his body what is he the better for your words 17. Even so faith if it hath not works is dead being alone Paraphrase 17. So if faith be by it self without actions consequent and agreeable to it 't is as fruitlesse and livelesse as those words were 18. Yea a man may say Thou hast faith and I have works shew me thy faith without thy works and I will shew thee my faith by my works Paraphrase 18. And any man that looks on this uncharitable believer will be able to reprove him thus Talke as much of thy faith as thou wilt no man will believe thee thy works must be superadded to the confession of thy faith to approve the sincerity of it 19. Thou believest that there is one God thou dost well the devils also believe and tremble Paraphrase 19. One act of thy faith is the believing one true God and this is most absolutely necessary to thee But if thy life be not answerable to this part of thy faith and that evidenced by piety and charity thou art then to remember that the believing there is one God is such a good quality as is common to thee and the devils also and if it have no more joined to it will bestead thee no more then them 20. But wilt thou know O vain man that faith without works is dead Paraphrase 20. 'T is a meer vanity to conceive that faith without Christian obedience can be effectual to justification and you may discern it by this 21. Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he had offered his son Isaac upon the altar Paraphrase 21. Abraham was the father of the faithfull the great example of faith and justification but 't was not upon his bare believing God's promise that he was justified but upon that high act of obedience to God in being ready to offer up his only son in whom the promises were made to him 22. Seest thou how faith wrought with his works and by works was faith made perfect Paraphrase 22. And so you see his obedience to God's commands as well as belief of his promises concurred to the rendring him capable of the continuance of God's favour and approbation And through the performance of that ready obedience it was that his faith came to attain the end designed it 23. And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith Abraham believed God and it was imputed to him for righteousnesse and he was called the friend of God Paraphrase 23. And by this triall of his obedience it was that Abraham was most eminently said to be approved by God 1 Mac. 2. 52. and look'd on as a friend by him Gen. 22. 15. and in which that place of Scripture before delivered Gen. 15. 6. concerning God's imputing his faith for righteousnesse was most eminently completed 24. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified and not by faith onely Paraphrase 24. And so this is one great testimony that to a mans approbation with God obedience is required and not faith deemed sufficient that hath not that joyned with it 25. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works when she had received the messengers and had sent them out another way Paraphrase 25. Another evidence of this truth is to be fetch'd from that we read of God's approving and rewarding of Rahab a proselyte and stranger no native Jew whose faith is set forth Heb. 11. 30. and she in a special manner rewarded by God Jos 6. 25. and what was it that was thus rewarded in her why her care and charity to those that were sent to view the land Jos 2. 4. 26. For as the body without the spirit is dead so faith without works is dead also Paraphrase 26. And so the conclusion is clear and infallible that as the body of man without the soul inlivening it exercises no actions of life so doth not faith profit to our justification without works of obedience to the commands of Christ Justice and charity c. v. 1 8 14. Annotations on Chap. II. V. 1. Faith of our Lord 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the glory of Christ we have explained often to belong to the Shechinah that again to his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or appearance in the flesh his Incarnation and all that was consequent to that This being here improved with the addition of the words Lord Jesus Christ doth more set out the necessity of obeying and observing all those things which this Lord and Saviour the Messias of the world hath commended to his Disciples that is to all Christians believers faithful persons of which nature especially is charity in the following verses and impartial strict justice supposed and conteined in that in thâ— present verse Then for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the faith of the glory for so the Syriaâ—k construes the words it signifies this Christian faith this faith or profession ofâ— or believing this Incarnation Resurrection of Christâ— and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to have this faith in or with respect of persons is to look on those that professe this faith not as they are Christians but as they are rich or poor preferring partially one before the other accordingly as he comes into your courts in greater spendour And so the meaning of the whole verse is that they that are professors of Christianity and are here supposed to â—e so and are put in mind of it by the title of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 my brethren ought not to have any such unchristian temper in them as in their Judicatures for so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies an assemblie for Judicature and that for Ecclesiastical as well as Civil affairs and so it seems to signifie here ver 2. to prefer or favour one Christian before another onely in respect of his wealth or fine cloathes when Christ hath equally received them both or if any hath preferr'd the poor v. 5. V. 2. Assembly That 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies all kind of assemblies meetings in the market-place Mac. 6. 2. Consistories for Judicaeture Mat. 10. 17. and 23. 34. and not onely places for the publick service of God hath been formerly said Note on Mat. 6. d. That it may doe so also among Christians and that it doth so here appears first by the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 acceptation of persons partiality ver 1. which especially respects Judicatures secondly by the fooâ—stool v. 3. which was proper to great persons Princes on their Throne or Judges on their Tribunal thirdly by the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ye become Judges v. 4. they were Judges it seems fourthly by the mention of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Judicatures ver 6. which clearly signifie such Consistories 1 Cor. 6. 4. and lastly by v. 9. where their partiality particularly that of preferring the rich to a better place then the poor is said to be a breach of the Law For so by a Canon of the Jewes it is provided that when a
this phrase 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 will be by observing first what is meant by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and then by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For the first it referres clearly to the form of benedictions among the Jewes Lev. 9. 23. used solemnly by the priests who did blesse the people in set forms Num. 6. 24. as well as blesse God for them as Gen. 14. 19. Melchisedek blessed Abraham and said Blessed be Abraham of the most high God as well as Blessed be the most high God v. 20. Thus also did parents blesse their children Isaac Jacob Gen. 28. 3. and Jacob his sons Gen. 49. Then for the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that will be interpreted by the use of the phrase Gen. 48. 20. where Jacob speaking to and blessing Ephraim and Manasseh saith In thee shall Israel blesse the very same phrase as here saying God make thee as Ephraim and as manasseh By which it may be reasonable to conclude that to blesse others in this form God make you as Ephraim c. to make use of his ensample in blessing any is to blesse them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Ephraim And so proportionably this will be the meaning here of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In thee shall all the nations of the earth be blessed They among all the nations or Gentiles and not onely the Jewes that blesse themselves or others shall use this proverbial form of benedictions by mentioning the blessings that God bestowed upon Abraham God make thee as Abraham c. or as the form is set down Gen. 28. 4. God give to thee the blessing of Abraham Thus Rabbi Solomon interprets it on Gen. 12. 3. that men shall say to their children Be thou as Abraham adding that the phrase is used in Scripture alwaies in this sense And so sure it hath been used according to that prediction Ever since this form hath been retained among the Gentile part of the world The God of Abraham c. blesse thee And the full importance of that blessing is that Gods mercy to Abraham his blessing him and his seed in this world with those blessings of prosperity but especially his looking upon him as on a friend upon his faith in Gods promises and obedience to his commands his justifying him by faith without the deeds of the Law is and shall be recited as an example of Gods dealing not onely with the rest of the Jewes but also with the Gentile world and the form of the Gentiles blessing or praying for themselves or of the priests for them shall be this that God will deal with them as he did with Abraham which is here used by the Apostle as a proof that the Gentiles are now to be justified by faith without the Mosaical performances which was the thing to be proved v. 7. Thus was the phrase used in the places of Genesis to which this here referres Gen. 12. 3. where v. 2. these other phrases are used to the same purpose I will make thy name great or illustrious and thou shalt be a blessing that is thy name shall be proverbially used in benedictions So c. 18. 18. so c. 22. 18. the form is a little changed In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed that is I will give thee so numerous and potent and victorious a progeny and make good the promises made to thee so visibly to them also to Isaac and Jacob c. Ecclus 44. 22. justifie them as I have justified thee and that the progeny of Esau as well as Jacob those that shall obey me of the Gentiles as well as Jewes by faith without Judaical observances that all the Gentiles shall take notice of them and when they would blesse themselves or others or pray for Gods acceptation or justification they shall use the mention of thy progeny or posterity that God would deal with them whom they blesse as he dealt with Abraham's seed exceedingly prosper them and multiply them bless and accept and justifie them So Act. 3. 25. where these words are cited again of Gods telling Abraham 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed the meaning is clearly this that God hath so blessed Abraham's seed the Jewes in giving Christ to them and to them first or primarily v. 26. that all the families or nations of the earth when they shall blesse themselves as the Greek passive is oft in the sense of the Hebrew Hithpael or when they shall be blessed by their parents or priests or friends this shall be the form God blesse thee as he did the Jewes or Abraham's seed To this matter it may perhaps be farther observable that the phrase It was counted unto him for righteousness so often applied to Abraham Rom. 4. may seem to signifie in this same sense also that his faith and ready obedience in going out of his countrey c. were by God looked on as such heroick acts in one brought up among examples of idolatry and villany that it took off that entaile of curse that lay upon that nation and family and entailed a signal blessing on him and his seed viz. upon that part of it that imitated him Isaac and Jacob and the obedient Jewes though the rebellious were cut off in the wilderness and after by captivities and at last the crucifiers of Christ by the Roman Eagles accordingly as it is said of Phinees upon that heroicall fact of his It was counted to him for righteousnesse among all posterities for evermore that is that act of his zeal to God brought a blessing not onely upon his person but upon his posterity as it is said Num. 25. 12. Behold I give unto him my covenant of peace and he shall have it and his seedafter him the covenant of an everlasting priesthood And why may not in Analogie to this use of the phrase in the Psalmist that of imputing Abraham's faith to him for righteousness be this blessing his seed those of his stock and all others that imitated his obedience for his sake or in the like manner as God had blessed him V. 16. Christ The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sometimes signifies Christ considered as head of the Church together with the body annex'd to it that is Christ and all believers or Christians So 1 Cor. 12. 12. As the body is one and hath many members and all the members of that one body being many are one body so also is Christ Where answerable to the body with many members in the first part is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Christ in the second which must therefore signifie the whole society of Christians So 1 Pet. 1. 11. when he speaks of the Spirit of Christ that is of prophecie foretelling the sufferings which should befall Christ and the glories after them it signifies not personally to Christ but in this greater latitude the crucifixion of Christ and the persecuting of Christians and proportionably the resurrection
568. Dore is shut 229. 1. Doth these things 489. 2. Double honor 382. 2. 699. 1. a Double-minded man 773. 1. 840. 2. make us to Doubt 291. 1. Doubtfull mind 233. 1. like a Dove 18. 1. as the Dragon 914. 2. worship the Dragon 913. 1. Draw back 680. 2. 753. 1. 874. 1. Draw back to perdition 752. 2. the Father Draws 286. 2. Draw near to God 832. 2. I will not Drink 132. 2. Drive 144. 1. Dumb 188. 1. Dwell 269. 2. 484. 2. Dwell with them 798. 1. E. Eagles 123. 2. Earnest 617. 1. Earth 26. 1. 819. 2. 856. 894. 1. 915. 2. whole Earth 913. 1. Earth is the Lords 545. 2. Earthquake 325. 1. 892. 1. Earth did quake 139. 2. Earth helped the woman 911. 2. Earth standing out of the water 818. 2. on Earth 161. 1. on the Earth 888. 2. Earthen vessels 575. 1. Earthly 275. 1. Easie 63. 2. East 879. 1. in the East 10. 2. Eate the flesh 288. 2. no not to Eate 524. 1. Eating bread 156. 2. to Edification 504. 2. Edified 364. 2. of no Effect 610. 2. Effectual prayer 610. 2. Effectual working 625. 1. after Eight daies 327. 2. the Eighth person 815. 1. the Elder 842. 1. Elder women 718. 2. Elders 151. 2. 380. 1. 399. 2. 636. 2. 884. 1. four and twenty Elders 884. 1. Elders of the Church 785. 1. Elect 123. 1. 792. 2. 793. 1 2. 794. 1. 843. 1. Elect together with you 788. 1. 806. 2. Election 485. 2. 793. 2. 811. 1. Elements 819. 2. beggerly â—lements 604. 1. Elias must first come 87. 1. spirit of Elias 223. 1. Elymas 387. 2. Emmanuel 8. 2. End 121. 1. 140. 1. 644. 1 804. 2. 878. 1. unto the End 878. 1. End of that which is abolished 574. 2. End of all things 121. 1. 804. 2. End of the world 120. 2. 141. 2. 338. 1. End is at hand 804. 1. End is not yet 828. 1. Ends of the earth 490. 2. Endure to the End 56. 2. Endureth all things 556. 1. Enemie 74. 2. 523. 2. Enemies of the crosse 873. 1. to Enjoy 704. 2. it is Enough 178. 1. Enquired diligently 11. 2. Envy 782. 1. Epaphras 662. 1. Ephesians 614. Epistle of Paul 437. Epistles of commendations 573. 1. Equal with God 640. 2. Error 850. 2. Errors 748. 2. Espoused you to one husband 589. 1. Established 768. 2. Esteemeth 504. 1. king Eternal 687. 2. Evangelists 326. 1. 399. 2. 623. 2. Even so 779. 2. Evening 77. 1. Everlasting destruction 677. 2. Everlasting fire 208. 1. Everlasting Gospel 208. 1. Evil 31. 1. 32. 1. 555. 2. Evil eye 37. 2. Evil heart 286. 2. Evil things 545. 2. Evil thoughts 80. 1. Eunuchs 95. 1. Euphrates 901. 2. Euroclydon 433. 1. Exalted 773. 1. Examined by scourging 422. 1. make her a publick Example 7. 2. Exceeding faire 356. 1. Excellent glory 812. 1. most Excellent Theophilus 187. 1. Excesse 525. 1. 629. 2. 852. 1. Excesse of riot 803. 2. Excesse of wine 803. 1. Executioner 154. 2. Exercised 764. 1. word of Exhortation 312. 2. Exhorted 312. 2. Exhorting 410. 1. 352. 2. Expectation of the creature 477. 1. Extortion 525. 1. Extortioners 524. 2. 815. 1. evil Eye 37. 2. single Eye 37. 2. full of Eyes 886. 1. Eye-witnesses of his Majestie 812. 1. F. accusers Face to Face 428. 1. Face of Jesus 575. 1. 804. 1. before thy Face 61. 2. Fadeth not 540. 1. not to Faint 249. 1. Faint in your minds 764. 1. Fainted 50. 2. Faith 44. 2. 113. 1. 192. 1. 455. 2. 772. 1. all Faith 810. 2. aske in Faith 773. 1. Faith of Jesus 455. 2. Faith of our Lord 776. 1. by Faith Isaac blessed Jacob 758. 1. Faithfull 244. 1. 703. 2. Faithfull to forgive 823. 2. Faithlesse 945. 1. Fall 495. 1. Fall upon us 893. 2. Falling away 680. 1. 738. 1. 817. 1. False witnesse 80. 1. 133. 2. accuse Falsely 201. 2. whole Familie in heaven and 652. 2. Fanne 17. 2. come as Farre 587. 2. be it Farre from 85. 1. Farthing 57. 2. the Fast was already past 432. 1. Fasting 433. 2. Father 111. 2. my Fathers businesse 196. 2. Fault 529. 1. Faults 786. 2. having Favour 340. 1. highly Favoured 189. 1. Fear 192. 1. 641. 1. 736. 1. save with Fear 736. 1. passe our sojourning in Fear 832. 2. Fear hath torment 834. 2. without Fear 191. 2. Fear and trembling 641. 1. Feared God 367. 1. in that he Feared 736. 1. Fearfull 874. 1. Feast 292. 1. Feasting together 524. 2. past Feeling 625. 2. at the Feet of Gamaliel 422. 1. water for my Feet 214. 2. Felix trembled 427. 1. Fellow-citizens 645. 2. Fellowship 339. 1. 701. 1. 823. 2. Fight 540. 1. Fight a good Fight 704. 1. 713. 1. Figure 356. 2. like Figure 801. 2. Figures which ye made 413. 1. Fill 621. 1. Filled thy heart 186. 1. 347. 1. Filth 520. 1. 525. 2. Filthy 544. 2. Finished my course 713. 1. Finished our course 419. 1. Finisher of our faith 760. 2. 763. 1. it is Finished 133. 1. Fire 178. 1. 819. 1. 897. 1. 902. 2. Fire and brimstone 902. 2. eternal Fire 779. 2. make Fire come down 915. 1. set on Fire 779. 2. as it were Fire 784. 1. Fiery trial 803. 2. First 270. 1. 804. 2. First-born 651. 1. 764. 2. First-born of every creature 270. 2. First city of that part 635. 1. First day of unleavened bread 177. 1. knowing this First 817. 2. First shall be last 165. 2. First Simon 271. 1. Fishers coate 328. 1. Fit for the kingdome 286. 2. 390. 1. Five are fallen 858. Flesh 476. 1. Flesh and bloud 83. 1. 564. 2. Flesh and bloud of the sonne 287. 2. Flesh and bones 630. 2. in the Flesh 469. 1. 655. 1. a thorn in the Flesh 591. 2. no Flesh 123. 1. according to the Flesh 459. 2. destruction of the Flesh 523. 2. 841. 2. will of the Flesh 269. 2. Flouds 41. 1. Fly to the mountains 123. 1. Fold them 727. 1. Follow after 644. 1. Follow peace 647. 1. rock that Followed them 544. 2. Foolish Galatians 604. 1. Foolish talking 628. 1. Foolishnesse 157. 2. For 214. 2. 774. 1. For ever 191. 1. 485. 1. reign For ever 908. 1. of Force 749. 1. Forgetting those things 644. 2. Forgetfull hearer 774. 1. Forgiven 70. 1. not to be Forgiven 70. 1. they shall be Forgiven him 786. 2. Form 450. 1. 640. 1. Form of knowledge 810. 2. Fornication 80. 1. 398. 1. 522. 1. Forsake 680. 1. not Forsaken 576. 2. Forsaking the assemblies 752. 2. to be Forward 583. 1. Abraham Found 459. 1. were Found 145. 1. Foundation 704. 2. Fountain 152. 2. Fourth part of the earth 891. 1. Fourty stripes save one 589. 2. Frankincense 11. 2. Freedom 422. 2. Friends 213. 1. Fruit 746. 2. 780. 2. Fruit of my labour 638. 1. Fruit of our lips 769. 1. Fruit of righteousnesse 764. 1. 780. 2. without Fruit 852. 2. twelve Fruits 948. 1. Full of the holy Ghost 339.