 23. Ephes. 1. 5. V. 6. Because Because God hath adopted you to be his children in Christ he would make this gift full by regenerating you by his Spirit powred upon you by Christ who hath received the fulnesse of it Iohn 1. 16. for to distribute it to all his members by which also they being assured that God is their father they do call upon him as such with full confidence V. 7. Thou art no more Every Believer is freed by Christ both in right and in deed from the curse and servile pedagogie of the Law V. 8. Howbeit then that which I have said of the servile discipline of the Law belongeth to the Jewes but you O Galatians Gâ—ntiles we are under a worser servitude namely under a blinde idolatrie now then seâ—ing it hath pleased God at the very fiâ—â—st to bring you 〈…〉 ht or fall libertie of his Gospell why do you with foul ingratitude for such a benefit make your selves slaves to observe such things as are now altogether unprofitable and vain V. 9. Ye have known namely with that lively saving and effectuall knowledge which he of himselfe gives by his Word and Spirit Are known namely chosen and accepted of to be his To the weak to Mosaicall externall and corporeall ceremonies by which God formerly instructed his Church in its childhood as by a rough Alphabet and which had never any power in themselves to produce any spirituall effects Heb. 9. 9. and now under the Gospell are not so much as of any figurative or sacramentall use Again the Italian going backe namely from that degree of forwardnesse in the course of your heavenly vocation to which you have already attained in Christ. See Galat. 5. 7. Phil. 3. 14. V. 10. Ye observe following the false Apostles doctrine you do bring again the Mosaicall observation of distinction of times into a sacred use binding your consciences thereunto as if it were part of your holinesse and righteousnesse Col. 2. 16. V. 12. Be as Be my imitatours 1 Cor. 4. 16. and 11. 1. 1 Thess. 1. 6. For I am as in the state of a Believer and a Christian I am in the same degree and condition as you are under the same rule of faith and of Gods service that no man may thinke that I have any particular priviledge to exempt me from ceremonies Ye have not I am not any way exasperated against you for any offence done to my person I onely desire you to have a care of your own salvation V. 13. Infirmity namely afflictions and bodily miseries by which God hath tried and exercised me V. 14. As an Angell See Zech. 12. 8. As Christ not by yielding the honour which is due to Christ onely unto my person but by yielding obedience to my word as being the Word of Christ himselfe 1 Thess. 2. 13. 2 Pet. 3. 2. V. 15. Where is then that is to say What is the â—â—use that you so quickly alienate your selves from me and forsake my doctrine since at other times you reputed your selves
which is hidden to flesh and blood and which God alone can reveale Matth. 16. 17. and in the exercising of which consisteth the highest and perfectest service of God V. 11. Their wives namely Bishops and Deacons wives V. 13. Purchase to themselves they make themselves fitting and worthy to be promoted to higher degrees in the Churches service Boldnesse the Italian Liberty for a pure life freeth one from the fear of reproaches and gaineth authority and credit with the hearers and generally a good conscience is alwayes bold In the faith namely in the preaching of Christian Doctrine V. 15. The pillar by whose ministery the authority dignity knowledge vertue and use of the truth of the Gospell ought to be preserved in the world and maintained against all errours contradictions and corruptions whereunto nothing is more adverse or prejudiciall then the vitious life of those that preach it V. 16. And without as in the mysteries and most sacred actions under the law and also in the false mysteries of the Gentiles there was a most exact purification required before they could be admitted to them much more is it necessary in the Gospell which is the onely holy and Soveraigne mysterie Of godlinesse not onely of ceremonies as Moses his Law nor of prophane superstitions as the Gentiles mysteries but a most holy and truely religious mysterie by which God is served in Spirit and truth God namely the everlasting Sonne of God true God with his Father hath taken upon him human nature and in it hath manifested himselfe unto the world for to be the true Messias and promised Redeemer who untill that time was hidden in Gods counsell and under his promises Justified fullie approved of before Gods judgement Seate as having perfectly fulfilled all righteousnesse especially in what belonged to his office of Redeemer and by that meanes was delivered from death and from all paines and crowned with deserved glorie Esay 53. 8. and besides plainely declared what he is against all the false judgements contradictions and calumnies of the World by his glorious resurrection Matth. 11. 19. Luke 7. 35 Rom. 1. 4. In the Spirit in the power of his Godhead by which he hath fulfilled his office Heb. 9. 14. the truth whereof he hath caused to appeare by his resurrection Rom. 1. 4. 1 Pet. 3. 18. Seen of the Angels being risen he caused the Angels first to behold the accomplishment of Gods promises and of the Worlds salvation which they fervently expected and desired Matth. 28. 2. Marke 16. 5. Luke 24. 4. John 20. 12. Ephes. 3. 10. 1 Pet. 1. 12. CHAP. IV. Vers. 1. THe Spirit the holy Ghost hath revealed this to the Apostles and Prophets under the Gospell In latter times namely in the time of Christianity which is the last age of the World after which followeth the everlasting estate of the Church Heb. 1. 2. 1 Pet. 1. 2. but especially towards the end of the World Seducing Spirits to false Doctors who shall boast of being inspired and sent by God See 1 John 4. 1. V. 2. Seared that shall have left all manner of feeling and motion of conscience as a cautery applied to some part of the body deads it and causeth it to fall See Rom. 1. 28. Ephes. 4. 19. Jude 〈◊〉 V. 3. Forbidding not absolutely to all persons but onely to some under pretence of greater holinesse See Col. 2. 22 23. From meats namely from certaine kinds of meats Which beleeve who onely have as they are Gods children right to make use of his goods and creatures whereas the wicked before God are onely usurpers of them V. 4. For every he gives a reason why he hath said this forbidding of meats to be a divellish thing Is good that is to say the use thereof in it selfe is pure and lawfull as touching the conscience before God V. 5. It is God by his Word and Ordinance hath declared the use thereof to be lawfull especially for believers who in Christ have gotten a new right to the creatures Psal. 8. 6. Rom. 4. 13. and besides the said use is actually sanctified by them by the religious acknowledgement which they make thereof to God by calling upon his Name V. 6. Thou shalt be thou shalt in effect shew thy selfe to be such a one Attained or which thou hast carefully followed V. 7. Fables vaine humane imaginations as if in outward austeritie in abstinences fasts which he cals disciplines and exercises of the bodie did consist true holinesse before God V. 8. Little seeing all the good that it can doe is but to tame the members of the body and their externall motions and actions 1 Cor. 9. 27. without sanctifying the heart and the inward part of man as lively faith and the love and feare of God doth See Rom. 8. 13. V. 10. For therefore of this infallible vertue of Gods promises made to true pietie the afflictions which I and all true believers doe voluntarily suffer are a verie good proofe for it were a greatfolly to suffer so much without any certaine hope The Saviour the preserver of mens naturall and temporall being in generall and especially of the everlasting and spirituall being of his children V. 12. Despise doe not thou give any occasion of having it despised but make it venerable by thy vertuous carriage in thine office In Spirit in holy zeale and in spirituall and heroicke motions and actions V. 13. To reading to the study and meditation of the holy Scripture To exhortation under this part and the following is comprehended the whole Evangelicall ministery V. 14. Neglect not exercise carefully thy calling of Evangelist revive manure and strengthen the gifts which thou hast received thereby Which was given thee God having declared thy vocation not by votes of humane or ordinary election but by propheticke revelation and expresse oracle signified to the Church by the Prophets See Acts 13. 1 2. 1 Tim. 1. 18. With the laying on not to adde by mans meanes any weight to the divine calling but onely for a signe of consecration and blessing Of the Presbyterie the Italian Of the Elders namely of the pastors and other guides of the Church V. 15. To all or in all things V. 16. Both save thy selfe thou shalt avoid the condemnation for not having to the uttermost of thy power procured the salvation of soules Ezek. 33. 9. and shalt hold on a secure way in thy calling to attaine unto eternall happinesse Phil. 2. 12. and shalt be an instrument of salvation to thy hearers Rom. 15 14. 1 Cor. 9. 22. CHAP. V. Vers. 3. HOnour have an especiall care of them as well to relieve such as are in want as v. 17. as also to employ such as are vertuous in the Deaconship That are that have the true qualities of the soule and vertues befitting Christian widdows and such as have no other helpe nor assistance vers 5 16. V. 4. But if I free the Church from this duty of maintaining widdows that have kindred able
Geographicall Maps And as Gods word is called a way so pastors ought not to draw it awry but to set it forth straight Others derive it from the distribution of food at a table or in a house by a father of a family to signifie faithfull and wise dispensation or distribution of Gods word see Matth. 24. 45. Luke 12. 42. V. 16. Shun or forbid and suppresse V. 17. Will eat Being once admitted into the soule it will penetrate to the totall extinguishing of the spirituall life thereof and having possessed it selfe of one of the members of the Church it will spread it selfe over all the body if it be not withstood in time V. 18 That the resurrection it is likely that their doctrine was That there is no other resurrection but the spirituall resurrection of the soul from death and stone 〈◊〉 the renewing of the state of the world under the Gospell the Scripture using this word oftentimes in this sense see 1 Cor. 15. 12. V. 19. The foundation Gods eternall election which is the first foundation of beleevers salvation laid by God himself cannot be moved nor brought to nothing to have the Elect seduced by such he 〈…〉 es or to cause them to fall away from the faith Matth. 24. 24. 2 Thess. 2. 13. Having this election is firm end setled by Gods eternall decree concerning those whom he hath taken to himself and is guarded by his continuall providence by which he accomplished his work in them yet will he have them cooperate by the power which they have received from him bewaring of all things that are contrary thereunto both in their life and doctrine Phil. 2. 12. 2 Pet. 1. 10. Nameth that is to say Makes profession of being a Christian. V. 20. In a great this is spoken to obviate the scandall of these Apostates who had been in the Church in which by this similitude he shewes that there are both elect and reprobate Matthew 13. 47. and 20. 16. V. 21. Purge himself working by the grace and power of the holy Ghost dwelling in him 1 Pet. 1. 22. 1 John 3. 3. From these namely from those which are spoken of vers 16 19. Or from these men namely keeping himself from the communion and infection of such Reprobates as were spoken of vers 17. He shall be in effect and really according as he hath been appointed by God to be so that is to say Gods councell shall in this manner be fulfilled in man V. 24. Patient in suffering of offences and injuries V. 25. That oppose that are of a contrary minde or inclination through ignorance but not through obstinate malice see Tit. 3. 10 11. V. 26. At his will this may be understood either of the Devils will by whom they had been taken or by Gods will by whom they had been freed CHAP. III. Vers. 1. PErillous or hard and troublesome in regard of the spirituall state of the Church Shall come upon the Church V. 2. Blasphemers or slanderers and defamers V. 3. Truce-breakers or irreconcileable and implacable as Rom. 1. 31. Of those that are good or of goodnesse V. 5. Denying having quite extinguished in them that inward vertue of piety by which it works in the 〈…〉 t to regenerate and sanctifie iâ— F 〈…〉 such as from the other 2 Tim. 2. 16 23. V. 6. For of he gives a reason of this his exhortation namely because that even in those dayes there were some such persons to the great dam 〈…〉 ge and corruption of the Church â—ead captive hold them in slavery by false perswasions cunning terrours of conscience and superstitious observances V. 7. Ever learning they make profession of being very studious i 〈…〉 sacred things but without any fruit either for want of being well disposed inwardly or because they follow false and frivolous instructions V. 8. Jannes and some of Pharaohs Magicians names Exod. 7. 11. kept by tradition on by some ancient writings wherein they are yet this day to be seen Reprobate who by reason of their perverse doctrine are abominable to God and ought to be rejected of all men or that have lost all manner of right and sound judgement concerning such things as belong to faith Rom. 1. 18. Tin 〈…〉 1. 16. V. 9. They shall proceed he speaks here particularly of the seducers of his time but vers 13. he hath relation to the whole number of them in generall which in after times should increase and advance themselves exceedingly in the Church as they did indeed V. 10. Manner of life the Italian my proceedings or my government and my wayes Or my precepts and instructions V. 12. In Christ namely in the profession of beleeving in him and in the communion of his Church V. 14. Hast been or which have been intrusted and committed unto thee see 2 Thess. 1. 10. 1. 1 Tim. 1. 11. Of whom namely of me whom thou hast sufficiently known to be a true Apostle guided by the holy Ghost and maist also be better affored thereof by the holy Scripture V. 15. Which is whose foundation and onely object is Christ with all his benefits Or which is 〈…〉 per to all his members Or which is towards him V. 16. Profitable that is to say appropriated unto and appointed for these uses For doctrins the Italian to teach what ought to be known and beleeved For reproof to reprove such false doctrines as ought to be rejected For correction of vices in â—ens lives and conversation For instruction to instruct them in precepts of a holylife and Christian conversation V. 1â— The man of namely the minister of God in his Church 1. Tim. 6. 11. May be perfect may be fully endowed and provided with all par 〈…〉 needfull for his office CHAP. IV. Vers. 1. THe quick as well those which shall at that time be found alive as those who shall be dead before see Acts 10. 42. Kingdom namely in the accomplishment and manifestation of it V. 2. He instant or apply thy self thereunto continually Out of season as fleshly understanding might judge it to be Exhort or comfort Doctrine with lively perswasions powerfull reasons and holy instruction V. 3. He 〈…〉 to themselves they will continually with new Doctours and Doctrines endeavour to please their corrupt appetites and their distaste of the onely food of the soul which God hath appointed which is his pure and meere word out of which there being nothing found they shall attempt out of their own minde to supply with a 〈◊〉 of frivolous things V. 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 un 〈…〉 and uncertain doctrines and opinions V. 5. Full proof shew and make it appear unto all men by these assured proofs that thou art Christs true and faithfull Minister V. 6. For I am look to thy selfe and to thy Ministerie so much the carefullier because I know that I shall shortly be taken away from thee namely I who hitherto have been thy tutor thy guide thine example and upholder The time or the time wherein my body
referred to Christ ought to be understood onely of the miseries and punishment of sinne wherewith he hath burthened himself and not of any guilt in him V. 4. And no man that is to say He cannot be a lawfull Priest in the Church unlesse he have his calling from God by the wayes and according to the Laws which he hath appointed V. 5. Christ as he is man he did not put himself into this glorious dignity and office and as he is the Son of God he hath no will separate from the Fathers who is the spring and originall of all things But he the meaning is not that the Sonne hath been made high Priest by these words of Psal. 2. but plainly that he was so made by the everlasting Father described by this circumlocution V. 7. Who namely Christ In the dayes whilest he was yet in the world in the course of his obedience and humiliation living a terrestriall and animall life opposite to the glorious and spirituall state of the celoâ—â—iall life see 1 Cor. 15. 44. 2 Cor. 5. 16. When he had this is to shew that the substance of Christs Sacrifice consisteth not wholly in his corporall death but much more in the torments and anguishes of the soul which he in his life time suffered for sinnes of the curse whereof he drank the cup in the unspeakable feeling of Gods wrath and in the inâ—â—â—able suspension of the sweet influence of Gods love upon his humanity With strong crying he â—â—â—th a relation to Christs last agonies and servent prayers which are set down by the Evangelists Uâ—to him namely to God the Father who might have freed him from the passage to death if his counsell to save the world thereby had not been against it Matth. 26. 33. Mark 14. 36. and likewise could after he was dead according to this said order make him live again by a glorious resurrection Was heard God having according to Christs intention in his prayer strengthned and born him up in his horrible terroâ—â—s conflicts and agonie Luke 22. 43. He feared which in Christ was aâ—â—er and plain naturall affection apprehending an unspeakable future evill and pain without diffidence vice or excesse V. 8. Learned he that is to say besides what he was in regard of his father by his own nature namely his everlasting Sonne he of his own wil took upon him the new quality of obedient servant Philip. 2. 8 and through divers degrees of sufferings was prepared for the last point of them which was the death of the crosse Or he tried in effect and felt how faâ— that obedience did binde him to which he had subjected himself by his office of Mediatour V. 9. Made perfect the Italiâ—an fully consecrated namely by his death in which he did not onely fulfill all things for us John 19 30. but he himself likewise came to the height of his priestly office having in himself the foundation of the beleevers salvation by his death and by his resurrection all the means to apply it unto them see Luke 13. 32. That obey him by true faith answerable to Gods calling V. 10. Called being after his death resurrection and ascension into Heaven really invested with his full power and his Priestly and Kingly dignity joyntly as Psal. 110. 4. it is said that he was installed in his priesthood sitting already at Gods right hand Psal. 110. 1. After the order of which Priesthood in its singular properties and circumstances Melchisedech was a signe figure and example Now even from this place the Apostle begins to shew in what Christs priesthood was different from the Leviticall which he will begin again to treat of more largely Chap. 7. V. 11. Of whom namely of Christ compared with Melchisedech And hard in regard of your dulnesse and incapacity Dull of hearing Stolid and of a dull apprehension in spirituall things like as for want of exercise the memâ—ers become benummed and stiffe see Matth. 13. 15. V. 12. For the time namely since you were first instructed in Christian Doctrine First principles that is to say the first rudiments and as it were the alphabet of Gods word V. 13. For every one high and profound Doctrine is no fittinger for those who are novices in matters of faith then solid food is for little children for that requires a strength equall and proportionable to apprehend and digest it by meditation wherein a spirituall judgement is necessary confirmed by much use and practice which such novices have not In the word namely in the doctrine of the Gospell whose subject is the true and onely righteousnesse of faith Rom. 1. 17. Or he knoweth â—ot yet how to 〈◊〉 which is the true pure and holy doctrine from that which is not V. 〈◊〉 Of full age the Italian accomplished a term signifying ripe age and one that is come to be a compleat man as 1 Cor. 14. 20. or one that is a good proficient in holy matters as 1 Cor. 2. 6. By reason of use by a certaine firme and permanent quality and faculty produced in beleevers by the holy Ghost by reason of a long and continuall practice and study Their senses namely their judgement and understanding CHAP. VI. Vers. 1. LEaving a terme taken from those which runne 〈◊〉 at publike sports when they first set 〈◊〉 The meaning is advancing ourselves to the utmost of our power beyond those first principles in the understanding of Christian doctrine Unto perfection namely to the highest degree of knowledge feeling and beliefe of these things to which man can attaine in this world beâ—itting persons who are of full age in the inward and spirituall man Eph. 4. 13. Phil. 3. 15. and by this means to the perfection reserved for the Kingdome of Heaven 1 Cor. 13. 9 10. Not laying againe returning no more as from the beginning to instruct and resolve you in the first grounds of the Christian Catechisme as in a doctrine which you have forgotten and is become unknowne and uncertaine unto you like a building which is wholy ruined and must be built up againe from the foundation Of repentance these are the heads of Christian doctrine which were taught little children and novices in a plaine lowly and rough manner From â—edd worâ—es namely from all actions of man out of Gods grace wherein consists spirituall death who are deprived of the life and light of Gods Spirit are vicious and corrupt and cannot bring forth any fruit of life Rom. 8. 6 13. Heb. 9. 14. V. 2. Of the doctrine namely concerning the signification vertue and use of the Sacrament of Baptisme formeâ—ly administred generally at certaine times Oâ— conceâ—â—ing the more common and necessary arguments of faith upon which were examined those who were baptized being of any growne age Or the fathers who presented their children to be baptized and answered for them upon these questions See upon 1 Pet. 3. 21. Of laying 〈◊〉 which was a ceremonie joyned to baptisme for a signe of blessing and consecation
is that Christ is risen again by vertue of his death by which he hath fulfilled his obedience whereby he hath obtained the reward of life Or that he is the great shepheard by his blood having by it redeemed saved and gotten his sheep which he likewise feedeth unto everlasting life by the perpetuall application of his death V. 21. Through Iesus that is to say working in you by his Spirit V. 22. Of exhortation namely the reprehensions admonitions and corrections inserted amongst the doctrine of this epistle For I have if there seem to you to be any harshnesse in it impute it to the brevity of an Epistle which will not allow a man to use such infinuations and mitigations as a rhetoricall discourse wil do see 1 Pet. 5. 12. V. 23. Know ye seeing he writes this Epistle by Timothy himself the meaning is Ye shal know by himselfe that he is delivered namely out of prison where he was with me and how If he come namely if he returns from the voyage which he undertakes by mine appointment to come to you I will see you I hope according to all likelihood that I shall see you see Phil. 1. 25. THE GENERALL EPISTLE OF St. JAMES the Apostle ARGUMENT THis Epistle and those which follow saving the two last of John have been named Catholick because they are not directed to any particular Church or person as those of Saint Paul but in common to all the Churches gathered out from amongst the Iewes scattered over all the World This beares the name of James it is uncertaine of which namely whether it be the Apostle sonne of Alpheus or the Bishop of Jerusalem and Evangelist often times called the brother of the Lord. The subject is a gathering together of divers doctrines exhortations comforts reproofes instructions and sentences concerning afflictions and trials to desire of God with faith wisedome and all other gifts Of riches and of poverty of the temptation of concupiscence of true regeneration and of the fruits thereof of faith joyned with true charity equall towards all men without any respect of outward qualities and fructifying in good workes to flie ambitious superiorities to bridle the tongue of contentions and of fleshly desires of humility and turning to God to eschew evill speaking and rash judgements to depend upon Gods providence of the vanity and wretched end of unjust riches of patience of abstaining from unlawfull and vaine oathes of the power and force of prayer and of setting againe in the way such as are strayed from the truth CHAP. I. VER 1 JAmes according to some it is James of Alpheus the Apostle according to oâ—hers James the brother of the Lord Act. 15. 13. Gal. 1. 19. Which are scattered namely amongst the Gentiles see Iohn 7. 35. V. 2. Temptations that is to say tryals and exercises through afflictions and adversities V. 4. Have her that is to say let it persevere unto the end and be accompanied with other Christian vertues Be perfect that is to say furnished with all necessary vertues though never in a perfect degree in this World V. 5. Wisedome namely spirituall wisedome to judge rightly of afflictions of their causes end and fruit c. to moderate in them the afflictions of the soule keeping it in an immoveable tranquillity Liberally or benignely the Greeke simply see 2 Cor. 8. 2. Upbraided not that is to say disdainfully rejecting or upbraiding the asker with his unworthinesse V. 6. Is like a hath not the constancie of the soule nor is not perswaded of Gods grace by the Holy Ghost whereby wanting the first foundation of faith God doth not build the fabricke of his other gifts in him According to the saying of the Gospell that to him that hath is given Matth. 25. 29. V. 8. A double minded the Italian a double hearted because that his inward part doth not agree with his outward profession whereby his thoughts motions and actions floating continually he is uncapable of patience and perseverance vertues which require a constant and firme posture of the soule V. 9 the brother the meaning is that Christian patience ought not onely to beare afflictions but also to glory in it see Rom. 5. 3. That he is exalted spiritually being the Sonne of God member of Christ made worthy of participating of his afflictions Acts 5. 41. Rev. 2. 9. V. 10. That he is made low that is to say if he does not exalt himselfe in pride for his goods and honours but containes himselfe in holy humility before God and modesty towards men and if acknowledging the vanity thereof he doth with his heart renounce them as if he possessed them not He shall passe namely this his worldly prosperity V. 11. In his waies namely in this his state and condition V. 12. Tried the Italian approved namely of God for his obedience to his will order and condition established by him V. 13. Let no man now he goeth on to the other kind of temptation which is the inducement and allurement to sinne which doth not proceed from God as the other of afflictions doth For God as he hath no inclination nor taketh no delight in evill so can he not induce others unto it as the divell doth V. 15. When lust namely mans depraved and corrupted will which is the first spring of all vicious appetites Hath conceived namely after it hath by the apprehension of some unlawfull object fixed in it selfe a wicked desire it doth afterwards bring it to effect whence followeth the punishment of eternall death V. 16. Doe not erre either in attributing to God the cause of your sins or not having recourse to him in your wants as to the authour of all good things V. 17. From the father namely from God the authour and fountaine of all light of knowledge grace and spirit without ever changing or diminishing Shadow a terme taken from the celestiall lights which by reason of their resolutions and vicissitudes doe not alwaies shine in the same degree and some of them do also suffer eclipses decreases and failings V. 18. His owne will of his grace and free will to oppose this spirituall regeneration of grace to that of nature and everlasting of the onely begotten Sonne With the word which is as it were the seed of this new generation revived by the Spirit see 1 Cor. 4. 15. 1. Pet. 1. 23. First fruits namely a part of the whole masse of mankind which is consecrated unto him as the first fruits were under the Law see Ier. 2. 3. Rev. 14. 4. V. 19. Wherefore seeing you have received from God the gift of spirituall regeneration worke you the true workes and performe the true duties thereof keeping your selves especially from your most common and sudden sinnes which are those of rash speaking and wrath V. 20. For the wrath Though wrath in man be moved naturally with some resemblance of justice against a wrong and offence yet that is not the right way to do the Will of God wherein
servants see Heb. 10. 29. V. 2. Their pernicious waies the Italian their lasciviousnesse namely their false doctrines and evill examples which loosen the reines to all manner of licentiousnesse of the flesh under the pretence of Christian libety v. 18. Jude 4. Others their perditions that is to say their pestilent doctrines The way namely the profession of the Gospell shall be exposed to shame and to the reproaches of the adversaries see Acts 19. 9 23. V. 3. Through covetousnesse namely under a faigned kind of speech framed to a shew of piety mildnesse and charity they shall endeavour to lay hold on your goods with the ruine of your soules V. 4. Cast them downe the Italian abissed them that is to say having first driven them out of their heavenly habitation into the lowermost parts of the world he keepes them there like prisoners chained up in horrible darknesse without any light of grace joy and happinesse untill that they be at the last day driven into everlasting torments see Matth. 8. 19. Luke 8. 31. Ephes. 6. 12 V. 5. A preacher namely who whiles he was preparing the Arke exhorted and admonished the world to turne to the Lord and desire a free forgivenesse of their sinnes through faith in the promised Messias which was the true righteousnesse by faith by which himselfe was righteousnesse Heb. 11. 7. V. 9. Knoweth how to deliver that is to say shall indeed deliver Out of temptation namely out of all calamities troubles and dangers by which he trieth those that are his Jam. 1. 2. Rev. 3. 10. V. 10. After the flying out into a liberty of committing fornication and all manner of lust as those libertine hereticks which did arise in those daies both did and taught of which heretickes Jude also speakes Government as well the publique government of Magistrates as the private government of Masters as a thing unfitting to be enduced by beleevers who are the children of God guided by his Spirit and by himselfe freed from the Law So did those false Doctors turne spirituall liberty which consisted in the free and willing doing of such things as one ought to doe into a licentiousnesse of doing whatsoever they would without any respect of honesty or regard of government V. 11. Whereas this is spoken because that though the Angels were Gods Ministers on earth to withstand the rage of evill Princes and to execute Gods judgements upon them and be also as Gods assistants and messengers Dan. 4. 13. 17. Zech. 1. 10 11. Yet we never find in Scripture that they did raile against powers or offer them any injury but did still with all respect leave the judging of their actions to God Greater in the excellency of their nature and height of their office above all the Potentates of the Earth Rayling accusation that is to say injurious which is undecent for any grave and holy action of justice which is by such excesses prophaned V. 12. Made to be taken whose ordinary end is to be taken and slaine by Huntsmen Which these false Doctors are like as well in their bruitish sensuality as in their unbridled licenciousnesse and in their unfortunate end Of the things that is to say they take liberty to speake evill of and defame such things as they have neither knowledge nor understanding in especially your unbeleeving Princes and Magistrates being not able to discerne how that in their office they may be Gods Ministers though in their persons and abuse of their offices they be his enemies Corruption namely in their wicked and abominable life and conversation V. 13. That count it that doe put their chiefe good and delight in pleasures of the flesh Spots of the Church and of holy assemblies in the communion of which they professe themselves to be Sporting themselves working in such sort by their frauds and deceipst that they through your bounties doe get meanes to live deliciously being called to your feasts and sitting there in the chiefe seats While they especially in the ordinary feasts of charity called Agape see 1 Cor. 11. 20 21. Jude 12. V. 14. Having shewing by their lascivious looks their inward burning lust That cannot who doe not onely commit some sinfull act through weaknesse or inconsideratenesse but have gotten a habit and make an ordinary practice of it Beguiling drawing people that are not well grounded in faith and piety to be companions in their misdeeds and to assent unto their doctrines With covetous to use all the snares and deceipts of covetousnesse for to gaine wealth V. 16. The madnesse through which blinded with madnesse he did strive to goe on against the will of God but by the miracle of the Asses speaking his presumption was abated and confounded Of the Prophet that is to say of the Soothsayer Num. 23. 23. or he is called a Prophet because sometimes he had true divine revelations Num. 22. 20 38. 23. 5. 24. 2. V. 17. Wels that is so say men who in truth and substance have nothing of that whereof they beare the name and likenesse Carried with there being certaine clouds which yeeld no raine but onely bring forth tempests and stormes So these men carried by the divell and by their owne passions doe not inspire the Church with any pure and saving doctrine but disturbe it with schismes partialities and heresies The midst namely the horror of internall punishments which are opposite to the glorious light in which the Lord dwelleth and of which he makes all those that are his partakers V. 18. When they speake using a lofty and proud kind of stile in their manner of teaching which is neverthelesse voyd of truth and of any vertue of Gods Spirit Through the lusts which they suffer to be committed under the shadow of Christian liberty Those that were namely your novice Christians who were as yet weake in knowledge faith and practice Cleane escaped the Italian a little escaped other coppies have it those which were really and truely c. That is to say true beleevers who may be shaken by such temptations but not over-throwne Or those who by professing the Gospell had taken the true way of saving themselves from the perdition of the world V. 19. Is he brought for according to the ancient custome prisoners in the warres were the Conquerours slaves V. 20. For if after he proves that those who after they have received the light of the Gospell doe againe fall into the former state of sinne are slaves to the divell and sinne without any redemption like unto prisoners taken in the warres because that by the said light and faith they have in some manner and for a time fought against the divell and have at last been overcome by him whereby he hath for ever possessed himselfe of them Matth. 12. 43. whereas they who are under the divels peaceable and quiet possession without any opposition of Gods Spirit and being out of Gods Church Matth. 12. 29. may be delivered from it V. 21. The way namely