known the Father in him 756. Joh. 14. 12. He that believeth on me the works that I doe shall he doe also and greater chap. 3. 2. No man can doe those Miracles that thou doest Christ means not works of divine Creation Redemption or Sanctification but of his mission such Miracles as he wrought in the world such and greater then they were wrought by the Apostles whose shadows cured sick men as they passed by after Christs Ascension and the wonderful conversion of the Gentiles followed 757. Joh. 14. 13. chap. 16. 24. Whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my Name that will I do Ask and you shall receive Jam. 4. 3. Ye ask and receive not We ought to ask in Christs Name in full confidence of his merits with true faith and without doubting spiritual or corporal blessings with exception of Gods will and our own salvation in all occasions and in all our prayers they that ask so receive and they that receive not ask amisse 758. Joh. 14. 23. If any man love me he will keep my words vers 23. The Word which ye hear is not mine The Word that Christ taught was his but not any invention of his but his Fathers Word which he was sent into the world to preach 759 Joh. 14. 23. And we will come unto him and make our abode with him Rom. 7. 20. Sin dwelleth in me vers 14. I am sold under sin The first place is concerning the inhabitation of the Sacred Trinity in the spiritual part of a regenerate man The latter is of the dwelling of sin in our carnal members 760. Joh. 15. 15. I call you not servants but friends Mat. 25. 21. Well done good servant The Disciples were Christs servants by right of creation redemption and vocation friends by right of adoption communication and patefaction Aug. tr 55. on John 761. Joh. 15. 15. All things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you chap. 16. 12. I have yet many things to say unto you In the Scriptures some things are said to be full which are to be fulfilled in the former place Christ speakes concerning the knowledge of God and the perfect worship of Christians in it self in the latter concerning the understanding of this Word which the Disciples by reason of their rudenesse could not bear before they had received the holy Ghost nor did they understand it 762. Joh. 16. 13. The Spirit of Truth shall guide you into all Truth Gal. 2. 11. Peter erred after he had received the holy Ghost The Apostles were led into all truth in parts and degrees of it After they had received the holy Ghost they erred not in doctrine in writing or teaching but in life and conversation such was the errour of Peter which was to be reproved whilest he conversed amongst the Gentiles 763. Joh. 16. 24. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my Name Mat. 6. 9. Luk. 11. 2. He had given them the form of Prayer before The Disciples did indeed pray before but not so plainly with a clear knowledge of Christs Office that their prayers should be heard for the Messias that was sent 764. Joh. 16. 26. I say not unto you that I will pray the Father for you Rom. 8. 26. He makes intercession for us Christ alone doth not pray for us but we also must come to the Father and in his Name at his command pray in full assurance which is necessary for our salvation 765. Joh. 17. 3. That they may know thee Father to be the only true God Act. 20. 28. The Son is God chap. 5. 4. The holy Ghost is God Onely here doth not exclude the Persons in the Divine Essence but creatures and Idols which are no gods 766. Joh. 18. 20. I speak openly to the world and in secret have I said nothing Mar. 9. 28. He taught his Disciples privately in the Desert In the first place he speaks of his doctrine which he brought from Heaven that he might reveal it to all men and teach it publickly and in the temple not in private corners In the latter place he taught privately explaining those things which he had taught publickly 767. Joh. 19. 9. Jesus answered not Pilate 1 Tim. 6. 13. Christ Jesus before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession To Pilates question first Christ did not answer because he stood before him to suffer and not to plead or excuse at length he gave testimony to the Truth in words and deeds for his passion and death were a sufficient testimony and sealing of his doctrine 768. Joh. 20. 1. Christ rose on the first day of the week Mat. 12. 40. The Son of Mâ—â— shall be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth untill the third day This is a Synecdochical computation of time for the least part of the day of the preparation is taken for a whole day and the beginning of the day after the Passeover or the Sabbath is taken also for a whole day Christ was three days in the grave but it was incompleatly three days so also he was two nights in the grave the night before being added to them 769. Joh. 20. 1. Mary Magdalen came early when it was yet dark unto the Sepulcher Mar. 16. 2. Very early they came to the Sepulcher at the rising of the Sun When it was yet dark very early in the morning she went out of her house and the City waiting for the rest of the women with which afterwards she came to the Sepulcher at the Sun-rising 770. Joh. 20. 17. Touch me not Ver. 26. Reach hither thy finger Christ after the Resurrection would not be touched of Mary Magdalen who only sought him after a carnal way and thought of enjoying him no otherwise then she did formerly by his earthly presence amongst them But he commanded Thomas to touch him that his faith being confirmed he might be a more certain witnesse of Christs Resurrection The ACTS of the APOSTLES LVKE the Evangelist describes either in generall all the Acts of the Apostles or in speciall Peters Preachings Acts Visions Miracles Imprisonments the Conversion of Paul his Travels Disputations Miracles Bonds Imprisonments and the History of the Primitive Church after Christs Ascension from 26 years unto the 60 year from Christs Nativity 771. Acts 1. 1. Of all things that Jesus began both to do and teach Luke wrote John 21. 25. There are also many other things which Jesus did the which if they should be written every one I suppose that even the world it self could not contain the books that should be written Luke in the first Book wrote of all things necessary for our salvation though not of all things but summarily concerning the conception of Jesus Christ his Nativity Life Passion Death Resurrection and Ascension into heaven August Christ did many things that are In John Tract 49. not written as John the Evangelist witnesseth but those things were chosen to be written which might suffice for the salvation
THE Reconciler OF THE BIBLE WHEREIN Above Two Thousand seeming Contradictions throughout the Old and New Testament are Fully and Plainly Reconciled Being necessary for all those that desire to understand the Sacred Scriptures aright unto SALVATION By J. T. Minister of the Gospel LONDON Printed for Simon Miller at the Star in St. Pauls-church-yard neer the West end M. DC LVI Imprimatur Edm. Calamy To the Reader THE Scripture of the Old and New Testament 2 Tim. 3. 16. revealed from God by the Prophets and Apostles since it is the rule of heavenly doctrine it ought to be held in high account amongst us For so many as walke according Gal. 6. 16. to this rule peace be on them and mercy and upon the Israel of God c. But for as much as the enemies of divine truth are adversaries to those who continue in the same it is no wonder that they fear not both to resist the spirit by whom it was inspired and to accuse the work of contrariety and imperfection Though the Scripture have no reall contrarieties indeed in its self for the Spirit of God by 2 Pet. 1. 21. whom those holy men that writ it were led being not Chrys in Gen. hom 1. contrary to himself did so govern the matter that it should wholly agree in all parts yet some apparent contrarieties there are in it which cause some difficulty to the Reader yet the whole body of the Doctrine is not therefore to be accused of obscurity as though the will of God could not thence be certainly known concerning things which appertain to Religion Nothing is searched out there which is not to be found easily in some other place nor is there any opposition in the Scripture witnesse Aug. lib. 5. c. 8. de Genes I will never dare to think saith Justin Martyr in Dial. cum Tryph. Judaeo nor speak that the Scriptures can be adverse to themselves but if any Scripture seem to be so and hath a colour as though it did contradict some other Scripture I will rather confesse that I understand not the things there spoken being certainly perswaded that no part of Scripture can be opposite to any other part thereof c. This is that I undertake to prove in this Reconciliatory Bible wherein are reconciled above Two Thousand places of the Sacred Scripture opposite in appearance in a plain order by the Canonical books of the Old and New Testament short collections of each Book and Chronologicall numbers being set down before them and the truth of the divine word is proved to be uniforme to the honour and love whereof all that doubt of the consent of the same are modestly invited Some man perhaps will object that some things are borrowed by me from others which I deny not for in compiling this Synopsis I thought it more safe and discreet to follow the steps of the most approved Interpreters then without the authority of famous men in this most corrupt age which is full of Error and Heresie to invert any thing of my own brain and to publish it to the world And I hope that the Curteous Reader and the equall censurer are not ignorant that in the study of Divinity nothing can be said now that was not said before And it is most profitable that many Books should be Eccl. 110. Aug. tom 3 de Trin. lib. 1. c. 3. made by many men of the same things in a divers style but not in a different faith And he shall finde that I have compendiously gathered together in this Concordance that which the greater works of learned men contain more at large so that here he may as it were at a single view comprehend the matter Let those famous men have the praise who have set forth large handfuls in this harvest I would not that any one should derogate from their Orthodox labours but let them have it rather then my selfe Yet I doubt not but that he who was and is effectuall in their large and learned Commentaries will supply me with his grace and be present to these gleanings If any one condemn my brevity and rudenesse of my style I sought to be brief but not obscure because brevity is profitable and is accounted most acceptable alwayes by this there is nothing lost in the substance My religious mind bad me stop this little body with solid meat not with lofty and windy words if there be any thing found in it that is not as it should be I crave pardon what is not spoken religiously enough let it passe as not spoken far be it from me that I should arrogate to my self as though I had exactly written without error for I am not he of whom it may be said He made it in the perfect tense D. Mart. Luth. in praef but I stand in the last ranke who scarse dare say I would have made it yet in great matters it is suffient to be willing Wherefore I being much sollicited by some like my self that is of the meaner sort and by the most pious desire of my intimate friends by this little Book of mine first intended for private use I would nay I am obliged to do them good but not them who suppose they better understand these things For who is sufficient for these things Christian Reader I do patiently and willingly beg of thee that according to thy Piety and Candor thou wouldest sincerely interpret of this my study and duty performed in collecting these Concordances of the Bible and wouldest look upon it with the same minde that I writ it that is with a single and good eye Our Lord Jesus Christ who of God is made 1 Cor. 1. 30. unto us wisdome and righteousnesse and sanctification and redemption in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge Sanctifie reconcile and enlighten us by his holy Spirit that being reconciled in him we may remain for ever to the praise of his divine grace and our own salvation Which is the desire and prayer of Your dayly Orator at the Throne of Grace J. T. RECONCILIATIONS Of the Places of the OLD-TESTAMENT THE sacred Scripture of the Old Testament is the Word of God brought down from heaven from the beginning of the World unto the coming of the Messias preached by the Prophets almost 4000 years writin Hebrew except some few things in Chalde Esdras 4 5 6. Dan. 2 to 8. Ezek. 10. 11. called by the Jewes Esirmve arba that is twenty four divided by Christ into the books of Luk. 24. 27. Moses the Prophets and the Psalms The Books of Moses THe Pentateuch that is the five Books Also the Ocean of Divinity the Hebrews call the 1. Bereschit that is in the beginning 2. Velle Semoth These are the names 3. Vajer He called The 4. Vajed daber And he spake 5. Elle hadebarim These are the words both in Greek and Latine 1. Genesis 2. Exodus 3. Leviticus 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Numbers
goe and tell him his fault between thee and him alone 1 Tim. 5. 20. Them that sin rebuke before all Christ speaketh of our private duty toward our brethren that offend us without publick scandalt and wils that we shal not be too severe or soft examiners of our brothers faults The Apostle speaks of the publick office of the Presbytery against those who persevere in their sins as Theophylact expounds it 605. Mat. 18. 20. Where two or three are gathered together in my Name there am I in the midst of them Joh. 11. 15. I was not there Christ in the former place speaks of his personal and gracious presence in the latter of his common natural presence with other men in the earth for when he was in another place he was not truly and locally in Bethany 606. Mat. 19 17. There is no man good save one who is God Luk. 6. 45. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good God is good of his own infinite perfection by his Essence Nature and Beeing to whom evill is contrary Men and Angels are called good not from themselves but by communication by the goodnesse of God in their creation and restitution Christ attributes goodnesse to God only that he might draw him that called him good to acknowledge his doctrine to be divine 607. Mat. 19. 27. Behold we have forsaken all and followed thee What shall we have therefore Luk. 17. 10. When you have done all those things that were commanded you say We are unprofitable servants we have done onely that was our duty to doe Peter glories in the name of the Apostles that they had forsaken all for Christ though it was not much that they had so men are wont to reckon largely of their services toward God Christ opposeth against this ambition our duty we owe unto God all that we can and all we possesse is from God we are his servants and they that serve him not for himself deserve nothing in the sight of God doing our duty we doe not repay the thousandth part of what we owe unto him 608. Mat. 20. 16. Many are called and few chosen Rom. 8. 38. Whom he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them he also justified Vocation is either external by preaching of Gods Word so God cals all men indifferently to partake of his grace or by the internal vocation joyned with the outward whereby God by his holy Spirit manifesteth to us our Rom. 8. election and declares us to be his children 609. Mat. 20. 20. The Mother of Zebedees children came to him and desired Mar. 10. 35. James and John the sons of Zebedee came to him The Mother spoken to by her children asked in their name for they supposed they should the more easily obtain it by mediaation of their Mother because she was Christs Cousin 610. Mat. 20. 23. To sit on my right hand and on my left is not mine to give Rev. 3. 21. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me on my Throne In the first place Christ maintains that at his first coming God the Father had given him no command to assign to any men any degrees of honour but that he should instruct the faithful concerning the Crosse and should promise unto them eternal life which is given to them who shall overcome by faith which is our victory 611. Mat. 20. 29. And as they departed from Jericho behold two blind men sitting by the way side Mar. 10. 46. As he went out of Jericho blind Bartimeus sat by the high way side Matthew was an eye witnesse that they were two but Mark mentions the most noted of them 612. Mat. 20. 29. As they departed from Jericho Behold two blind men Luk. 18. 35. As he came nigh to Iericho a certain blind man sat by the way side When Christ entred the City the blind man first cryed out and when he was not heard for the noyse he sat in the way where Christ went out and never left crying till Christ called and healed him Christ did defer his cure but did not wholly refuse it so he made proof of his faith and of many others 613. Mat. 21. 19. The fig tree was forthwith dryed Mar. 11. 20. In the morning as they passed by they saw the fig-tree dryed up from the root The fig-tree indeed withered forthwith but on the morning the day following the witherednesse was made manifest 614. Mat. 22. 32. God is not the God of the dead but of the living Rom. 14. 8. Whether we live or dye we are the Lords Christ denyeth not simply but comparatively and relatively from the hypothesis of the Sadduces that God was the God of the dead for they supposed the dead should never rise again Paul from another hypothesis affirms the same which depends on Christs resurrection on this wise God is the God of the dead because the dead bodies shall rise again 615. Mat. 23. 9. Call no man your Father upon the earth 1 Cor. 4. 15. If you had ten thousand instructors in Christ yet have you not many Fathers for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you Christ will have us place our filial confidence in God only not in men though they love us with fatherly affection and teach us the true Religion and so are called Fathers not by nature but by participation that they are so So Paul cals himself the Father of the Corinthians and of Timothy by reason of the Gospel not primarily but secondarily because he was an Instrument which God used to call and regenerate them by the Gospel that he preached to them 616. Mat. 23. 10. Be not called Masters 1 Cor. 4. 15. You have many Masters Christ is our only spiritual Rabbi Master and Joh. 1. Doctor others that have these titles are but servants to this great Master because they must teach no other but the Doctrine of Christ For of his fulnesse we have all received he is the way the truth and the life and it is enough to us that he said it 617. Mat. 23. 17. Yee Fools and blind c. 5. 22. Whosoever shall say Thou Fool shall be in danger of hell fire Christ by his Office and his charity was angry with the Pharisees and to make them repent he called them fools and blind but he forbids that out of a carnal reproachful desire and greedinesse of revenge or pride or mad anger any man should detract from his neighbour 618. Mat. 23. 37. O Jerusalem Jerusalem thou that killest the Prophets and stonest them c. 27. Jerusalem is called the holy City Jerusalem the City of Martyrs is there called the City of many Saints It is called the holy City for the most holy God by whom it was made choise of or for the Messias who taught them the sanctity of faith and life and offered himself for us for a price of redemption or for the Saints that were in it 619. Mat.
of Beleevers 772. Acts 1. 9. Whilst the Disciples beheld Christ was taken up and a cloud received him John 3. 13. No man hath ascended up into heaven but he that came down from heaven The body of Christ was taken up visibly on high where Christ was personally before according to his Divine nature 773. Acts 1. 15. The number of names together were about an hundred and twenty 1 Cor. 15. 6. After that he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once The number of an hundred and twenty must be restrained to the faithfull there at Jerusalem the rest were out of this gathering in other places Luke by calling the brethren that were present sheweth that there were no women present at the Election of Matthias 774. Acts 1. 18. Judas purchased a field with the reward of iniquity Matth. 27. 3. He repented himself and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief Priests and Elders Judas purchased a field not actually but by purpose and event for he hoped with those silver pieces to buy a field he acquired the money It is Metonymia adjuncti and the price wherewith the Priests bought the field 775. Acts 2. 23. Jesus being delivered by the determinate counsell and foreknowledge of God by wicked hands you have crucified and slain John 19. 11. He that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin The death of Christ is ascribed to God and men in divers respects God delivered him by his determinate counsell that he might procure life for us The Jews out of their diabolicall hate that they might blot out the memory of him 776. Acts 2. 33. Christ is exalted by the right hand of God John 17. 5. Christ was glorified with the Father before the world was The state of Christs humiliation and exaltation is in respect of right and profession Christ was as Mediator at the right hand of God also before his corporall Ascension but in respect of use after his Ascension 777. Acts 2. 36. God hath made that same Jesus whom you have crucified both Lord and Christ Luke 2. 11. He is called Lord at his Nativity by the Angell Christ by right of his personall union was made Lord at his Nativity by possession and use in his Glorification declared to be so by his sitting at the right hand of God according to the rule Then a thing is said to be done when it is manifested to be done 778. Acts 2. 38. And be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ Mat. 28. 19. Baptizing them in the Name of the Father of the Son and of the holy Ghost In the first place there is the command and fruit of Baptism but not the form Some by the Name Christ understand the three Persons the Father anointing the Son anointed and the holy Ghost the unction Also in the Name of Christ is in the doctrine faith knowledge and obligation of Christ 779. Acts 3. 2. And a man lame from his mothers womb they laid daily at the gate of the Temple to ask alms chap. 4. 34. neither was there any among them that lacked They that carried the lame man to the Beautifull Gate of the Temple were not of the number of those who beleeved in Christ nor the lame man himself before he was healed 780. Acts 4. 31. And when they had prayed they were all filled with the holy Ghost chap. 2. 4. In the Feast of Pentecost the holy Ghost sat upon every one of them before The first place is of the increase of gifts and their boldnesse and confidence to professe the Gospel that casting away all sorrow they were full of rejoycing and preached the Word of God freely against the threatnings and interdicts of the High priests 781. Acts 7. 38. Moses received in mount Sinai the lively Oracles 2 Cor. 3. 7. Paul cals the Law the ministration of death The words of the Law were words of life because the Law hath life in it self and leads us to Christ it is not the Ministration of death in it self but in respect of mens infirmities and our corrupt nature 782. Acts 7. 2. Men Brethren and Fathers hearken vers 52. Betrayers and murderers In the former place he doth civilly use those compellation to the Jews in the later he shews what the truth is according to the Gospel they were enemies but according to Election they are beloved for the Fathers sake Rom. 11. 28. 783. Acts 7. 51. You do alwaies resist the holy Ghost as your fathers did Rom. 9. 19. Who hath resisted his will To resist the holy Ghost is not to hear him in the Word of God so the Jews rejected grace proferred unto them and despised it revealed in the Word and so were the cause of their own damnation The Apostle speaks of Gods absolute will according to that he doth all things to which we must be subject 784. Acts 7. 59. Lord Jesus receive my spirit Luk. 16. 22. Lazarus was carried by the Angels into Abrahams bosom All the godly and faithfull children of Abraham must commend their spirits into the hands of the Sonne of God who enlivens us there is that bosom and the soul of Abraham rests there 785. Acts 8. 1. And they were all scattered abroad throughout the region of Judah and Samaria except the Apostles Mark 16. 15. Go into all the world and preach the Gospel The beginning of the Apostles preaching was at Jerusalem where they suffered persecutions building a Church unto Christ before they went to other Nations 786. Acts 9. 6. Go into the City and there it shall be told thee what thou must do Gal. 1. 15. Paul was not called by man neither from men to be an Apostle of Jesus Christ Saul was taught by Ananias concerning the means of his conversion but not concerning the Articles of his faith Ananias was sent to baptize him and heal him but not to call him to be an Apostle 787. Acts 9. 7. And the men that journeyed with him stood speechlesse ch 26. 14. and when we were all fallen to the earth I heard a voice The companions of Saul were first cast down then they stood speechlesse nor could they go forward untill Saul also rose from the earth 788. Acts 9. 7. They heard a voice but they saw no man ch 26. 14. They that were with me saith Paul heard not the voice Hearing the sound of the voice they understand not the meaning of it so a voice coming to Christ from heaven the company that heard John 12. 29. it said it thundred 789. Acts 9. 8. They led Saul into Damascus Gal. 1. 17. He went into Arabia Paul after his conversion was first at Damascus then he went into Arabia and so returned again to Damascus 790. Acts 9. 15 Paul bare the Name of the Lord before the Gentiles the Kings and the children of Israel Gal. 1. 16. He was separated to preach to the Gentiles the Gospel of Christ He was the ordinary Apostle
for our salvation which was hid before and now is revealed or not necessary secret ascribing to the revealed will of God 807. Acts 20. 35. It is more blessed to give then to receive Paul faith that these were the words of the Lord Jesus which are not found in the Evangelists Though the words be not found there in the same letters yet the sense of them is found in the words of Christ lend looking for nothing again Give and it shall be given to you for all Christs words and deeds are not set down but only those which suffice for true faith and our salvation 808. Acts 21. 4. The Disciples said to Paul that he should not go up to Jerusalem ch 20. 22. Now behold I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem saith Paul The Disciples by suggestion of the Spirit warned him of bonds and afflictions using also some perswasions of their own as they were moved with brotherly affection being ignorant that it was the will of God that Paul should go up thither which he had revealed to him after a singular manner 809 Acts 21. 9. Philip had four daughters virgins which did prophesie 1 Cor. 14. 34. Let your women keep silence in the Churches The first place is concerning private and extraordinary gifts the later of the publike Ministry and that which is ordinary used from which women are excluded 810. Acts 23. 3. Paul reviled Ananias the Highpriest 1 Cor. 6. 10. Revilers shall not inherit the Kingdom of God Reviling is either lawfull which riseth from zeal to Justice and hath the observation of the Law for its object that is just and honest so Peter reviled Ananias Simon Magus Paul Bar Jesus or Elymas and God all wicked men or unlawfull which proceeds from a wicked Act. 5. c. 8 c. 13. 10. desire and minde of revenge that Paul had not 811. Acts 23. 6. Paul cryed out in the conusell Men and brethren I am a Pharisee 1 Cor. 1. 12. He reproves and condemns denominations from men Paul amongst those that disagreed admits the denomination only for distinction sake and so thinking with the Pharisees he distingnisheth himself from the Sadducees So the faithfull Professors of the Gospel are called Christians but when the persons agree in Doctrine he forbids to preferre one before the other 812. Acts 25. 10. Paul will be judged at Caesars Judgement seat 1 Cor. 6. 1. Dare any of you go to Law before the unjust Civil Judicatures are to be had in honour the abuse of them is condemned and he admonisheth Christians that they should avoid contentions before unjust Judges lest so contending concerning small matters they should prostitute their sacred Religion 813. Acts 28. 28. Be it known therefore unto you that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles Matth. 15. 24. I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel The Gospel ought to be preached by the Apostles first to the Jews they not beleeving it came to the Gentiles So Christ preached to the Israelites before he gave command to his Disciples Go and teach all Nations Matth. 28. 19. St PAULS Epistle to the ROMANS IT may be said to be the Method of the holy Scripture in this are contained that which convinceth all both Jews and Gentiles of their sinnes it demonstrates Justification from sinne by the Grace of God by Redemption of Jesus Christ which we apprehend by faith and testifie by good Works as the fruits of our faith It was written in the year of Christ 55. and sent from Corinth 814. Rom. 1. 1. Paul a servant of Jesus Christ John 15. 15. I will not call you servants There are servants of sinne and servants of Righteousnesse Christ speaks of servants of sinne the Apostle was an Apostle of Righteousnesse either in respect of the common condition that he was freed by Christ from the power of Satan or of his Apostolicall office being placed in the sacred Ministry by a singular manner 815. Rom. 1. 2. The Gospel of God which he had promised before by his Prophets in the holy Scriptures chap. 16. 25. The Gospel was kept secret since the world began but is now manifested The Gospel is taken either largely as it signifies the doctrine of Glory concerning Christ revealed in the Word or strictly properly for the Gospel promised or fulfilled Metonymically when the name of the thing is given to the instrument or it is taken for the Ministry 816. Rom. 1. 13. I often times purposed to come unto you v. 13. But was let hitherto Paul purposing to go to Rome did not resist the will of God nor was it contrary but according to his will not absolutely but conditionally if God pleased the impediments he might have were Satan casting many hinderances in his way or sicknesse the planting of Churches or the like 817. Rom. 1. 18. The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodlinesse chap. 2. 4. The goodnesse of God leadeth thee to repentance Justice doth not oppose the goodnesse of God punishing wicked men as they are wicked but goodnesse invites men to repentance deferring the punishments of the wicked not as they are wicked but as they are Gods creatures and he delights not in their destruction 818. Rom. 1. 26. He reckons up heathenish beastlinesse and Sodomy Eph. 5. 3. Fornication and all uncleannesse and filthinesse let it not be once named among you The Apostle commemorates the dissolute life of the Heathens to make us avoid it not to imitate it by disgracing it that so being terrified with that filthinesse we may escape the anger of God 819. Rom. 2. 1. Inexcusable thou art O man whosoever thou art that judgest chap. 13. 1. There is no power but of God The power of the Office is distinguished from the faults of the Person though in the Court of Conscience and before God we are sinners yet we are not in the Courts of Civil Justice and before men 820. Rom. 2. 6. God will render to every man according to his deeds vers 16. God will judge the secrets according to my Gospel In the former place is treated of the effect of faith that goes before retribution in the later of a necessary instrument God will condemn the wicked and Infidels according to the Law and acquit the beleevers according to the Gospel for he that believes shall be saved and both waies God will reward according to our works as they were done well or ill from faith Mark 16. 16. or infidelity 821. Rom. 2. 6. He shall render to every man according to his deeds ch 3. 28. ch 8. 3. We conclude that a man is justified by faith without the works of the Law To render is not only meant just retribution but free gift Behold I come quickly and my reward Rev. 22. 12. is with me to give to every man according as his work shall be This doctrine takes not away justice but confirms it because it respects works for
labour shall not be lost 963. Gal. 5. 17. The flesh lusteth against the spirit Eph. 6. 12. We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against powers Flesh is taken in the first place for our corrupt nature in the later for men whose nature is frail and weak nor is our chief conflict with those but with spirituall powers which use many deceits and make many incursions upon the faithfull 964. Gal. 5. 24. They that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections Eph. 5. 29. No man ever yet hated his own flesh The first place is not concerning the nature of the flesh but the desire of the regenerate man who cares not for the affections of the flesh will not serve his belly his pleasures the world or worldly delights the later is concerning self-love naturall to us all and the Apostle speaking of the wife useth the name of flesh because they are both made one flesh 965. Gal. 6. 2. Bear ye one anothers burdens ver 5. Every man shall bear his own burden In the first place is spoken of the faults and infirmities of our brethren which are indeed a burden to us yet we must bear them by sympathy and the rule of charity will have it so that all of us help our brethren and tolerate their infirmities to lift up such as are down to hide their faults so much as may be and is fitting Thou hast this fault and not that another Theoderez man hath another fault do thou bear his fault let him bear thine and so fulfill the love of charity be not curious in other mens faults for every man shall give account of his own 966. Gal. 6. 4. Let every man prove his works 1 Cor. 3. 13. The fire shall try every mans work In the first place is intimated what is our duty to make our works approved to God in the later place the fire signifies either the holy Ghost or afflictions by which we are tried The Epistle of St PAUL to the EPHESIANS HE commemorates the benefits of God which are part and recites our Election Redemption Sanctification Vocation into the Church Justification by faith our future inheritance of eternall life and our duties in generall of us all in speciall of married people and unmarried of Parents of Children of Masters and of servants It was written from Rome in the Year of Christ 59. and sent by Tychicus 967. Eph. 1. 7. In whom we have redemption Rom. 8. 18. We wait for future glory and the redemption of our bodies We have redemption in Christ from the guilt of sinne by our justification we expect a full redemption from inherent sinnes in our glorification for Christ shall transform our mortall bodies that he may make them like to his glorious body that as we are one with him here in soul and body by grace so we may be also in glory 968. Eph. 3. 5. The mystery of Christs incarnation was in other ages unknown to men Col. 1. 5. You have heard before in the word of the truth of the Gospel It was unknown to the Fathers under the Law in respect of fulnesse and clearnesse of knowledge revealed since Christ came and it was made manifest to the whole world by the Ministry of the Apostles 969. Eph. 3. 15. All paternity is named from God the Father Joh. 8. 44. The devil is the father of lies God is the Father of heavenly and earthly paternity the devil is excluded from these for he hath no such paternity but as he is the Authour he is called the Father of a lie 970. Eph. 4. 19. The Gentiles gave themselves over to lasciviousnesse to work all uncleannesse Rom. 1. 28. God gave them over to a reprobate minde The Gentiles gave themselves over in regard of their sinnes God gave them over in regard of punishment 971. Eph. 5. 25. Husbands love your wives Luk. 14 26. Wives are to be beloved as they are wives but if they hinder us from following Christ they are to be hated with such a hatred as proceeds not from anger but zeal to Gods glory 972. Eph. 5. 33. Let the wife see that she reverence Deut. 6. 13. her husband Matth. 10. 28. Rather fear God Fear in respect of God must be guided the same way that love must God must be beloved above all not excluding fear which is due to others 973. Eph. 5. 1. Be ye followers of God 1 Cor. 11. 1. Be ye followers of me The Apostle warns the Ephesians to be followers of God for by that they shall fructifie the more Ae exhorts the Corinthians to follow him that as he followed Christ so they would learn of him as if he would have said If you cannot follow Christ yet follow me at least that am his servant 974 Eph 5. 26. Christ hath cleansed his Church by the washing of water by the word 1 John 1. 7. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sins Christ purgeth away our spots with his blood as with water by the Word and Sacraments as by instruments he communicates to us the power of his death 975. Eph. 6. 12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood Gal. 5. 17. The spirit and the flesh are contrary In the former place mention is made of our principall and capitall enemy that is the devil in the later of the concupiscence of our corrupt flesh and the strife of it against the Spirit The Epistle of St PAUL to the PHILIPPIANS HE exhorts them to patience and not to be offended with his chains but that they should live patiently in mutuall love and take heed of false Teachers and study to lead a life unblameable Written from Rome by Epaphreditus 976. Phil. 2. 7. He was made in the likenesse of man and was found in fashion as a man 2 Cor. 5. 16. Henceforth know we Christ no more after the flesh The first place is concerning Christs true humanity who after his humiliation was exalted of God above all creatures and made to be Lord in the glory of the Father 977. Phil. 2. 9. God hath given him a Name which is above every name Matth. 1. 21. In his conception Luk. 2. 21. In his Circumcision they called his name Jesus By the Name above all names is understood Majesty and glory given from God the Father Mat. 1. 22. unto Jesus Christ our Lord. In his conception he was called Jesus because he shall save his people from their sinnes 978. Phil. 2. 12. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling 2 Tim. 1. 12. I am certain because the Lord is able to keep that which I committed unto him The Apostle means fear and trembling not that which is servile but filiall which is opposed to presumption and security least we should grow insolent upon the confidence of our gifts but that we should altogether depend on the mercy and goodnesse of God 979. Phil. 3. 12. Not as though I were already perfect ver 15. So many
about the Law In the first place he requires that Teachers by their Office shall rebuke those that are gainsayers with all long suffering and sobriety in the later that they avoid janglings about words that is contentious clamorous unprofitable Disputations and verball Discourse which tends not to edification either with Heretiques or others in the Church because they edifie none but rather confirm them in their sinnes 1007. Tit. 2. 15. Rebuke with all authority 1 Tim. 3. 3. A Bishop must be no striker Titus was gentle by nature therefore he is warned to rebuke with authority He inculcates to Timothy modesty and mildnesse that when he rebukes he should not strike but should rebuke diversly according to the diversity of mens faults offices ages degrees otherwise old men otherwise young men otherwise those that sinne of malice otherwise those that sinne of infirmity otherwise those that were ready to obey and otherwise those that were obstinate as there were in Crete many despisers of the Ministry The Epistle of St PAUL to PHILEMON HE intercedes for Onesimus who was runne from his Master Philemon and would have his Master receive him again 1008. Philem. v. 5. He had love and faith toward all the Saints Mark 16. 16. John 3. 16. Whosoever beleeveth in Christ shall be saved Philemon did testifie to all men by his works of love toward the Saints that he had a lively faith in Christ The Epistle to the HEBREWS is also thought to be St PAULS but his Name was left out least the Jews should be deterred from the reading of it HE describes the person of Christ according to his Divine and humane Nature and he confirms his Offices Priestly Kingly and Propheticall and exhorts the Jews to faith constancy and good works by the example of the Fathers 1009. Heb. 1. 3. Christ sate down at the right hand of the Majesty on high Acts 7. 55. Steven saw the son of man standing at the right hand To sit at the right hand is to have all Glory Majesty Kingdom and Power both in heaven and in earth The Lamb standing at Gods right hand which was slain for us and intercedes as a Priest on our behalf stands as Aaron stood with his Censer of old betwixt the living and the dead to turn away the wrath of God 1010. Heb. 2. 3. The Gospel was confirmed unto us by those that heard Christ Gal. 1. 12. I neither received it of man neither was I taught it but by the revelation of Jesus Christ In the first place it is spoken of the Apostles who were with the Lord into which number Paul was taken after Christs resurrection and he was more confirmed after his admission communicating with them those things that he had learned by revelation from Christ 1011. Heb. 7. 19. The Law made nothing perfect James 1. 25. The perfect Law of liberty The first place is concerning the Ceremoniall Law which the Jews abused separating the Law from Grace and the Spirit of Christ and opposing the Law to the Gospel The later place is concerning the whole Doctrine divinely revealed comprehended in Gods Word which contains not only in writing Morall Precepts but also Promises concerning Christ of all which Christ is the soul recreating our souls by his Spirit and enlightning our eyes 1012. Heb. 11. 6. He that cometh to God must believe that he is Rom. 2. 6. God shall render to every man according to his deeds We must beleeve because faith is the means and the instrument of our Justification God shall render to every one according to his works because works are the outward testimoniall and mark of our Faith and Justification before God 1013. Heb. 11. 13. The Patriarchs all died not having received the promises ver 33. Obtained promises Acts 2. 39. The promise is made unto you The promise made to the Fathers was temporall concerning the possession of the Land of Canaan which Abraham Isaac and Jacob Act. 7. 5. obtain'd not by themselves but by their successours but the promise was spirituall concerning Christ to be sent and that by faith in Joh. 8. 56. him they should obtain eternall life so the Fathers obtained the promises because they saw Christ afar off and rejoyced that Christ should come they did not obtain the promises because he came not in their daies yet they beleeved he should come 1014. Heb. 12. 17. Esau found no place for repentance though he sought it carefully with tears Acts 2. 38. Repent for the remission of your sinnes Repentance if it be taken passively is referred to Esau's father whose minde could not be changed with his prayers that so he might revoke the blessing conferred upon Jacob but Gen. 27. 33. v. 45. take it actively concerning Esau's repentance and that was not serious but hypocriticall who intended to kill his brother The Canonicall Epistle of St JAMES HE warns them who boasted of their faith without works that they should shew their faith by their works in the Divine Law and flee from sinnes that are forbidden and embrace virtues that are commanded 1015. James 1. 5. If any man lack wisdom let him ask it of God 1 Cor. 3. 18. If any man amongst you seemeth to be wise in this world let him become a fool that he may be wise The first place is concerning spirituall and heavenly wisdome the Authour whereof is God the later concerning vain earthly worldly wisdome and carnall which is foolishnesse with God 1016. James 1. 25. ch 2. 12. The perfect Law of liberty Gal. 4. 24. Which gendreth unto bondage In the former place not only the Morall Joh. 8. 36. Law according to which whosoever liveth is free but also the Doctrine of the Gospel whence true liberty results is to be understood in the later in respect of us and by accident it is called the Law of bondage 1017. James 2. 24. A man is justified by works and not by faith only Rom. 3. 28. We conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the Law The sayings of the Apostles Paul and James Aug quest 76. are not repugnant one to the other the one saith that a man is justified by faith without works the other saith that faith is dead without works those works that go before faith are vain but he speaks of those works that follow faith Paul considers a man justified before God James a man justified before men Paul speaks of true internall faith which justifies in the sight of God James of the outward profession of faith historicall knowledge and the effects and testimonies of it The two Epistles of the Apostle St PETER THe former commemorates Gods benefits exhorts all men in generall to the duties of piety and honesty toward God themselves and their neighbours but in particular in their Domesticall Politique and Ecclesiasticall condition c. the later warns the faithfull that they proceed in godlinesse and fly from false teachers deriders and such as deny the