that it may be concealed or scape unpuniâ—â—ed A kind of speech taken from robbers and murtherers who cover all those things as may reveale blood-shed see Gen 4. 10. 11. Isa. 26. 21. Ezec. 24. 7. my cry that is as much as to say let my request be denied Iob 17. 9. Psal. 66. 18. 19. Prov. 1. 28. Iohn 9. 31. V. 20. Powreth out I powre out my teares and cries before him only and therefore he alone and not yâ—u is to iudge of them V. 21. Plead to maintaine by the inward seale of Gods spirit and by the certaine prooss of a lively faith and pure conscience his right and title to be one of Gods children notwithstanding all this seeming rigor see Iob 9. 32. and â—7 3. V. 12. When a few the Italian for my few I doe very earnestly desire this before my death which I perceive to be very neere that I may die in peace with Gods approbation and as a sweet smelling savour to the Church and for the edificâ—tion of it CHAP. XVII VER 1. MY breath that is to say my life or vitall power is utterly wasted I have nothing sound nor whole left mee Others understand it my breath is infected and stinks as Iob 19. 17. V. 2. Moskers not of Jobs griefes and afflictions but of his speeches which seemed unproper unto them like as it were the speeches of one beside himselfe Ioh 21. 3. mine eye my mind and thoughts are so fixed upon your sharp invectives that I lose my sleep in the night time V. 3. Laydown the Italian O lay down a pawn hee appeales to God from his friends unjust judgements according to the ancient custome of those who called one before a Iudge which was to lay down a pawne or put in security for to pay or performe whatsoever should bee adjudged strike hands the manner of being bound or becomming surety Prov. 6. 1. and 17. 18. and 22. 26. V. 4. Exalt them that is to say thou wilt not give judgement on their side V. 5. The eyes God shall curse even their posterity who in a cause between friends which are the most sacred causes doe prevaricate through flatterie or acceptation of persons as you doe now with mee thinking to insinuate your selves into Gods savour who loves mee and is loved by mee with whom I contend only in loving termes as children doe with a father see Iob 13. 7. V. 6. Hee hath meaning God whose name hee spares in reverence asore time the Italian I am openly led about I am as a common by-word or publick mocking-stock V. 7. Are as they are so mâ—agâ—r and wan that they looke more like an apparition than a true body V. 8. The hypocrite or prophane man who shall thereupon take an occasion to blaspheme God be hardened in his wickednesse and make a scoffe of the faithfull V. 9. Heldon shall be confirmed and persevere in goodnesse notwithstanding these scandals V. 12. The night I watch and am troubled all night as well as in the day time and can take no rest Iob. 7. 3. 4. 13. the light the day wherein I finde a little ease seemeth exceeding short to me in regard of the most dolefull nights V. 13. If I see Job 6. 11. and 14. 14. V. 14. I have said I am disposed and prepared to die I have no desire to live nor have no more fellowship nor community with life but with death only see Psal. 88. 5. 6. CHAP. XVIII VER 2. MAke an end you Iob and your partakers see Iob 35. 4. V. 3. As beasts see Iob 17. 4. reputed the Heb. are wee unclean vile and defiled in your sight V. 4. Hee teareth the Italian O thou who tearest thou Iob that doest so violently bestirre thy selfe canst thou cause God to give over his wise and just governing of the World or canst thou move him from his constant justice which is as firme as a rock V. 5. The light their glory and happinesse shall â—tterly perish V. 7. The steps their pride shall bee abated and their high enterprises shall be stayed V. 8. Hâ—e is cast tho Italian they shall cast themselves they shall insnare themselves in dangers which they shall not afterwards know how to get out of V. 12. His strength his strong body shall decay through misery and all meanes of subsisting shall be quite taken away from him V. 13. The first borne an Hebrew phrase that is to say the most tragick and cruell kinde of death see Isa. 14. 30. Or the devill prince of death and the first condemned unto it Heb. 2. 14. as Christ is the first borne of the resurrection Col. 1. 18. Rev. 1. 5. V. 14. Rooted out they shall be past all hope of ever being re-established in their former state there shall be nothing left them whereon to build any confidence Iob 20. 21. bring him this despaire shall bring him to an unhappy death followed with the everlasting pains of hell V. 15. It is none where they shall be bond-men and no more masters which shall encrease their griefe brimstone in signe of acurse to condemne that land to bee for ever barren Deut. 29. 23. Isa. 34. 9. V. 16. Beneath a proverbiall kinde of speech taken from trees as Iob 29. 19 Isa. 5. 24. Amos 2. 9. Mal. 4. 1. the meaning is hee shall bee deprived of Gods grace which is the root of all happinesse and of his blessing which is the top of it V. 20. At his day the Italian their day namely the day of Gods iudgements upon them went before they that lived in the dayes of those judgements and were spectators of them V. 21. That knoweth not the Italian that know not that have quite extinguished his light out of their minds and blotted all respect and feare of him out of their heart Rom. 1. 21. 28. 1 Cor. 15. 34. Tit. 1. 16. CHAP. XIX VER 3. TEn times or many times V. 4. Mine error leave the â—are thereof to mee for it nothing concerneth you V. 6. Know now doe not adde affliction to the afflicted which is so odious a thing to God Psa. 41. 2. and 69. 26. or regard the greatnesse of my evills which draw these complaints from mee that seeme so immoderate to you see Iob 6. 2. compassed 〈…〉 e hath encompassed mee round with afflictionâ— that I can get out no way A hunting terme Iob 10. 16. Lam. 1. 13 Ezech. 12. 13. Hos. 7. 12. V. 7. Wrong the Italian violence I am guiltlessely tormented by the devill and his instruments through Gods permission see Psal. 119. 122. Isa. 38. 14. V. 8. Fenced up see Iob 3. 23. hee hath set hee hath taken away all meanes from mee of getting out of my afflictions V. 9. My glory namely the authority and dignity I was in as a magistrate see Iob 29. 7. 14. 20. and 30. 11. V. 10. Hath hee removed namely of bodily life and comfort Iob 7. 15. but not of eternall salvation Iob. 13. 15. and 19. 25. a
continually nor ordinarily V. 21. For what if you tell mee that at the last God sheweth his vengeance upon the children of the wicked I answer you that the wicked man can not have any notice of that after his death see Iob 14. 21. and 24. â—0 V. 22. Teach these wayes of God are incomprehensible the action it selfe is manifest but the hidden reason of it is not subject to mens censures nor corrections hee judgeth hee is the soveraign Lord and judge of the world above all worldly power and greatnesse wherefore he ought to be acknowledged to be the absolute rule of all wisdome and righteousnesse Gen. 18. 25. Iob 8. 3. and 34. 12. 17. 19. Rom. 3. 5. V. 23. One namely the wicked V. 24. His breasts the Italian his milke pailes figurative termes meaning that hee enjoyeth all good things at his will and pleasure V. 25. And another namely a good man as I my selfe am V. 26. They shall after so many differences between them in this life they come both to be alike in their death namely for bodily death and outward appearance see Iob 14. 19. Eccles. 9. 3. V. 27. I know I doe foresee what you meane to say to mee namely that at the last the wicked are destroyed after some transitory prosperity and I tell you contrariwise that prosperity doth not forsake them till death V. 29. Have ye not asked men of experience such as have gone many voyages will shew you that for the most part the wicked doe prosper in the world V. 30. Of wrath namely Gods wrath by generall and expresse judgements V. 31. There seemes to bee no witnesse nor iudge against him contrary to Zophars saying Iob 20. 28. V. 32. Remaine in the tombe the Italian watch nothing but the heape hee hath lost all knowledge and feeling of worldly things as Iob 14. 22. V. 33. The clodds hee lieth sweetly in the ground or in monuments made of clodds after the ancient fashion and troubles himselfe no more with worldly affaires Iob 24. 20. after him he is followed by many in his death as many have gone before him V. 34. In vaine proceeding with mee thus thou art grievously afflicted therefore thou art wicked convert therefore and thou shalt be restored Wherein are two falshoods the one that all those who are afflicted are wicked and the other that God doth alwayes corporally relieve the penitent see Iob 16. 2. there remaineth you are alwayes possessed with a bad opinion of mee only thinking to make yourselves thereby acceptable to God Iob 13. 7. CHAP. XXII VER 2. CAn a man as when God rewardeth mens good works it is not in regard of any profit hee reaps thereby so must his punishments be attributed to no other reason but only to his iustice contrary to that as Iob seemed to doe hee that is wise namely the spirituall wise man who by the light of Gods spirit apprehends the end of eternall life and follows the true and sure meanes to obtaine it V. 4. For feare of thee because that Iob had termed his afflictions to be a strong and secure watch Iob 7. 〈◊〉 V. 6. For thou that is to say wee must suppose by thy punishments that thou art guilty of some or all these sinnes not that Eliphaz had any proofe that Iob had done any such thing for nought through meere hardnesse and inhumanity for covetousnesse to get his goods though thou wert otherwise sufficiently secured for what thou diddest lend Or taking of his goods to pawn and lending him nothing or much lesse than his goods which he pawned to thee were worth the naked that is to say the ill clothed or those who are now brought to poverty by meanes of thy extortion V. 8. The earth through thine acceptation of persons when thou wert a publick officer none but great and mighty men could quietly enioy any thing or thou diddest assist them in their uniust purchases V. 9. The armes thou and the ministers of thy tyrannie have oppressed them and taken from them all meanes whereby they might subfist V. 10. Are round about God hath stayed the course of thy violence by these afflictions as a ravenous beast is catched in toiles see Iob 18. 8. 11. V. 11. Darknesse namely a trouble and confusion of understanding want of counsell and advice V. 12. Is not God although God be infinite in his essence and that from his throne of glory hee seeth and iudgeth all things yet hast thou prophanely smothered up in thine heart all apprehension of his providence and iudgement V. 14. Walketh hee enioyeth his blessednesse in idlenesse and takes no care of worldly things V. 16. Out of time before the end of their naturall course and before they were come to maturity of amendment or repentance see Iob â—5 32. Psa. 55. 23. and 102. 24. Eccl. 7. 17. foundation being in outward appearance happy well founded and established V. 17. VVhat can the Italian what had in what particular could they complaine of God that they shewed themselves so alien from him Isa. 5. 4. Ier. 2. 31. Mic. 6. 3. V. 18. Is farre Eliphaz repeateth the same words as Iob spake Iob 21. 16. as if hee meant to say that which thou speakest with thy mouth I speak it from mine heart and in verity V. 20. VVhereas our as God hath spared us and others that were like us namely that feared him even so hath hee destroyed the wicked V. 21. Acquaint now get into his favour again and by prayers humility and turning to him get thy selfe free accesle unto him see Isa. 27. 5. V. 24. Lay up gold a hyperbolicall phrase as much as to say thou shalt make pavements of gold see 2 Chron. 1. 15. Psal. 68. 30. Ophir the name of a countrey Gen. 10. 29. 1 Chron. 1. 23. where there was excellent good gold grew and therefore this name is taken absolutely for the finest gold V. 25. Shall be thy desence the Italian thy gold his grace and blessing shall bee to thee in stead of a deare treasure Or it will abundantly enâ—itch thee V. 28. The light that is to say God will inspire thee with good counsell and direction in all thine affaires or will shine over them with his blessing V. 29. VVhen thou art when thou thinkest thine affairs goe to decay then shalt thou re-assure thy selfe by thine inward confidence in God which will not deceive thee the humble namely thy selfe who shalt have humbled thy selfe before God who will not regard thy past sins but the sincerity of thy repentance and thy prayer free from hypocrisie Iob 11. 15. Isa. 1. 15. 1 Tim. 2 8. CHAP. XXIII VER 2. EVen to day after so many protestations and justifications of mine doe you still continue in your sinister misconstructions of my laments though they doe no way equall my torments as to terme them mournings and â—ebellions against God see Iob 6. 2. my stroke the Hebrew my hand Others translate it though my hand be aggravated
milstone that is to say a great one such as Horses and Asses doe turne opposite to your lesser ones which were in hand-mills V. 7. Woe infinite evills shall come upon the world because of offences as well upon the offenders as those who are offended It must needs be they are inevitable by reason of the malice weakenesse inconstancy and other vices of men and by reason of Gods providence which suffereth them either for judgment or for tryall and yet mans error shall not thereby bee excusable V. 8. Cut them off See upon Mat. 5. 29. V. 10. Little ones that is to say vile and abject in the sight of the world for their condition and profession Their Angels men ought not to contemne poore beleevers seeing God hath so farre honoured them as to give them his own Angels to be guardians and ministers unto them Heb. 1. 14. who are as it were his houshold and ordinary servants which is signified by seeing the face 1 King 10. 8. V. 11. For the another reason why those poore beleevers ought to be honoured namely because God hath made them partakers of his glorious salvation Iam. 2 5. V. 12. How thinke ye he sheweth another cause of the contempt especially of the Pharisaicall contempt because that the beleevers are poore converted sinners Now saith he that ought not to make them to be lesse esteemed seeing that Christ came expressely for such and that Gods glory and the joy of Angels is the greater therefore Doth he not leave others have it doth he not leave the ninetie and nine in the mountaines c. and goeth to seek that which is gone astray V. 15. Shall trespasse by personall offence or by offence given secretly betwixt him and thee Luk. 17. 3. Now Christ having spoken against them that give offence hee now turneth to them that take offence teaching them how they should proceed therein Heare thee namely thy just complaints to confesse his fault and amend it Or to give glory to God and promise repentance and conversion Gained thou hast brought him againe to his duty and hast bent him to be a good brother to thee See Sam. 5. 20. V. 16. Take with thee that the reproofe may bee of greater weight these men seconding it and also because that if hee bee stubborne the relation which thou shalt make thereof to the Church may bee the better verified V. 17. Vnto the Church namely to the assembly of those who have the governement of the Church in their hands and are to provide for the order peace and discipline of it 1 Cor. 5. 3 4. and 2 Cor. 2. 6. according to the Iewes custom who had also their consistory for the reforming of behaviour and manners As an heathen hold him as a prophane man worthy for his rebellion and hardnesse to bee forbidden the communion of beleevers as Publicans and heathens were amongst the Iewes Mat. 5. 46. Luke 15. 2. V. 18. Ye shall namely you ministers and governours of the Church proceeding in knowledge uprightnesse and wisdome according to the duty of your office See Mat. 16. 19. V. 19. If two the meaning seemes to bee that God being called upon in conjunction of spirit without passion or partiality though there Ecclesiasticall Iudges bee but few in number and consequently of little authority and respect in the world yet he would assist them by his Spirit that they might doe such things as should be ratified in Heaven Yet this may likewise be understood generally of the concord and charity necessarily required in all those that pray unto God concerning one and the selfe same thing See Mat. 5. 23 24. 1 Pet. 3 7. Any thing according to his will as well in the thing it selfe as touching the manner of asking it 1 Iohn 3. 22. and 5. 14. V. 20. In my Name by my authority and by my commission and calling upon me in Faith Am I in grace and spirit V. 22. Seventy that is to say without any limitation V. 23. The Kingdome that is to say Gods spirituall government in his Church re-established by the Messias CHAP. XIX VER 2. HEaled them namely those that were sicke and impotent amongst them as Mat. 12. 15. V. 3. Tempting him to catch and accuse him either for being contrary to Moses and the Law of God if he had absolutly reproved divorces Or for favouring and authorizing lasciviousnesse wickednes and inconstancy amongst men if hee had approved of them For every indifferently at the Husbands pleasure V. 4. Made them the Italian Made men that is to say in the first marriage which he appointed for an example and rule to all subsequent marriages he created but one man to one woman and one woman to one man to condemne poligamy and appointed that they should be one and the selfe same flesh to reprove divorces See Mal. 2. 15. V. 5. And said that is to say he inspired Adam and in aftertimes Moses to give this instruction and Law Leave See upon Gen. 2 24. V. 8. Suffered the Law for the indissoluble bond of matrimony was the first and everlasting law and God altered nothing therein by Moses only seeing your Nations rebellion in the liberty they tooke in divorcing themselves he did set down a rule therefore for a time in regard of some civill order But I who am the supreame Law-giver will now in the dayes of grace and of the spirit bring all things unto their first forme V. 10. If the case if matrimony have so strict a bond it is better to abstaine from it then to come into such a case of necessitie to suffer so many things by a woman as may cause a man to repent that ever he was marrried to her Words of persons which were as yet too carnall and used to this liberty V. 11. Cannot receive that is to say they have not the gift of continency by Gods special grace that they can be without the use and remedy of matrimony 1 Cor. 7. 2. 7 8 17. V. 12. Have made who have a firme resolution grounded upon the feeling firm perswasion of Gods gift to abstaine from woman for to keep an undefiled holinesse and from the use of matrimony to employ himselfe freely in Gods service either in a publicke or in a private calling 1 Cor. 7. 32. That isable let every one examine himselfe what gift hee hath from God and left him do accordingly V. 13. Put his hands that he should blesse them and recommend them to God by his prayer Rebuked them as importune and respectlesse people requiring of Christ too base and mean a thing in the Apostles judgments who were in that deceaved V. 14. For of such so farre are you deceaved in thinking that children by reason of their weakenesse and contemptible qualities are unworthy to bee presented unto mee that contrary wise no bodie is capable of my Kingdome unlesse hee be first by the spirit of regeneration brought into a spirituall estate to bee like a little Childe
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
a vulgar kind of speech that is to say We though we be Jewes and the people of God have too much imitated the Gentiles in the vices and sinnes in which they live and take pleasure it is now even time to turne over a new leaf◠see Ezech. 44. 6. 45. 9. V. 4. Wherein that is to say seeing you by the Gospell are quite changed from what you were wont to be Speake evill the Italian blaspheme in contempt of you and detestation of the Gospell as a doctrine contrary to the sence and understanding and which fighteth against common customes and religions which are approved of Acts 13. 45. and 18. 6. V. 5. The quicke as well those as shall be still living when he commeth to judgement as those which are dead before his comming V. 6. For for this for we must each moment expect Christs last comming The Apostles did put themselves and those who lived in their daies in the number of those that should be living in that day 1 Cor. 15. 51. 1 Thes. 4. 15 17. Whereupon Saint Peter restraining that which he had spoken namely that Christ should judge both the living and the dead unto the Church as well of the Jewes who were already dead as of the Christians who should be yet living he proves it to be so because they have all been alike under Christs Kingdome having been partakers of his Gospell which is as it were the law of his Kingdome see 1 Cor. 10. 1 2 4. Heb. 4. 2. That they might namely that the incredulous and rebellious should be condemned as the rest of carnall men corrupt by sinne But live namely that those amongst them who beleeved should be made partakers of Gods life in glory by meanes of their being regenerate to the Image of God produced in them by the power of the holy Ghost V. 8. Shall cover God respecting it shall be favourable to the sinner to give him a more lively impression and feeling of the pardon of his sinnes in Christ and shall also free him from many corporall punishments V. 11. Speake that is to say hath the gift and office of teaching publikely in the Church As the Oracles namely with all reverence purenesse fidelity and humblenesse not attributing any glory to himselfe And with authority as speaking in Gods Name and as his Ambassadour Matth. 7. 29. Tit. 2. 15. Minister that is to say is called to the Office of Deacon to dispence the common goods of the Church to relieve the poore and to other uses Acts 6. 1. Rom. 13. 7 8. 1 Cor. 12. 28. As of the ability that is to say acknowledging that the outward meanes and also the power of making use of them comes from God that so making use of that power as over other mens goods he may referre the glory boundennesse and service therefore to God Through Jesus by whom the father distributeth all these gifts and vocations by whose intercession and under whose favour all thanksgiving ought to be yeelded to God for to have it pleasing unto him Rom. 1. 8. Eph. 6 20. 1 Pet 2. 5. Dominion the Italian command or power 1 Tim. 6. 16. V. 12. Fiery tryall of afflictions see Dan. 12. 10. 1 Pet. 1. 7. V. 14. For the name for making profession of him and his Gospell as Christians as v. 16. Of glory as much as to say the glorious Spirit as well in the divine power of his operations as in the impression of Gods Image and heavenly glory which even in this world he imprinteth in beleevers 2 Cor. 3. 18. He is namely Christ. Glorified that is to say his glory is defended by you against the evill speeches of the world You honour him by the constancie of your faith and service and by your innocency and holinesse you make it appeare what manner of one he is to whose image you are regenerated and that causeth all these vertues in you V. 15. Busie-bodie the Italian a Bishop ever strangers that is to say an indiscreet reformer and judge of those that are out of the Church over whom God hath given him neither charge nor authority see Matth. 7. 6. 1 Cor. 5. 12 13. Others translate it Busie in other mens businesses Others a spie or disturber of the publike peace an authour of practices and conspiracies against the state V. 16. Let him glorifie God that is to say let him give him humble thankes as for a singular honour and benefit Acts 5. 41. Phil. 1. 7. 29. V. 17. The time is come The time of the Gospel brings this with it that God purifies his Church by the fire of afflictions see Isai 4. 4. Matth. 3. 12. V. 18. If the righteous that is to say if believers though they endeavour themselves to be pious and holy ought by reason of the reliques of sin which remain in thē to passe through so many difficulties of Gods punishments and combats of the world before they can come to eternall salvation The sinner namely the unbeliever who lieth wholly in sin and is altogether given to it and is drowned in it V. 19. Unto a faithfull namely to God who hath not onely created them but also having out of his meer grace promised them salvation and everlasting life will infallibly grant it them CHAP. V. Vers. 1. THe Elders namely the Pastours and guides of the Church V. 3. Gods heritage the Italian the heritages namely the particular Churches which are as parts of the universal which God holds as his possession and inheritance Psal. 33. 12. and 74. 2. V. 4. That fadeth not away like the garlands wherewith the conquerours at games races and combats were crowned which were made of herbes leaves and flowers Others translate it of Amaranto which is a flower that fadeth not away and wherewith they crowned their idols images V. 9. The same afflictions namely which you suffer and by which the devill tempteth you to apostasie Are accomplished According as God hath appointed his Church its proportion measure and lastingnesse of afflictions to the likenesse of Christs see Col. 1. 24. V. 10. Of all grace namely the Authour of each gift and grace By Christ the Italian In Christ that is to say by vertue of his righteousnesse redemption and intercession by meanes of your union with him in Spirit and by Faith Ye have suffered or suffered a little V. 11. Dominion the Italian command or power V. 12. The true grace namely the true doctrine of the Gospel which is the declaration and ambassage of grace V. 13. At Babylon this is the citie or countrie of Babylon in Chaldea where there were an infinite number of Jewes dispersed My son See 1 Tim. 1. 2. V. 14. That are namely that by Faith are members of his Bodie and Church THE SECOND EPISTLE GENERALL OF St. PETER the Apostle ARGUMENT IN this second Epistle written by Saint Peter being neer his end he doth at the first magnifie Gods grace communicated by the Gospel and exhorts believers to holinesse
humble thy selfe before him in this affliction but wilt contend with him Therefore trust thou the Italian judge thy selfe in his sight and then wait for him recall thy selfe and condemne thy former proceedings and give glory to God and then dispose thy selfe to an assured hope 1 Cor. 11. 31. CHAP. XXXVI VER 2. ON Gods behalfe to defend his justice which thou questionest V. 3. From a farre from the generall grounds of his nature justice and works I will come to thy particular cause Ascribe I will acknowledge it preach it and maintaine it to be just for his glory onely and not for any private respect of mine own V. 4. Not be false namely proceeding from flattery to insinuate into Gods favour against mine own conscience or without any motion from the heart a thing wherewith Iob had taxed his friends Joâ— 13. 7. and 17. 5. V. 5. Mighty not by a tyrannicall might having no regard to justice As it should seeme Iob had intimated Iob 19. 7. 23. 13. 30 21. but such a might as is alwayes governed and guided with justice and wisedome Despiseth namely in denying of justice in respect of the inequality of their conditions according to Iobs complaint Iob 10. 3. strength and wisdome the Hebrew strength and heart V. 8. In fetters he calleth afflictions fetters they being as a prison to the faithfull who are fallen into some sin for their correction and to prevent judgement see Iob 13. 27 42. 10. Psal. 107. 10. V. 9. Hee sheweth them namely by the publike ministery of his word see Iob 33. 23. V. 10. Sheweth them he admonisheth them in secret by divine revelations Iob 33. 14. 16. V. 12. They obey not seeing hee here yet speaketh of the just vers 7. opposite to the wicked ver 13. by this disobedience can no way bee meant an obstinate rebellion but a carelesnesse in the expresse amendment of some sin by which others may prevent Gods last visitation in this world V. 13. But the hypocrites the Italian the prophane that is to say the wicked doe not only remaine unconverted in their afflictions but become more wicked whereby their punishment is also increased V. 14. Among the unclean the Italian among the Sodominâ—s namely such as commit the abominable kinde of lust Ayming at the destruction of Sodome V. 15. In his affliction when in their afflictions they voluntarily humble themselves see Ier. 31. 18. V. 16. Have removed thee if thou hadst chosen this way for thy conversion V. 17. But thou hast thou seemest in some manner to imitate the wickeds extream and irre missible sin which is to contend with God saying that he hath wronged them in their perdition Now Elihu did onely intend to disswade Iob from such an impiety to which his specches seemed to incline But Iobs aime was no other but to maintaine the seale of Gods Spirit against all appearances and reasons which might be urged to the contrary which is the good combat of the faith but it was followed by Iob with a little too much excesse Iudgement thou art already as it were a guilty man in the judges hands therefore thou oughtest so much the more to beware least thou doe further provoke him V. 20. Desire not desire not death in this manner aâ— thou dost for in the state in which thou art thou oughtest to feare an extraordinary kinde of death even by Gods hands whereby many people have passed even to eternall death as in the deludge Sodâ—m aâ—d Egypt V. 21. Iniquity the Italian vanity namely that vain desire of death only to ease thee of some corporall paine never regarding the eternall state of the soul chosen thou hast desired rather to fall into the hands of God by such a kinde of death than to endure these torments see Job 3. 13. 20. and 6. 8. and 10. 1. V. 22. God if thou say est thou wouldest argue with God not to contraty him but only to relate thy reasons unto him that he might proceed with thee according to them Who art thou that shouldest teach or direct him who is in such heigth of Majesty and command V. 24. Which men of which they are neither iudges nor censurers but onely spectators and adorers V. 25. A farre off either for reverence or through weaknesse being not able to come neere so great a light V. 30. Hee spreadeth hee shooteth out his lightnings every way Psal. 28. 13. 15. and 144. 6. Covereth with thick clouds and the gulses and armes of the Sea which seeme to be so many rootes of a great tree V. 31. â—or by them that is to say Gods providence is incomprehensible for with one and the selfe same storme hee tâ—under-striketh the wicked and watereth the earth to cause it to bring forth fruit V. 32. With clouds c. the Italian hee hideth the â—â—ame with the palmes of his hands and directeth them what they should meet he hath as a man should say both his hands armed with thunders which directly hit whatsoever he will have them CHAP. XXXVII VER 2. HEare it should seeme that at that time it thundered the noise of his voice the Italian his terriblethunder or his thunder with terror V. 4. After it not because that the lightning is before the thunder but because that the thunder is heard after the lightning is seen by reason that the â—eâ—ce of hearing is â—lower then that of seeing â—â—ay them namely the raine and stormes V. 7. He sealeth up the hand of every man the Italian he shutteth up every man at home becauseth by reason of those kinds of weatherâ— every one to retire home out of the fields Exod 9 19. that all men way knâ—w his work the Italian that hee may know 〈…〉 workmen aâ— a master of a family calleth his slaves or his workmen together for to take the number of them V. 9. Out of the south the Hebrew word signifieth a hidden or secret place for the Antarctick or Souththren Pole is hidden from our hemisphere Iob 9. 9. V. 10. By the breath by cold winds raised by him or by his command V. 11. Wearieth that is to say by show ring down of much raine hee dissolveth and dissipateth them He scattereth his bright cloud the Italian and scattereth the clouds with his light namely with the Sunne which disperseth them with his beames V. 13. For correction Hebrew his rod as Exâ—d 9 18 23. 1 Sam. 12. 17. 18. Ez. 10. 9. For his land for the earth which is his creature wherefore he provideth for it at its need as he doth for all his other creaâ—ures or that part of the earth which is not inhabited which God only and not man taketh care for Iob 38. 16. 17. Or for mercy some singular and extraordinary mercy as 2 Sam. 21. 10. 1 Kings 18. 45. V. 15. Disposed them namely those foresaid meteors raine snow c. The light namely the raine-bow or the Sunne thorow the clouds when they are severed or after
of these little beasts in great swarmes whereby the aire might be darkened v. 10. Spread upon the which shall in an instant cover the whole Countrey even as the Morning spreadeth abroad upon a sudden over the tops of hils though they be a great way off V. 3. A fire these insects going along doe devoure the Countrey which is rich and full of goods Joel 1. 19. and after they are gone by every thing is found gnawne and consumed V. 6. Blacknesse through horror and hunger See Nah 2. 10. V. 7. Shall not breake they shall not stop nor stay their pace V. 8. When they â—all A terme taken from the meeting of Armies to signifie that there will be neither defence nor resistance that can stay this tempest V. 9. They shall run A kinde of speech taken from a City won by assault V. 10. The Earth hyperbolicall termes frequent in the Prophets to represent a horrible desolation The Sun this may be also understood in the same manner as Isa. 13. 10. Ezek. 32. 7. Joel 3. 15. unlesse it be interpreted as upon v. 2. V. 11. Shall utter like a Captaine encouraging his souldiers or giving the signall of the battell V. 13. Repenteâ—h him out of his infinite mercy he changeth not his counsell or his will being as sorry for having done evill as men doe when they repent but the effects of his rigor into the effects of mercy V. 14. A blessing namely The fruits of the earth growing and preserved by Gods singular blessing See Isa. 65. 8. Behind him namely After all these little beasts are gone by V. 15. The trumpet namely the holy trumpet to call the generall assembly of the people V. 16. Sanctifie Give order by proclamation that all men being duely purified according to the Law may come to the Temple to call upon the Lord with mourning and fasting See Exod. 19. 10. 22. V. 17. Between the Porch Whereof see 1 King 6. 3. This was the voyd space Ezek. 8. 16. where the sacred Ministers prayed after the sacrifices were offered Rule over them Thy people being constrained through want to put themselves into the bondage of strangers or having no meanes to defend themselves if the enemies should set upon them Others translate it that the Nations may not mocke them V. 18. Then will He sets forth the effects of the precedent prayers Be jealous He will feele and be moved at the afflictions of his deare people and for his owne glory which by that meanes was troden downe by prophane Nations V. 20. The Northerne army namely That great swarme of vermine which came out of the North. Into a land That multitude shall be carryed away out of your land and like a great army the body of it shall be driven into the Wildernesse the van-guard into the lake of Sodome towards the East and the reare-ward into the Mediteranean sea towards the West V. 22. Their strength Their fruits and increase according to the vertue which God hath given them Gen. 4. 12. V. 23. Moderately the Italian Justly namely At the time of your greatest need and in that just measure as is required for to help the barrennesse which was before Others in righteousnesse that is to say bountifully and lovingly In the fiâ—st Which was the March moone for then began that time of the yeere which was called the latter season by reason of the fruits which grow ripe and are gathered therein at which time raine was most necessary next to September moone which was the other part of the yeere called the first season by reason of tilling and sowing of the ground V. 26. Shall never Because they shall never pray to me in vaine at any such time of need V. 28. â—fterward In the Messias hiâ— dayes I will powre downe the gifts of my holy spirit in abundance as I have heretofore powred out temporall blessings upon you Upon all flesh All manner of people without any distinction of Nations Your sonâ—es By the inward vertue of my Spirit I will enlighten the understanding of mine Elect who of their owne nature are but children in knowledge or young-men without experience or aged men weake of understanding and will give them a lively and supernaturall light of the mysteries of the Gospel accompanied at certaine times and in certaine persons with Prophetick revelations Act. 2. 17. V. 29. Upon the servants namely Persons of all conditions be they never so meane shall be sanctified by me may be by these termes is meant the calling of the Gentiles amongst whom slaves were bought Lev. 25. 44. Unlesse he meanes the other principall effect of the spirit of grace which is to free men from the bondage of sinne and the Divell V. 30. And I will shew He seemes to point at the great troubles of the world under the Gospel or the signes which immediately before Christs comming to judgement V. 32. In mount Sion namely In the true Church of Christ. Deliverance From those evils which shall trouble the world Or some remnant which shall escape Hath said In many places by his Prophets In the remnant Which are not run into the generall apostasie and corruption of the world Luke 18. 8. Shall call Whom he shall move and effectually put forward to the participation of his grace in Christ. CAAP. III. Vers. 1. IN those dayes This in part and figuratively may be understood of Gods vengeance upon the enemies of his people after the deliverance from Babylon but spiritually it must be referred to Christs judgements upon the enemies of his Church by him delivered and especially at the last and universall deliverance namely At his last comming V. 2. All Nations namely The wicked Nations which are enemies to me The valley This valley is not mentioned any where else some believe that it is That which is called the valley of Blessing 2 Cron. 20. 26. where Jehosaphat blessed the Lord when he had discomfited his enemies Others doe firmly hold that betweene the mount of Olives and the city of Jerusalem towards the East there was a low valley of that name and so the Prophet sheweth that the enemies shall be judged as it were in the sight of the Church Isa. 66. â—4 V. 4. What have yee It lieth not in your powers to give me satisfaction for the spoyles and wrongs which you have done my people therefore you must beare the punishment thereof in your persons according to the Lawes for theft Exod. 22. 3. V. 8. For the Lord The sentence is past and it is not now to be avoyded V. 9. Proclaime An ironicall challenge to all Christs enemies for to doe the uttermost of their power against him and his Church that they may all be overcome and overthrowne See Isa. 8. 9 10. Rev. 16. 14. V. 11. Thy mighty men namely The holy Angels who are thine armies to discomfit thine enemies See Rev. 12. 7. V. 13. Put yee in O yee Angels It is time to execute my judgements for the
his owne desires and affections and having no regard at all of himselfe subject 〈◊〉 wholly to Gods will and prepare and dispose himself to all manner of sufferings for my sake And so he reproveth Peter for his two vices namely his presumption and feare of afflictions V. 26. For what this is a reason added to tâ—â— exhortation of ver 24. V. 27. Shall come that is to say hee shall appeare in his essentiall glory of everlasting Sonne of God which he hath from his Father by eternall generation and in the Majesty of King of the Church and Iudge of the world bestowed upon him by his Father as he is Mediatour and in the exaltation of his humane nature into celestiall glory V. 28. Comming that is to say go-up into heaven and by his glorious going up take possession of his Kingâ—ome and from thence manifest it and exercise it here in the world by his word and spirit CHAP. XVIL VER 2. TRansfigured not in his natural shape forme and stature of his body but in regard of a miraculous splendor with which hee was covered as it were for a proofe of his glory V. 3. Moses to signifie the consent and concordancie which was betweene Christ and the Law and the Prophets Now they were knowne to the Apostles either by mentall revelation or by their discourses V. 4. It is good words of a man in rapture not knowing what he said Luke 9. 33. dazeled with the Majestie of this glory transported with the present joy contrary to the terror of the death and passion of the Lord whereof Moses and Elias were talking with him Luke 9 31. V. 5. Overshadowed them Namely those representations of Moses and Elias which it is very likely was but in vision and vanished away this cloud covering them And Iesus remained alone appearing in his true body and reall substance V. 9. Tell the vision See the cause thereof upon Matth. 16. 20. V. 10. Why then Seeing that Elias who appeared even now hath againe withdrawne himselfe how can this agree with the common opinion of the Iewish Doctors grounded upon the Prophesie of Mal. 45. though evill understood that he must come into the world before the comming of the Messias shall he come another time and in another manner Or seeing thou art already come and hast revealed thy selfe in thy glory how doe they say that Elias ought to come before thee V. 11. And restore that is to say hee shall serve to conwert Gods people from their evill wayes and corruptions both in doctrine and manner of living and shall prepare them to receave Iesus Christ and so shall establish the state of the Church See Luke 1. 16 17. Verse 15. Lunaticke that is to say by the meere operation of the Devill or by a naturall disease accompanied with or aggravated by the possession of the Devill v. 18 See Mat. 9. 32. and 12. 22. V. 17. O faithlesse it appeares by Marke 9. 14. that he doth hereby reprove the Iewes who contended with the Disciples and contradicted their doctrine aâ— if they could not have verified it by this miracle It might also bee a generall reproofe to the father of the Child and to the Iewes for their incredulity and to the Disciples also because that for want of Faith in Christs speciall promise Matth. 10. 1. they had made themselves incapable of doing this miracle V. 20. If yee have saith seeing that the command of working miracles and the promise of Gods assistance to the working of them was not generall to all beleevers but particular to the Apostles and other persons of those primitive ages of the Christian Church to whom God revealed this his will Therefore by this word Faith must noâ— bee understood the common faith of all beleevers to the generall promises of Gods grace but the particular faith in those promises 1 Cor. 12. 9. and this faith was a condition which God required in that man whom he would asist with his power in the working of that miracle Te shall say if God hath made you any such promise Or if by secret inspiration it bee revealed unto you that it is convenient and necessary for the confirmation of the Gospell V. 21. This kind It seemes that from hence and Matth â—2 45. It may bee gathered that there are some Devills more malignant cruell and obstinate them others And others beleeve that the difference consists onely in the more or lesse power that God doth grant them By prayer not by a transistory act of faith but by a long and persevering exercise of it to obtaine at Gods hands the victory over so powerfull and rebellious an enomy of faith desiring Gods power by prayer and prayer being enflamed and purged by fasting V. 24. They that these it should seeme were the Collectors of the halfe Sheckellâ— that every Iew above twenty yeares of age did pay yearely after hee was once set downe in the roll of his Nation Exod. 30. 13. who under the Roman Empire and in Capernaum a Citie of Galilce where there was a mixture of Pagans and many Iewes which were not very religious and libertines gathered this money onely of those who voluntarily paid it without any enforcement or authority For the Romans under AUGUSTUS had assigned this money for the Capitoll though the most pious kinde of Iewes paid it also voluntarily to the Temple See Mat. 22. 17. Doth not that is to say is not your master one of those good and willing Iewes that of their owne accord pay this dutie to the Temple V. 16. The Children that is to say according to this common reason I the Sonne of God and Lord of the Temple should be free But seeing I am not yet knowen to 〈◊〉 such I will pay it because that this people shall not take me to be a contemner of Gods order and service V. 27. For mee and thee peradventure because the other Disciples were absent or because these Collectors had spoken to Peter lonely CHAP. XVIII VER 1. IN the Kingdome Namely in the kingdome of the Messias which is called of heaven that is to say spirituall and divine by reason of the Lawes and state thereof and by reason of the quality required in his subjects and of the last accomplishment of it in heaven Now the Disciples thorow ignorance imagined there should bee in it degrees of worldly greatnesse and from thence proceeded their question V. 3. As little in humility simplicitie feare innocencie docility c. See Mat. 11. 25. V. 5. One such namely a true Christian that shall have laid aside all worldly pride whereby hee is become abject in the fight of the world V. 6. Offended despising or wronging him for his simplicâ—â—y and humilitie and shall thereby have disturbed him in the course of his heavenly vocation and holy disposition and caused him to take evill councell and forsake it Or to conceave any sorrow therefore and grow faint therein A milstone the Italian addeth an asse
he in the meane timâ— had laboured in other Churches with most happy successe according to Gods miruailous blessing which he doeth not setâ— foorth through any vaine glory but to exalt the Gospell which God made glorious by the admirable proâ—fes of his power as it was evident in their Church above any other whereunto he also contributed all maner of fidelity sincerityz â—ale and humility a midst all maner of trialls and â—xercise of afflictions and pâ—rsecutions made easie by vertue of Ghrist and by faith in him and by a certaine hope of eternall glory to which he continually aspired and taught all beleevers to aspire unto and prepare themselves for reâ—â—uncing all carnall affections to answeare to the grace of reconciliation prâ—ached and presented by the Gospell and he performed this holy duty especially towards the Corinthians exhorting themselves from all manner of communion with infidels and idolaters Thâ—n at the same time as he was writing this Epistle Titus beeing returned from Corinth where he had sent him and having confirmed the report of the good state which that church was putting it self into the Apostle enlargeth himself in testimonialls of joy and comfort and entire affection And sending back Titus unto them with other brethren to make a collâ—ction of almes for the churches of Iudea hâ— exhor th them to contribute liberally and speedily towards it And to prâ—vent that evill which Titus had reported unto him was occasioned amongst them by false Apostles he doth highly extoll his owne Apostlesship especially iâ— those Churches which were founded by him as that of Corinthans shewing that he was 〈◊〉 by a terrible power against all adversaries and that he had made use of it in such a kinde that false Apostles could never take any advantage upon him nor occasion against him and that he could with the glory of his ministery overshadow all their false luster yet that he hâ—d rather in humblesse towards God and modest charity towards them and all other mâ—n to give a proofe of his faithfulnesse So that they did not force him through their rebellion and imp 〈…〉 â—o shew forth his just rigâ—r the power whereof lay in his hand CHAP. 1. VER 1. AChaia a province of Peloponnesus or Morea where Corinth 〈◊〉 V. 4. Comforteth us it appeares that the Apostle finding himself in great streights in the course of his ministery had found great comfort in the fruit which his first epistle to the church of Corinth â—ad brought forth by correcting of many defaults V. 5. Of Christ which wee suffer for his name as his members to be conformable to him our head who participates of them with us and beares us up in them by his power Rom. 8 17. Rev. 1. 9. V. 6. It is â—or namely that in me you may â—â—ve an example that God doth in this world afflict even his most faithâ—ull servants to exercise them that ye may likewise prepaâ—e your selves for 〈…〉 h tâ—ialls and that seeing God never doth forsake them with his comfort and vertue and that at the 〈◊〉 he doeth deliver them in good time you should also dispose your selves to faith and patience by 〈…〉 nes whereof all your afflictions may prove to your salvation and life â—s effectuall sheweth its 〈◊〉 and effect in strengthening and bearing you up in the like troubles V. 8. Which came it may bee hee meanes the persecution of Ephesus acts 19. 23. 1. Cor. 15. 3â— V. 9. We had he was verily perswaded that he should die that we should Gods end in bringing of his into such extremities is to teach them to renounce all manner of presuming upon themselves and to put no manner of confidence in human meanes and to repose all their trust and beleef in God alone to whom no deliverance not even from death is impossible V. 1â— By many namely beleevers having a joynt feeling of my deliverance to give God thanks therefore as they had a feeling of my dangers and prayed unto him for me So he sheweth that his principall end in desiring of thâ—se prayers to be made for him was the glory of God V. 1â— For our he gives a reason of this request namely because his loyaltye towards them in his ministery was worthâ— to be recompensed by them with their prayers for him goodly sencerity not only in a moraâ—l and civil sincerity answereable to the duty and judgment of men but in a spirituall one created in the Apostle by God and approved of bâ— him noâ— with without using any art of human knowledge or eloquence therein but onely the supernatuall gift of God in light of truth and strength of his spirit V. 13. For we write we may boldly boast of these things to you who have discerned the truth thereof and doe know it with an undoubted knowledge V. 14. As alsol I hope you will never enter into any diffidence of my sincerity seeing that hitherto you have esteemed it to be a happinesse and glory unto you that you had me to be your Apostle and founder of your church with such abundance of spirituall gifts for you in part somewhat a terme of modest extenuation or silent reprehension of the Corinths for having wavered in this beleef by the inducement of false Apostles even as and so enterchangeable your Church hath bin as a paragon of blessing upon my ministery and the very heigh of all my labours as I doe also expect to be approved of and crowned by Christ for it at the last judgment V. 15. That you might that as you were by my first comming unto you converted so by my second you might be confirmed and set up right V. 17. Lightnesse having not hitherto accomplished my designe to visite you according to namly without the guide of the spirit according to mine own naturall understanding for worldly respects which varying in themselves or at least in my conceipt maycause me to alter mymind there should be I should say and promise now one thing and afterwards another V. 18. As God a kinde of oath by the interposition of Gods truth who by his spirit did likewise make the Apostles ministery true our woâ—d have a care above all other things that you do no take this change of designe for an argument of instability in my doctrine but beleeve that I have done it for some certaine and sufficient reason V. 19. For the Christ who is the only obiect of our preaching have bin taught by us without any variation or contradiction with a perfect uniformity as well between me and my companions as in all parts of my doctrine among them and the foundation thereof is in Christ himself and the substance of his gospell which is most pure absolute and everlasting truth and in the revelation of his spirit V. 20. For all Gods will being to be glorified and to beacknowledged perfe 〈…〉 true in the accomplishment of all his promises in Christ preached by us hath also given us Apostles an infallible conduct of his
hath a relation to the contempt◠Not walking namely to eschew the other evill of hatred I have not used any dissimulation or craft to gaine mens favours V. 3. To them the Italian Amongst them namly those who have no part in eternall salvation whereof there are two kindes the one have not knowne the Gospell the others have had it preached unto them but they being blinded by the devill who possesseth their hearts have rejected it through incredulitie 2 Thes. 1. 8. V. 4. The God namely the Devill chiefe of the of the reprobates who in this corrupted world usurpes Gods honour and domination to whose motions all the faction of the wicked yeelds obedience as to their god against the true God and to whom also all false worships have a relation 1 Cor. 10. 20. Of the glorious wherein is manifested the Majestie of Christs person and Kingdome the Soveraigne excellencie of his benefits and the divine vertue of his operations Who is in whose person works and word God who is incomprehensible to man reveales himselfe to salvation V. 5. For Jesus sake Namely to gaine you unto him to establish his Kingdome in you and 〈◊〉 cause him to bee acknowledged served and glorified by you V. 6. For God Christ is the only subject of my preaching for the great gift of light and of the spirit which we Apostles have was conferred upon us to none other end Who commanded who by his Almightie word created the light whilst all things were yet in darkenesse In our hearts which even as the first masse of the world was naturally deprived of all heavenly light whereby all matter of glory is taken away from us To give the light first 〈◊〉 us Apostles and then by us to others In the fact namely in Iesus Christ revealed and fully made knowne by the Gospell Ver. 7. Treasure namely of divine light H 〈…〉 seemes to make an allusion to the Historie of Iudg. 7. 16. In earthen namely in our persons which are fraile vessells and weake instruments which God hath made choice of for so high an office to make it appeare that the efficacie of the Gospell proceedeth from him and not from men See 1 Cor. 2. 5. 2 Cor. 12. 9. V. 8. Wee are by superaddition besides our naturall weakenesse enduring from men all manner of calamities in which the Lord doth notwithstanding miraculously hold us up V. 10. Bearing being laden with afflictions and miseries proper to all Christs members to make them conformable to him their head by which afflictions theit poore life is consumed and at the last brought to nothing That the life to the end that after wee have suffered with him and for him he may also make us partakers of his glorious vertue at the blessed resurrection V. 11. Our mortal Namely as it is in this life which notwithstanding shall put on immortalitie in the everlasting life 1 Cor. 15. 53 54. Ver. 12. So then at this time I doe principally taste of the conformitie to Christs death in the afflictions which I suffer for him whereas you seeme to be pa takers only of his life and glory being free from all calamities stored with all manner of blessing and happinesse V. 13. The same the same faith as you have created by the same spirit notwithstanding the diversitie of our outward state See Romans 1. 12. 2 Pet. 1. 1. Speake wee make free profession of the Gospell wee preach it openly and wee glory in God and call upon him with confidence V. 14. Shal prevent us the Italian Shall cause us to appeare before his face in the everlasting glory With you in the communion of the same blessed life though the state of this present life have been very different V. 15. For all he gives a reason for his assured confidence of being their fellow in glory after his sufferings Namely because that labouring in those sufferings for their salvation there was no reason but that hee himselfe should have part in the benefit thereof Ver. 16. For which cause Namely upon this firme hope of eternall glory Our outward namely our bodies and our persons in the naturall state of this life doe faile and consume by continuall sufferances Is renewed wee grow young againe and strong in our soules and the spirituall state of our life which can not bee discerned by the eyes of the body but onely by the light of the spirit V. 16. For the hope of eternall life which shall follow after our present afflictions as a certaine reward is that which keeps us in a perpetuall and untited vigour Our light in respect of the excellencie the infinitenesse and the eternitie of the heavenly glory Rom. 8. 18. Worketh for us that is to say it shal at last be crowned in us with that infinite glory which wee doe even in this world lively apprehend by faith which draweth us away from all manner of consideration love and esteeme of the things of this world to settle our heart wholly upon heavenly things CHAP. V. VER 1. HOuse he calleth the body so in regard of this fraile and transitory life like a Cabin set up for a short time of use Iob 4. 19. to which is opposite the heavenly life figured by a firme and everlasting building Heb. 11. 10. V. 2. For the groanes of a fervent desire which the Holy Ghost engendreth in us Rom. 8. 23. compell us to aspire to everlasting life and are unto us a certaine argument that our true rest and happinesse is in heaven and not in this world In this others have it in the meane time V. 3. If so be that change of an earthly condition into a heavenly one requireth first as a necessary condition that wee should even in this world bee clothed with Christs Righteousnesse that is to say that we be justified in him and adorned with nuptiall garments Namely regenerated and sanctified by his spirit See 1 Cor. 15. 50. Naked that is to say in our naturall filthinesse of sinne which in it selfe is shamefull and makes us odious and abominable to God See Gen. 3. 7. V. 4. For we hee confirmes that beleevers doe sigh through a desire of perfect deliverance because they lament feeling their present misery in regard of sinne and of the evills that proceed from thence For that wee Would bee this burthen induceth us to desire death not through impatience for to be freed from so many troubles but through a holy desire to have this naturall and corporall life changed into a heavenly and everlasting life V. 5. Hath wrought us namely hath appointed and prepared us for everlasting life by his election vocation and regeneration Hath given unto us even in this world he hath given us the first fruits of that life and by them assurance of the accomplishment of it in heaven Rom. 8. 23. 2 Cor. 1. 22. Ephes. 4. 30. V. 6. Confident in all dangers and sufferings we are assured by this pledge of the spirit that we can not
and many Gentiles in Thessalonica a City of Macedonia But by reason of the violent persecution which was there stirred up against him by the Iewes he was constrained suddenly to depart from thence Whereupon having a little while afterwards heard how that poore infant Church was grievously molested through persecutions He had sent Timothie to them from Athens to strengthen it and encourage it to persevere and having heard from him of the happy and laudable state it was in he writes this Epistle to it Wherein at the very first he gives God thankes and praiseth the Thessalonians for their readinesse and alacrity in receiving the Gospell and for their faith charity and patience in the profession of it according as he had taught and preached it to them with all loyalty study efficacy and hearty affection Then he comforteth them in their afflictions by Christs example and by his owne and that of the Churches of Iudea And tels them that being hindered from performing his hearty and fervent desire in visiting them he had sent Timothie unto them by whose relation he had been singularly comforted And againe gives God thanks praying him to encrease their gifts and to confirme them unto the end Then he exhorteth them to holinesse charity and peace and to bestow their times in laudable exercises and to forbeare lamenâ—ing and grieving excessively for the dead And to comfort themselves in the assured hope of a blessed resurrection the manner of which he sets downe teaching how that though the time of Christs comming to judgement be hidden yet it ought hourely to be expected with watchfulnesse and holy preparation and at last after divers holy exhortations he saluteth and blesseth them CHAP. I. VER 1. SIlvanus some hold it was the same as is called Silas in the Acts of the Apostles Which is which through faith in Christ is in Gods grace and covenant and is engrafted amongst his true people V. 3. Your worke namely the fruits and effects of your lively and working faith not of a dead and idle faith Gal. 5. 6. Jam. 2. 17. Labour namely the duties of true charity performed by you not sparing your selves in troublesome and dangerous times and occasions Patience namely your voluntary and constant patience in the crosse which is maintained by the certaine hopes of everlasting goods which are promised for it See 2 Cor. 4. 17 18. In the sight namely every time that we present our selves before God to pray unto him Or I speake truely as in the presence of God 2 Cor. 12. 19. Gal. 1. 20. Or this is added to shew the truth and sincerity of these vertues in the Thessalonians V. 4 Knowing finding and knowing that you are Gods true elect by this certaine proofe namely that the holy Ghost hath imprinted in your hearts the Gospell which I have preached to you â—nd hath engendered a lively faith in you V. 5. In power with a divine efficacy of the holy Ghost V. 8. Sounded out the fame thereof hath by your meanes been spread over all the neighbouring Provinces V. 9. They themselves namely the believers scattered all the world over What manner of how our persons and our ministery have been received by you and how Gods word hath taken place amongst you CHAP. II. Vers. 1. IN vaine unprofitable and fruitlesse as would have been if we had for feare of persecutions forborne to Evangelize unto you V. 2. In our God namely trusting in his assistance and vertue Contention namely oppositions persecutions and cares V. 3. Uncleannesse namely from any infamous or vitious affection as from sordid avarice infamous flattery or dishonest dealing See 2 Cor 6. 6. 7. 1. V. 4. To be put in trust as faithfull Stewards V. 5. A cloake or a pretence that is to say hidden and dissembled waies to worke our owne gaine and profit V. 6. Burthensome taking of you such things as we have need of which we have not done vers 9. 2 Cor. 12. 13. V. 13. Worketh bringing forth in you all manner of Christian vertues and especially constancy in suffering afflictions for the Gospell V. 14. In Christ that is to say Christian and by faith in Christ engrasted into the Church which is his owne body As they have namely the beleeving Jewes V. 16. Fill up the Italian addeth fill up the measure namely so full as Gods patience hath limited it should be filled See Gen. 15. 16 The wrath as Gods judgement hath been extreamely provoked by them so is it fully fallen upon them See Job 36. 17. V. 17. Taking front you as a father from his children The more this short absence hath not one whit lessened mine affection but rather enflamed and encreased it 19. For what have not I cause to love you thus dearly seeing your conversion is such an excellent fruit of my ministerie by which it hath been made glorious and hope besides my present joy to be therfore crowned with everlasting glorie at Christs comming Even ye As well as other Churches which have been founded and taught by me CHAP. III. Vers. 1. FOrbear Endure the discomfort of your absence and the desire I have to see you To be left It is likely that this hath a relation to what is spoken Acts 17. 15. and that after Timothie was come back to the Apostle in Athens he sent him backe to Thessalonica V. 2. Timotheus to supplie in part by him what we could not performe by our presence V. 3. Appointed And placed by Gods vocation to be conformable to Christ as well in afflictions as in glorie Rom. 8. 17. 28. A terme taken from souldiers that are sentinels in their watch-house and to other duties belonging to martial discipline V. 8. We live notwithstanding all our miseries and death which is present before us we are safe and sound and very chearfull if that ye stand firme and sound in your faith in Christ. V. 9. For what this so happeneth unto us because God gives us in you incomparable cause of joy and comfort for which we cannot thanke him sufficiently Before our that is to say spiritually or with a hearty joy of which he is a witnesse or acknowledging the cause thereof to proceed from him onely and giving him thankes therefore V. 10. Perfect Instruct and confirme you more fully in Christian doctrine and finish the establishment of your Church which shortnesse of time would not suffer me to do at my first comming V. 13. Establish that by meanes of the gift of charitie which is the spring of all good workes you may persevere in true holinesse approved by God without any voluntary offence or malice At the comming that you may be known to be such by Christ himselfe at the last judgement or untill his comming With all his this may have a relation either to the establishment in holinesse in the communion of all believers as Ephes. 3. 18. Col. 3 4. or to the last comming of Christ accompanied with his holy Angels Zech. 14. 5. Matth.
kinde of frenzie or violent passion or that is out of taste which is opposite to wholsome words Of words of things of naught that have no solid subsistencie V. 5. S 〈…〉 ing that make an art of lucre of the Gospel which is the doctrine of piety Withdraw have no communion with them neither Ecclesiasticall nor brotherly hold them to be interdicted and contagious persons V. 6. With contentment namely which is joyned with a quiet spirit and co 〈…〉 dnesse in the condition wherein one liueth Phil. 4. 12. Or with so much as is sufficient to satisfie ones just wants which is a thing promised to those who are truely pious 1 Tim. 4. 8. Gaine namely a great purchase and increase of spirituall goods of the soule Mat. 13. 44 45. Phil. 3. 7 8. V. 7. For we he proves that piety alone is the true gaine and treasure for all other goods are but onely acc 〈…〉 ary to man and perish by death V. 8. And having the poperty of these temporall goods is not ours we must content our selves with a transitory fruition of them befitting our necessities which is an assured remedy against avarice V. 9. And a snare into the divels snares and into divers occasions and baits of grievous sins V. 10. The root There is no sinne but may proceed from a varice Sorrows torments and anguishes of conscience troubles and unquietnesse of spirit and body V. 11. O 〈…〉 an that is to say thou servant of God who oughtest to be and in effect art guided by his Spirit See 1 Sam. 2. 27. 2 Tim. 3. 17. V. 12. Lay hold on doe in such sort that endeavouring and persevering in thy vocation thou mayst obtaine the crowne and reward of eternal life according to Gods promises A good profession the Italian A good confession he meanes the solemne vow which Timothy had made at his Baptisme or when he was consecrated to the holy ministery namely to dedicate himselfe wholly and employ himselfe to the uttermost of his power to the service of God V. 13. In the sight namely in Gods Name whom I call to witnesse of my fidelity in appointing thee to doe this and for a maintainer of mine authority which I have from him See 2 Tim. 2. 14. Quickneth who gives and preserves their being to all creatures Or that shall raise up all things namely all his beleevers into glory See Ephes. 1 10. Col 1. 20. Whereas all manner of good both temporal and eternal ought to be hâ—ped for from him especially being a reward of loyal service Witnessed namely confirmed and Heb. 12. 2. 1 Pet. 2. 21. but did also bind them to the like V. 14. This commandement which is contained in v. 11 12. or generally all other commandements which are contained in this Epistle V. 16. Hath immortality is everlastingly subsisting of himselfe and not by the benefit of others In the light in a glory of the sight and knowledge whereof no creature of it selfe is capeable God alone of his grace can reveale and communicate it Power the Italian command that is to say obedience service and glory due to his Majesty See Rev. 1. 6. 5. 13. Others power that is to say glory according to the stile of the Scripture V. 17. To enjoy to make use of them by a moderate fruition and not to make our selves slaves to them by loving them and trusting in them See Matth 6. 24. V. 18. To communicate ready and willing to communicate their goods to other men Or sociable and affable V. 19. A good of certaine and infallible arguments and matter of hoping for everlasting goods according to Gods promises to all those that in faith endeavour themselves to good workes Lay hold on that they may come unto it as the end of their race and obtaine it as the reward which they have sought for V. 20. Committed to namely the Gospel which God hath intrusted thee with 1 Cor. 9. 17. Gal. 2. 7. And withall the talent of the gifts belonging to the preaching of it V. 21. Have erred the Greek terme is taken from Archers who misse â—itting of the marke to signifie an error in faith which depriveth them of the fruit and end thereof THE SECOND EPISTLE OF St. PAUL the Apostle to TIMOTHIE ARGUMENT THis Epistle is almost upon the same subject as the former for Saint Paul being a prisoner at Rome ready to suffer martyrdome writes againe to Timothy to seale and confirme as the last time his former Doctrine Admonitions and Exhortations and strengthen him against the temptation and scandall of his approaching end Having then in the beginning born witnesse of his faith in which he had of a child been brought up he doth lively exhort him to persevere in it and likewise in the exercising of his Pastorall charge And because he should not be troubled at the Apostles afflictions he declares what his faith comfort victory glory and triumph was in them He recommends and blesses Onesephorus from whom he had received reliefe He admonisheth Timotheus to appoint faithfull Pastors in the Churches to prepare himselfe for the crosse shewing what was the happy issue and most excellent fruit of it to observe purity and righteousnesse in teaching of Gods truth avoyding prophane questions and vicious disputations from whence heresies did spring as that of Hymeneus and Philetus who denied the last resurrection of the dead against which danger he doth hearten beleevers through their election confirmed by their sanctification for which they must all endeavour continually and doth likewise exhort Timothy thereunto as also to meekenesse and benignity Then he foretels the great depravations which should happen in the Church and doth fore-arms him against them by his doctrine and example encouraging him to the faithfull exercising of his ministery and recommends unto him Gods Church from which his presence should shortly be taken away by his glorious martyrdome before which time he appointeth him to come to him and gives him notice how his estate stands CHAP. I. Vers. I. ACcording to that is to say Apostle of the Gospell whose subject is not a word of plaine command or narration as the Law is but of a promise of grace and everlasting life See Tit. 〈◊〉 1. Which is the whole foundation of which is Christ and which from him derives upon his members by meanes of faith V. 3. From my following the faith and religion all the true ancient Jewes who worshipped the onely true God in hope of the promised Messias See Acts 24. 14. V. 4. Thy teares shed either through an inward feeling and motion of piety love of God zeale and sorrow for sin Or through sorrow for Pauls departure V. 6. Wherefore namely seeing thou hast the gift of faith which is the root of every good worke and without which all exhortations are to no purpose and likewise because by reason of this great gift thou art so much the more bound to God I doe admonish thee to excite increase
obedience which I have commanded and brought forth in them that are mine by my Spirit John 6. 29. 1 John 3. 23. Will I give I will make him partaker of my Kingdomes glory and of the fruit of my victories over all mine enemies V. 28. I will give him namely when that great day of eternity shall appeare 2. Pet. 1. 19. I will make him partaker of the light of glory happinesse and full knowledge which resides in me and of which I am the distributer Rev. â—2 16. CHAP. III. Vers. 1. THat hath that is to say he that possesseth the fulnesse of the gifts and graces of the Holy Ghost Johâ— 3. 34. to distribute them to the whole Church Thou livest the Italian Thou art sayd to live namely a spirituall life consisting in faith and all manner of workes of piety V. 2. Perfect that is to say entire and correspondent to the duty of thine office according to Gods order and judgement though they seem otherwise to men V. 4. Which have not that have kept themselves pure from the contagion of sinners see Jude 23. or that have kept the confession of faith in a pure conscience by which they have put on Christ Gal. 3. 27. Ephes. 4. 24. Revel 16. 15. Shall walke that is to say shall live with me in my Kingdome in perfect light joy glory and innocency all which things are signified by white garments Werthie that is to say they are â—ittingly disposed thereunto according to Gods order see Matth. 10. 11. V. 5. Blot out that is to say I will keep and preserve him eternally in the number of my Fathers Elect and will make it appeare in effect that he is of that blessed society See Exod. 32. 32. Psam 69. 28. V. 7. That hath the key namely Christ the Sove â—aâ—gne Lord and Governour of his Church anciently figured by Eliaâ—him Steward under Hezekiah Isa 22. 22. That â—penâ—th that is to say whose power is Soveraigne and absolute not Subject to any contradiction opposition or prohibition see Job 12. 14. V. 8. I have seâ— I have maintained the preaching of the Gospell and the gift of faith in thee that thou mightest in it have accesse to the Throne of grace and likewise all other meanes of salvation and hope see Matth. 25. 10. Thou hast that is to say thou hast not altogether â—ainted but doest yet beare up so that thou maiest use some meanes for unto him that hath nothing nothing is given Matth. 25. 29. V. 9 And worship that is to say they shall humble themselves unto thee and shall aske thee forgivenesse for the wrongs and outrages which they have committed against thee and they shall yeeld thee that acknowledgement and honour which belongeth unto thee Isa. 49. 23. 60. 14. V. 10. The word namely the Gospel alwaies accompanied with afflictions to the imitation of me Or my command to suffer for my name Will keepe thee either by delivering thee or by strengthening thee that thou mayest not be overcome Of temptation of triall and exercise of great afflictions 2 Pet. 2. 9. V. 11. I come namely in judgement Which thou hast namely my grace and truth the gift of faith and practise of these gifts with perseverance That no man that thou mayst not finde thy selfe frustrate of the reward of everlasting glory and see it obtained by others who shall have kept the faith unto the end of the race A manner of speaking taken from races and other games wherein men did strive for superiority see 1 Cor. 9. 25. 2 Tim. 4. 8. Jam. 1. 12. 1 Pet 5. 4. V. 12. Will I make I will establish him eternall and glorious in the triumphant Church I will write that is to say I will glorifie him to the full and make him clearely appeare what he is namely a true child of God a Citizen of Heaven and member of Christ made like unto him in glory See Isa. 4 3. 44. 5. Phil. 3. 20. 1 John 3. 2. Rev. 14. 1. My new namely the lively impression of my glory which I have obtained after I went up into Heaven Phil. 2. 9. Rev. 19. 12. V. 14. The Amen namely Christ who is not onely truth it selfe John 14. 6. but in whom also all Gods promises aâ—e yea and Amen that is to sâ—yâ— are ratified and firme 2 Cor. 1. 20. The beginning namely he from whom all creatures have their beginning John 1. 3. Col. â—1 16. Oâ— the beginning of the creation that is to say he that is as one may say the foundation of all this new fabricke of the Church Col. 1. 18. V. 15. Neither cold that is to say thou hast indeed some knowledge and â—eeling of piety but without any â—ervencie of affection to the workes of it and without zeale in abhorring and rejecting the contrary ones I would thou wert that is to say it were better for thee that thou haddest never participated of my truth and grace then to use it thus carelessely for thy knowledge makes thee inexcusable and as by it thâ—u art the more bound so thy 〈◊〉 is the more aggravated by thy contempt and ingratitude see Luke 12. 47 48. V. 16 Spâ—e thâ—e out that is to say I will cast thee out of my spiritual communion and out of my love A terme taken from lukewarme drinks which doe provoke one to vomit V. 17. I am rich namely in temporall goods or peradventure in spirituall gifts but not accompanied nor animated by the principall gift which is that of the vigour and servencie of Spirit V. 18. To buy that is to say to obtaine of me by convenient meanes which are humility faith repentance zeale and by meanes of renouncing all confidence in thy selfe all those gifts which are needfull for thee See of this buying without any price Isa. 55. 1. Matth. 13. 44. 25. 9. Gold he seems to meane the gift of a pure and lively faith by meanes of which all the rest may be obtained Matth. 21. 22. White rayment this is the gift of free justification by the application of Christs innocency righteousnesse and satisfaction alwaies accompanied with the gift of the sanctification of the Spirit see 2 Cor. 5. 3. Gal. 3. 27. Rev. 7. 14. Eye-salve a figure of the meditation and study of holy things and of all other meanes which are apt to enlighten and strengthen the understanding in the knowledge of divine truth V. 20. I stand that is to say I exhort admonish and solicite see Cant. 5. 2. fot it is not here spoken of the first act of conversion but of the consequences of it in which man who being dead hath been made alive ought to cooperate with Gods grace Rom. 6. 13. Gal. 5. 25. Open that is to say gives way to my exhortations and word and opens his heart thereunto by docility lively apprehension and obedience to faith Will come into him figurative termes to signifie an intimate communication in grace and comfort CHAP. IV. Vers. 1. I Looked