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prayer_n	pray_v	spirit_n	supplication_n	6,826	5	11.2274	5	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A17647	A commentarie of M. Iohn Caluine vppon the Epistle to the Philippians wherein is set out the necessitie and profite of affliction vnto the faithfull, the benefite of God his word, the fruits, of vnitie and humilitie, free iustification by faith in Iesus Christ without our owne merites, the assurance, ioy, and contented mindes of the godlie, and their perseueraunce in godlinesse vnto the end. With many other comfortable and profitable pointes of religion. Translated out of Latine by W.B.; Commentarii in quatuor Pauli epistolas. English. Selections	Calvin, Jean, 1509-1564.; Becket, William, fl. 1584.	1584 (1584)	STC 4402; ESTC S107378	72,730	102

blind yea a furious beast therefore it is no maruell if false brethren doe take occasion cut of the Gospell to disquiet the good and faithfull Pastors And truly Paule hath sayd nothing here which my selfe haue not tried for as yet there liue some at this day who haue preached the Gospell with none other intent than that by persecuting godly Pastors they might yéeld to the furie of the wicked Touching Paule his enimies it is not amisse to marke if they were Iewes how mad their hatred was that euen they forgat for what cause they hated him for whilest they were carried away by hatred to destroy him they laboured in promoting the Gospell for whose cause they were angry with him but they thought verily that the cause of Christ should either stand or fall in the life of one man But if they that were so seduced by ambition were emulous among them selues we must acknowledge the maruellous goodnes of God who notwithstanding gaue such successe to their peruerse endeuors 17 That I am set for the defence They that loued Christ truly thought it a shame for them selues if they did not ioyne with Paule as companions pleading his cause and so we must doe we must succor the seruants of Christ being in distresse as much as we may Marke againe this manner of speach of the defence of the Gospell for since Christ vouchsafeth vs such honor what excuse can we haue if we be faint harted in his cause or what must we looke for if we betray it by our silence but that in like manner he should forsake our cause who alone is our Aduocate and Patrone with God his father 18 What then yet all maner of waies whether vnder pretence or truly Christ is preached and in this I reioyce and will reioyce 19 For I know that this shall turne to my saluation thorough your praier and by the helpe of the spirite of Iesus Christ 20 According to my expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed but with all confidence as alwaies so now Christ shall be magnified in my body whether it be by life or death 21 For Christ is to me both in life and in death aduantages 18 Yet all maner of waies Because the wicked minde of them of whome he spake might slaunder the grace of the doctrine he saith that this is greatly to be estéemed because that they promoted the Gospell notwithstanding whatsoeuer their intent was for God by euill and wicked instruments sometime bringeth to passe an excellent worke Therefore he saith he reioyceth for such successe because he was contented with this only to sée the kingdome of Christ encrease As when we did heare that the vncleane dogge Charles at Auenion and in other places did sowe the séedes of pure doctrine in manie mens hearts we gaue thankes vnto God who vsed this naughtie and desperate varlet vnto his owne glorie And at this day we reioice that the course of the Gospell is promoted by manie who haue a far other purpose But although Paule did reioice for the encrease of the Gospell yet would he neuer haue ordained such ministers if it had béene in hys power We must therfore reioice if by the vngodly God worketh any good yet we must neither place such in the ministerie nor accompt them for the lawfull ministers of Christ 19 For I knowe Because some did publish the Gospell to procure enuie vnto Paule that they might the more incense the crueltie of hys enemies against him he answereth by a Praeocupation that their wicked purposes shall not hurt him because God will turne them to a contrary end as if he should say Although they imagine my destruction yet I trust that all their practises shall doo nothing else but that Christ in me may bée glorified which turneth vnto my saluation For that hée speaketh not of the safetie of his bodie it is euident by that which follow But from whence had Paule this confidence truely from that which he teacheth Rom. 8 28. Vnto the true worshippers of God all things helpe to their good although the whole world with their Prince the Diuell conspire their destruction By your prayer That he might the more earnestly prouoke them to pray he affirmeth that hée trusteth the Lord will graunt it by their praiers Neyther doth he dissemble for he that reposeth succour in the prayers of the Sainctes stayeth vpon the promise of God and yet nothing is derogated from the free goodnes of God wherby our prayers and supplications are made And by the helpe of the Spirite Lest we shoulde thinke that because he ioyneth these two thinges in the text therefore they are equal the sentence must therefore thus be resolued I knowe that all this shall turne to my saluation by the furtherance of the spirite you helping by your prayers so that the furtherance of the spirite is the efficient cause and prayer an inferior helper The propertie also of the Gréeke worde is to be noted for it is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is when that is supplyed which is wanting according to which signification the spirite of God powreth vpon vs all thinges whereof we are destitute He nameth The spirite of Iesus Christ to signifie that he is common vnto vs all if we be Christians because the spirite was powred vpon him in all fulnes that he might distribute to euery one of his members according to the measure of his grace so much as is expedient 20 According to my expectation If anie shoulde obiect whence haue you this knowledge he aunswereth from hope for since it is certaine that God will not suffer our hope to be frustrate our hope must in no case be doubtfull Therfore let the godly reader marke diligently this aduerb According that he may so certainly be resolued with him selfe that it can not be but the Lorde must aunswere our expectation which is grounded in his worde for he promiseth that he will neuer forsake vs no not in the middest of all torments if at anye tyme we be called to the confession of his name therefore let all the godly hope by the example of Paule and they shall not be ashamed With all confidence We sée that by hoping he doth not yéeld to the desires of the fleshe but submitteth his hope to the promise of God Christ he sayth shall be magnified in my bodye whether it be by life or death Although expressing his bodye namely he signifieth that among the combates of this present life he is not doubtfull of the successe for of this thing God hath assured vs therefore if we be framed to the will of God and haue the same purpose in our life that Paule had we hope for an happie ende howsoeuer we néede no more to feare lest anye euill should happen vnto vs for if we liue and dye to him in life and death we are his Rom. 14.8 He sheweth a manner howe to magnifie Christ namely in a perfect confidence whereof it

the better keepe them in their dutie he promiseth that he will send Timotheus vnto them shortly yea he putteth them also in hope of his owne comming afterward he excuseth the tarying of Epaphroditus In the third chapter he inueigheth against the false prophets and refuteth as well their vaine boastings as the doctrine of circumcision which they vrged against all their inuentions he opposeth onely Christ against their arrogancie he opposeth as well his owne former life as his present purpose wherein did shine the image of Christian godlines And this he aduertiseth vs to be the scope of our perfection whether thorough out all our life we must striue to come to communicate with Christ in his death and in his resurrection and he proueth it by his owne example The fourth chapter he beginneth with particular admonitions and forthwith descendeth into generall And he concludeth the epistle with a testimonie of his thankefulnes toward the Philippians lest they should thinke that ill bestowed which they had employed to the releeuing of his necessitie A COMMENTARIE OF IOHN CALVINE VPON THE EPISTLE OF PAVLE vnto the Philippians 1 PAule and Timotheus seruants of Iesus Christ to all the Sainctes in Christ Iesus which are at Philippos with Bishops and Deacons 2 Grace be with you and peace from God our father and from our Lord Iesus Christ. 3 I thanke my God in all remembrance of you 4 Alwaies in all my prayers praying for you all with ioy 5 For your fellowship in the Gospell from the first day vntill nowe 6 Being thus perswaded that he that hath begunne a good worke in you will finish it vnto the day of Iesus Christ Cap. 1. PAule c. Séeing that it was Paule his custome to write his title to procure more credite vnto him selfe and his ministerie he néeded no farther words of commendation vnto the Philippians who had tried him to be the true Apostle of Christ and did yet acknowledge it without controuersie for constantly and in an euen course they had gone forward in the calling of God Bishops He nameth the Pastors seuerally for honors sake Moreouer hereof we may gather that the name of a Bishop is common to all the ministers of the word since that he doth attribute mo Bishops vnto one Church A Bishop and a Pastor therefore signifie one thing And this place among the rest is one which Hierom doth cite to proue the same thing in his epistle to Euagrius and in his exposition vpon the epistle to Titus Afterward it grewe to a custome that whome the Elders in their seuerall Churches had set ouer their congregation he alone should be called a Bishop notwithstanding that procéeded from the custome of men and dependeth not vpon the authoritie of the Scripture Yet I confesse as the wittes and manners of men are nowe there can no order stand among the ministers of the worde except one be sette ouer the rest I speake of the seuerall bodies of the Church not of whole prouinces much lesse of the whole world notwithstanding although we must not contend about wordes yet it were farre better in speaking to follow the Holie Ghost being the Author of tongues than to change the formes of speaking set downe by him for worse For of the corrupt signification of the worde this euill haue ensued that as though all Elders were not fellowes called to the same office one vnder the colour of this newe name haue challenged vnto him selfe a dominion ouer the rest Deacons This name may be taken two manner of waies either for the collectors and prouiders for the poore or for the Elders that were appointed Censors of their manners but because it is more vsed by Paule in the former sence I rather vnderstande housholders who were chiefe in receiuing and distributing of the almes 2 Grace be with you and peace Nothing is more to be wished for than that God should be fauourable vnto vs which is signified by Grace then that from him prosperitie and good successe in all things should procéede which is signified vnder the word Peace For howbeit all things séeme to please vs if God be angry euen the very blessing is turned into a curse Therefore the good will of God is the onely foundation of our happines whereby it commeth to passe that we enioy true and perfect prosperitie and euen by aduersitie also our saluation groweth forward Moreouer whereas he praieth Peace from God we vnderstand that whatsoeuer goodnes happen vnto vs it is the fruite of God his liberalitie Neither must we omit that he also praieth for these good things from our Lord Iesus Christ For worthily is this honor giuen vnto him who is not onely the minister and disposer of his fathers bountie toward vs but also worketh all things iointly together with him Yet the Apostle would note properly that all the benefits of God doe come vnto vs thorough him There are some that by the word Peace had rather vnderstand the peace of conscience in the which signification I deny not but it is sometimes vsed But since it is certaine that the Apostle would here knit vp the summe of all good things the former interpretation which is giuen by Bucere is more conuenient Therefore willing to wishe the summe of all happines vnto the godly he commeth vnto the fountaine it selfe namely vnto the grace of God which alone doth not onely bring vs eternall blessednes but is the cause of all good things in this life 3 I thanke God He beginneth with a gratulation for two causes that by this reason he might proue his loue to the Philippians and by praising those thinges that are past might exhort them hereafter to goe forward The other argument of his loue he setteth downe to be the carefulnes which he expressed in his praiers Here we must note that as oft as he maketh mention of ioyfull things forthwith he bursteth forth into a thankesgiuing which custome should also be familiar vnto vs. It is also to be noted for what cause he giueth thanks vnto God namely for the fellowship of the Philippians in the Gospel of Christ for thereof followeth that it must be acknowledged to haue bene receiued of the grace of God Where he saith In al remembrance of you that signifie as oft as I remember you Alwaies in all my praiers Ioyne the words thus Praying alwaies for you all in all my praiers For as before he sayd the remembrance of them was the cause of his ioy so now he addeth that they are in his mind when he praieth After he addeth that he maketh his prayer for them with ioy Ioy is referred to the time past prayer to the time future for he did reioyce in their happy beginnings but wished their perfection So it behoueth vs alwaies to reioice for the benefits of God which we haue receiued that we might remember to desire of him those things which as yet we want 5 For your fellowship Nowe omitting the other clause he sheweth

wherewith God vouchsafeth vs when we suffer persecution for his truth neither in vaine was it sayd Blessed shall you be when men shall all maner of wayes reuile and trouble you for my names sake Matth. 5.11 Let vs therfore remember that the fellowship of the crosse of Christ as a singular grace of God is with a cherefull and thankefull mind to be embraced of vs. To his bands he addeth The defence and confirmation of the Gospell that he might the better expresse how honorable a dutie the Lord enioineth vs when he opposeth vs against his enimies to giue testimonie vnto his Gospell For it is as if he should commaund vnto vs the patronage of his Gospell With this cogitation Martyrs being armed haue bene able to contemne all the rage of the wicked and to ouercome all their torments And I would to God this were in the mindes of all them that are called to confesse the faith that they are Patrons chosen by Christ to pleade his cause For being stayed vpon such a comfort they would be more couragious than easily to be turned vnfaithfully to fall from God But some man will aske here whether the confirmation of the Gospell depend vpon the constancie of men I answer that the truth of God is stronger of it selfe than that it néedeth any other way to be vpholden For we all are liers yet God remaineth true yet it is not absurd that weake consciences by such helpes should be confirmed Therfore this kind of confirmation which Paule remembreth hath relation vnto men as we learne by our owne experience this at the least is come to passe by the slaughters of so many Martyrs that the Gospell is sealed in our harts as it were by so many seales Whereof commeth that of Tertullian that their bloud is the séede of the Church whome I also haue imitated in a verse The holy bloud of martyrd Saincts which God his honor defend Is like the seede cast into earth which great encrease forth send 8 For God is my witnes Nowe he declareth more plainly his loue toward them for proofe whereof he addeth an othe and that iustly because we knowe how deare the building vp of the Church is vnto God It was very necessary that the loue of Paule should sufficiently be testified vnto the Philippians neither is this of small force to procure credite vnto the doctrine when the people is perswaded that they are beloued of their teacher He calleth God to be a witnes of the truth who alone is truth and to be a witnes of his affection who alone is the searcher of the hartes In this worde Desire the speciall worde is put for the generall it is a signe of loue because we desire the thinges we loue In our bowells He opposeth the bowells of Christ vnto carnall affection that he might signifie his loue to be holye and godlye for he that loueth according to the flesh hath respect of his owne profite and may thereafter according to the alteration of things and time change his minde in the meane season he admonisheth by what rule the affections of the faithful should be examined namely that forsaking their owne will they should suffer Christ to gouerne them And certainly true loue can not procéede from any other thing than from the bowels of Christ and this pricke should not lightly touch vs that Christ doth after a sort open his bowells whereby he might chearish mutuall loue amongest vs. 9 This I pray that your loue c. He commeth agayne vnto his prayer which by the waye he had in one worde touched afore He sheweth them therefore the summe of those thinges which he beséeched of God for them that they them selues also by his example might learne to praye and aspire to the increase of these giftes Whereas some doe take the loue of the Philippians for the Philippians them selues as commonly barbarous men are woont to speake sauing your reuerence your worship it is absurd for neither is there anye such example extant in Paule neyther had such foolishnes as yet come into custome beside the sentence shoulde not be full and otherwise the simple and naturall meaning of the wordes doth very well agrée for the true encrease of Christians is when they goe forward in knowledge and vnderstanding and afterward in loue therefore this worde In according to the phrase of the Hebrewe tongue is taken here for with as I haue also translated it except some had rather expound it By that it should signifie the instrument or the formall cause for the greater increase we make in knowledge the more should loue encrease in vs. Then the sense were that your loue shoulde encrease according to the measure of your vnderstanding All vnderstanding is taken for full and sounde vnderstanding not for the vnderstanding of all things 10 That ye may allowe The definition of Christian wisedome is to knowe that that is to the purpose or profitable not to disquiet the witte in vayne subtilties and speculations for the Lorde will not employe his seruantes vnprofitably least they shoulde learne that which shoulde nothing auayle them Hereof you may gather in what estimation the diuinitie of the Sorbonicall Sophisters is to be had wherein if thou spendest thy whole life thou shalt no more be edified touching the hope of euerlasting life nor reape anye more spirituall profite than out of the demonstrations of Euclides Truely although it did teache no false thing yet for this cause it shoulde worthily be accursed because the profaning of spirituall doctrine is verye daungerous for the Scripture as Paule sayth is profitable 2. Tim. 3.16 There we can finde nothing but colde disputations about trifles That ye may be pure This is the profit which we reape by knowledge not that euery man should craftilye prouide for his owne estate but that we should liue with a pure conscience before God It followeth And without offence The Gréeke word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is of doubtfull signification Ghrysostome doth expounde it actiuely that like as before God he would haue vs pure and innocent so nowe before men he would haue vs leade an honest life lest by any euill examples they should hurt their neighbours This I reiect not yet in my iudgement the passiue signification agréeth better with the text for to this ende did he wish them wisedome that with blameles steppes they should goe forward in their vocation vntil the day of Christ as contrariwise by ignorance it commeth to passe that oftentimes we fall stumble and goe astray And how many offences Satan obiecteth vnto vs which might either breake of our course or hinder it euery one of vs for him selfe haue experience 11 Filled with the fruites of righteousnes This nowe pertaineth vnto the outward life for a good conscience bringeth forth her fruite by her workes therefore he desireth that they should be fruitefull in good workes vnto the glorie of God Such fruites he sayth are thorough Christ because they

Let your pacient minde be knowne to all men The Lorde is at hand 6 Bee carefull for nothing but in all thinges let your requestes bee knowne vnto God in praier supplication with giuing of thankes 7 And the peace of God which passeth al vnderstanding shall keepe your harts minds in Christ Iesus 8 Furthermore Brethren whatsoeuer things are true whatsoeuer things are graue whatsoeuer things are iust whatsoeuer things are pure whatsoeuer things are amiable whatsoeuer things are honest if there be any vertue if there bee any praise thinke on these things 9 Which yee haue both learned and receyued and hearde seene in me doe those things and the God of peace shall bee with you 4 Reioyce in the Lord. This is an exhortation applied to the time For because the state of the godly was much troubled euery where dangers imminent it might so fall out that they being ouercome with sorrowe impatience might faint Therfore he biddeth them howsoeuer their estate were hated and troubled neuerthelesse to reioyce in the Lorde for then especially the spirituall consolations wherwith the Lord doo recreate and chéere vs muste shewe forth their strength when the whole world doo prouoke vs to desperation but we must consider by the circumstance of the time howe forcible this voice would haue béene from Paules mouth who might be the especial cause of their heauines For if they be afraide of persecutions of bonds of banishment or of death here the Apostle commeth forth who amidest his bonds in the midst of hoate persecutions and in feare of death is not only ioyful but also chéereth vp others The sum therefore is this whatsoeuer shall happen yet the faithfull who haue God on theyr side haue sufficient matter to reioyce The repetition serueth to the amplification as if he should say let this be a strong stedfast ground vnto you to reioice in the Lord and that not for a momēt but that your ioy may be continued in him For truly in this it differeth from the ioy of the world because we haue experience that that is deceitful momentanie and soone vanisheth away and Christ also doth pronounce it accursed Luke 6.25 Therfore that is ioy fixed in God which is neuer taken from vs. 5. Let your patient mind This may 2 waies bée expounded either that he biddeth thē rather to lose their right than that any shoulde complaine of their cruelty rigor As if he had saide let all men with whome you deale perceceiue your equity and curtesie that their knowledge may signifie their experience Or else that he exhorteth them to beare all things paciently which latter sense doth rather please me for the Grecians also call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the moderation of the minde when as we are not easily moued with iniuries whē we are not easily troubled with aduersitie but we kéepe stil an equal condition to which purpose Cicero hath said my mind is quiet which taketh all things wel and equally Such an equity which is as it were the mother of of patience Paule here requireth of the Philippians and which might appeare vnto al men by shewing forth hir effects as occasion requireth It séemeth not to agrée with the name of modesty because Paule in this place doth not forbid them to waxe insolent but quietly to behaue themselues in all their affaires and to temperate themselues in susteinyng either iniuries or discommodities The Lord is at hand Here is a Prolepsis whereby he preuenteth an obiection for the sense of the flesh reclaimeth agaynst the former sentence for since that by our gentlenes the desire of the wicked waxe more insolent and the more readye they sée vs to beare the more bold they are to offer iniuries wée are hardly brought in this patience to possesse our soules thervpon came these prouerbs We must howle among wolues that we shall soone be deuoured of wolues which haue behaued themselues like shéepe Therefore we conclude that the fiercenes of the wicked is with like violence to be beaten backe least that safely they triumph ouer vs. Againste these cogitations Paule here opposeth the truste in God his prouidence He answereth I say that the Lord is at hand whose vertue shal ouercome their boldnes and whose goodnes shal vanquish their malice him he promiseth to be present with vs if we obey his commandement And who had not rather be protected only by the hand of God than to haue all the aid of the worlde in a readines An excellent sentence wherby first we learne that the cause of all impatience is the ignorance of the prouidence of God hereof it come that we rage so quickly for so light a cause often also we dispaire because we know not that the Lorde hath care of vs. Contrariwise this is an only remedie to pacifie our mindes if knowing that we are neither subiect to the rashnes of fortune nor to the lust of the wicked but that we are gouerned by the fatherly care of god we rest altogither vpon his prouidence To conclude whosoeuer holdeth this that god is present with him he hath wherin to reioyce without feare Moreouer the Lord is saide to bée at hand two maner of waies either because his iudgement is at hand or else because he is ready to succour his seruants in the which signification it is taken in this place as also in the Psal 145.18 The Lord is néere vnto al them that cal vpō him the sense therefore is the condition of the godly should be most miserable if the Lorde were farre off but because the Lord hath receiued them into his tuition and by his power which is present euery where doth defend them let them stay themselues vpon this cogitation that they be not dismaied at the rage of the wicked It is knowne and common that carefulnes is here taken for impiety which springeth from the distrust of gods power or of his help 6. But in all things Paule vseth the singuler number but the neuter gender therefore in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is as much as in al your busines because 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are of the feminine gender In these wordes he exhorteth the Philippians as Dauid doth al the godly Psal 55.23 Peter 1. epistle 5.7 that they should cast al their care vpō the Lord for we are not made of iron but we may be shakē with temptations but this is the comfort Here is our ease to lay downe or to speake more properly to empty out into gods bosome whatsoeuer gréeueth vs. Confidence bringeth quietnes vnto our minds but so that we be exercised by praiers Therefore so oft as we are assalted with any tēptatiō let vs fly straight vnto praier as vnto an holy sāctuary He taketh praiers here for desires or vowes He woulde haue them opened vnto god through praier as if the faithful should poure out their harts before the Lord when they cōmend themselues al

their affaires vnto him They séeme to be somwhat lifted vp which look hither thither vnto the vain solace of the world but there is one sure hauen to rest vpon the Lord. With giuing of thanks Because many pray vnto God amisse either chiding or murmuring as though they had iust cause to accuse him of others if he doo not straight way grāt their request can abide no delay Therfore Paule ioyneth thanksgiuing with praiers as if he should say we must so wish of god those things which are necessary for vs that notwithstanding we submit our affections vnto his wil that in praying we giue him thanks And truly thankfulnes wil worke this in vs that the wil of god shall be the chief sum of our desires 7. And the peace of God Some turning the future tense into the optatiue moode doo make a praier of this sentence but falsly for it is a promise wherein he sheweth the fruit of firme trusting in god and of Inuocation If you doo that he saith The peace of god shal keepe your minds and your harts The scripture is wont to diuide the soule of mā according to the powers therof into 2. parts the mind and the hart the mind signifie the vnderstanding and the hart the affections or wils therfore these 2 words comprehend the whole soule in this sense the peace of God shall kéepe you that you fal not from god by euil cogitatiōs or desires And he calleth it truly the peace of god which depēdeth not vpō the present sight of things neither doth it change according to the inclinatiōs of the world but is founded on the cōstant immutable word of God And he saith truly that it passeth al vnderstanding or sense because there is nothing more contrarye vnto mans wit than in greatest dispaire neuerthelesse to hope in greatest pouerty to behold wealth in greatest weakenes not to faint finally to promise that we shall want nothing whē we are destitute of all things And that altogither is in the alone grace of god the which is not known but by the word and the inward earnest of the spirit 8. Furthermore Generall exhortations follow which appertaine vnto the whole lyfe In the firste place he commendeth trueth whiche is nothyng else than the integritie of a good conscience with the fruit therof In the second place he commendeth grauity or holines for the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifie both the whiche vertue is placed in this that we walke worthy of our vocation frée from al prophane vncleanes In the thirde place he commendeth iustice which pertaineth vnto mutuall communication among men that we hurt no man or defraud no man In the fourth place he commēdeth purity which signifieth chastitie throughout our whole life But all these things are not sufficient vnto Paule except we study to make our selues amiable vnto all men as much as it is lawfull in the Lord and that we haue regard of our good report for so I interpret 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 If any praise for that which is praise worthy for both in the manners of men which are so corrupt there is such peruersenes of iudgement that oftentimes that thing is commended which is vitious and it is not lawfull for christians to séeke true praise among men who are forbidden to reioyce any other where than in God only Therefore Paule doth not bid them séeke praise or commendatiō of their good déeds nor to frame theyr life according to the iudgement of the people but only to study good works which deserue praise that the vngodly and the enimies of the gospell whiles they deride and dispraise the christians yet they may be compelled to commend their maners Moreouer the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is spoken of the Gréekes as Latines doe Cogitare for Meditari that is to thinke for to meditate Meditation goeth before and then the worke followeth 9 Which ye haue learned receyued and heard By this repetition of words he signifieth that he was diligent in preaching these things as if he should say this was my doctrine this was my tradition this was my speach among you Contrarywise the hypocrites did vrge nothing but ceremonies And it were a shamefull thing to forsake that holy institution which they had thoroughly learned and wherewith they were almost endued Ye haue seene in me This is the chiefest thing in a preacher that he speake not only with his mouth but with his life and that he bring credite to his doctrine by his vertuous liuing Therefore Paule worthily from thence procureth authoritie vnto his exhortation because he was no lesse in his life than in his mouth a captaine and maister of vertues And the God of peace He had spoken of the peace of God now he confirmeth it more expressely when he promiseth that God himselfe the author of peace shall bée with them For the presence of God bringeth vnto vs all goodnes whatsoeuer as if he should say they shall perceiue that God is present with them who will turne all things to their good and prosperitie so that they apply themselues to godly and holy works 10 I reioyced also in the Lord greatly that now at the last your care for me springeth afresh of whome also ye were mindfull but yee wanted opportunitie 11 I speake not because of want for I haue learned in whatsoeuer state I am therewith to be content 12 I knowe both to be humble and I knowe to excell euerie where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungrie to abound and to suffer pouertie 13 I am able to doo all things in Christ who strengthneth me 14 Notwithstanding yee haue done well in communicating vnto mine afflictions 10 I reioyced also Now he declareth the thankefulnes of his mind to the Philippians that they should not repent of their beneficence as it is wont to come to passe when wée thinke that our duties are contemned or nothing estéemed They had sent vnto him by Epaphroditus succour in time of his necessitie he testifieth that it was a benefite verie acceptable vnto him and he saith that he reioiced because afresh they were in a new readines to prouide for him it is a metaphore taken from trées whose sap lieth close hidden in the winter and in the spring beginneth to flourishe but straightway adding a correction he also doth temperate this saying least he should séeme to accuse their negligence of the former time therefore he saith that before they were also carefull of him but the opportunitie of the time suffered not that he was sooner reléeued by their liberalitie so he layeth the fault vpon an vnfit time I haue referred thys part 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vnto Paule and that is the proper signification and more agréeable to Paule his text 11. I speake not because of want A second correction whereby he preuenteth the suspition of a base mind and brought lowe by aduersitie for he did report that