and propounded as equivalent with it in ver 18 19. and so the Apostle Paul to Titus mentions this as one of those things which the grace of God that brings salvation to all men teacheth the believing receiver of it To be subject to principalities and powers to obey Magistrates to be ready to every good work signifying that we are to be subject to and obey the power where we cannot with chearfulness or if not at all do the work required Tit. 3. 1. with chap. 2. 11 12. they well knew that it would be found too frequent in these latter dayes especially in such as retaining a form of godliness a great shew and pretence of worshipping God yet deny the power of it that Vision of all the truth as in Jesus not onely without fear to speak evil of dignities and despise dominion as Jude 8 9. but also to be proudly disobedient to Parents truce-breakers incontinent fierce traytors heady high-minded loving pleasures ease kingdom glory and to have their will here more then God 2 Tim. 3. 2 5. and therefore have so plentifully instructed exhorted and charged us in this particular 2. The believers life in all godliness and honesty is to be led quietly and peaceably towards and as much as is possible with all men with whom he leads his life and conversation or hath occasion to converse toward all men he is to demean himself quietly and peaceably in his holding forth the tidings and patterns of that grace of God that bringeth salvation to them though therein he shall have occasion to contend earnestly for the faith with some and to rebuke and reprove others yet he is to do this with all long suffering and doctrine Let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom though not the wisdom of this world or such meekness as that teacheth to hide mince or be ashamed of his words before an adulterous generation to be negligent remiss or sparing in striving for the truth of the Gospel or against mens sin as the truth we have learned in Jesus instructeth and leadeth us that is so far from being the meekness and gentleness of Christ that it is on the other hand ungodliness dishonesty and a shunning the Cross of Christ yet in doing the work of an Evangelist or holding forth the faithful word and shewing forth the vertues of Christ and that both in season and out of season with diligence and constancy we are therein and according thereto to shew forth all meekness to all men gentleness easiness to be intreated Jam. 3. 13 17. 2 Tim. 4. 1 5. For the wrath of man works not the righteousness of God and therefore we are to avoid foolish and unlearned questions and strife of words which tend to no profit but to the subverting of the hearers from a right and plain understanding knowing that they do gender strifes and the servant of the Lord must not strive but be gentle unto all men apt to teach patient in meekness instructing the ignorant and them that oppose themselves c. 2 Tim. 23. 25. and so therein patiently enduring and suffering not onely Gods chastisements his gracious afflictions more immediately ordered from his own hand but also their wrongs and injuries Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification for even Christ pleased not himself but as it is written The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me Rom. 15. 2 3. which in the place where it is written Psal 69. 9. is joyned with this other saying The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up which is applied to and said to be verified in his driving the buyers and sellers out of the temple in which action mentioned John 2. 14 17 18 c. he did not directly please them but as may appear by the Evangelist compared with the Psalm did therein render himself and became a stranger to his brethren c. Psal 69. 8. he displeased them and was despised in their eye and they thought it strange as John 2. 18. but though he could not please them in winking at and suffering without sharp reproof their profanation of his Fathers house the truth of which as now come forth is the temple of his Body his person as delivered to death by the Father destroyed and crucified by them and raised up again in three dayes as plainly explicated by himself in the following verses of that John 2. neither would it have been for their good therein or so to have pleased them yet in doing that and having done it and so in all his doings among them he pleased them for their good to edification in not regarding or seeking in any of these things to please himself or to glorifie and get honour and praise to himself among them doing nothing through strife and vain-glory but in lowliness of minde preferring them before himself in giving honour to them so as in tendering of them and bearing with their evil manners enduring their contradictions quietly and patiently suffering them without reviling again he in all his zeal and constancy for his Fathers name and glory yet therein pleased not himself but as it is writien The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell upon me and he willingly without striving or retorting bore and suffered them So though we cannot at any hand please them in having fellowship with them in their unfruitful works in their notions and wayes of ungodliness nor in their fleshly lusts not run with them to the same excess of ryot wherein they will think it strange 1 Pet. 4. 3 4. Eph. 5. 4 11. neither would it be for their good to edification therein or so to please them The grace of God that brings salvation to all men teacheth us rather and for their good to reprove them and not by any means or whatever befal us from them not to desist from striving against their sin but this so as with meekness of wisdom and in doing this not to please our selves seek our own glory or praise from or amongst men but quietly bearing their injuries reproaches wrongs without retorting the like on them or seeking to vindicate our own name or walking unlovingly towards them and this will be a means to please them and that so as for their good to edification therefore Pauls exhortation to Timothy 2 Tim. 4. is To exhort rebuke repove in his preaching the word with all longsuffering and doctrine and therein to endure affliction and still go on doing the work of an Evangelist or Messenger of peace True they are to strive together for the faith of the Gospel and in nothing to be terrified by their adversaries from their holding fast faith and a good conscience or walking in godliness and honesty Phil. 1. 27. but yet they are therein to go on in a quiet enduring the contradiction of sinners they meet with still striving against their sin so resisting their contradictons with patient enduring and
truth thereof they were to baptize them with water also in his name even the Nations whosoever of them would them and theirs every one of them even as the Jaylor was baptized he and all his streight-way on his first owning and listening to the report of the Gospel and being willing to be instructed therein and therein also as well as by their word they preached the word of the Lord to him and to all that were in his house Act. 16. 32 33. which also is according to Peters Doctrine opening the Commission Act. 2. 38 39. comparing the 39. verse with a place speaking of a like businesse in our Types to which the Apostle there seems to have apt and evident Allusion Deut. 29. 10. 14. And then also to teach these Nations as they had outwardly baptized them in the name and unto the acknowledgement of Jesus Christ as come in the flesh to observe whatever Jesus Christ did command his Disciples And all this they were to do for the discipling the Nations the gathering or drawing them to Christ from their former state of darknesse and shadow of Death in which they were without any true acknowledgement and worship of God to acknowledge him and come to him as their Lord and Gods salvation for and to them and in professed subjection to him and thankful acknowledgement of his grace to bring all that by Gods providence are theirs given them to bring up for him even their little ones with them So the Jaylor beleevingly rejoycing he did it with all his house Act. 16. 34. as Joshua would engage himselfe and his house with him that were under his tuition to the acknowledgement and service of the Lord Josh 24. 15. And as in considering Israel after the flesh to which for Instruction in such cases we have our warrantize 1 Cor. 10. 18. we are directed in those evident Types of this discipling Nations Exod. 10. 9 10 11. Deut. 31. 11 12 13. And as our Saviour also instructs That such should be permitted to come to him being brought in their armes to whom by Gods providence they are given to bring up for him for of such is the Kingdome And having so done That they may all of them not onely be instructed themselves but taught to learn their children as they are capable and bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord Jesus To the end that all the ends of the earth might look to him and be saved who is Gods salvation to the ends of the earth That they might come in to the acknowledgement of him and so into his house where they might be trained up and educated for him being therein especially made partakers of his promise in Christ by the Gospel for sending forth his Spirit to reprove the world of Sinne Righteousnesse and of Judgement according to the distinct Revelation of Christ in the Gospel as now come forth and as men are turning at his reproofes To teach and lead them into all truth by the same Spirit still opening and making knowne the same word Eph. 3. 6. Act. 2. 39. Joh. 16. 8 9 10 13 14. Prov. 1. 20 23. In pursuance of this great Designe of God for the good of All Paul was furnished and appointed the great Apostle of the Gentiles Act. 26. 16 17 18. For this purpose the Lord Jesus appeared unto him to make him a witnesse c. delivering him from the people and from the Gentiles to whom then he sent him To turn them even his persecuters from whom yet he should be delivered and amongst whom preserved for this end To turne them from darkness to light c. That so they may receive forgivenesse and inheritance among them that are sanctified And that to this end he should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable Riches of Christ and to make All men see What is the fellowship of the mystery c. as aforesaid Eph 3. 8 9. And therefore also hath God preserved a succeeding Generation of such as through the tastes of his graciousness in the appearance of his love in Christ to man-ward having been drawn to him built upon him and so reconciled to God by Jesus Christ and received the word of Reconciliation God hath preserved them in the world and from the evil of it to this end and therefore also furnished them with gifts from his right hand though more mediately in their beleeving and exercising faith through and according the Apostles word yet still to this as the first and great part of the work of their Ministry in the world to carry on that great work amongst and for the good of all men as secondary Instruments and Ministers building upon and according to the foundation laid by the Apostles to the intent that now by the Church by the whole body of them joyntly and by each according to their capacity and opportunity in the place where God hath set them might be made knowne to Principalities and Powers and so to all Nations and people under them The manifold wisdome of God Eph. 3. 10. That by them the world may know That God hath sent Christ the Saviour of the world And that he hath loved them that have received this Testimony with the heart even with the same love wherewith he hath loved his Son Joh. 17. 15 20 21 23. And that in being Instruments of saving them that hear or listen to the word as held forth by them Their profiting may appear to All 1 Tim. 4. 15 16. Gods Saints generally even those that have made a Covenant with him by sacrifice Psal 50. 5. namely that are reconciled to God by Jesus Christ and have received that word of Reconciliation in their hearts 2 Cor. 5. each to exercise according to fitnesse and furniture of Gifts Rom. 12. 3 4 c. all the Gifts for continuance being given among these Eph. 4. 7 11 12. They are appointed and called to this great service even now To call the earth from the rising of the Sunne to the going downe of the same as well as also afterward to reign Judge and execute Judgement with him Psal 50. 1. 5. As his Ambassadors whose first personal coming and his present coming by his Spirit in the Gospel and other means is not to judge or condemne the world but that through him they might be saved even such as doe heare his words and reject them his gracious end and desire is that they should heare and beleeve and therefore he continues his mediation for them and mercies to them Joh. 12. 47 48. and 3. 17. though he shall appear personally the second time then to judge and execute judgement according to the Gospel so these his servants and Ambassadors in this world are now to make it their great work to perswade all men and every man as they have capacity and opportunity to be reconciled to God telling them All things are ready 2 Cor. 15. 17 18 19 20. Luke 14. 17 21 23. with
occasion or fruit of ignorance or unbebelief in Christ as before that sin as found in us and others after this consideration may not be laid to our charge but forbearance and forgiveness administred according to the Gospel now for these sins or sins after this consideration it is that he is here said to be the propitiation the standing propitiatory sacrifice or mercy-seat for the dayly covering with the infinite vertues of his satisfaction and offering for sin once made and so taking away dayly from before the Father the sins of the world after this consideration and so his being the propitation for our sins which might hinder our prayers and for the pardon of which we have dayly to pray and not onely for ours but also for the sins of the whole world is equivalent and the same with his being the continual and standing Mediator between God and men by and with the vertues of that one offering of himself 'T is true his making the atonement or propitiation and peace in himself for us in that at first perfectly done in giving himself a ransome is here more strongly implyed and signified seeing without it or if that had not been done and perfect for them in Christ this could not have been done for them by him if he had not made peace he could not have been a standing propitiation for sin but that which is here directly spoken to and signified by his being affirmed to be the propitiation is according to the latter sence And so God hath set him forth to be a standing propitiation that through him his righteousness may be declared not onely in giving the forgiveness of sins through faith in his blood but in granting forbearance of the same to men that do not believe that they might have opportunity and space afforded thereto as well as also to be a propitiation to or in them and so of them in their particular persons through faith in his blood as Col. 1. 22. 2 Cor. 5. 18. And all this through by vertue and by means of the redemption that is in him Rom. 3. 24 25. Behold then that Lamb of God that having by himself perfectly purged our sin is now set down on the right hand of God and there dayly taking away the sin of the world as now charged on it the great Mediator between God and men by and with the vertues of his having given himself a ransome for all men and that he may be so viewed by us consider 3. That by vertue of his ransome given and accepted and his Mediation continually made with the Father for all men he is in the name of the Father a Testimony or to be testified to them in due time to each in their several and proper ages and to every one at such time and seasons as may be most for their advantage and good and now in these last ages the most seasonable time for that for divers considerations by the coming of Christ and his bringing light and immortality to light by the Gospel to the Gentiles 2 Tim. 1. 10. Heb. 1. 1 3. of which more directly is here spoken in which the ground of making prayers with thanks givings for all men is more opened then formerly though it was the same in Christ before But heâ—e for brevity sake we shall onely shew how in general he is and alwaies was unto all men every where and in every age by vertue of his sacrifice accepted and vertuous with the Father from the beginning a Testimony in due time of the truth of the redemption in him and the Fathers goodness through him And that in these two things 1. In affording to all as they come to capacity and need of it means opportunity and space to repent 2. In sending forth his good Spirit in the supernatural light and power of it in and with those mercies and means to bring the light and understanding of his goodness to the heart and thereby to reprove men of their evils and turn them to God 1. In affording to all as they come to capacity and need of it means and opportunity to repentance for children that know not any thing and so are not capable of actual doing good or evil as they are not capable of hearing and rejecting the word of Christ of voluntary chusing and setting up idols in their heart and departing from the Lord under whose special care and protection and gracious government by Christ they are so there is no condemnation or charge of sin upon them by or according to the Gospel and so no repentance needful or required of them for though born under the guilt of sin according to the Law under which Christ was made for them and so with a corrupt and polluted nature yet by reason of him that hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law they are not by God held under condemnation on that account neither nor shall perish in that death And as they have no capacity in their particulars personally to adhere to and close with the grace of God in Christ and so actually to believe in him so neither is that required of them by him that requires not but according to what he hath sown and in his givings furnished to yea he that imputes righteousness without works and doth not charge with unbelief where there is not a hearing and rejecting as John 3. 19. and 12. 47. doth graciously accept and own them by vertue of the Redemption wrought in Christ for them yea and reckons them as believers and so of the kingdom and as a testimony of that would have them brought to him and accepts that as their coming and saith Whosoever shall receive one such little child in his name therein receiveth and acknowledgeth him Mat. 18. 5 6. and 19. 13 14. yet in them Christ is a testimony of the truth of the Redemption in him and the Fathers goodness through him unto all men in preserving their natural life while he continues it to them to the comfortable injoyment of his mercies and free from the sting and poyson of the first death and easing them of so much of the pains and miseries of those shadows of that death and mortality that is upon them as he sees good for them and for us In which as there is no destructiveness in that which remaines so there is a great abatement and taking off even of the greatest part of the stroke or curse which the truth of God required should have been executed upon us in them by reason of our sin not onely to bring forth in sorrow but for trouble without case Cursed shalt thou be in the fruit of thy body Gen. 3. 16. Deut. 28. 18. we may say as sometimes concerning Joseph Gen. 45. 7. It appears by Gods present gratious dealing with us in them that God hath sent a Jesoph into our condition of misery and made him under our Law and curse before us and he is now through sufferings entered into
truth is not plainly manifested but one thing spoken and another meant or the meaning locked or sealed up from us under other expressions contrary to 2 Cor. 4. 1 4. when the pen of the Scribe especially in those things main and fundamenttal is rendered as vain and too empty to give his sence and meaning and yet men pretend wisdom and that they have the Law of the Lord with them Jer. 8. 8 9. This Vision of all being a sealed book upon this account it 's affirmed of such Their whole fear and worship though they honour him with their lips is taught by mens precepts and therefore not right worshipping The reason of such an Assertion concerning the whole worship meerly on this account is this The summe of the Gospel being hid they are lost or out of the way and cannot have any right understanding or usefulness of the instructions of the word of the Lord as to their worship of him having rejected the summe and fundamentals of it and that in which the fellowship of the Spirit is to be met with for opening the rest They have therein rejected the word of the Lord and what wisdom is in them Jer. 8. 8 9. 2 Cor. 4. 3 4. And this is the reason of their roeling and erring in all things hard to be understood they are unlearned and unstable 2 Pet. 3. 16. that is not having learned Christ aright and so all truth as it is in Jesus that Vision of all or not attending and waiting to learn and have the usefulness of all truth according to their needs and capacities through the knowledge and usefulness of that summe of the Gospel the testimony of God concerning him as Isa 28. 10 11 12 14 16. John 6. 45 46. Eph. 4. 21. They therefore presently pervert those things in the Scriptures hard to be understood and then also to frame their apprehensions in every thing to such pervertings of the Scriptures in things hard they pervert all other Scriptures to their own destruction These are such ungodly ones as yet have a form of godliness but deny the power resist and oppose the truth as it is in Jesus The Father is not rightly honoured or worshipped by them The true Worshippers worship the Father in Spirit and truth John 4. 23. The truth of all types promises and former revelations of God to men in and according to which the Father is to be worshipped is Christ Jesus Phil. 3. 3. The testimony of Jesus as now come forth is to us the Spirit of prophesie through and according to which the Father and Son God in Christ is to be acknowledged believed in and worshipped by us Rev. 19. 10. And thus our Saviour explicates that John 4. 23. according to these two Scriptures compared in John 5. 22 23 24. The Father judgeth no man that is otherwise then as follows but hath committed all judgement to the Son to this end that all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father that now in honouring the Son as come forth and glorified in our nature through sufferings they may therein truely acceptably honour or worship the Father And for further opening how and wherein the Son is rightly honoured and so the Father in him he addes He that heareth my word that revelation of the Father that he was delivered to death for our offences raised for our justification as declared in the Gospel giveth and through and according to it beliveeth on him that sent me he hath ever lasting life c. Therefore believers are exhorted to hold fast the believing remembrance of the things heard from the beginning the word of the beginning of Christ and to have recourse thereto as to that Spirit or Unction it being the immediate birth or off-spring of the Spirit it self and so Spirit according to that rule John 3. 6. His name an oynment poured forth Cant. 1. 2. for understanding all things for preserving from every evil word and work for direction and furniture to all service and suffering 1 Cor. 15. 1 4. 2 Tim. 2. 7 8. 1 John 2. 20 24 27. And therein and so they shall be found exercising themselves to godliness Honesty signifies righteousness equity or justice in our demeanour towards all men and that such as in which there is chastity or sincerity to the main design for which we are set in the world purity of heart and cleanness of hands in prosecuting the good of all men working righteousness or walking righteously in all our conversation with and amongst them as Psal 15. and 24. Isa 33. 15. According to the teachings of that grace of God that bringeth salvation to all men and so in like expressions it is joyned with living godly in that Tit. 2. 11 12. and opposed to worldly lusts The grace of God that brings salvation to all men hath appeared teaching us That denying ungodliness and wordly lusts we should live righteously soberly and godly in this present world looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the mighty God our Saviour who gave himsef for us to redeem us from all iniquity that he might purifie to himself a peculiar people zealous of good works So 1 Pet. 2. 11 12. it 's opposed to fleshly lusts which being heeded and listened to do hinder the Soul of so living honestly Therefore dearly beloved saith Peter I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims abstain from fleshly lusts that warre against the Soul having your conversation honest among the Gentiles that in the day of their visitation they may glorifie God Like that Phil. 2. 15 16. Do all things without murmurings and disputings that ye may be blameless harmless the Sons of God in the midst of a crooked generation amongst whom shine ye as lights in the world holding forth the word of life and that both in word and conversation The doing that which is just and equal between man and man and so unto all or that which is so in the sight of men this is certainly here meant by or contained in living honestly as Phil. 2. 16. Rom. 12. 17. 1 Pet. 2. 15. and 3. 16. But this alone is too scant a definition of the living honestly here meant yet all that is signified by it is no more but a walking righteously and doing that which is lawful right but that which is so in the sight of God and according to the teachings of that grace of God that brings salvation to all men goes further then that which is so in the sight of men and they are both together in this living honestly as may be seen in one instance 2 Cor. 8. 20 21. That no man might blame them in the abundance administred by them they did provide things honest not onely in the sight of God but also in the sight of men signifying that they did provide things honest or walk honestly in the sight of God in administring abundantly of whatever God had given them for the good
he sees not will with patience wait for them it is to be feared our hopes are for some sensual glory as if Christs Kingdom were of this world and that makes us imagine and strive by sensual means and carnal weapons to bring it about and having no ground for such hope in the word of the truth of the Gospel though did we believe it we might there have good ground for that which is infinitely better we are also making haste and catching at every thing we see and ready to conclude Lo here is Christ or there is Christ in this part of the world or in that in this form of Government or in that and many the like We must needs be in a confusion when there is scarcely found faith confidently to expect and quietly to wait for the appearing of Jesus Christ from Heaven rather scoffing at that promise of his coming and every one taking up short in something or other before the time Quietness and peaceableness in our demeanor towards men is sometimes opposed to much noise clamour or stir that is made either in proclaming mens own goodness or in crying up this and that Order Worship or Precepts of men or in crying down and clamouring others so in that Eccles 9. 17. The words of wise men are heard in quiet when there are no such tumultuous noises stirred up more then the cry of him that ruleth among fools But more frequently 't is opposed to war strife contention or envy vexation and frowardness of Spirit against any So Prov. 17. 1. Eccles 4. 6. Psal 120. 7. Eccles 3. 8. So to our present business see Jam. 3. 13 17 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom but if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts glory not lye not against the truth for where envying and strife is there is confusion and every evil work but the wisdom from above is first pure shewing forth it self and directing the subject in all godliness and honesty then peaceable gentle and easie to be entreated full of mercy and good fruits and that without partiality or hypocrisie It directs to lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty for the fruits of righteousness which is by Jesus Christ is sowne in peace in quietness as opposed to wrath and hastiness of them that make peace who through the grace of God bringing salvation to all men are made peace-makers set for the good of all men and therefore making prayers and intercessions with thanksgivings for them From whence then come wars and fightings c. chap. 4. 1 c. The grace of God instructs and teacheth the believing receiver thereof in all his exercise and walking in godliness and honesty amongst all men and for the good of them therein according thereto and as they are taught by that grace of God that brings salvation to all men to lead a quiet and peaceable life 1. With reference to those in place of Government 2. Towards all men 3. Especially one with another 1. The quiet and peaceable life that is according to godliness and honesty and to which we are instructed in the Gospel and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ as with reference to those that by Gods providence are in eminent place or in authority over us whether as particular Masters or as publique Magistrates Standeth in a quiet submission or subjection to their power living under it without murmuring or disputing against it disturbance molestation or resisting of it My business is not here to dispute what believers as publique men set in any publique place of trust and authority for the good of the Nation or people where they live may or ought to do with reference to some others in place of trust and authority with them nor what any private Christian as joyned in a politick or national body or required and so called out by some higher powers may or ought to do with reference to some other powers or persons in authority that are oppressive or destructive to them About these I say I have not here to dispute or speak but how believers as private Christians in their several places or as members of or joyned in any Societies or Congregations if never so many for and in the worship and acknowledgement of God and waiting upon and service of him as Christians in his Ordinances and for the good of others for so also they are considerable as private Christians and to live under Government and how they are to be in subjection and to demean themselves with reference to Governours or Magistrates by Gods providence set over them is that we have here to speak to 1. They are to account and acknowledge them worthy or meet for all that honour those places of trust and authority over them that God hath pleased by his providence to put upon them or permit unto them and so in their demeanour to testifie such their account and acknowledgement of them 1 Tim. 6. 1. Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their masters though unbelieving ones as is fully signified by comparing this with the next verse worthy of all honour of all that honour that by their place is due from us to them It 's the same in the case between the people and so believers as private Christians and their Governours Rom. 13. 7. 1 Pet. 2. 17 18. And herein they are every soul to be subject to those powers that be that at any time at present are over them without dispute about the lawfulness or rightness of their being set up there they being by Gods providence or permission in such place of mastership or authority over them they are to yeild them that fear honour reverence and acknowledgement that by reason of the place in which God hath set them is due to them and account it meet it should be so because God sees it good and in his infinite wisdom hath ordered the same to us And if their Masters or Governours be believers then neither are other believers as private Christians Servants or Subjects to despise them because they are brethren as if therefore they should not yeild them such respect honour and acknowledgement as is due to them by their place of trust and power put in their hands because they are brethren and all one in Christ for grace destroys not nor confounds either natural or civil relations It 's according to the wisdom of God that there should be such degrees among men as the Rulers and Ruled Master and Servant and that for the order benefit and good of them all Therefore the rather do them service and yeild them all the honour due according to their place because they are faithful and beloved And if any man teach otherwise he therein consents not to the words of our Lord Jesus nor to the doctrine which is according to godliness yea
such are proud c. To this therefore consider 1. That it is by the wisdom and power of God as exercised in and through Christ for the good of men which otherwise it could not have been That Kings reign and Princes decree justice that Princes rule and Nobles even all the Judges of the earth Prov. 8. 15 16. And for him that they should do his will Col. 1. 16. The most high ruleth in the kingdom of men and yet giveth it or commits the outward administration of it in this world into the hands of men and reserves it in his own hands and pleasure to give it to whomsoever he will Dan. 4. 32. God standeth in the Congregation of the mighty he is as it were at the stern of Government and his eyes are upon them to see whether they will observe his counsel which because they will not he will take away their places and power from them one after another but in the mean time while he continues it to them he hath said They are Gods and all of them children or resemblers of the most high who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords Psal 82. 1 6. For promotion cometh not from the East or West or North or South but God is the Judge he putteth down one and setteth up another 2. Consider his instructions and counsel to us directing us in what maner honour and acknowledgement is to be yeilded them from us Exod. 22. 28. Thou shalt not revile the Gods nor curse the Ruler of thy people which the Apostle Paul citing Acts 23. 5. by what he saith upon it signifies That had he wist that had been Gods high Priest he would not have reprehended him in such maner of expressions with so little reverence or respect to his person as in that saying God shall smite thee thon whited wall he would rather have observed that counsel he gives to others Not to rebuke and Elder but so as with humble submission and intreaties as a Father 1 Tim. 5. 1. where if by Elders he mean Elders in the Church such as went before others in the word of the Lord yet then by Fathers to which in respect of honor or reverence due to them he compares them must needs be meant after the flesh in natural and civil relation and so Children are to honour their Parents Servants their Masters Subjects their Rulers Curse not the King despise not contemn not as if not meet for that place or honour that God hath put upon him over thee no not in thy Bed-chamber or thought Eccles 10. 20. If God should by his providence order over us as our Parents Masters or Rulers such as themselves were evil and so give us sometime a Governour or Governours in anger and as a chastisement yet while they are by him so ordained and set over us they are to be honoured and acknowledged by us as such and we to be subject to them Saul was a King given unto Israel in Gods anger yet when by providence he was set over them they were reputed sons of Belial that despised him and refused to acknowledge him by bringing him presents and reviled him saying How can this man save us 1 Sam. 10. 27. Yea the people of God when in Babylon under captivity yet have owned and acknowledged those things the power given them over them as of God and yeilded honour and subjection to them see Dan. 2. 37 38. Thou Oh King art the King of Kings for the God of Heaven hath given thee a kingdom power and strength and glory and wheresoever the children of men dwell he hath made thee Ruler over all So did Shadrach Meshach and Abednego acknowledge and repute him worthy the honour of being King while God did give him that power though he so ill used it Dan. 3. 17 18. so Daniel again chap. 6. 21 22. so Paul to King Agrippa Acts 26. 2 13 19 and so in all their complaints to God of the greatest idolatries and wickedness found in them yet they have accounted them worthy of that honour to be owned and acknowledged as their Kings and Princes while God had not rejected them from being so Ezra 9. 7. Nehem. 9. 34. yea the subjection required and to which the grace of God in Christ that brings salvation to all men instructeth goes further then onely to account them worthy all honour and yeild the reverence and fear due namely 2. To obey them to be subject to their power in obedience to their Commands and Ordinances either by doing the things required and that with more readiness if good works and without gainsaying also to do the things required though oppressive if it may stand with godliness and honesty with holding fast faith and a good conscience and where the doing of the things required will not stand with that that we cannot obey them in the Lord by doing yet then to obey and be subject to their power by suffering yea if we in such a capacity as private Christians as before could resist yet we are exhorted to be subject for he that resisteth the power resisteth the Ordinance of God of whom it is ordained to be his instrument and so they in whom it is as his ministers for the punishing of evil doers and for the praise of them that do well and he oft makes use of them as instruments for the doing this in things within their sphere though they be evil men and know him not and sometimes otherwise then they thought or intended and though they too frequently lift up the horn and use their power contrary to his counsel and against his people yet forasmuch as they are Gods ministers appointed to better service and for general good they must not be resisted their power not despised while God sees good to continue them in it therefore saith the Apostle Ye must needs be subject not onely for wrath or because you are forced to it and cannot avoid it but if you might yet for conscience sake Rom. 13. 1 5. So Peter exhorting to shew forth the vertues of Christ and to have the conversation honest among the Gentiles abstaining from fleshly lusts c. he addes 1 Pet. 2. 13 18. Submit your selves to every Ordinance of man for the Lords sake as in the case of servants Eph. 6. 5. Obey in all things your Masters in singleness of heart as unto Christ so here every Ordinance of man either by doing or suffering as may stand with and be in the acknowledgement and service of the Lord the great Master and for his sake whether it be to the King as Supream or so to any power that is by his providence the Supream power over us or unto Governours as sent by them c. and so the nature of the subjection required as before opened to be either in doing or in quiet and patient suffering though wrongfully yet not resisting the power is shewed in the case of servants to their masters following this
passing by even unto blood as well as also neither despising nor fainting under his chastisements but suffering patience to have its perfect work in all tribulation which bringeth forth the quiet and peaceable fruit of righteousness to them that are exercised thereby Heb. 12. 1 3 4 9. Recompence to no man evil for evil nor railing for railing but contrarywise blessing knowing that ye are thereunto called that ye should inherit a blessing 1 Pet. 3. 9. Provide things honest in the sight of all men as much as is possible live peaceably with all men Dearly beloved avenge not your selves but rather give place unto wrath yea if thine Enemy hunger feed him c. Rom. 12. 17 18 19. Ye have heard saith our Saviour An eye for an eye a tooth for a tooth but I say unto you that ye resist not evil that is with evil as Rom. 12. 17. Nay rather suffer wrong and suffer your selves to be defrauded then strive to avenge or right your selves yea love your Enemies bless them that curse you bless and curse not Mat. 5. 38 39 44 45. Luke 6. 27 28 29. 1 Cor. 6. 7 8. And to all this also That grace of God that bringeth salvation to all men instructeth and teacheth the believing receiver of it and therefore not onely in Rom. 12. it 's one of those things to which we are exhorted by the mercies of God vers 1. both as the motive and motion to the doing of it but in Tit. 3. compared with chap. 2. it 's added to that before mentioned as one of those things which that grace teacheth To speak evil of no man to be no brawlers but gentle to shew all meekness to all men for we our selves were sometimes foolish disobedient deceived serving divers lusts living in envy and malice hateful and hating one another but after the kindeness and pity of God our Saviour towards man appeared not by works of righteousness which we have wrought but according to his mercy he saved us c. 3. They are also in all godliness and honesty To follow peace espectally with all that call on the Lord out of a pure heart 2 Tim. 2. 22. To endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace Eph. 4. 3. That unity or oneness into which the Spirit of God bringing and opening the testimony of Jesus bringeth the believing receiver thereof in which There is one Body one Spirit even as they are called in one hope of their calling one Lord one Faith one Baptism one God and Father of all c. But unto every one of them is given grace in the manifestation of the Spirit or gifts of grace to profit withall diversly according to the gift and good pleasure of Christ in the exercising of which by each and so in their several administrations as well as in their acknowledgement Faith and Fellowship in those things forementioned in which there is such absolute oneness The unity of the Spirit is to be endeavoured to be kept in the bond of peace Eph. 4. 3 7. with 1 Cor. 12. Therefore the Apostle exhorting to be of one minde addes Live in peace and the God of love and peace shall be with you to preserve you in that one minde heart and way and so through faith unto the salvation ready to be revealed 2 Cor. 13. 11. See this exhortation explicated Phil. 2. 2 3 c. If any consolation in Christ any comfort of Love any fellowship of the Spirit c. Then fulfil ye my joy that ye be like minded having the same love being of one accord of one minde it follows as a direction to the shewing forth and walking in this as well as to the way in which they might be preserved and grow therein let nothing be done through strife or vain-glory but in lowliness of minde let each esteem other better then themselves alwaies fitter to be born with tendered and served So Rom. 12. 2. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love in honour preferring one another look not every man on his own things but every man also on the things of others Phil. 2. 3 5. Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you and there by many be defiled Heb. 12. 15 16. which roots of bitterness envies evil surmises and such-like may be occasioned divers wayes as sometimes by partiality or respect of persons among brethren generally or with reference to such instruments as by whom the word of the Lord hath been brought or opened to us as when one saith I am of Paul another I am of Apollo another I am of Cephas which occasions some to run out in another extream and they will not onely be of neither of these but they will be of Christ immediately and as not needing or loose from any of their brethren or such instruments Therefore the Apostle admonishing the Thessalonians To know them which are over them in the Lord and admonish them and to esteem them very highly in love for their works sakes he addes And be at peace among your selves 1 Thess 5. 12 13. And how they may be so in observing the forementioned counsel he explicates 1 Tim. 5. 17 21. Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour especially they who labour in the word and doctrine It follows I charge thee before God and the elect Angels that thou observe these things without preferring one before another doing nothing by partiality namely in the things forementioned as well as also in those things mentioned vers 19. 20. Against an Elder receive not an accusation but before two or three witnesses them that sin especially of the Elders or such as should go before others in the word of the Lord and in things common and publick tending to publick scandal or harm and being so convict as aforesaid or it evidently appearing rebuke before all that others also may fear Likewise such roots of bitterness and breach of the peace among Christians may be occasioned through too harsh censuring or judging one another in the doing or not doing things that are in themselves so circumstantial and may be either done or let alone as that eating or not eating Rom. 14. or in the manner of the observance of some of Gods Ordinances Therefore the Apostle counsels us vers 17 18 19 20. whatever things they are in which the Kingdom consisteth not as righteousness peace and joy in the holy Ghost are the things in which it doth consist and in which he saith He that constantly and stedfastly serveth Christ is acceptable to God and profitable to men for any other thing he would not have us be stiff or earnest to bring men to our practice until grace set free thereto nor in judging them if they joyne not with us lest so we destroy the work of God but on the other hand to follow after those things that make for peace
speak no more in this name and these consultations and threatnings against them in which they endeavoured to break their bonds and cast away their cords from them are mentioned as their standing up and gathering together against the Lord and his Christ as well as their injuries done to his person when he was among them and so in both a verifying those complaints against them Psal 2. See that Acts 4. 25 29. and so both are joyned together 1 Thess 2. 15 16. Their crucifying the Lord and persecuting his servants forbiding them to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles that they may be saved and for this wrath shall come upon them to the uttermost when the measure of their sin is full they shall perish from the way as Psal 2. 12. Therefore they are now in time admonished that such judgement may be prevented before the decree come forth and they be as chaff that passeth suddenly Not to touch his Anointed or do his Prophets any harm Psal 105. 15. but to afford them liberty and protection that they may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty to acknowledge do homage to and serve the Son in succouring defending and helping his people for him they have not alwayes but his poor they have alwayes with them compare this Psal 2. with Gods counsel to Moab Isa 16. 1. Send ye the Lamb to the Ruler of the Land kiss acknowledge send presents to the Son and then as a direction how or wherein they may do that see vers 3 4. Take counsel execute judgement make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noon day hide mine out-casts bewray not him that wandereth let them dwell with thee be a covert to them from the face of the spoiler Yea expressly concerning the Kings of the Gentiles in these last dayes since the rejection of the Jews and the free coming forth of the Gospel to the Gentiles It 's said either by way of prophesie or as counsel to them or both They shall be nourishers or nursing Fathers to his people and their Queens nursing Mothers to them Isa 49. 23. which if it be understood as a prophesie of the glorious return and bringing back of the Jews or of somthing to be then more clearly and fully accomplished yet it evidently declares that to be the good pleasure of God concerning them at all times and that which he especially now requires of them by his Gospel sent to them That the Rulers among the Gentiles should be nourishers to his people his Israel among them even the called whether of Jews or Gentiles and to that therefore they are now timely admonished while they have opportunity to do it willingly and it may tend so much to their advantage with this motive of instruction for their warning that if now they will not nourish and favour them while they are as Servants among them the time will come when they shall raign and then those their enemies shall lick the dust at their feet c. compare with this Isa 49. 23. Psal 72. 8 9. and Micah 7. 10 16 17. and so it agrees with that Psal 2. Be wise now therefore O ye Kings be instructed ye Judges of the Earth serve the Lord with fear rejoyce before him with trembling kiss the Son lest he be angry and ye perish from the way c. Take heed that ye offend not or do harm â—o any of these little ones that will be reputed as your touching his anointed for he that toucheth them toucheth the apple of his eye Jerusalem even the holy City the Congregation of the first-born though now trod under foot even by those Gentiles in the outward Court of the Church yet shall be exalted above the top of all Mountains in that day when God shall send us Jesus his Servant the Branch that is now preached to us whom the Heavens must retain till the time come for the restitution of all things Isa 2. 1 4. Micah 4. 1 4. with Isa 11. 1 11. Acts 3. 20. 21. Then will he contend with them that contend with her and will feed them that now oppress her with their own flesh Isa 49. 25 26. Yea there may be beginnings of these judgements to them before by one clashing and battering against another but when he comes he will utterly cut off the horns of the wicked but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted Psal 75. 10. Jerusalem will prove a Cup of trembling a but then some Stone to all that meddle with her to vex and abuse her but they shall prosper that love her Zech. 12. 2 3. Psal 1 22. 6. The way therefore for you to be hid in the day of the Lords anger when he comes to plead the controversies of Sion is not to lift up the horn or magnifie your selves against the people of the Lord of Hosts but to judge righteously defend and succour the poor of his people seek righteousness seek meekness c. compare Zeph. 2. 2 3 8 10. with Isa 10 1 2 3. Righteousness exalts a Nation and so a Power or Government but sin is a shame to any people Further therefore for instruction and direction to a right observance of this counsel consider 3. What those things are in general that will tend to this and which are therefore required of Governours that believers may lead such a life 1. They are to afford them liberty and potection in their quiet and peaceable worshipping of God and endeavouring the good of others according as the grace of God that brings salvation to all men instructeth them in matters of their faith and worship they are not to touch them so as to limit appoint or regulate them by or according to the precepts of men for therein they will surely hinder and do harm to them they are to know that believers as private Christians though they are to be subject to every Ordinance of man for the Lords sake in either doing or suffering quietly yet they are not to have their fear towards God taught by the Precepts or Ordinances of men if men will go about so to regulate them and Authority allow it they must rather suffer when it falls upon them for conscience sake towards God then resist the power but they must not so become the Servants of men as to call any man on Earth their Rabbi in that respect for one is their Master even Christ and all they from the highest to the lowest are Brethren to receive each of them and together the Law from his mouth Such therefore as would be greatest or chief among or over their brethren if they would demean themselves as Christian Magistrates or Rulers are not in the matters things of Christ as before to exercise Lorship over their Brethren as the Princes among the Gentiles ever since the outward Court came into the hands of the Gentiles have used to do but rather to become Servants to all in those things earnestly seeking
To remember the law of Moses his servant so we are further counselled as in the prophesie Hab. 2. 2 4. That we may be strengthened to run with patience the race set before us to read the vision where it 's now more plainly written looking unto Jesus c. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself lest ye be wearied and faint in your mindes ye have not yet resisted unto blood striving against sin Heb. 12. 1 4. Be but patient a while the coming of the Lord draws nigh then you shall not need to run back to Moses nor to be under a Law so suitable to servitude bondage and misery But the Law shall go forth out of Sion and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem to judge the Nations for he shall judge among many people and rebuke strong Nations afar off and they shall beat their Swords into Plow-shares and their Spears into Pruning-hookes and the Nations shall learn war no more then shall the Earth be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the Waters cover the Sea Isa 2. 1 4. Mic. 4. 1 4. Isa 11. Then for all your shame you shall have double glory in your own land you shall rejoyce in your portion c. Isa 61. We may not further enlarge to this onely this word Notwithstanding the day of the Lord draws nigh and there is such full demonstration of it in the Gospel and of the blessed hope then that were it minded were enough to stablish the hearts of believers in their patient waiting for the coming of the Lord even as the husbandman waiteth hath long patience for the precious fruit of the earth yet still we finde it needful and now as much as ever to press the Apostles exhortation 2 Thess 2. 1 2. The Apostle having instructed them chap. 1 6 7 c. That it is a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation to them that trouble you and to you that are troubled rest with us not without us or before us those of us or of our body that survive must not prevent them of us that sleep nor shall any one prevent another 1 Thess 4. 14 16 c. But they shall come together to the installing and sitting down in that rest which yet remaineth for all the people of God Heb. 4. 9. though the high-spirited Corinthians would have been fancying and concluding a raigning as as Kings without the Apostles and the residue of their brethren but the Apostle saith He was sure if the time were come that any of them should raign as Saints then they also should raign with them But when will this righteousness of God come forth in recompencing tribulation to them that trouble us and to all that are and have been troubled for him rest together it follows When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presenceâ— of the Lord and from the glory of his power when he shall come to be glorified in his Saints c. till then they shall none of them in these bodies sit down nor shall their Righteousness shine forth till he that shall come do come nor indeed will there be any long setling of the Kingdom or Glory upon any sort of men which may be a comfort to you nothing but overturn overturn overturn till he whose right it is do come and God will give it him Ezek. 21. 26 27. nor till then is it your time as Saints to wish for or execute vengeance on them that as such and for his names sake do trouble you Rejoyce not now when thy enemy falleth neither let thine heart be glad when he stumbleth lest the Lord see it and it displease him c. Prov. 24. 17 18. but take the counsel following in the 19 20 and 21. verses compared with Rom. 12. 18 19 20 21. and chap. 13. 1 c. The Apostle I say having thus instructed them in the first chapter makes use of these two things there discoursed of namely The glorious appearing or coming of our Lord and Our being gathered together unto him as the ground of his Argument or as motives for the pressing such an exhorcation by way of usefulness Now we beseech you brethren by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and by our gathering together unto him that ye be not soon shaken in minde or be troubled neither by spirit pretence of revelation nor by word or letter as from the Apostles by any doctrine though pretended to be drawn from their writings as there will be enough in these latter dayes pretending to be seers of the visions of the times that will pervert things hard to be understood to make them speak out their apprehensions the Vision of all as plainly declared being to them and so rendered by them to others as a sealed Book But we are to know That the Apostles have not intended in any of their writings telling us that the day is nigh and the like to signifie any such thing to us as that the day of the Lord is otherwise at hand then according to the instructions in the first chapter That day of rendering vegeance on them that trouble us and rest to the troubled is not so at hand as to be made in this day as some said of the Resurrection or to come unto any before the Lord be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels and we be all gathered together unto him which two things to be accomplished together the Apostle sets before us here by way of Argument or Motive for the pressing his exhortation signifying to us that there is so much sweetness and consolation to us in them there being such glory and excellency in the things themselves the glorious appearance of the Lord in that personal body glorified in our nature in which he suffered for us and hath through sufferings obtained eternal Redemption the faith of which though yet we see him not with bodily eyes nor do enjoy such personal fellowship with him leads even now to rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory what will it be then to enjoy his personal presence and immediate fellowship with him and the Father and the holy Spirit and so with him in his glory not in his weakness or abasement as sometimes some did but in that glory which he now actually possesseth in our nature in his own personal body for us even in the glory of his Father and with his holy Angels and we by that appearance to be changed even in our vile bodies into the likeness of his glorious body and so made capable of such sight of him as he is and fellowship with him and to be all gathered together not onely Moses and Elias but all that sleep in Jesus will God bring with him surely we
hand to that purpose listen diligently and give earnest need to the still and quiet voyce of the Gospel in which the spirit and power of God is for your direction and protection hearken to those instructions and counsels by what hand soever they be brought to you in which Jesus Christ and the things of him are shewed to you by the Scriptures as the great things of his Law to be heeded and had recourse to continually by you for your direction and helpfulness in all other things and so he glorified or lifted up according to the Apostles word or doctrine as 1 John 4. 2 3 6. John 14. 26. and 16. 13 14. which that you may know and be well acquainted with that by no means they may be let pass or slip away from you under another and false apprehension of them Seach the Scriptures diligently your selves whether those things be so as those Act. 17. 11. And that you may have more true profit and usefulness of the Scriptures in your search of them whose profit even to the making wise to salvation in every respect is best attained and met with through a mindefulness and exercise of faith in Christ Jesus the sum of them according to the light of instructions and capacity given us 2 Tim. 3. 15. that therefore you may meet with more of the utility of the Scriptures to the furnishing you with wisdom in every matter then the Scribes and Phatisees or the scornful Rulers of that people in Jerusalem did though they were very Zealous and expert in the Scriptures take notice of that rock obstruction or hinderance that deprived them of such profit in their search of Scriptures that you may avoid it see John 5. 39 40. compared with Isa 28. 12 14 16. they did scornfully and wilfully against evident light and demonstration of the Spirit in the Scriptures refuse to come to close with and own Christ the sum of the Scriptures testimony as therein testified yea they were so scornful that though God had appointed and directed them to have their recourse to that foundation laid in Sion the life in Christ from the beginning according to the declarations thereof come forth for their right understanding and usefulness of all the Law and the Prophets and so directed them to that as the center of all Scriptures and as that rest wherewith they might cause the weary to rest yet they would not but were scornful and conceited of their wisdom strength and holiness and therefore took the word of God in peices and presumed to finde out the minde of God and give the sence of every Scripture of every Law and Statute by it self or without such making use of that way or rule to which they were by God directed yea those great things of his Law to which they should have brought all other things and parts thereof to have been helped in finding out the sence and usefulness of them by comparing them with and understanding them according to the light and instruction of that key of knowledge those of all other things were flighted and put from them as things of least concernment accounted strange things Hosea 8. 12. The Vision of all a sealed Book Isa 29. 11. and so they made the word of the Lord to themselves Line upon line precept upon precept here a little and there a little that so while pretending to be zealous and strict in observing that rule yet they in such their walkings or going on fell backward were broken snared and taken and for their scornfulness God threatened to send or permit to them such kinde of teachers Isa 28. 10 11. and leave them to such blindeness as Mat. 13. 11 12 15. Take heed therefore of that great evil and seek to be well furnished with understanding in that key of knowledge the testimony of Jesus and to learn skil to use it as by it you are taught refuse not the reproofs of instruction that by this wisdom of God Jesus Christ as declared in the Gospel are brought to you better it is for you now to fall down under those bands and not to break those cords but suffer them to have their operation to the humbling you before him then to make your selves of that number that shall after be bound in everlasting chains and fetters by that Word and Gospel the reproofs of which were proudly rejected by them and by that despised people that were instruments sent now to perswade them You have much need of wisdom in the knowledge of Christ and of much skill to make use of it that you may put on the consideration of the Lord Jesus Christ as to every matter It 's true every wise and gracious man is not meet nor every way furnished to be a Governour in this present World and it 's as true that an unwise man in the knowledge of God in Jesus Christ an ungracious man will not be a just Ruler or good Magistrate He that ruleth over men must be just ruling in the fear of God and so he shall be as the clear shining after rain and as the light of the morning when the Sun riseth even a morning without Clouds 2 Sam. 23. 3 4 5. Now though Davids house be not so with God this was not found perfectly in him or Solomon and if not in them then in no mortal man whose breath is in his nostrils to be expected but it shall be fully verified and found true onely in that Son of David The sure mercies of David concerning whom and of the everlasting righteous and peaceable Kingdom in and by him the everlasting Covenant was made with David as comparing with this Isa 55. 3 4. with Acts 13. 34. and in this was all his desire and salvation though in this day he received it not but shall as certainly when it comes as they that then survive Though this is true I say That the truth of this will be onely perfectly found in him at whom David also had an especial eye yet this also is true That the way for Rulers now to be directed and strengthened to rule justly and so as they may be a refreshing and mercy to the Nations over whom they are set accorto such a measure as they are capable is to set the fear of God before their eyes and rule according to the light instructions and guidance thereof 'T is a true saying of the Preacher Better is a poor and wise Child then a King that is never so old setled in his Kingdom or in yeers or in policy after the wisdom of this World or in whatever other considerations besides that yet is foolish and without understanding in the things of Christ and so knows not the God of his Fathers Ecles 4. 13. This therefore is the main thing to be desired for them and their being furnished with it will tend much to the good of all men and particularly to such benefit and enlargement to Gods people under them as may be much to the commodity and profit of all men amongst whom they live and is therefore so good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour to be desired for them Who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth FINIS