through the blood of his Son the Chapters also of Genealogies in Numbers and Chronicles are of good use for the understanding of the rest of the Scriptures though but a few understand the same Of the Grace He calls Salvation Grace and that most worthily as being freely both Elected Redeemed and Effectually called 1. This condemns 1. That Luciferian conceit of Merit or Worthiness in us poor miserable sinners 2. Them that challenge part in Christ and all that he did and yet shew no part of thankfulness and duty again but live as they list and will not onely not part with their lives but not with their lusts for his sake they are lyars and deceive their own souls 2. It should teach us to acknowledge the whole work of our Salvation to be of Grace and thereupon to walk the more thankfully and zealously yea often meditate of this Free-grace and Salvation whetting up our selves thereby That should come unto you Why were they not partakers of Salvation themselves Yes as we have heard but they never saw the time of Christs exhibiting in the flesh nor so clearly They received not the promises onely saw them afar off aâ—d were perswaded of them Verse 11. Searching what or what maner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signifie when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow SEarching what or what maner of time They took great pains to know Christ would gladly have learnd that he should have come in their days so they should have had a clearer Revelation yea seen him whom they so much longed for and loved Simeon waited for the Consolation of Israel as many Prophets and Kings desired to see and hear thereof and this was lawful unless God had enjoyned the contrary If then we know a thing to be good and profitable to be known we must refuse no pains in searching it out but Study Meditate Pray Confer Read c. We must call for Wisdom and cry for Understanding we must seek and search for her as for silver The Word is like a Noble man that one must make some suit and use some means to come unto with which being once acquainted wherein can it not pleasure us when we have sued to it by pains it will be beneficial unto us indeed whereas prophane Books easily enough attained unto usually work much mischief many of us read much of the Scriptures but take no notice whether we understand the same or not or take no pains to come to knowledge to be inquisitive of the meaning of this or that place of Scripture were profitable when Christians meet together whether Ministers or others or both As they desired to see Christs first so should we long for his second coming The Spirit of Christ which was in them See how they sought into this matter not of their own heads but by the guidance and direction of the Spirit and that 1. Because it was a matter so high and above their reach as in which they could know nothing without the help of the Spirit 2. To avoid curiosity searching no further then God should see good to reveal unto them This teacheth us that when we search into any point of Doctrine or to know any thing we must not go to work by our own head or wit for that were Pride and the way to Error but by the help of the Spirit and therefore no further then the Spirit shall guide us this we do if we keep our selves to the written Word of God for Gods Spirit teacheth us according to the Word and no otherwise This condemneth the frenzy conceits of the Anabaptists which boast of Revelations of the Spirit counting whatsoever comes in their head and they conceive though contrary to the Scriptures to be a Revelation which is wicked for the Word and Spirit cannot be divorced either the one contrary to the other We must hold us to the written word searching thereinto according to sobriety proceeding no further then it and there staying where it stayeth This is also contrary to the Papists that will have their humane Traditions and unwritten Verities whereby upon the point they overthrow the Scriptures Again in that the Spirit of Christ was in the Prophets when they prophesied see the authority of the Old Testament the Spirit of God is the Author of it therefore is it to be highly esteemed as the New and all questions are to stand and fall by the sentence thereof Read believe and obey it and be out of all doubt of it without ifs and ands As the Papists most wickedly would have the authority of the Scriptures to depend upon the testimony of the Church and because they say its Scripture therefore they believe it and otherwise would not they would give no more credit to Pauls Epistles then to Esops Fables if the Church did not give testimony thereof which is a blasphemous Opinion The Scripture is above the Church and that whereon it s grounded and hath no greater testimony then from it self we testifie that God is the true God from all Idols and Christ from all false Christs do they therefore depend upon our testimony and are we above them Though the Church discerneth the Word or Scriptures from false writings and therefore rejecteth a great many of Epistles and Gospels of Bartholomew Thomas Thaddeus as adulterous yet this proves not that they depend on the Churches testimony A Kings Letters come to a City the Officers thereof by the stile sign or some other thing whereunto they are accustomed accept of them yield to them and testifie that they are not false or counterfeit are they therefore above the King or his Letters Further here is a testimony of the Divinity of the third Person for the whole Scripture is given by inspiration from God and here it s said it was by the Spirit and who could foretel things so long before but God confer Acts 1. 16. with 4. 25. When it testified beforehand of the sufferings of Christ Namely That he was to suffer for us and so to enter into his glory This we finde in the Old Testament both plainly expressed and under types and figures as of Isaacs offering the Brazen Serpent the Paschal Lamb Jonas c. This serves to answer all prophane Infidels that scoff at Christians because they believe in a crucified God for so do they contemptuously speak of Christ. A. He suffered what was necessary for the Savior of the world to suffer and what the Scripture foretold he should suffer and though he suffered and was abased yet he overcame it and entred into glory Had not these things been foretold they might have been offended at his dejected estate for so were the Disciples notwithstanding but being foretold they are not yea if he had not suffered for us
A GODLY FRUITFUL EXPOSITION Upon all the FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER BY That Pious and Eminent Preacher of the WORD of GOD JOHN ROGERS of Dedham in ESSEX JOHN 5. 39. Search the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal life and they are they which testifie of me 2 PETER 1. 20 21. Knowing this first that no prophesie of the Scripture is of any private interpretation For the prophesie came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Ghost LONDON Printed by JOHN FIELD and are to be sold by Peter Cole at the Sign of the Printing-Press in Cornhill near the Royal Exchange 1650. To the Reader THe Name alone of the Author of this Exposition and Commentary doth put a great price and value on it yea command thy reading and study of it It is the work of John Rogers Minister of Dedham in Essex written by his own hand Being dead he yet speaketh that is his Name is as a sweet savour poured forth and his praise amongst the Saints in all the Churches of Christ wheresoever he is spoken of this may be said of him That he was a burning and a shining light having a heart inflamed with love to Christ Truth and the Souls of men his words were as sparks of fire As his light directed his zeal so his zeal wrought with his light and made it powerful Animum non faciunt qui animum non habent Some Books are like a frosty day clear but dry and cold and leave the Reader in the same temper As in preaching so in writing also the stirring of the heart and affections should be endeavored as well as Information and such words be used and so set as may rather make a Sermon then a Tract and beget rather a love to the Matter as this Author endeavoreth then an opinion or an esteem of the VVriters abilities He was a Scribe indeed taught of God instructed and prepared for the Kingdom that is the Church of God having yea being a Treasure of things both new and old that is of all sorts of Doctrine and all ways of Application of them He was a Boanerges a Son of Thunder for the power and efficacy God gave unto his Ministry and a Barnabas a Son of Consolation too As the Thunder shaketh the Pillars of the Earth overthroweth the Rocky Mountains causeth the wilde and savage Beasts to fear and as the Lightning powerfully insinuates it self breaking the bones but not the flesh So was it the pleasure of the Lord to bring down by his Ministry the high and stout hearts of many rebellious ones and to lead them in subjection to his wil through Christ To throw down and to build up by him even as high as Heaven As the Scriptures give us the Genealogies of the Saints so many came out of Adam Abraham c. How numerous are the Children whom this Author hath had given him by God Many Families persons of all sorts and ranks in many Counties and Nations even so far as his sound went forth will and do acknowledge him to have begotten them to God and call him Blessed Reader read his VVorks and thou shalt know him work what thou readest on thy own heart that thou mayst be like unto him one of his children also which is the hearty desire of him who cannot but make this honorable mention of the Author and is May 1650. Desirous of thy good in Christ SIDRACH SIMPSON THE CONTENTS OF THIS EXPOSITION Page THe scope of this Epistle both general and particular with the several parts thereof and matter contained therein 1 CHAP. I. Verse 1 2. 1. THe sum and parts of the Preface 2 2. The several names of this Apostle and why so named ibid. 3. What names Parents are to give to their Children ibid. 4. Such as set forth Books ought to set their names thereto ibid. 5 Why some worthy men have not done thus 3 6. Wherein the Apostles differed from all other Ministers ibid. 7. A Minister must have an inward calling and an outward ibid. 8. Why our Apostle nameth his Apostleship 4 9. Repentance wipeth away our sins 5 10. Why the Jews were called strangers ibid. 11. Among them there were sundry believers ibid. 12. Gods Church here on earth is under persecution 6 13. Lawful to fly in the time of persecution 7 14. The large extent of the Church under the New Testament ibid. 15. The Apostles diligence and care in his charge ibid. 16. God hath chosen some to salvation 8 17. How we may know the election of others ibid. 18. Christians must so live as that even others may be perswaded they belong to God 9 19. Why God decreed to save some ibid. 20. The ends why we were elected 10 21. Sanctification the end of our Redemption ibid. 22. Christs obedience and sufferings the meritorious cause of our Salvation 11 23. Christs death is to be particularly apprehended by faith 12 24. A proof of the holy Trinity 13 25. Election the work thereof ibid. 26. Why Gods favor is to be sought ibid. 27. Ministers must labor that their people may be brought into Gods favor ibid. And may grow in grace 14 Verse 3. 1. THe sum and substance of the whole Epistle 14 2. Gods blessing man mans blessing man and mans blessing God 15 3. Gods mercies to be thought on and spoken of with admiration ibid. 4. We must not think or speak of God but with reverence 16 5. Why God is termed the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ ibid. 6. Gods Son why termed Jesus Christ our Lord ibid. 7. What meant here by Hope 17 8. Assurance of Salvation comes not by nature 18 9. The means whereby God works Faith ibid. 10. Why termed a lively hope 19 11. Gods free favor the cause of all our good 20 12. Man could not be saved without abundant mercy ibid. 13. The means whereby we are begotten to this hope 22 14. Benefits arising from Christs Resurrection ibid. Verse 4. 1. THe Kingdom of Heaven why termed an inheritance 23 2. The happiness of Gods people in heaven abideth for ever 24 3. Why termed undefiled ibid. 4. The Kingdom of Heaven always one and the same ibid. 5. God hath appointed to glorifie his Saints in Heaven 27 6. The prevention of a conceit of the Jews and of an Objection 28 7. Gods Children shall not miss of Heaven 29 8. To be particularly assured of Heaven a special comfort ibid. Verse 5. 1. THe prevention of another doubt 30 2. Gods Children have many Enemies to hinder their salvation 31 3. Christians cannot stand of themselves 31 4. Gods almighty power is sufficient to uphold us against all our enemies 32 5. Gods people are kept through Faith 33 6. How Faith bringeth us to Salvation ibid. 7. Christians must not look here for outward prosperity 34 8. The fulness of our happiness not to be had here 35 9. The
7. Christ is a living foundation 200 8. The prevention of an Objection 201 9. Christ disallowed of whom and why ibid. 10. Such things are often disallowed of men which are allowed of God 202 11. There 's an union between Christ and believers ibid. 12. How to come to be stones of this building 204 13. The whole Church makes but one Spiritual House 205 14. Every particular believer is a Spiritual House ibid. 15. Such as are united to Christ ore made holy 206 16. Believers are Priests to God ibid. 17. The prevention of an Objection 207 18. Christians are not now without Sacrifices and what they are ibid. 19. Why called Spiritual Sacrifices 208 20. Our service of God must be dòne in a Spiritual maner 209 21. The prevention of an Objection ibid. 22. Spiritual Sacrifices are not regarded of carnal men ibid. 23. Through Christ our Sacrifices are acceptable to God 210 24. Our works though imperfect accepted through Christ ibid. Verse 6. 1. THe Testimony of Gods Word is that which settles us in any point of Doctrine 211 2. The Old Testament of the same authority with the New ibid. 3. Of old people were more ready in the Scripture then they are now 212 4. What the Lord saith he doth ibid. 5. God lays the foundation of his Churches Salvation ibid. 6. The Papists take from Christ his Kingly Prophetical and Priestly Office 213 7. Believers do always finde enough in Christ ibid. 8. The miserable condition of them that believe not in Christ and who they are 214 9. Believers can never fall away wholly nor finally ibid. Verse 7 8. 1. GOds promises are to be particularly applyed 215 2. Christ is precious unto all those that believe 216 3. Such are unbelievers which are disobedient 217 4. Why the Jews did reject Christ 218 5. Succession is of Doctrine or Person 219 6. Such as do least good challenge the goodliest titles 220 7. Such as would be reputed builders are usually enemies to true builders ibid. 8. Ministers must be builders ibid. 9. Every man must be a builder 221 10. The impiety of these times ib. 11. The carelesness of these times 222 12. The enemies of the Church unable to hinder the building thereof 223 13. Ministers must divide the Word aright and give every man his portion 224 14. How Christ and his Word become stumbling blocks to unbelievers 225 15. Nothing so good whereat corrupt nature will not take occasion to stumble ibid. 16. The world hath ever stumbled at Christ ibid. 17. The Papists stumble at him also the ignorant civil prophane and such as will not part with some beloved sin 226 18. Such as stumble at the Word stumble at Christ 227 19. Offences taken against the Word removed 228 20. Scandals of the Papists against it 230 21. Why and wherein they charge our Doctrine 230 22. About auricular confession fasting days marriage ibid. 23. Offences at preaching the Word 231 24. Which the true Church 237 25. Offences against the Preachers of the Word 239 26. Offences against Professors of the Word 241 27. Offences arising from mens selves hindring their zealous profession of Religion 244 28. No end of the Devils devices 248 29. Why so few be saved ibid. 30. Why people have no minde to Religion ibid. 31. Gods word is therefore bestowed on as that we may be guided thereby 249 32. How we are to obey the same ibid. 33. Four sorts of disobedient persons the prophane 251 The meerly civil the ignorant and hypocrites 252 34. Why Christ proves a Rock of offence unto most 253 35. Whether it be lawful and meet to handle the Doctrine of Gods Decree 254 36. God hath ordained some to destruction 255 37. This was of his own will and for no cause out of himself 257 38. The Lord hath done this most justly 258 39. The Lord hath done this unchangeably 259 40. Marks of such as are reprobates 260 Verse 9. 1. MInisters must speak comfortably to the good contrarily to the bad 262 2. And warily deliver the Word that each may take his due portion 262 3. What election is ibid. 4. God before the world hath ordained some men to salvation ibid. 5. The cause hereof was because he would 263 6. The number of the elect small ibid. 7. They that be elect cannot but be saved 264 8. A man may know and be assured of his election 265 9. Notes of election 266 10. Whether we may be certain of anothers election 267 11. Christians through Christ are made Kings Priests Prophets 268 12. Christ and his Gospel preached in time of the Law ibid. 13. The promises and priviledges laid down in the Scriptures belong onely to Gods elect ibid. 14. Election is the foundation of all the good comes to us ibid. 15. Christ how our King Priest and Prophet 269 16. Believers are others then the world thinks for ibid. 17. The Jews why termed an holy Nation 270 18. All that be the Lords company are holy persons ibid. 19. Comfort and counsel for sanctified persons 271 20. The misery of those that are unsanctified with advice to them to come out of this condition ibid. 21. The Church Gods peculiar people ibid. 22. No marvel though he set much by it 272. 23. Gods glory the end of all the priviledges bestowed on us 273 24. We were elected of God that we might shew forth his praises and not to be idle c. 273 25. Gods glory the furthest end of our election ibid. 26. Effectual calling a certain argument of election ibid. 27. Two sorts of calling outward and inward ibid. 28. The Word the outward instrument hereof 274 29. The parts of effectual calling ibid. 30. Gods free mercy the cause hereof ibid. 31. Every one must endeavor to prove his calling ibid. 32. What to understand by darkness and light 275 33. Every unregenerate person is in darkness 276 34. Every true believer is brought to the saving knowledge of Christ ibid. Verse 10. 1. FOr a people or particular persons to look to their beginnings is of good use 278 2. No priviledges can exempt the contemners of the Word from Gods wrath 279 3. Gods mercy power and truth in making the Jews a people again 280 4. Impenitent persons not worthy the name of people ibid. 5. No outward affliction doth nullifie Gods Church 281 6. To be the people of God a choice blessing ibid. 7. Sin unrepented of lets Gods mercy 282 8. What God did for the Jews was of mercy and so all we have ibid. Verse 11. 1. HOliness in heart and conversation must go together 283 2. Ministers must love and affect their people ibid. 3. The Saints are to be the objects of our love 284 4. Wisdom requisit in the Preachers of the Word 285 5. What meant by fleshly lusts ibid. 6. There are remnants of sin in the very best ibid. 7. Two sorts of sinners 287 8. Evil thoughts cast in by Satan or from our selves 288 9. The causes of evil
company ibid. 7. The sending of commendations how useful it is ibid. 8. The preaching of the Word the instrument of Regeneration 694 9. Ministers must love their People as their Children ibid. 10. People must love their Ministers as their Fathers 695 Verse 14. 1. IT s needful that where love is it should be continued 696 2. Christians should salute one another ibid. 3. The ancient maner of saluting among the Jews 697 4. Our saluting one another must be in love ibid. 5. Hinderances of Love 698 6. What meant by Peace ibid. 7. Outward blessings may lawfully be desired and how 698 8. Christ is the fountain of all peace 699 9. Respect is to be had of all Gods people 701 10. The near union between Christ and true Christians ibid. 11. Fervency of Affection and Faith requisite in Prayer ibid. ERRATA In the margent PAge 57. line 4 for inherit read merit page 114. for Iohn 4. read Iohn 8. p. 357. l. 14. for hated of r. haters p. 582. l. 7. for above r. about p. 475. l. 19. adde may before do Words to be amended Page 40. line 15. for scourge read scour p. 46. l. 45. for them read thee p. 56. l. 47. for in r. it p. 57. l. 31. for it r. as p. 66. l. 15. for with r. which p. 149. l. 40. for grace r. disgrace p. 160. l. 3. for conversation r. conversion p. 173. l. 39. for of r. as p. 191. l. 40. for to r. doth p. 202. l. 5. for no r. an p. 218. l. 43. for chief r. Church p. 228. l. 30. for we r. he p. 253. l. 11. for of r. to p. 258. l. 6. for the r. they p. 266. l. 7. for Cod r. God p. 272. l. 18. for of r. as p. 274. l. 33. for calling r. called p. 294. l. 40. for the r. their p. 305. l. 48. for wrath r. word p. 350. l. 19. for them r. him p. 360. l. 1. for our r. one p. 363. l. 4. for from r. for p. 400 l. 37. for out r. one p. 410. l. 45. for unequal r. equal p. 417. l. 26. for discharge r. disgrace p. 419. l. 30. for swin r. swim p. 428. l. 30. for good good r. good for p. 453. l. 10. for mans r. many p. 455. l. 7. for short r. store p. 495. l. 43. for course r. recourse p. 495. l. 34. for in r. then p. 497. l. 33. for Son r. Sun p. 507. l. 31. for up r. upon p. 515. l. 36. for one r. our p. 527. l. 41. for he r. we p. 615. l. 44. for fleet r. fleece p. 630. l. 9. for throne r. thorn p. 640. l. 12. for uses r. verses p. 641. l. 24. for world r. word p. 643. l. 43. for which r. with p 619. l. 29. for of r. so p. 661. l. 20. for partly r. party p. 669. l. 5. for trust r. distrust p. 677. l. 8. for of r. in p. 700. l. 3. for them r. they A Godly and Fruitful EXPOSITION ON THE FIRST EPISTLE OF St. PETER THe general scope and intent of this Epistle is To confirm those Christian Jews whom he had procured to the Faith by his Ministery that they might persevere in the same to the end notwithstanding any troubles they should meet with for the same More particularly he layeth before them The wonderful riches of Gods mercies vouchsafed them in Christ Jesus by his Death and Resurrection whereby they were recovered out of their woful estate by sin and brought to an happy and blessed condition even Salvation through him Hereunto he exhorteth them constantly to cleave and not to suffer themselves to be withdrawn therefrom by any means as also that they would walk worthy so great mercy in an holy life and conversation both in the general duties of Christianity and the particular duties of their special Callings and that they would so do notwithstanding any troubles they should meet withal for the same The parts of this Epistle are two 1. The Preface in the first two Verses of the first Chapter 2. The Substance of the Epistle in the following Verses and Chapters to the end This containeth Doctrine and Exhortation Doctrine from the Third Verse of the first Chapter unto the Thirteenth of the same Exhortations in all the rest of the Chapters and Verses and they be of two kindes 1. Unto general Duties belonging unto all Christians 2. Unto special to several sorts of men and women according to their special Callings CHAP. I. Verse 1. Peter an Apostle of Jesus Christ to the Strangers scattered throughout Pontus Galatia Cappadocia Asia and Bythinia Ver. 2. Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ Grace unto you and Peace be multiplied THese verses contain the Preface in which two things 1. An Inscription 2. The Salutation In the former we have a description 1. Of the person writing and that both by his Name Peter and by his Office An Apostle of Jesus Christ. 2. Of the parties to whom he doth write and that both by their outward state to the World-ward viz. Strangers scattered up and down in strange Countreys namely Pontus Galatia Cappadocia Asia and Bythinia and by their estate to God-ward viz. Parties belonging to salvation which he sets forth by the causes thereof and degrees namely 1. Their Election 2. Sanctification 3. Redemption by the obedience of Christ Jesus which shewed it self in his shedding his blood for them In the latter a brief but pithy Prayer to God for his favor as the fountain from whence all happiness was to be bestowed yea multiplied upon them Peter Three Names are given unto this our Apostle in Scripture 1. Simeon of Simon that he had at his Circumcision 2. Cephas by interpretation a Stone which our Saviour Christ gave him at his calling thereby signifying what he meant to do for him namely to make him a stout defender of the Faith on the behalf whereof though he was born of Parents of small note he proved one of notable courage This is in the Chaldee or Syriack tongue 3. Peter which in Greek is all one with the former so that these two Names were in effect but one In his second Epistle he names himself Simon Peter Here learn 1. Christs kindeness to Peter in giving him a Name to assure him of some grace which he would bestow upon him Though we cannot do so yet it behoves us to give our Children such names as may edifie them and put them in minde of some good thing either to imitate some good man or woman whose Name they bear or else to follow some good that the Name puts them in minde of 2. In that he puts his Name to his Epistle he shews his godliness and innocency which makes him bold for Truth may be blamed but cannot be shamed Contrary to many Hereticks and false
Time and of our own Nature 3. To affect heartily all good but especially those good things that the World and Times least regard and our selves be most untoward unto If by these notes we finde we be called then have we cause to rejoyce and to praise the Free-grace of God who for no desert but his meer mercy hath vouchsafed to call us that were vile as Abraham an Idolater Paul a Persecuter Zacheus a covetous person the Goaler a desperate Ruffian and hath now put a difference and that for no goodness in us rather then in others And hath he done so to all our companions No they abide in ignorance unbelief impenitency And now our work must be this even to study after holiness more and more being called out of the world that we should no longer fashion our selves according to the same having no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but reproving them rather As you would be loath to be put back with the world and have as they shall so be not as they no not in the least things and as our hope is in Heaven so have we our conversation there as being called of God to that high Priviledge If you be not effectually called and have had so long and so great means of calling it s a fearful sign that you hearken not because the Lord will slay you The earth that after much cost yet yields nothing but bryars and thorns is reproved reprobate ground near the curse whose end will be to be burned If the Gospel be hid it s hid to them that perish So many as were ordained to eternal life believed therefore if thou hast hitherto stopt thine ear against the Lords calling take heed thou provoke him not further but to day whilest it is called to day give ear and obey It s more then thou couldst have looked for that he should have all this patience abuse it no longer lest it turn into fury and the Lord in his wrathful indignation flying away from thee pronounce that he will never more speak to thee and either snatch thee from the Word and send thee to Hell or the Word from thee or if thou hear that he yet bid the Minister preach to harden thee and let thee alone agreeable to that He that is unjust let him be unjust still c. which is most fearful and curse thy heart as Christ did the Figtree never fruit grow on thee never good motion come in thy heart or if any do let them dye presently not live and give thee over to be more strongly tempted by Satan Devil take him and hurry him at thy pleasure lay down thine own corruption unbridledly which is the fearfullest curse under heaven O le ts seek to escape it and tremble to prevent this fearful judgement which lighteth on many that have long lived under preaching and are hardlier won at last then before Some of you haply having barren Trees in your Orchard and having resolved to cut them down have tryed one year more ere you cut them down We may fear there be sundry of us in this place going upon our last year who they be God knows If now you listen not the Lord will hew you down and cast you into the fire and then will you call and cry to God but in vain he will not answer you then When God shall cast such into their deserved place how shall they then fret and vex themselves What beasts were we that we did not yield to the Word of God which so often called upon us Others obeyed and they are well O that we had profited at such a time when such good motions came in our mindes O that we had yielded to them and not cast them off as we did but then all too late they may fret and gnaw their tongues for vexation but to no purpose Endeavor we therefore in time to prevent this Thus of the Exhortation Now follows the Reason of the Exhortation laid down in the 16 Verse Because it is written Be ye holy for I am holy where 's to be considered 1. That he urgeth still the matter in hand and cannot have done with it 2. How he urgeth it even by Scripture It is written 3. The Text it self Be ye holy for I am holy 1. I say he still urgeth the matter in hand much pressing his Exhortation unto holiness and is very earnest herein The Reasons may be these 1. Because the thing in hand is so excellent and necessary then which nothing can be more Holiness makes us like God and Angels unlike Devils and our selves without which there 's no seeing of God 2. Because we are altogether so untoward thereunto Who seeth not what a work we have to bring any to turn from their sins and to take an holy course how few such and with what a deal of pains and when converted and brought to a love of holiness and desire to please God yet who findes not what a stir he hath to bring himself to any good Duty Prayer Meditation Examination of his heart c. or when we are brought to do good things yet to do them in a right maner but the heart will be gone especially in all things and in our whole conversation therefore no marvel though the Holy Ghost dwell long upon it 1. This teacheth us Ministers in weighty points to dwell as it were upon them and not sliding from them too quickly to urge them again and again questioning their hearts whether indeed they will do so and so or not c. 2. People when they perceive their Ministers so to urge such and such a point they must consider it the more seriously so when we read any thing wherein the holy Ghost is more earnest or repeats it often as to search and examine our selves we must take knowledge of the weight of the matter and of our own dulness dwelling the more thereon in our observation and attention where the holy Ghost is earnest we must not pass it slightly over 2. He proves it by Scripture and so must we when we would prove any thing to the Conscience for Gods Word is the Judge of all truth and falshhood good and evil it s the Golden rule the Ballance of the Sanctuary Philosophers prove things by Reason in Gods School proof must be from the Scripture We must not look what this man or that man or twenty men say this stablisheth not the Conscience but the Word of God that bears meat in the mouth that is of weight and authority either to make to yield or at least to leave without excuse One Testimony of Scripture is of more weight then the testimony of a thousand men for that is the Word truth and all men are subject to error and thereto may people say indeed The voyce of God and not of man A number of people in Cities and great Towns
peril of Damnation which is a fearful Abomination They have indeed need of unwritten Traditions to shore up a number of points of their Religion or else they would fal to the ground for all the written Word of God as having no authority from thence But what a Religion is that which must thus be maintained without the Testimony of the Scripture we must learn to detest all such Traditions else what a Flood-gate should we let open to let in all Errors and uncertainties without end Yea were this granted every dream of a Fryers brain and any old Custom would be imposed upon the people for a Law Cursed be they that adde to the All-sufficient Word of God God will adde to their plagues 3. The Text it self It s written where In Leviticus 11. 44. 19. 2. The Word is the Rule the written Word the Canonical Scripture that onely There are other Books called Apochrypha usually joyned with the Bible which are not Gods Word nor of equal authority of the same but are the writings of men of good men and have also good use some part for the helping out of the story of that dark time from Malachi to John the Baptist and other parts for instruction in good maners and to a godly life and are therefore to be read of us yet were not they written by any Prophet are not Originally in the Hebrew as all the Old Testament is but in the Greek neither were received of the Jews to whom were committed the Oracles of God for which they were not blamed of our Savior Christ as questionless they should have been if they had done amiss Further we finde no Testimony of our Savior Christ Evangelist or Apostle cited out of them They have also their weaknesses and imperfections and the best parts thereof savor of a man and have not the majesty and weight of Gods Word Therefore are they not sufficient whereon to ground any part of our Faith or to say This is true foâ—so it s written in such a book No but to read them and try them and where they consent with the Word then say its true not because it s so there but because the Scripture approves it where they jar from Scripture there are we to leave them we must walk in a middle path wisely and soberly as not to match them with the Word of God so not to reject them as some have done for that they observed others magnifie them too much hereby running into a contrary extremity As nothing makes a handmaid so much despised as when she is set in her Mistresses Chair so long as she stands as an handmaid all like her and say she becomes her place well So when the Apocrypha is equalled with the Scripture it is justly to be disliked when made to serve it of good use It is written But he tells not where because they were so well acquainted with the Scripture as they could straightway say Oh we know where it is It s written in such a Book such a Section This sheweth how cunning we should be in the Scriptures and every part thereof reading them diligently as by our selves so with our Families and great cause We have a corrupt heart within us therefore had need have the Word dwelling in us to subdue it We have plenty of duties therefore had need of plenty of knowledge in the Word we shall have plenty of strong and subtile temptations from the Devil and World and therefore had need to be ready herein to resist them Herein must we meditate day and night that we may observe and do and prosper that we may be as fruitful trees that we may become wise in all our ways yea wiser then our Enemies then our Ancients This is unto Gods Children a storehouse of all good things its Food to nourish us Armor to defend us a Light to guide us an Apothecaries shop containing all things for meat and medecine for the food and health of our Soul Purgations to purge out our sins Cordials to comfort us Preservatives against every poisonful temptation of Satan Herein is our Fathers Will wherein are our Legacies in every leaf and line some good 1. This condemns the Church of Rome that make it a deadly sin for the people to read any part of Scripture one of them saith He thought it was the device of the devil that the common people should read the Sriptures which might make all loath their Religion for is it any thing else but as thieves which blow out the candle that they may not be seen 2. This condemns those amongst our selves that say It was never merry world since every Plowman and Weaver could talk of the Scripture and that the world was far more quiet before these be noâ— led by the Spirit that Moses was who wisht That all the Lords people could prophesie and the Apostle Paul who often speaks of the encrease of knowledge 3. This condemns the woful carelesness of most people that regard not to read the Scriptures and therefore are exceedingly ignorant therein so that if a Minister quote a place he had need name both Chapter and Verse nay if it be amongst the books of the Old Testament yea some Epistles of the New they cannot tell whereabouts to finde them but are often fain to turn to the Table of the Book Rich men are so mad of the world that they can finde no leisure Mammon is so mighty with them as God and his Word have no time with them And might they not finde that in one leaf of the Bible whereof if they could make use it would profit them more then the whole world Some are all for the world out of one business into another others can finde leisure to play at Tables Cards Bowls c. or to stand in shops two or three hours spending the time in idle discourses and unprofitable frothy talk if not in hurtful slandering and backbiting their neighbors and reproaching the servants of God who yet can finde no time for the Word Others are very cunning in their Statute Books but not so in the Scriptures As for the poor because they be poor and not Book-learned they think it concerns not them or that God looks for any such thing at their hands and therefore are as ignorant as if they lived in Turky altogether without fruit as the fig-tree whereunto our Savior came foolish and carryed away with every temptation and all for that they meditate not in Gods statutes They live ignorantly and loosly and dye blockishly and miserably yea and they perish worthily for that being offered a guide to take them as it were by the hand and lead them through this wilderness this narrow unbeaten path from all by-ways and bring them to Heaven yet will not entertain the same If the King should send a Letter to any of his Subjects and they would not vouchsafe to open
the day after so long between to approve the truth of his death and no longer that he might see no corruption Early in the morning to shew that he was the light of the world the Son of Righteousness a light to be revealed unto the Gentiles one that was to lighten every one that came into the world namely that is lightned even us that are by nature darkness it self from hence must every man fetch light On the first day of the week for so God disposed of it This first day was answerable to the first day of the world it was the morrow after the Jews Sabbath As he began to make the world the first day of it when before it was not so now that it was decayed and corrupted by sin he now came to make it up again which he did by his Death and Resurrection Hence the Reason of the alteration of the Sabbath from the Jews Sabbath to the day following which is ours to keep a memorial as of the Creation of the world so especially of the renewing of the world by the work of Redemption and as the first Sabbath continued from the Creation to Christs Resurrection so no question ought this to abide to the worlds end The benefits ensuing hereupon are 1. To assure us that Christ hath fully paid all our debts If Christ be not risen saith the Apostle we are yet in our sins and our preaching is in vain 2. To give us power to rise to a new life 3. To assure us of our Resurrection O then who shall lay any thing to the charge of Believers It s Christ that is dead nay rather which is risen again for whom therefore there 's no evil remaining They shall have power given them to walk in holiness of life as the Syon graft into a stock receiveth juice and life therefrom yea they shall enjoy a comfortable and joyful Resurrection Contrarily miserable is the case of the wicked their debt is all on the File against them they shall rise but to their cost and smart to a dreadful judgement when they shall stand trembling and wishing that the hills might fall on them on them the second death shall have power Now they lie snorting neither will be awakened by our preaching notwithstanding their present and approaching misery The duties which are hereupon to be performed are 1. In imitation of Christs Resurrection in a spiritual maner to rise out of the graves of our lusts and sins to a new and holy life O awake thou that sleepest the Word is appointed for this end 2. To endure any thing rather then to be deprived hereof The faithful in Heb. 11. endured racking and would not be delivered therefrom with an ill conscience that they might have a better and joyful Resurrection 3. Set our affections on those things which are above Thus of his Resurrection Verse 19. By which also he went and preached to the Spirits in Prison Verse 20. Which sometime were disobedient when once the long suffering of God waited in the days of Noah while the Ark was a preparing wherein few that is eight souls were saved by water THe Apostle proceeds to comfort the faithful that suffer for Righteousness sake He had said before That as Christ rose again after his sufferings and had a good end of them so shall all that suffer for his sake Now lest this should be doubted of he sheweth how it cometh to pass namely by the help assistance and power of the Spirit of God who as he shewed himself mightily in Christs person so hath and will in his members and for instance he looks back a great while ago when long before Christs coming the Spirit shewed himself to the confusion of the wicked and disobedient and to the comfort and deliverance of Gods servants as Noah whom as this Spirit enabled to preach the to wicked world so they disobeying and mocking him the same Spirit preserved and saved in the common destruction And therefore if the Spirit of God shewed himself so in the people of God for their good so long ago then we need not fear but that he will much more shew himself in and with us inasmuch as now the Spirit is bestowed in a larger and fuller maner then before our Saviors coming into the world Now he reckons this rather then any other example because it was a famous one both of convicting the wicked world and preserving the servants of God in such a bad time and because it was so long ago I come to the meaning of the words By which his Spirit namely his Godhead and Divine Nature which raised him from the dead He went and preached namely by the mouth and ministery of Noah To the Spirits in prison even them that be now and were in Peters time Spirits and Souls in Hell but when Noah preached were disobedient men and women when God seeing the notorious corruption of the times threatned to destroy the world with a flood if they did not repent To them Noah preaching both by word and by deed also in preparing the Ark they not being moved hereat nor at the long suffering of God were at the length drowned Noah onely and his wife with his three sons and their three wives being preserved in the Ark. This Scripture hath suffered as Mr. Luther saith of the Lords Prayer much Martyrdom by false interpretations and erroneous constructions whereof that of the Papists is most gross They understand it thus that Christ being dead in his soul went down to the lower parts of the world where be four several places together one above another Limbus patrum Limbus puerorum Purgatory and Hell which is the lowest and hottest of all that Christ went into Limbus patrum to fetch out all the godly Fathers that dyed from the beginning til his coming and all such as in Noah's time seeing the flood come indeed repented and went to Purgatory and had there suffered all and so were gone into Limbus patrum also to deliver the souls then in Purgatory and into the lowest part namely Hell to Preach to the convicting of the Reprobates there c. But though in truth Christ had done thus which yet he never did this proves no such matter will afford no such sence for 1. By Spirit whereunto the word which hath relation is not meant Christs soul but his Godhead not his soul for then it was that Christ was quickned in his soul or by his soul but neither can be true not in his soul for his soul never dyed nor was mortal not by the soul for it was not the soul that raised him again but the power of God that joyned them both together as the Scripture testifieth and that his Godhead is hereby meant will appear by the like places as Rom. 1. 3 4. 2 Cor. 13. 4. 1 Tim. 3. 16. where that which our Apostle calls flesh Saint Paul calls infirmity and
in this world or else at the day of fearful account when they will be as glad to be rid of it again as ever Judas was of his thirty pieces he thought if he could get money he were made but when he had it he was never so ill in his life as then So was it with Achan Gehazi Ananias and Sapphira c. And for the time to come let 's beware lest any filthy lucre cleave to our fingers Note further That Lightly the Scripture speaks not of riches but with some checks If but two words one of them is to take off our mindes therefrom as uncertain riches deceiveable riches unrighteous Mammon It s hard for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven and here filthy lucre This is that we should not set our hearts too much on them whereunto we are very prone but taking heed of covetousness neither too greedily desire them nor be insatiable in our desires nor too sparing from our selves and families nor niggardly to good and holy duties nor having them to set too much by them or put our confidence in them or be too much cast down in the loss of them c. To this end 1. Consider That covetousness is idolatry and so a most hanious sin withdraws our heart from God is the root of all evil will make a man break any Covenant the bane of godliness a throne that choaks the seed of the Word 2. That our life stands not in them much less our happiness yea that they are changeable and which even Reprobates have in great abundance 3. Seek after the favor of God and assurance of Salvation and lay up a treasure in Heaven and this will stay your stomack for these things This hunger will starve the other hunger when we have assurance of Salvation it will stay us as a man that hath well broke his fast hath no great haste to his dinner Heaven will fill the heart the world cannot Obj. Why then are many Christians covetous Ans. It s not their goodness If they had more faith they would be less careful of the world but if these be so being assured of Heaven what would they be if they had no assurance thereof 4. We must follow our Calling diligently and cast our selves upon God believing his promise He will not fail us neither forsake us Obj. But the world is hard we must therefore follow it earnestly which if we should not do we should leave but little for our posterity Answ. If we have faith to depend upon God he will give us by our lawful and moderate seeking that blessing that shall be best and sufficient both for us and ours and shall continue longer with our Posterity then more gotten greedily Verse 3. Neither as being Lords over Gods heritage but being ensamples to the flock NOw followeth the third duty of the Minister namely to give good example of an holy life to his people where pride is forbidden they must not rigorously cruelly or over imperiously rule them speak we first of that which is prohibited then of that which is enjoyned That which is forbid Ministers is pride and lordly carriage of themselves whereunto a reason is annexed even because the people be Gods heritage and portion Neither as being Lords Here note 1. That Ministers must not exercise civil authority and temporal power over their people but use a spiritual rule over them by teaching them and denouncing the judgements of God against them that do evil and ruling them by the Word of God and by spiritual censures to correct the stubborn and disobedient Our Savior Christs our Masters kingdom was not of this world and so not ours He would not be a Judge or Divider between two at variance about their inheritance Magistrates must rule by the Sword and we by the Word they by the Temporal Sword we by the Spiritual we must teach the people exhort perswade and commend men to God and pray for them and if any be obstinate to admonish them more seriously and if they reform not to debar them from the Sacraments yea if they have committed any notorious sin and live without repentance to cast them out of the Church and deliver them up to Satan These be more weighty and fearful censures being rightly performed then any bodily punishment we must leave other things to the Magistrate whose power is of God to rule with the material Sword Thus did our Savior Christ onely once as he was the King of his Church and not as a Minister of the Gospel he whipt out the buyers and sellers out of the temple So the Apostles exercised no other but Spiritual authority except Peter by special and extraordinary direction on Ananias and Sapphira and Paul on Elimas the Sorcerer In those times God shewed extraordinary works and miracles for the confirmation of the Gospel which we need not now And this was not usual for then they could not have served Demetrius Tertullus with all their Enemies thus A Reason hereof may be this one calling is sufficient for one man As the Magistrate must not encroach upon the Ministers office as Uzza did either a private man to expound the Scripture and administer the Sacraments so must not Ministers on theirs The action of Phineas was extraordinary and so no fit president 1. This rebukes the notorious usurpation of the Pope of Rome who not onely challengeth to be the Head of the whole Church and to have Supremacy over the same but also Temporal Jurisdiction over Princes and Potentates to set up and cast down whom he pleaseth to set them together by the ears to impose Taxes on them to exempt their Subjects from their Allegiance c. But upon what ground doth he challenge this Supremacy from Peter whose Successor he alledgeth himself to be But he is quite fallen from the Faith and Doctrine of Peter and if he did succeed him aright yet could he have no such authority for Peter himself had no such thing neither do any places of Scripture used to this purpose prove any such thing much less had Peter and Civil Jurisdiction over Princes and People which the Pope also challengeth from him But of this heretofore onely let us know that our Christian King and all other Kings in their several Dominions are Supreme Governors and that the Pope hath no authority to meddle with them all that hold otherwise as all right Papists do are Traytors in heart at least and can be no good Subjects let 's pray that all other Kings may shake off his yoke both in Spiritual and Temporal things and stoop to Christs yoke And let us know that God hath given no Civil authority to Ministers to rule the people by what Princes in their savor may bestow upon them and what they may lawfully receive from them and enjoy and exercise I mean not now to discuss neither
18. 13. Obj. Sol. Acts 16. 27. Simile Use 3. Rev. 8. 6. Prov. 7. 18. Obj. Sol. Isa. 1. 18. Observ. Christ the Foundation that bears up his Church Acts 4. 12. Iohn 14. 6. Gal. 1. 9. Use 1. Object Mat. 16. 18. Sol. Use 2. Mat. 16. 18. Iohn 17 15. Doctr. Christ is a living foundation Ioh. 5. 16. 5. 21. 11. 25. 17. 2. Use 1. Use 2. 2 Cor. 5. 17. Eph 2. 1. Use 3. The prevention of an Objection Christ disallowed of whom and why Acts 6 14. Mat. 27. 25. Obj. Sol. Mat. 13. 3 c. Doctr. Such things are often disallowed of men which are allowed of God Heb. 11. 37. Iohn 6. 35. Acts 4 c. See Luke 6. 22 23. Isa. 8. 18. Use 1. Iohn 7. 7 48. Simile Luke 15. 16. Use 2. Doctr. There 's a near Vnion between Christ and Believers Eph. 1. 22 23. 1 Cor. 6. 15. Iohn 15. 2. Eph. 5. 30. Iohn 6. 51. 1 Iohn 1. 3. Eph. 5. 32. Rom. 8. 38. 1 Iohn 2. 19. Use 1. Object Sol. Use 2. Use 3. Use 4. How to become stones of this building Simile See 5. H. on Mat. 3. 10 pag. 6. Hag. 2. 10. Obser. The whole Church makes but one Spiritual House Use. Observ. Every particular Believer is also a Spiritual House Isa. 57. 15. Iohn 14. 23. 1 Cor. 3. 16. 6. 19. 2 Cor. 6. 16. Use 1. 1 King 17. 16. 2 King 4. 7. 4. 17. Use 2. Hag. 1. 4. Psal. 24. 7. 2 Cor. 5. 1. Doctr. Such as are united to Christ are made holy Rom. 8. 1. 2 Cor. 5. 17. Use 1. Use 2. Doctr. Believers are Priests to God Object Sol. Heb. 7. 27. 10. 2 10 11 12 18. 12. 25 26. Iohn 19. 30. Use 1. Use 2. The prevention of an Objection Christians now are not without Sacrifices which they must offer up to God Use 1. Re. 1. 6 Use 2. The Christians Sacrifices Rom. 12. 1. 2 Cor. 8. 5. Isa. 1. 13. Psal. 51. 17. 1 Cor. 11. 31. Prov. 28. 14. Psal. 141. 2. Heb. 13. 15. Psal. 14 2. Iob 27. 9. Heb. 16. 13. Phil. 4. 22. Mat. 25. 40. 2 Cor. 9. 6. Why called Spiritual Sacrifice Obs. Our services to God must be done in a Spiritual maner Iohn 4. 24. Mat. 10. 41. The prevention of an Objection Dan. 9. 23. Iob 22. 2 3. and 35. 6. Psal. 16. 2. Obser. Spiritual sacrifices are not regarded of carnal men Doctr. Through Christ our Sacrifices are acceptable to God Reasons Use 1. Use 2. 1 Iohn 2. 2. Doctr. Our works though not without their imperfections are accepted through Christ. Use 1. Use 2. Doctr. The testimony of Gods Word is that which must settle us in any Point of Doctrine Use 1. Isa. 59. 3. Use 2. Use 3. Obser. The Old Testament of the same Authority with the New Observ. Of old people were more ready in the Scriptures then they are now See Calvin on the place Doctr. What the Lord saith he doth Use. Luke 1. 18. Mat. 11. 28. Doctr. God layes the Foundation of his Churches Salvation Psalm 2. 6. Iohn 6. 27. Object 1 Cor. 3. 10. Sol. Use. See Psal 2. 6. 8. The Papists take from Christ his Kingly Prophetical and Priestly Office Doctr. Believers do alway finde enough in Christ. Rom. 5. 1. Rom. 8. 33. The miserable condition of those that do not believe in Christ and who they are Rev. 6. 16. Obser. Believers can never fall away wholly nor finally Psalm 118. 22. Observ. Gods promises are to be particularly applied Psal. 18. 2. Iob 19. 25. Iohn 20. 28. Gal. 2. 20. Quest. Answ. Rom. 8. 16. Psal. 22. 1. Doctr. Christ is precious unto all those that believe Iohn 1. 12. Use 1. Use 2. Rom. 1. 16. Rom. 8. 28. Obs. Such are unbeleivers which are disobedient Use. See also Iohn 3. 36. Psal. 118. 22. Acts 6. 14. Why the Iews did reject Christ. Ier. 20. 1. Iohn 7. 9. Succession is of Doctrine or Person Acts 20. 29. Mat. 23. 13. Use 1. Use 2. Obser. Such as do least good challenge to themselves the goodliest titles Obser. Such as would be reputed Builders are usually greatest enemies to true Builders Ezra 4. 2. Observ. Ministers must be Builders 1 Cor. 3. 10. 2 Cor. 13. 1. Mal. 2. 6 7. 2 Tim. 2. 15. Exod. 28. 30. 1 Tim. 1. 19. Use 1. Prov. 14. 1. See Dr. Dounham of the dignity and duty of Ministers pag. 97. Ier. 48. 10. Use 2. Use 3. See Mat. 9. 38. Observ. Every man must be a Builder Iude verse 20. Heb. 3. 13. 1 Thess. 4. 18. Iude verse 23. The Impiety of these times The carelesness of these times Mat. 18. 6. Gen. 13. 7. Obs. The enemies of the Church shall not be able to hinder the Lords building thereof Isa. 8. 9 10. Doctr. Ministers must divide the Word aright and give every man his portion Use 1. Use 2. Use 3. Use 4. How it comes to pass that Christ and his Word become stumbling blocks to unbelievers Obser. There 's no thing so gooâ— whereat our corrupt nat will not take occasion to stumble Obser. The world hath ever stumbled at Christ. Isa. 8. 14. Iohn 1. 11. 1 Cor. 1. 23. Isa. 53. 2 3. Iohn 15. 24. Rom. 9. 32 33. The Papists stumble at him Gal. 5. 2. So Ignorant persons Civil persons Prophane persons Such as will not part with some beloved sin Use 1. Use 2. Use 3. Observ. Such as stumble at the Word stumble at Christ. Offences taken against the Word removed See Downhams Christ. war pag. 329. Psal. 119. 129 130. Mat. 5. 11. Heb. 11. 26. Ezek. 18. 27. Scandals of the Papists against it Why and wherein they charge our Doctrine About Auricular Confession Fasting days Marriage Offence at preaching the Word Ioh. 10. 20 21. See S. H. on Mat. 3. 10. pag. 11 12 13. Acts 4. 32. Iohn 7 7. 15. 19. Rom. 1. 21. Exod. 16. 24. See Neh. 8. 8. Mat. 2. 7. Luke 4. 16. Acts 19. 15. Acts 8. 31. Neh 8. 6 9 3. Prov. 28. 9. See Mr. Hierous Preach Plea 220. Prov. 10. 4. and 11. 14. See Deut. 27. 15 16 17-26 Psal. 9. 17 11 6. Mark 16. 16. Iohn 3. 36. Acts 2. 37 38. 2 Cor. 4. 2. Eccles. 7. 16. Which the true Church 1 Cor. 11. 28. Iohn 7. 17. 10. 27. Prov. 23. 23. Mat. 21. 3. Offences against the Preachers of the Word 1 Sam. 2. 17. Rom. 7. 19. Mat. 23. 3 Mark 6. 2. 3. Offences against professors of the Word Rev. 7. 4. 1 Cor. 1. 26. Mark 10. 24. Iames 2. 5. Heb. 11. 35. Offences arising from mens selves hindring their zealous profession of Religion Mat. 5. 16. Rom. 10. 10. See Dr. Prest Saints daily exercise pag. 32. Mat. 23. 23. Mat. 6. 33. Psal. 127. 2. Mat. 16. 26. 2 Sam. 24. 24. See Hag. 2. 19. Luke 14. 24. See Psal 119. 130. Prov. 1. 4. and 14. 6. Mat. 5. 11. Prov. 16. 7. Heb. 12. 6. See Psal. 50. 21. and 55.