the exercise of faith and praise to Christ 34. And when they were gone over they came into the land of Genesaret 35. And when the men of that place had knowledge of him they sent out into all the countrey round a-about and brought to him all that were diseased 36. And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment and as many as touched were made perfectly whole 34 c. N. What great cause have we to trust a Saviour so able and willing to save Body and Soul and to believe his word CHAP. XV. 1. THen came to Jesus Scribes and Pharisees which were of Jerusalem saying 2. Why do thy disciples transgress the traditions of the elders for they wash not their hands when they eat bread 1 2. N. Poor Souls that know not God do take up with ceremonies of their own and their forefathers making and put the name of Religion on these to cheat themselves when such things are not so much as an image of true Religion O what base thoughts have these men of God who think he is pleased or displeased with men as they keep or neglect such trifles 3. But he answered and said to them Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your traditions 3. N. The Rebels that break Gods Laws by their Laws yet charge Gods servants with sin for not keeping their Laws and Traditions against Gods Laws They think Gods Laws too many and too strict and yet make more of their own and are precise for keeping them 4. For God commanded saying Honour thy father and mother and he that curseth father or mother let him die the death 5. But ye say Whosoever shall say to his father or mother It is a gift by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me 6. and honour not his father or his mother he shall be free thus ye have made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition 4 5 6. Gods command to honour Parents binds you to relieve them if they be in want And duty to Parents is so great that contempt of them deserves death But ye have like hypocrites got a trick to pretend to devote your estates to God that you may defeat your parents and so quite frustrate Gods commandment 7. Ye hypocrites well did Esaias Prophecy of you saying 8. This people draweth nigh to me with their mouth and honoureth me with their lips but their heart is far from me 9. But in vain do they worship me teaching for doctrines the traditions of men 7 8 9. Note 1. It is the part of hypocrites to pretend Religion for lip labour and Traditions and Ceremonies of their own and think God is honoured and pleased with the injunctions and Canons of men while they break Gods Commands anâ— hate and persecute those that keep them 2. This humane Religion of hypocrites is vain and worse than vain It is lost labour and sinful prophanation 10. And he called the multitude and said to them Hear and understand 11. Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man but that which cometh out of the mouth this defileth a man 10 11. It is not the quality or uncleanness of your food that is sin and soul defilement but it is sinful words and deeds the product of sinful hearts that God will charge on you as your uncleanness 12. Then came his disciples and said to him Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying 12. Note Erroneous men and hypocrites are offended at the clearest truth which crosseth their old opinions and way 13. But he answered and said Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up 14. Let them alone they be blind leaders of the blind And if the blind lead the blind they shall both fall into the ditch 13 14. Their Opinions and Traditions and their Sect in making a Religion of these are not of God but of their own invention and therefore God will root them up God will not bless Humane Religions Let them alone a while their judgment is near They and their Disciples as blind Leaders and followers will fall into the ditch of temporal and eternal perdition 15. Then answered Peter and said to him Declare to us this parable 16. And Jesus said Are ye also yet without understanding 17. Do not ye yet understand that whatsoever cometh in at the mouth goeth into the belly and is cast out into the draught 18. But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart and they defile a man 15 c. Meat that passeth through a man cannot defile his Soul but it is the products of a sinful heart that defile it 19. For out of the heart proceeds evil thoughts murthers adulteries fornications thefts false-witness blasphemies 20. These are the things which defile a man But to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man 19 20. It is out of a sinfull heart that all sins proceed as evil thoughts and designs c. Note The heart it self is not here excluded from guilt but included as the defiled and defiling cause of all actual sin 21. Then Jesus went thence and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sydon 22. And behold a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts and cried to him saying Have mercy on me O Lord thou Son of David my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil 21 22. Then he went to the borders of Israel near the Heathen Countrey and a heathen Canaanitish or Syropheniâ—ian woman hearing of his fame went to him and begged of him to heal her daughter vexed with a Devil 23. But he answered her not a word And his disciples came and besought him saying Send her away for she crieth after us 24 But he answered and said I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel 23 24. Dismiss her that she trouble us not He said My personal Ministery is to be to the straying Jews and not to the Heathens 25. Then came she and worshipped him saying Lord help me 26. But he answered and said It is not meet to take the childrens bread and cast it to the dogs 27. And she said Truth Lord yet the dogs eat the crums which fall from their masters table 25 c. To give that which is designed for Israel to Heathens is but like casting the Childrens bread to Dogs She said It is true Lord and I confess my self to be but as one of the Dogs and claim not the Childrens portion but if I have as dogs the crums that fall they will have never the less 28. Then Jesus answered and said to her O woman great is thy faith Be it unto â—hee even as thou wilt And her daughter was made whole from that very hour 28. Note Great faith maketh men capable of great mercies even of having what they justly desire 29. And Jesus departed thence and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee
David's indeed but all such are written in Scripture to teach us also Patience and imitation of such examples of Charity and so to confirm our hope 5. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like minded one towards another according to Christ Jesus 5. I know the danger of this selfish uncharitable humour of imposing Mens own Opinions on all others as terms of their Communion with them and therefore as I have used this long and plain exhortation against it I shall also pray for you that the God who is patient with the weak and is their Comforter and yours will grant you so much Grace and Charity as to make you imitators of him and of the Love and Condescension of Christ and to bear with others and do by them as you would be born with and used your selves 6. That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorifie God even the father of our Lord Jesus Christ 6. That you may with Unity and Concord hold your holy Communion for worshipping God without uncharitable Excommunications or Separations vilifying or censuring each other which can never be expected by driving each one to agree in small unnecessary things or without bearing with the mistakes and differences of one another when all are guilty of many mistakes and such differences must still be expected 7. Wherefore receive ye one another as Christ also received us to the glory of God 7. I conclude therefore by beseeching you to receive one another with Love to your Communion and Kindness as you would be Christian imitators of Christ and as you are sensible of his needful Mercy to your selves in receiving us that once were Enemies and still have manifold sins and errours to the glorifying of God's Love and Mercy And pretend not your Knowledge or Authority or Piety against so commanding a Motive and Example ANNOTATIONS on the former Chapter and this THe Subject of the former Chapter is handled on thus far and here that Chapter should have ended He that understandeth the former and present State of the Christian Churches and the Pride and Ignorance to which Man is liable will easily perceive that it was not in vain that the Spirit of God did by the Apostle handle and decide this Case of receiving Dissenters in tollerable Cases into Love and Communion The Jews were so tied up from Legislation in God's Matters by the knowledge of God's Prerogative in their Theocracy that they had less room for the Canons and Engines of Mans making to exercise their Pride and Uncharitableness by than the Romanists have since done And yet the Pharisees plaid their part and by their Traditions made void the Law of God and preferr'd their Ceremonies before the weighty Matters of the Law and would not understand what that meaneth I will have mercy and not sacrifice and thereby did condemn the guiltless And Christ found the Samaritans and Jews at the Debate Whether in this Mountain or at Jerusalem men ought to worship overlooking that Worship which is in Spirit and in Truth And alas what work have Domination unnecessary Canons and Censures made in the Christian Churches these 1300 years And it is an Instance what power Blindness and Prejudice and Worldly Interest have to frustrate the plainest Decisions of God's Word that so full and express a Decision as these two Chapters make with 1 Cor. 12. and Eph. 4. and James 3. hath signified as little with the Dividers and Proud almost as if there had been no such written And yet such Men call for a Judge of Controversies because of the pretended Obscurity of the Scriptures when nothing can be plainer than this which they despise They mean that such as they must be Judges and God shall make the Words if they may make the Sense How great is the number that go on the two sides of Uncharitableness here reproved especially on that which is largeliest insisted on One side saith All God's Truths are precious and none must be sold for Peace and we must not partake of other Mens Sins As if our great Duty of Love Forbearance and Communion were our Sin or a partaking of the Faults of all that we joyn with The other Side pretend 1. That Paul only requireth Forbearance in things Indifferent undetermined by Governours and not after such a Command or Determination 2. Or that he giveth only a Temporary Rule for the present Concord of Jews and Gentiles till the setled Church should take a contrary Course I will not here answer these at large having done it in my Book called The only Way of the Churches Concord But I say That I despair of reducing that Man to the Truth herein who shall continue of either of these Opinions after he hath seriously perused the Text and hath considered 1. That St. Paul here useth I think above twenty Arguments from Morality and common Christian Duty which he would not do for a mutable Case which Bishops may change when they will 2 That Rome was then a famous Church and therefore had Pastors or one at least and that he writeth to the whole Church and therefore to the Pastors And sure he never meant The Clergy shall receive such Dissenters to Communion and neither by Canon or Practice cast them out till they think meet to do otherwise and till have made such Canons Paul doth not so play with Contradictions in so long and grave a Reprehension 3. That St. Paul oft puts himself in as under the same Obligation with the rest And if an Apostle called from Heaven may not do what 's here forbidden what Bishops can preteâ—d a Right to do it by greater Authority or Wisdom But they that have not known the Way of Peace may say something against the fullest and plainest Description of it and the sharpest Reproofs of God himself But he will expound these Chapters to their Consciences if ever he make them Healers of his Church As to those that say It is not Church-Communion that Paul here speaks of I refer them to the plain Text and Dr. Hammond's Annotations which they value The God of Love and Peace hath given Laws for Love and Peace so strict and full and clear that all World may see that it is not he that alloweth the Canons or Censures which have so long torn the Churches 8. Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the Circumcision for the truth of God to confirm the promises made unto the fathers 9. And that the Gentiles might glorifie God for his mercy 8 9. And that you may understand my Argument from the Example of Christ I say that it was his Office to reconcile both Jews and Gentiles to God who will receive them both And therefore they should live as reconciled to each other Christ was a Mininister of God circumcised being a Jew and personally exercised his Ministry among them to perform Gods true Promises to the Fathers And yet his Gospel extendeth to the Gentiles also that
forwardness to backbite and speak evil falsely as Accusers of those that distaste them â—ot sober and careful of their Business not trusty in all things 12. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife ruling their children and their own houses well 12. The Deacons must not be such as have more Wives than one or that have injuriously put away one and married another The good government of their own Children and Houses also must shew that they are fit to serve in the Church 13. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus 13. For though the Deacons be as Servants to the Pastors they that have used that Office well are in a degree above the Vulgar and have matter of confident Boldness and Freedom in the management and defence of the Affairs of Christianity 14. These things write I unto thee hoping to come unto thee shortly 15. But if I tarry long that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thy self in the house of God which is the Church of the living God the pillar and ground of the truth 14 15. I hope to come to thee shortly but lest I should be delayed I write these things to thee that thou mayst know how thou oughtest to converse in the House of God which is the Church of the Living God as in it a Pillar and firm Buttress or Basis of the Truth Note Though it be true that the Truth of God is most safely preserved in his Church yet I with Gataker marvel that so many apply these Words to the Church which are spoken of Timothy That it is he that is called here a Pillar and Buttress of the Truth seemeth to me evident 1. In that in the Allegory it is not like that Paul would in the very next Words call the Church a Pillar and Buttress in the House when he calleth it The House it self He plainly dâ—fferenceth a Part from the Whole The Church is the Whole a Pillar is a Part. 2. It is the very Sum of Paul's Exhortation to Timothy that according to his Office he should be a Pillar and Buttress of Truth in the Church 3. The Preposition in the House agreeth to him and the Word Pillar c. which is in the House 4. The omission of the Article before 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 intimate that it should rather be translated a Pillar c. than the Pillar which it's like would have been put in had it been the Churches peculiar Privilege that had been meant 5. The Apostle useth the same Word of James Cephas and John Gal. 2.9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 accounted Pillars which Timothy was And the very same Phrase as here is used Rev. 3.12 He that overcometh I will make him a Pillar in the Temple of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So Rev. 10.1 the Angels Feet c But the Church is never called a Pillar that 's in the Church 6. As to them that feign it would be false Construction because the Words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are the Nominative Case this hath no pretence from the Text So that I doubt not but the plain sense is as it is Paraphrased and all the Fabrick is built on a meer Mistake which the Papists raise upon this Text Though were it otherwise it would not serve their turn 16. And without controversie great is the mystery of godliness God was manifest in the flesh justified in the Spirit seen of angels preached unto the Gentiles believed on in the world received up into glory 16. And confessedly the Mystery of Godliness which requireth such great Abilities in thee as to make thee a Pillar and Buttress of it in the Church is exceeding great and high 1. God himself appeared to Man in the Flesh of our Redeemer to manifest his Love and Will for our Salvation 2. The Spirit was Christs Witness which by its unimitable holy Impressions Miracles his Ressurection and Communication to his Followers did justifie Christ to be truly what he did profess to be and sealed his Doctrine to the World 3. Angels beheld proclaimed and obeyed him 4. The Wall of Separation being broken down he was preached by his Commissioned Apostles to the Gentile World 5. The World that knew him not or despised him is by a few poor unlearned Men brought to believe in him and submit to him as Lord and Saviour Philosophy submitteth and Wit is silenced and Policy and Power stoop to him in part and more will do 6. He was taken up into Heaven in Glory Angels attending him his Apostles looking on These Six Articles are that great Mystery which requireth the ablest Preacher and the soundest Faith And he that firmly believeth these doth see into a more excellent Mystery than Philosophy and will be a stable Pillar in the Church CHAP. IV. 1. NOw the Spirit speaketh expresly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils 1. The Spirit of Prophecy plainly foretelleth us that in the latter times some who profest themselves Christians shall depart from either the Whole or some Essential Parts of the Christian Faith turning Apostates or Hereticks and this by giving heed to false Revelations of seducing Spirits in themselves or others and to Doctrines of Devils Note Whether it mean effectively Doctrines taught by Devils or as Mr. Mede largely maintaineth objectively Doctrines concerning Demons or the Nature Order and Minds of the Spirits like the Valentinians Aioâ—es c. I leave to the Judgment of others 2. Speaking lies in hypocrisie having their conscience feared with a hot iron 2. Covering their Lies or False Doctrine by Hypocritical Pretences of Piety or Divine Revelation or some great Excellency having Consciences feared and branded as the Perfidious use to be by their flagitious Lives 3. Forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth 3. Note I think it far more probable that Paul here speaketh of those Hereticks which made up a Religion of Judaism and Pythagorean Fancies who taught That Marriage was of the Devil to propagate sinful miserable Men and that Flesh was not to be eaten especially the unclean Beasts than of those erroneous Christians who onely forbid Marriage to the Clergy and Flesh on certain Days of Abstinence or that affect the total avoiding Marriage and eating Flesh as a State of special Strictness not required of most For Paul seemeth plainly to speak of a Doctrine taught to all and he describeth Christian Knowledge herein to be That God hath made such Meat in kind to be received with Thanksgiving and not that All men or any at all times must use such Meats 4. For every creature of God is good and nothing to be refused if it be received with thanksgiving 5.
friendly Converse the more comfortable 2. By Elect Sister here again some think he meaneth another Church but it cannot be proved The Third Epistle of JOHN 't is most likely the Apostle 1 THe elder unto the well beloved Gaius whom I love in the truth 2. Beloved I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health even as thy soul prospereth 1 2. My love to thee for the Truths sake which thou adherest to maketh me wish earnestly that as thy Soul prospereth so may thy Bodily Health for the service of God and thy Soul 3. For I rejoyced greatly when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee even as thou walkest in the truth 3. Note 1. Soul-Mercies are the greatest Mercies and matters of greatest joy for one another 2. Good Reports of our Brethren is a duty tending to the comfort of Ministers and Friends 4. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth 4. Note True Ministers rejoyce more for the welfare of men's Souls than in Preserments Wealth or Worldly Honour 5. Beloved thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren and to strangers 6. Which have born witness of thy charity before the church 5. It is well done of thee as a sincere Christian that thou shewest so much love and help both to the Brethren of the Church with thee and to Strangers in their Banishment and Travels Which divers have here testified before the Church to thy praise 6. Whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort thou shalt do well 7. Because that for his name's sake they went forth taking nothing of the Gentiles 6 7. And if thou further furnish and help them in their Travel it will be a laudable Christian Duty doing as to God's Servants who for Christ's Name sake went out of their Country to preach abroad or were persecuted out and took nothing of the Gentile Christians towards their Maintenance in their Travels 8. We therefore ought to receive such that we might be fellow-helpers to the truth 8. To entertain and further such is part of our duty for the propagating of the Gospel He that receiveth a Prophet in the name of a Prophet shall have a Prophet's reward 9. I wrote unto the church but Diotrephes who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them receiveth us not 9. I wrote for them to the Church my Testimonial and desire of their Reception but their Bishop Diotrephes who loveth to rule as pre-eminent among them receiveth nor us Jews or my Letters and Request to the Church for them 10. Wherefore if I come I will remember his deeds which he doth prating against us with malicious words and not content therewith neither doth he himself receive the brethren and forbiddeth them that would and casteth them out of the Church 10. Note 1. By remembring his deeds and words is meant sharp rebuking him before all at least 2. It 's like that this Diotrephes was Pastor or Bishop else he could not have cast such out of the Church At least he was some great man that usurpt that Power But sure no Lay-man did so early usurp the Keys 3. By this we see that the Pride of domineering Bishops began early to be Schismatical and divide the Church by Tyranny Yea it grew arrogant to oppose and reject the Beloved Apostle and maliciously to prate against him There is no Man or Cause so good but a malicious Bishop or other man may prate against it As there are few Mutinies dangerous in Armies unless headed by some Commanders so there are few Schisms much dangerous in the Church but those that are headed by Bishops or Clergy-men 4. It is uncertain whether it was to receive them to Communion or only to Hospitality that Diotrephes opposed But it 's like it was both because he cast out their receivers from Communion 5. It is not certain whether he did it on any difference of Opinion or occasional quarrel but it is most like it was that he was a Gentile Christian and too much despised the Jews as they censured and separated too much from the Gentiles Rom. 14. Gal. 2. Thus Separation on both sides soon began and even Peace-making Apostles could not be heard by the dividers 11. Beloved follow not that which is evil but that which is good He that doth good is of God but he that doth evil hath not seen God 11. Imitate not such proud hurtful uncharitable dividing Examples whatever it pretend to a hurtful uncharitable course is not of God such are not true Believers and know not God aright But it is doing good that must shew that we are of God By their fruit ye shall know them Note Clergy Roman Cruelty by Inquisitions Prisons Ejecting true Ministers c. shews that they are not of God though they pretend Power Order Unity Faith as if it were for God and Truth 12. Demetrius hath good report of all men and of the truth it self yea and we also bear record and ye know that our record is true 12. Both common report and his own good works and our true Witness commend Demetrius 13 14. I had many things to write but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee But I trust I shall shortly see thee and we shall speak face to face Peace be to thee Our friends salute thee Greet the friends by name 13 14. Note Kind Remembrances and Greetings are suitable to Christian Friendship The General Epistle of JUDE most probably the Apostle 1. JUDE the servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James to them that are sanctified by God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ and called 2. Mercy unto you and peace and love be multiplied 1 2. Note Men being judged of according to their professioâ—â— all Christians are called sanctified persons 3. Beloved when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation it was needful for me to write unto you and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints 3. Note 1. The common Salvation signifieth but tâ—aâ— way to Salvation which all must go in that will be savâ—d God's high-way to Heaven Christ and his Gospel 2. The Apostles writing more against Hereticks and Jews than Heathens tells us that the Church hath more cause usually to defend the Truth against pretended Religious Zealots and Sects that are erroneous than against open Pagans who are not animated by so much blind Zeal against them therefore they know not the Churches case who fear none but pâ—ophane Enemies 3. Though Love and Meekness may be predominant in Christians earnest contending for the Faith against corrâ—pting Hereticks is oft a duty But if this be pretended for odious Censures Excommunications Persecutions or dividing Contentions against Christians of the same Faith for their differences about lesser things and for tolerable imperfections or for doubting of unnecessary Opinions Ceremonies
much worse and averse to Faith 32. The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation and shall condemn it for they repented at the preaching of Jonas and behold a greater than Jonas is here 32. See Matth. 12.42 33. No man when he hath lighted a candle putteth it in a secret place neither under a bushell but on a candlestick that they which come in may see the light 33. God would not have us hide his Truth much less silence it by Diabolical Persecution 34. The light of the body is the eye therefore when thine eye is single thy whole body is full of light but when thine eye is evil thy body also is full of darkness 34. The Light of Man is his true Understanding As that is so is the man a Child of Light or of Darkness 35. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness 35. Take heed lest that Understanding be ignorant or erroneous 36. If thy whole body therefore be full of light having no part dark the whole shall be full of light as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light 36. See Mark 6.26 37. And as he spake a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him and he went in and sat down to meat 38. And when the Pharisee saw it he marvelled that he had not first washed-before dinner 37 38. See Matth. 7.3 Maâ—th 15.2 39. And the Lord said unto him Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness 40. Ye fools did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also 41. But rather give alms of such things as you have and behold all things are clean unto you 39 40 41. True Cleanness is to be acceptable to God Be charitable and liberal and your meat will be clean to you 42. But wo unto you Pharisees for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs and pass over judgment and the love of God these ought ye to have done and not to leave the other undone 42. See Matth. 23.23 The Love of God and Justice with Men are far greater matters than religious Rites and Ceremonies or Church-Orders God's Laws are some far greater than others though none to be violated 43. Wo unto you Pharisees for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues and greetings in the markets 44. Wo unto you scribes and Pharisees hypocrites for ye are as graves which appear not and the men that walk over them are not aware of them 43 44. Note Hypocrisie is Pride covered with formal Ceremonious shews of Religion sometime unknown to the Hypocrite himself 45. Then answered one of the lawyers and said unto him Master thus saying thou reproachest us also 46. And he said Wo unto you also ye lawyers for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be born and ye your selves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers 45 46. Note 1. Bad men can bear guilt but not reproach for it 2. Strict Doctrine condemneth looâ—e and guilty Preachers 47. Wo unto you for ye build the sepulchers of the prophets and your fathers killed them 48. Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers for they indeed killed them and ye 〈◊〉 their sepulchers 47 48. See Matth. 23 3â— Hâ—â—ocrites glory â—n the names and honour of dâ—ad 〈…〉 and Saints and kill the living 49. Therefore also said the wisdom of God I will send them prophets and apostles and some of them they shall slay and persecute 50. That the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation 49 50. Your Fore-fathers sins and yours shall be revenged on you shortly 51. From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias which perished between the altar and the temple verily â— say unto you it shall be required of this generation 52. Wo unto you lawyers for ye have taken away the key of knowledge ye entred not in your selves and them that were entring in ye hindred 51 52. Note The just description of a wicked Clergy 53. And as he said these things unto them the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently and to provoke him to speak of many things 54. Laying wait for him and seeking to catch something out of his mouth that they might accuse him 53 54. Their wrath set their wits on work to ensnare him CHAP. XII 1. IN the mean time when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people insomuch that they trod one upon another he began to say unto his disciples first of all beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees which is hypocrisie 1. Note He disswadeth none from joyning with them in any good or hearing the Law from them but to avoid their Hypocrisie and ceremonious covers of iniquity joined with malice against Christ 2. For there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed neither hid that shall not be known 3. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the house tops 2.3 Trust not to Secresie and Deceit for all secret sins shall be opened at the last Note O how many will that day shame It is our wisdom by due confession to take shame sooner to our selves 4. And I say unto you my friends Be not afraid of them that kill the body and after that have no more that they can do 5. But I will forewarn you whom you shall fear Fear him which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell yea I say unto you Fear him 4 5. I give it you as the most friendly counsel Take heed of too much fear of man lest it cause you to betray your Souls They can but kill the Body The Soul overliveth it and man's welfare or misery is after death Persecutors or Tyrants cannot reach or hurt you after death But as you love your selves fear God whose Justice will be executed on the ungodly after death and when he hath taken away their Souls will cast them into Hell Again I say be sure to fear him 6. Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings and not one of them is forgotten before God 7. But even the very hairs of your head are all numbred fear not therefore ye are of more value then many sparrows 6 7. God's Providence extendeth to a Sparrow and to the smallest creatures for he is omnipotent and all-sufficient and maintaineth all and much more to you There is not an hair of your heads not-caused not known and not regarded by him And doth he disregard your lives or welfare whom he hath raised above the rank of Brutes Note God is as sufficient for every creature and event as if he had but that one to mind 8. Also
64 65. N. What is it that the ignorant Rabble will not say and do against the best of men when men called Sacred and Great encourage them 66. And assoon as it was day the elders of the people and the chief priests and the Scribes came together and led them into their council saying 67. Art thou the Christ tell us And he said unto them If I tell you you will not believe 68. And if I also ask you you will not answer me nor let me go 66 67 68. It 's in vain to discourse with you for you are resolved what to do with me and trust to force and not to Truth 69. Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God 69. I shall shortly be advanced in Heaven as Man to be Lord of all 70. Then said they all Art thou then the Son of God and he said unto them Ye say that I am 71. And they said What need we any further witness for we our selves have heard of his own mouth 70 71. N. Though Christ answered not their other Accusations he would not to save his life by silence seem to fear to own his Nature Dignity and Office else he that laid our Salvation upon our open confessing him in the face of greatest danger should have required more of us than he would do himself Paul saith With the mouth confession is made to Salvation and giveth Timothy Christ's Example who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession Rom. 10 9 10. 1 Tim. 6.13 CHAP. XXIII 1. ANd the whole multitude of them arose and led him unto Pilate 2. And they began to accuse him saying We found this fellow perverting the nation and forbidding to give tribute to Cesar saying That he himself is Christ a King 1 2. N. The last clause which was true gave a colour to the former which was false They thought that Pilate could not believe that he could claim a Kingdom and not be against Caesar's Reign And to this day the Devil's design is to make Princes jealous that Christ's Kingdom is against theirs when as they have all their true power from him No way seemeth so effectual to the Diabolists to get down Christ's Kingdom as to raise jealousie and enmity in Kings against it 3. And Pilate asked him saying Art thou the King of the Jews And he answered him and said Thou â—ayest it 3 I am â—o I will not deny my Office and Dignity But my Kingdom is not of this Worâ—d 4. Then said Pilate to the chief priest and to the people I find no fault in this man 4. Though he call himself a King he raiseth no War or Sedition against Caâ—sar and so the Law will not reach him 5. And they were the more fierce saying He stirreth up the people teaching throughout all Jury beginning from Galilee to this place 5. His Preaching is seditious disaffecting the people to the Government and to the publick Peace 6. When Pilate heard of Galilee he asked whether the man were a Galilean 7. And assoon as he knew that he belonged unto Herods jurisdiction he sent him to Herod who himself was also at Jerusalem at that time 8. And when Herod saw Jesus he was exceeding glad for he was desirous to see him of a long season because he had heard many things of him and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him 6 7 8. N. When the King of Glory in the form of a Servant was thus tossed in triumph and scorn from Ruler to Ruler it was to shew what we deserved and what we must expect 9. Then he questioned with him in many words but he answered him nothing 9. N. As he was not over sollicitous to refel their Accusations so he would no accuse himself nor give them matter against him out of his own mouth He would not have taken an ex Officio Oath to answer whatever Question they should ask him though they told him not what 10. And the chief priests and Scribes stood and vehemently accused him 10 N. Consecrated men are Satan's Agents with the King against Christ 11. And Herod with his men of war set him at naught and mocked him and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe and sent him again to Pilate 11. N. The King and his Souldiers thought they were far enough above a despised unarmed Prisoner 12. And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together for before they were at enmity between themselves 12. N. They can agree in enmity and persecution of the just who cannot agree about their worldly interest 13. And Pilate when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people 14. Said unto them Ye have brought this man unto me as one that perverteth the people and behold I having examined him before you have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him 15. No nor yet Herod for I sent you to him and lo nothing worthy of death is done unto him 16. I will therefore chastise him and release him 17. For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast 13 14 15 16 17. His accusation of Sedition is not proved to me nor to Herod I will therefore scourge him and so release him 18. And they cryed out all at once saying Away with this man and release unto us Barabbas 18. N. A Murderer or the most deboist seems better than Christ himself to malignant Hypocrites 19. Who for a certain sedition made in the city and for murder was cast in prison 20. Pilate therefore willing to release Jesus spake again to them 21. But they cryed saying Crucify him crucify him 22. And he said unto them the third time Why what evil hath he done I have found no cause of death in him I will therefore chastise him and let him go 19 20 21 22. N. The malignant Jews are worse than the Heathens in persecuting rage 23. And they were instant with loud voices requiring that he might be crucified and the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed 24. And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required 23 24. N. Wicked men dare deny God's importunity mercy but cannot deny temptations from mens importunity and worldly interest 25. And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison whom they had desired but he delivered Jesus to their will 25. N. 1. It is the greatest means of bad mens ruine to let them have their wills 2. God in flesh was not innocent enough in the eyes of wicked men to scape condemnation 26. And as they led him away they laid hold upon one Simon a Cyrenian coming out of the countrey and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus 27. And there followed him a great company of people and of women which also bewailed and lamented him 28. But Jesus turning unto them said Daughters of Jerusalem
in Religion instead of great and needful things 21. Jesus saith unto her Woman believe me the hour cometh vvhen ye shall neither in this Mountain nor yet at Jerusalem Worship the Father 21. Alass poor woman hast thou not greater matter than Ceremony even the Place of Worship to mind Believe me that time is hard at hand when Jerusalem shall be destroyed and you scattered and a better way of Worship setled so that you shall no more keep up your Ceremonious Worship either at Shiloh or Jerusalem 22. Ye vvorship ye knovv not vvhat vve knovv vvhat vve Worship For Salvation is of the Jevvs 22. You worship ignorantly and corruptly you know not what ever since the Captivity of the Ten Tribes and you strive about the Place and Ceremonies when you have more need to learn who he is that you must worship It is of the Tribe of Judah that the Saviour cometh who must teach you how to worship God and this the Jews do rightly believe and own none in Worship but the true God 23. But the hour cometh and novv is vvhen the true Worshippers shall vvorship the Father in Spirit and in Truth For the Father seeketh such to worship him 23. The time is now at hand yea come when true Worshippers shall not take up with shadows nor worship God by Mosaical Ceremonies or Samaritane Traditions but with that spiritual Worship which Types and Ceremonies did signifie even from the Spirit of God within them as their Principle and according to the spiritual Law or Word as their Rule and not with bodily Exercise that profiteth nothing 24. God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth 24. Acceptable Worship must be suited to the God you worship and therefore they that worship him must worship him spiritually and not by Jewish Ceremony because he is a Spirit N. Though Spirit signifie a Nature more excellent than Body yet that and all human Words are too low to speak the Essence of God any otherwise than Analogically or Metaphorically for God is above all our formal Conceptions or Expressions but created Spirits being the highest created Beings known to us and our souls of that nature they are the clearest Glass in which we can know God and though the word Spirit first signifie created Spirit it doth transcendently eminently signifie the Infinite Father of Spirits and we can say nothing higher of Gods Essence than that he is this Infinite perfect transcendent Spirit what our best Conceptions of a Spirit are I have opened in Methodo Theologiae c. 25. The Woman saith unto him I know that Messias cometh who is called Christ when he is come he will tell us all things 25. N. Even the Samaritans expected the Messiah But with misconceivings of him 26. Jesus saith unto her I that speak to thee am he 26. N. Why did Christ tell that to this woman which he forbad others to tell abroad Ans He knew where and when it was seasonable and would do more good than harm 27. And upon this came his Disciples and marvelled that he talked with the Woman yet no man said what seekest thou or why talkest thou with her 27. Tho they presumed not to ask him why yet they thought it strange that he should talk so long with one woman 28. The Woman then left her Water-pot and went away into the City and saith to the Men 29. Come see a man which told me all things that ever I did Is not this the Christ 28. Telling her her secrets perswaded her to believe him saying I am he 30. Then they went out of the City and came unto him 31. In the mean time his Disciples prayed him saying Master eat 32. But he saith to them I have meat to eat that ye know not of 33. Therefore said the Disciples one to another hath any man brought him ought to eat 34. Jesus saith to them my meat is to do the will of him that sent me and to finish his work 30. c. N. The converting of one Soul was more pleasing to Christ than his natural food and so must it be to us He that loveth God and Christ and the Holy Ghost and the Church must rejoyce when there is one more converted to please and worship God to honour Christ and his Spirit to encrease the Church He that loveth his Country must rejoyce that one more is made a blessing to it when the wicked are it's enemies He that loveth Souls will rejoyce in that Grace which is better to them than all riches He that loveth Gods Word will rejoyce in it's success He that loveth Heaven will be glad that there is one more to possess it He that loveth himself aright will be glad that there is one more made like him to love him and pray for him And he that hateth Sin and Satan will be glad that there is one less to serve him 35. Say not ye There are four months and then cometh harvest Behold I say unto you lift up your eyes and look on the fields for they are white already to harvest 35. You rejoyce that within four months it will be harvest And shall not I rejoyce to see the harvest of my husbandry even at hand in the conversion of many Souls to God 36. And he that reapeth receiveth wages and gathereth fruit unto life eternal that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoyce together 36. And as I sow the seed so you that I shall senâ— out as Apostles shall see and reap more plenteous fruit hereafter and shall for your labour under me be well rewarded that I that have sowed and you that reap may rejoyce together in the success 37. And herein is that saying true One soweth and another reapeth 38. I have sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour Other men laboured and ye are entred on their labours 38. The Prophets and John and I after all have sowed the seed and been at the costliest labour and yet it is you that must see the success in gathering the universal Church when I that labour'd and suffer'd am gone 39. And many of the Samaritans of that City believed on him for the saying of the woman which testifyed He told me all that ever I did 39. N. That to believe in Christ by the means of mens credible testimony of his Words and Miracles is not as many falsly say to resolve our faith into the credit of man and to make it a meer humane Faith They that believe Apostles who said they saw Christs Miracles Resurrection and Ascention believe by a divine Faith on the same evidence that the Apostles were convinced by but not conveyed by the same means what they received by their eyes and ears immediately we receive mediately by their report living at a distance So that their testimony is not believed instead of Christs nor instead of evidence of his truth but as the conveyance of this
of the high priest 16. But Peter stood at the door without Then went out that other Disciple which was known unto the high priest and spake unto her that kept the door and brought in Peter 15. Note It seems acquaintance made them bear with John and yet pretended they knew him not to be a Disciple 17. Then saith the Damsel that kept the door unto Peter Art not thou also one of this mans disciples He saith I am not 18. And the Servants and Officers stood there who had made a fire of coals for it was cold and they warmed themselves and Peter stood with them and warmed himself 17 18. Note Whenever we have business in bad Company we should foresee what Temptations we may there expect and be forewarned 19. The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples and of his doctrine 19. N. The Perversion and Confusion of this blinded World Man Examineth and Judgeth God An ignorant High Priest who pretendeth to no honour but to be an Officer of God judgeth his Master 20. Jesus answered him I spake openly to the world I ever taught in the Synagogues and in the Temple whither the Jews always resort and in secret have I said nothing 21. Why askest thou me ask them which heard me what I have said unto them behold they know what I said 20 21. Note Christ that came to die for our sins yet would not accuse himself but refeâ—â—ed the ensnaring Prelate to his Auditors and bid him pâ—oduce his Witnesses if he had any thing to accuse him of Giving us an Example how to answer such malicious High Priests Secondly By in secret have I said nothing hemeaneth I have not fraudulently concealed my Doctrine Thirdly Christ did not separate from the Temple or Synagogue and yet they could not bear him while he put them but to prove their accusations they expected that his obedience to their demands should have furnished their Malice with matter against him while they were breaking Gods Commands 22. And when he had thus spoken one of the officers which stood by stroke Jesus with the palm of his hand saying Answerest thou the high priest so 22. Note It is no wonder if wicked High Priests have wicked Officers ready to say and do as they Rebels against God charge God himself for not obeying them in iniquity and expect more than due submission from Gods Servants while they were against God himself 23. Jesus answered him If I have spoken evil bear witness of the evil but if well why smitest thou me 23. If I have by my answer broken the Law prove it If not why art thou Executioner without Tryal or desert 24. Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high Priest 25. And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself They said therefore unto him Art not thou also one of his disciples He denied it and said I am not 26. One of the servants of the high Priest being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off saith Did not I see thee in the garden with him 27. Peter then denied again and immediately the Cock crew 24 25 c. All this was done in Caiphas house whither Annas had sent Christ bound There Peter then denied Christ Though one denyal be here omitted 28. Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of Judgment And it was Early and they themselves went not into the Judgement-hall lest they should be defiled but that they might eat the Passover 28. Note Thus That Hypocrite Priests make Conscience of a Ceremony while they are shedding holy Blood 29. Pilate then went out unto them and said What accusation bring you against this man 30. They answered and said unto him If he were not a malefactour we would not have delivered him up unto thee 29 30. Note The wicked Priests expected that Pilate should have taken their bare word against Christ to Condemns him 31. Then said Pilate unto them Take ye him and judge him according to your Law The Jews therefore said unto him It is not lawful for us to put any man to death 32. That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which he spake signifying what death he should die 31 32. If he must be Condemned upon your bare word be you the Judges of him by your own Law For the Rommans use not to Condemn men so unjustly Note The Romans having Conquered the Jews allowed them the use of their Law for lesser punishments but not for death though some think otherwise Crucifying was the Roman punishment 33. Then Pilate entred into the judgment-hall again and called Jesus and said unto him Art thou the king of the Jews 34. Jesus answered him Sayest thou this thing of thy self or did others tell it thee of me 34. I perceive thy question implyeth accusation Who is the Accuser Is it thy self or any other 35. Pilate answered Am I a Jew Thine own nation and the chief Priests have delivered thee unto me What hast thou done 35. I am no Jew nor Judge of your Prophesies pretences and quarrels It is thy own Nation and those that should best understand the matters of it even the High Priest that have delivered thee to me How hast thou offended them 36. Jesus answered My kingdom is not of this world if my kingdom were of this world then would my servants fight that I should not be delivered to the Jews but now is my kingdom not from hence 36. I know it is as the Usurper of the Crown against Caesar that they intend to accuse me But of that they have no just cause For it is no Earthly Kingdome that I claim nor do I raise Men to fight for me as I should do if I claimed an Earthly Kingdom 37. Pilate therefore said unto him Art thou a king then Jesus answered Thou sayest that I am a king To this end was I born and for this cause came I into the world that I should bear witness unto the truth every one that is of the truth heareth my voice 38. Pilate saith unto him What is truth 37. And art thou a King indeed Jesus answered I am a King though I claim no mans Crown it was to this end that I was born and came into the World that the Truth might Reign and that I might Reign in the Minds of Men by the Light of Truth And every one that is thus enlightned to obey the Truth obeyeth me Pilate said in disdain what is that Truth which thou pretendest to be thy Reign And when he had said this he went out again unto the Jews and saith unto them I find in him no fault at all 38. I find not that he breaketh any of our Laws by any capital Crime 39. But ye have a custom that I should release unto you one at the passover will ye therefore that I release unto you the king of the Jews 40. Then cried they all again saying Not this man But Barabbas Now Barabbas was a robber 39. Note Pilate derided Christ
but was loth to murder him judging him innocent Note Whereas other Writers of the Gospel oft tell us that Christ answered not a word and John tells us of his most pertinent Answers it only signifieth that to many other Questions not here mentioned he gave no Answer and that he forbore partly as seeing it was in vain with such unrighteous Men and being not over regardful of self defence and partly that he might not give them matter against him wrested from his own words But the answers omitted by others John reeiteth CHAP. XIX THen Pilate therefore took Jesus and scourged him 2. And the souldiers platted a crown of thorns and put it on his head and they put on him a purple robe 3. And said Hail king of the Jews and they smote him with their hands 1 2. Note When the unjust Ruler had once led the way by Scurging him all the Rabble and Soldiers make great Sport in deriding and abusing him such are the frolicks of wicked ignorance 4. Pilate therefore went forth again and saith unto them Behold I bring him forth to you that ye may know that I find no fault in him 5. Then came Jesus forth wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe And Pilate saith unto them Behold the man 4. In Scorn 6. When the cheif priests therefore and officers saw him they cried out saying Crucifie him Crucifie him Pilate saith unto them Take ye him and Crucifie him for I find no fault in him 6. Thus Christ is the Foot-ball of Cruelty and Heathen Scorn Pilate saith let it be your own dowing if you will needs have it done for by our Law he deserveth it not 7. The Jews answered him We have a law and by our law he ought to die because he made himself the Son of God 8. When Pilate therefore heard that saying he was the more afraid 9. And wenr again into the judgment-hall and saith unto Jesus Whence art thou But Jesus gave him no answer 7 8 9. Note The Name of the Son of God was used by the Priests against Christ to accuse and Murder him and yet to a Heathen Judge caused fear and further enquiry And to this day it is matter of Scorn to such that the Faithful are called the Children of God 10. Then saith Pilate unto him Speakest thou not unto me knowest thou not that I have power to Crucifie thee and have power to release thee 11. Jesus answered Thou couldest have no power at all against me except it were given thee from above therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin 10. Note 1. Christ would not tell him whence he was by Words that would not know it by his Works 2. Pilate thought that the power of Life and Death should have forced Jesus to answer him And Christ saith whatever Proud men may claim or pretend to no man can have more Governing Right or Authority than God the absolute Soveraign giveth him who giveth none against himself Therefore the Arch-Priests that deliver me to thee to be Crucified are so much the greater Sinners that would turn Gods Ordinances of Magistracy against himself 12. And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him but the Jews cried out saying If thou let this man go thou art not Cesars friend whosoever maketh himself a King speaketh against Cesar 12. Then the Priests used that Argument with Pilate which he had not strength to overcome as if they would question his Life or Office as a Traytor to Caesar if he would not Condemn Christ as such Though Christ had told him that he pretended not to a Kingdom of this World yet for the Name of a King either Christ must die as an Enemy to Caesar or Pilate go for such Thus though all Royal Authority be of God yet it is oft the strength and most prevailing Argument that Wicked men use against God and his Law and Servants 13. When Pilate therefore heard that saying he brought Jesus forth and sat down in the judgment-seat in a place that is called the Pavement but in the Hebrew Gabbatha 14. And it was the preparation of the passover and about the sixth hour and he saith unto the Jews Behold your King 15. But they cried out Away with him away with him Crucifie him Pilate saith unto them Shall I Crucifie your King The Chief Priests answered we have no King but Cesar 13. When Pilate saw that there was no resisting them without danger to himself he sate in Judgment on Christ in a place called in the Syriack Gabbatha Note The Controversie of the day whether it was that called by us Friday or Wednesday or Thursday and that of the hour whether it was the sixth hour as John saith it was about or the third hour as Marke saith and whether in John it should he read the third as Beza and some others think are both too hard for Vulgar Readers and therefore I leave them to Controversal writers Much is said on both sides Note 2. These Arch-Priests that at the heart were much against Caesar yet to murder Christ as a Rebel pretend to be the greatest Caesarian Royalists 16. Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be Crucified And they took Jesus and led him away 17. And he bearing his Cross went forth unto a place called the place of a scull which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha 17. He bare his Cross till his strength failed and then they made Simon of Cyrene to bear it to a place called in Syriack Golgotha or the place of a Skul 18. Where they Crucified him and two other with him on either side one and Jesus in the midst 19. And Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross And the writing was JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS 18 19. Note The Title signified his accusation 20. This title then read many of the Jews for the place where Jesus was Crucified was nigh to the city and it was written in Hebrew and Greek and Latine 20. Written in Syriack or Chaldee words with Hebrew Letters and in Greek and Latine 21. Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate Write not The King of the Jews but that he said I am King of the Jews 22. Pilate answered What I have written I have written 21 22. The Title which Pilate made in Scorn and God over ruled as real Truth displeased the Arch-Priests but Pilate would not alter it 23. Then the Souldiers when they had Crucified Jesus took his garments and made four parts to every souldier a part and also his coat now the coat was without seam woven from the top throughout 24. They said therefore among themselves Let us not rent it but cast lots for it whose it shall be that the scripture might be fulfilled which saith They parted my raiment among them and for my vesture they did cast lots These things therefore the souldiers did 23. Not that the Prophesie made them do it but was
you free 30.31 I cannot take you for my disciples unless your Faith be rooted so as to persevere and proceed to learn what yet you have not learned And if ye do this you shall know more of that truth that will save you and deliver you from the greatest of your bondage 33. They answered him We be Abrahams seed and were never in bondage to any man how sayest thou Ye shall be made free 33. Some present answered him we be Abrahams seed and though the Romans master us we are no mens slaves What then is the freedom which thou dost promise us 34. Jesus answered them Verily verily I say unto you whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin 35. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever but the Son abideth ever 36. If the Son therefore shall make you free ye shall be free indeed 34 35.36 Can you boast of your freedom who by your sinful practice shew that you are the servants of sin and by it are liable to the judgment of God as slaves are to stripes And if you have thus enslaved your selves to sin and to Gods judgments he may turn you out of his house you know not how soon But the Son and Heir is not turned away Therefore if you will be free indeed from the guilt of sin and the wrath of God and the malice of Satan come in by the Son and so you may be free 37. I know you are Abrahams seed but ye seek to kill me because my word hath no place in you 38. I speak that which I have seen with my Father and ye do that which ye have seen with your father 37.38 I know that ye are the seed of Abraham by the flesh But were you seed as he is the Father of the faithful you would not seek to kill me and reject my word Even that word of truth which I have received of my Father which you reject and obey the will of your father 39. They answered and said unto him Abraham is our father Jesus saith unto them If you were Abrahams Children ye would do the works of Abraham 40. But now ye seek to kill me a man that hath told you the truth which I have heard of God this did not Abraham 39.40 If ye were Abrahams Children you would be like him and do as he did But to seek to murder me for telling you the truth which I have heard from God is not like Abrahams works of Faith 41. Ye do the deeds of your father Then said they to him We be not born of fornication we have one Father even God 42. Jesus said unto them If God were your father ye would love me for I proceeded forth and came from God neither came I of my self but he sent me 4â— Ye shew by your deeds whose nature you have and so who is your father 42. If God were your Father you would be like him and then you would love me who came from him as sent by him 43. Why do ye not understand my speech even because ye cannot hear my word 44. Ye are of your father the devil and the lusts of your father ye will do he was a murderer from the beginning and abode not in the truth because there is no truth in him When he speaketh a lye he speaketh of his own for he is a lyar and the father of it 43.44 Why is my doctrine rejected by you but because your corrupt natures and sin are contrary to it To speak plainly to you as the Childs nature is like the Fathers from whom it is received so yours is so like the Devils nature that I may say you received it from him and he is the father of it and so far of you For you love to do that which he loveth and desireth These are his great Characters 1. He was from the beginning A MALICIOUS MURDERER 2. He is A LIAR a deserter of the Truth and an enemy to it His business in the World is to Deceive by Lying and when he thus lieth and deceiveth he doth according to his corrupt nature for he is a Liar and the Father of Lies N 1. By these three Characters of LYING MALIGNITY and MURDER or hurtfulness the devilish nature and seed is known And no boasting of Abraham or Christianity is any disproof of it 2. Devilisms is the universal pravity of the malignant World And it is no wrong or railing so to say that the Devil is their Father 45. And because I tell you the truth ye believe me not 45. Though nature love the Truth as Truth yet because the Truth that I tell you is cross to your prejudice and carnal minds and lusts ye reject it as if it were error 46. Which of you convinceth me of sin And if I say the truth why do ye not believe me 46. If you know any falshood or sin by me prove it if you can but if it be Truth that I say why doth prejudice and malice hinder you from believing it 47. He that is of God heareth Gods words ye therefore hear them nor because ye are not of God 47. The Children of God have a mind and nature like him And therefore they savour and love his word Therefore your rejecting Gods word doth prove that ye are not the Children of God 48. Then answered the Jews and said unto him Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan and hast a devil 48. They said do we not call thee as thou art in saying thou art a distracteâ— Samaritan heretick 49. Jesus answered I have not a devil but I honour my Father and you do dishonour me 50. And I seek not my own glory there is one that seeketh and judgeth 49. I am not a distracted Demoniak but you calumniators My Doctrine and Works honour my Father and as for your dishonouring of me though I can bear it who seek not my own Glory my Father will secure my honour and judg you for your reproach 51. Verily verily I say unto you if a man keep my saying he shall never see death 51. I tell you that reject my word that to believe and keep it is the way to everlasting life and to be saved from death spiritual temporal by resurrection and eternal 52. Then said the Jews unto him Now we know that thou hast a devil Abraham is dead and the Prophets and thou sayest If a man keep my saying he shall never taste of death 53. Art thou greater than our father Abraham which is dead And the Prophets are dead whom makest thou thy self 52 53. Now we know that thou art a distracted demoniack When thou talkest of mens not dying when Abraham and the Prophets are dead Art thou so much greater than all they 54. Jesus answered If I honour my self my honour is nothing It is my Father that honoureth me of whom ye say that he is your God 55. Yet ye have not known him but I know him and if I should say I know
not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen for the things which are seen are temporal but the things which are not seen are eternal 18. For we intend no worldly End nor fix our Eyes and Mind on these transitory things which now are here seen but on the Glory and Kingdom which is unseen For the things which are seen are temporary mutable and fly away and therefore are not to be much regarded but the things which are now to us unseen are unchangeable and everlasting CHAP. V. 1. FOr we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God an house not made with hands eternal in the heavens 1. For by Faith we know that if our Bodies which are as a Tent or Tabernacle to the Soul were dissolved we have in the Heavens a Building of Gods providing for the Blessed not like our Houses here made by Man but Celestial and Everlasting Nâ—te 1. That Faith is a sort of Knowledge We knâ—w what God saith is true and we know this to be his Word 2. That our Happiness will not be only in the New Earth and at the Resurrection but it is a Dwelling in Heaven now existent and such as shall be everlasting And therefore no hope of Christs Reign on Earth should take down our Hopes and Desires of Heaven 2. For in this we groan earnestly desiring to be cloathed upon with our house which is from heaven 3. If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked 2 3. For in this Body we are under a constant uneasiness which maketh us groan with earnest desire to be better cloathed even with the Incorruptible Celestial Glory For when Death unclotheth us we shall not be found naked and destitute or as some expound it So be it we be not found as Adam naked in our Guilt when we enter into the future State 4. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan being burdened not for that we would be unclothed but clothed upon that mortality might be swallowed up of life 4. For our Burdens in this Body are so great as make us groan not that we desire Death as Death or to be unhoused or without Cloathing to the Soul but we would be better clothed with a Heavenly Glory that that which is Mortal may be swallowed up by Immortal Glory 5. Now he that hath wrought us for the self-same thing is God who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit 5. And we have good Evidence for the certainty of this Hope For God himself who doth nothing in vain hath made and formed us hereunto It is he that gave us Immortal Souls and Faculties to prepare for a better Life And it is he that hath redeemed us to it and hath promised it and provided and commanded us the Means that lead to it and hath given us by his Spirit those holy Affections Desires and Endeavours which are the Earnest of it and which he will not frustrate 6. Therefore we are always confident knowing that whilst we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord 7. For we walk by faith not by sight 6 7. Therefore we go on in the Confidence and Boldness which beseem Believers being above the Fear of Death knowing that while we dwell here in these Bodies we are absent from the Glory where God is fully manifested to the Blessed For it is not things seen which are the Motives Hopes and Comfort of our Lives but it's things believed and unseen 8. We are confident I say and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. 8. I say we are bold and comfortably confident in all our Labours and danger of Death and rather willing to go from the Body and to be at home or present with the Lord. 9. Wherefore we labour that whether present or absent we may be accepted of him 9. Whether we shall yet live or die we leave to God but it 's our earnest desire care and labour that whether we live here or die or whereever we are we may please God and be accepted by him 10. For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad 10. For we must all appear at the Judgment-seat of Christ where all that we have done will be brought to light and every Man shall be sentenced and rewarded according as he hath lived and done in the Body whether it be good or evil according to that Law which pardoneth penitent Believers 11. Knowing therefore the terrour of the Lord we perswade men but we are made manifest unto God and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences 11. It is the knowledge of the Terrours of the Lord and how woful it will be to be found there unjustified under Guilt and sentenced to Damnation which causeth us to make so much ado in the World to persuade Men to believe and repent that they may be saved And God that knoweth our Hearts and Ways will justifie us herein and I hope so do your convinced Consciences 12. For we commend not our selves again unto you but give you occasion to glory on our behalf that you may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance and not in heart 12. I say not all this to get your Praise by my self-commendation but to give you the Matter of Answer to them that would draw you from the Truth by drawing you into a disesteem of us that were your first Teachers and by boasting of themselves by outward appearances without an answerable inward Worth 13. For whether we be besides our selves it is to God or whether we be sober it is for your cause 13. And if any tell you that our Zeal is but crazed Melancholy as Festus thought of Paul it is in obedience to Gods Command and for his Work and Glory and dare any accuse this of Madness And if we be thought to do it soberly it is not for our Glory but for your Stability and Safety 14. For the love of Christ constraineth us because we thus judge that if one died for all then were all dead 15. And that he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him which died for them and rose again 14 15. If any think we are too zealously transported let them know that the greatness of Christs Love to us and ours to him constraineth us and will bear no cold Indifferency For we have cause to judge that they are great things which our Redemption intimateth even that Christ who died for all found all Men dead in Sin and Misery and that he therefore redeemed them by his Death that they who are recovered by him should not hereafter live to themselves but to him that died for them and
and extraordinary Knowledge and Vertue 15. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness whose end shall be according to their works 15. Therefore it is not an incredible thing that Men should be really the Devils Ministers animated and taught by him to do his Work against the Interest of Christ and Truth and Godliness and yet pretend to go beyond Christs own Apostles in preaching Righteousness Wisdom and Godliness Note That the Pretenses of Truth Orthodoxness Righteousness Free Grace Unity Peace c are no sufficient Evidences of true Ministers The Devils Ministers may pretend them all and may cry down Christs Ministers as Carnal Hereticks Legal Schismaticks c. 16. I say again let no man think me a fool if otherwise yet as a fool receive me that I may boast my self a little 16. Take it not for Folly to vindicate my Ministry But if you do yet hear me try and judge Note That Paul meaneth that Boasting is the usual mark of a Fool but it is no Folly when the Interest of God and Souls require it It was seemingly not really his Folly 17. That which I speak I speak it not after the Lord but as it were foolishly in this confidence of boasting 17. That which I speak of my self I speak not as I do the Gospel by Inspiration and I confess that materially it hath the appearance of Folly in ostentation 18 19 20. Seing that many glory after the flesh I will glory also For ye suffer fools gladly seeing ye your selves are wise For ye suffer if a man bring you into bondage if a man devour you if a man take of you if a man exalt himself if a man smite you on the face 18 19 20. You can easily bear with a Fool because you are wise your selves So bear with me while I do that necessarily which they do vainly You can bear with greater Provocations even with them that would captivate you to Errour and the Law and would make a Prey of you and make themselves your Lords and Masters and abuse you 21. I speak as concerning reproach as though we had been weak howbeit whereinsoever any is bold I speak foolishly I am bold also 21. I speak of them that reproach me of contemptible Weakness Though I confess that Boasting usually signifieth Folly I will say that I have as much as they to boast of Note That Paul is so cautelous lest any by his Example should be tempted by proud Boasting that materially he calls it Folly though formally it was not so in him 22 23. Are they Hebrews so am I are they Israelites so am I are they the seed of Abraham so am I Are they ministers of Christ I speak as fool I am more in labours more abundant in stripes above measure in prisons more frequent in deaths oft 22 23. They boast that they are Hebrews Israelites Abraham's Seed and Ministers of Christ And am not I so too Yea though my Words be like those of a Fool I say that I have laboured and suffered more for Christ by Stripes Prisons and daily dying than they have done 24. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one 25. Thrice was I beaten with rods once was I stoned thrice I suffered shipwrack a night and a day I have been in the deep 24 25 Scourged by the Jews to the utmost seveâ—ity beaten by the Romans stoned by the Rabble thrice shipwrack'd a Night and a Day in some darksom dangerous Passage at Sea or a Dungeon so called as some think 26 27. In journing often in perils of waters in perils of robbers in perils by mine own countrymen in perils by the heathen in perils in the city in perils in the wilderness in perils in the sea in perils among false brethren in weariness and painfulness in watchings often in hunger and thirst in fastings often in cold and nakedness 26 27 Note That the Sufferings which deter Carnal Men from Religion by Shame and Fear are the Honour of Believers 28. Besides those things that are without that which cometh upon me daily the care of all the churches 28. Besides the things that are without my Body even the Case of all the Churches which are my daily Care 29. Who is weak and I am not weak who is offended and I burn not 29. Every Mans Weakness and Sufferings are to me as my own The danger of the Tempted and Scandalised is my pain and care for their preservation 30. If I must needs glory I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities 30. If you will put me to boast it shall be of that which worldly Men will turn to my reproach not of any Preeminence but of my Sufferings 31. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which is blessed for evermore knoweth that I lie not 32. In Damascus the governour under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garison desirous to apprehend me 33. And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall and escaped his hands 1. Note That through all this Chapter Paul calls his Boasting Folly not formally and really but materially and seemingly because it's Fools that boast unnecessarily when the false Apostles made it his Duty 2. Note That it was no small Quarrel of Brethren like that of Barnabas which put him upon all this Apology which else would not have savoured of Humility But it was the Intrusion and envious Accusation of such Jewish Heretical false Apostles as he calleth the Ministers of Satan who endeavoured to subvert the Gospel and by disgracing him to frustrate all his Labours and destroy the Church It 's like to be those called Nicolatians Rev. 2. 3. CHAP. XII IT is not expedient for me doubtless to glory I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 1. I know that boasting is unseemly for an humble Minister of Christ but seeing it is put upon me I proceed to a higher Matter even Visions and Revelations from God 2. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago whether in the body I cannot tell or whether out of the body I cannot tell God knoweth such an one caught up to the third heaven 3. And I knew such a man whether in the body or out of the body I cannot tell God knoweth 4. How that he was caught up into paradise and heard unspeakable words which it is not lawful for a man to utter 2 3 4. I knew a Man that was acted by the Spirit of Christ above himself who above fourteen years ago whether Bodily or onely by mental Extasie and Rapture I know not God knoweth was caught up to that Place of Glory called the Third Heavens and caught up there into Paradise a Place of Joys and heard that which neither can nor must be uttered being unsuitable to the Ears of Mortals and proper to Possessors 5. Of such an one will I glory
hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ 3. Thanks and Praise be given to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spiritual Blessings in Celestials or Heavenly things which tend to Glory which Christ doth purchase promise prepare and possess for us 4. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love 4. As he chose us as Members of Christ whom he chose to be our Head before the World was made that we should be holy and blameless both which summarily consist in holy Love 5. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will 6. To the praise of the glory of his grace wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved 5 6. Having predestinated us to become his adopted Children to him in and by Jesus Christ of his own free and good Will that so his Grace wherein he hath made us accepted in his beloved Son might have the Praise and Glory Note 1. That the Election is from before the Foundation of the World 2. That it is one Decree or Election of God by which he chuseth Christ to be our Head and us to be his Members 3. It is one and the same Election by which God hath chosen us to the praise and glory of his Grace to be saved and to be holy and blameless in Love On Gods part it is by one Act and on our part it is to one state of Blessedness as Generation maketh one Man though as objectively that one have many Parts it may accordingly be named Many and distinguished And the Essentials are given at once though the Integrals and Augmentation be after given by degrees 4. That Love is the sum of that Holiness and Blamelesness to which we are predestinated 5. That we are not onely Predestinated to Life on condition of Holiness but are Predestinated to Holiness it self and consequently to Faith and Repentance and not onely on condition that we believe and repent And so Election is of Individual Persons to Faith Holiness and Salvation and not onely of Believers to Salvation or of Persons to be saved if they believe A Conditional puts nothing into being or act Were the Scripture dark in the Point of Gods free Electing of some to Faith and Repentance more than others of equal Guilt and Pravity Experience might fully satisfie us of it 7 8. In whom we have redemption through his blood the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence 7 8. In whom we have deliverance by Redemption through the Sacrifice of his Blood for our Sins even the forgiveness of all our Sin which manifesteth the Riches of his Grace and Bounty from which this Gift proceedeth in which he abounded toward us in the exercise of that wonderful Divine Wisdom and Prudence in the way of our Salvation by Christ which to search and know is the greatest Wisdom and Prudence of Man 9. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself 9. Having now opened to us the Mystery of his own Will and good Pleasure which he purposed in himself but was little known by Jews or Gentiles 10. That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ both which are in heaven and which are on earth even in him 10. That when he saw the fit time fully come he might gather into one Universal Church united to Christ the Head as his Kingdom and Body both Jews and Gentiles yea Angels and Men the departed Souls and those on Earth to be One I say in him their Head and King Note Those that confine this to Jews and Gentiles yea and those that exclude Angels force the Text without proof For though Angels sinned not Christ may gather us into one Heavenly Society with them and make us like them himself being the Head 11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will 11. In whom also we have our Lot of Inheritance being thereto predestinated by God who calleth whom he pleaseth and worketh all things according to his own Counsel Wisdom and Will 12. That we should be to the praise of his glory who first trusted in Christ 12. That we who were first called and made Believers in Christ might be the First-fruits of his Church and bring him much Praise and Glory by our Service 13. In whom ye also trusted after that ye heard the word of truth the gospel of your salvation In whom also after that ye believed ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise 13. In whom you trusted when you had heard the true Gospel of your Salvation and in and by Christ after you believed you received the great Gift of the promised Spirit which is Gods Seal upon you and the Seal of the Truth of his Promise to you 14. Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession unto the praise of his glory 14. Which Spirit is given us by God as the ascertaining Earnest of our Inheritance to fit us for and assure us of our attaining the Possession of that which Christ hath purchased for those whom he had redeemed to be his peculiar People 15. Wherefore I also after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and love unto all the saints 16. Cease not to give thanks for you making mention of you in my prayers 15 16. Hearing of the continuance and increase of your Faith and your Love to all the Saints and not onely to those that conform to your Minds in small or indifferent things do constantly give thanks to God for your Stability and daily pray for you 17. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of glory may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him 17. That he that is the God of our Lord Jesus as Man who sent him and raised him from the dead and glorified him would give you yet more of the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation that you may know yet more of the Mystery of his Love in our Redemption by Christ 18. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened that ye may know what is the hope of his calling and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints 18. That your Minds being yet more illuminated you may fullier and clearlier know to what glorioâ—s Hopes he hath called us and what Treasures of Glory he hath promised to his Saints in whom he will be glorified for ever 19. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who
henceforth as the Unconverted Heathens that follow their own false imaginations 18. Having the understanding darkened being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindness of their heart 19. Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness to work all uncleanness with greediness 18 19. Their Understanding being darkened and they being meer strangers to a holy living on and unto God because of the ignorance and blindness of their Minds which have lost the very light of Nature and being stupified by Pravity and Custom in sin have given themselves up to fleshly lusts to do the filthiest Acts with greedy desire and delight 20. But ye have not so learned Christ 21. If so be that ye have heard him and have been taught by him as the truth is in Jesus 20 21. But Christ has taught you and you have learned a clean contrary course of life If indeed you have heard what he teacheth and have been taught the True Doctrine of Christ 22. That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts 23. And be renewed in the spirit of your mind 22 23. That you put off the old fleshly Mind and Life which is corrupt in disposition and practice by the deceit of sensual lusts And that you be made New Men in the very bent and habits of your Mind with New Judgment and Affections 24. And that ye put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness 24. And that you become New Men possest of New Dispositions wrought in you by God according to his Word and for his Glory consisting in Righteousness and true Holiness 25. Wherefore putting away lying speak every man truth with his neighbour for we are members one of another 25. And in particular as parts of your Righteousness see that you avoid all lying and fraud and speak the plain truth to one another for we are all fellow Members of one Body and therefore should not be false and fraudulent to each other 26. Be ye angry and sin not let not the sun go down upon your wrath 26. Anger is given us for the due resisting of Evil but use it not blindly rashly and inordinately to sin much less may you lie down and continue in such sin 27. Neither give place to the devil 27. And do not yield to Satan who by Mens provocations would draw you to sin 28. Let him that stole steal no more but rather let him labour working with his hands the thing which is good that he may have to give to him that needeth 28. If any have by want or errour been tempted to steal or take any thing that is anothers against his Will let him do so no more nor by idleness continue his necessities but as he is able labour in some profitable work and that not only to supply his own wants but to relieve as many others as he well can 29. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth but that which is good to the use of edifying that it may minister grace unto the hearers 29. Let no sinful rotten or filthy Discourse come out of your Mouths which will signifie a polluted Heart and may corrupt the hearers but let your words be such as are not only harmless to others but profitable even that which is useful to edification for useless truth it self is not to be chosen 30. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption 30. For the Spirit of God which is his Mark and Seal upon you to prepare you for the day of Salvation is a hater of all filthiness and vanity and a lover of Purity and Holiness and Mutual Edification And though he have not Passion and Grief as Men have yet as offended Men will in displeasure forsake that which is filthy and abhorred so will the Spirit of God in displeasure forsake a filthy sinner And that is one of the forest kind of Punishment 31. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil-speaking be put away from you with all malice 31. And Gods Spirit being the Spirit of Love cast away Malice and all that savoureth of it bitterness wrath and hurtful anger clamorous fierce and ill and hurtful words 32. And be ye kind one to another tender-hearted forgiving one another even as God for Christs sake hath forgiven you 32. As having the same Spirit in the same Body be kind and tenderhearted one to another taking the good or hurt of each other as your own And as you can easily forbear and forgive your selves and be willing that others forgive you so forgive one another and that out of the belief and thankful sense of Gods forgiving you much more for the sake of Jesus Christ CHAP. V. 1. BE ye therefore followers of God as dear children 2. And walk in love as Christ also hath loved us and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour 1 2. Having therefore so obliging an example of your Heavenly Father shew that you are his true beloved Children by imitating him and let Love be your very Nature and course of life remembring still how Christ hath loved us and given himself for us an Offering and Sacrifice for our sins with which God was highly pleased in him 3. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness let it not be once named amongst you as becometh saints 4. Neither filthiness nor foolish talking nor jesting which are not convenient but rather giving of thanks 3 4. But let not Fornication or any uncleanness or filthy lust be once named among you unless by necessary opposition and detestation for this is the course beseeming all Christians who must be pure or Saints Nor yet use any ribald talk or filthy action nor foolish speaking nor vain jesting or drollery the foam of a light vain wit for these are unbeseeming Holy Persons but rather employ your Tongues in thanks and joyful praise to God and in holy edifying Discourse 5. For this ye know that no whoremonger nor unclean person nor covetous man who is an Idolater hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God 5. Let none pretend that Christianity by freeing them from the Law giveth them liberty to sin unpunished For if you are Christians the Word and Law of Christ hath taught you that no Whoremonger or Unclean Person or Covetous Person who is an Idolater by loving the World more than God or one that imitateth Idolaters in lusts hath right of inheritance in Heaven or in the holy Church on Earth 6. Let no man deceive you with vain words for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience 7. Be not ye therefore partakers with them 6 7. Let no Hereticks or Libertines deceive you with false Pretences of Liberty for
these are the Sins for which Gods Wrath cometh on the Unbelievers and therefore will do so on all the Disobedient that live in them Therefore be not you Partakers in the Sin if you would not partake also of the Punishment 8. For ye were sometimes darkness but now are ye light in the Lord walk as children of light 8. For you were in darkness formerly your selves but Christ hath brought you into the light of saving Knowledge Live then as in the Light according to the Gospel and Spirit of Christ and do that of which you need not be ashamed 9 10. For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 9 10. For Christ ruleth all true Christians by his Spirit of Illumination and Sanctification and the Fruits of that Spirit and Light are Goodness Love and Kindness Righteousness Truth and Faithfulness trying and chusing what is pleasing to the Lord. 11. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them 11. Communicate not with these Heathens and Hereticks Works of Darkness and fleshly Lusts but rather do your best to save Men from them by reproof 12. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret 12. For their secret Filthiness which cannot bear the Light is such as Modesty is loth to name 13. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light for whatsoever doth make manifest is light 13. But all things when the Light discovereth them are manifest and if approvable need not fear it for the Doctrine and Spirit of Christ are a manifesting Light 14. Wherefore he saith Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead and Christ shall give thee light 14. Which is the sense of Isa 60.1 which calleth the People that slept in Darkness to awake that the Lord may shine upon them which Christ now doth to true Believers 15. See then that ye walk circumspectly not as fools but as wise 16. Redeeming the time because the days are evil 15 16. See then that you live not carelesly but with watchfulness and accurate circumspection not as Fools that see not or mind not their danger but as Wise Men that look on every side and are careful to avoid all sorts of Evil And therefore take hold of the present Opportunity and use well the Light of the Gospel while you have it for the World is round about you full of Snares and Dangers which without wise Circumspection cannot be avoided 17. Wherefore be ye not unwise but understanding what the will of the Lord is 17. Wherefore let not Ignorance and Folly prepare you for Deceit but labour to be well acquainted with the Will of God concerning your Duty 18. And be not drunk with wine wherein is excess but be filled with the Spirit 19. Speaking to your selves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord 18 19. And do not like Heathens and sensual Libertines think that the exhileration of excess of Wine which causeth Sottishness and Lust is either lawful or suitable to Devotion but be you exhilerated by the Spirit of God whose Grace you must excite and exercise by Psalms and Hymns of Praise to God and Spiritual Songs which you must use in holy manner to the Lord with the inward Melody of the Heart Note 1. That Paul here leaveth it to Christian Wisdom whether we shall use David's Psalms for others more fitted to Gospel Times and Worship 2. That hence it is evident that it is lawful to use some Forms of Worship invented and imposed by Man For Hymns and Songs cannot be used without Invention And the Church or many cannot join in them unless some one lead and impose them on the rest It would be mad Work for a Congregation to sing extemporate Songs and every one a several one of his own And if Prayer and Praise in Metre may be invented and imposed the same Reasons will hold as to Prose when Uniformity is needful as in Baptism c. 20. Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ 20. Chearfully thanking God continually on all occasions for all his Mercies which are found in all things that he doth offering this to the Father in the Name of Christ Note That Psalms and Thanksgiving to God through Christ must be the most constant Part of Christian Worship 21. Submitting your selves one to another in the fear of God 21. And let Gods Command move you to be yielding and submissive and not stout and staff towards one another but especially to your Superiours but so as to fear and obey God before Men. 22 23. Wives submit your selves unto your own husbands as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church and he is the Saviour of the body 22 23. Let Wives shew their Subjection to Christ by submitting to their Husbands as by his Command For the Husband is under Christ the Head or Ruler of the Wife to govern her in Love and protect her as Christ is the Supreme Head and Ruler of the Church and the Saviour of it as his Body 24. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing 24. Therefore as the Church is in all things to be subject to Christ so must the Wives be to their Husbands in all things belonging to that Relation under Christ 25. Husbands love your wives even as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it 26. That he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word 25 26. Husbands imitate Christ in loving your Wives as Christ did his Church for which in a special sense he gave himself by death that he might sanctifie it to God and cleanse it from Sin by washing away their Guilt and Filth signified and sealed in Baptism and by the Promises and Preaching of his Word 27. That he might present it to himself a glorious church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish 27. That he may prepare it for the great Marriage-day and then present it to himself cleansed and beautified without Sin Guilt or Blemish but perfect in Holiness and glorious 28. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies he that loveth his wife loveth himself 28. As Eve was taken out of Adam so the Union between Husband and Wâ—fe is so near that Men should love their Wives in a sort as their own Bodies and to love a Wife should be as the loving of our selves 29. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh but nourisheth and cherisheth it even as the Lord the church 29. And as Nature causeth all Men to love nourish and cherish their own
be any praise think on these things 8. In general to conclude Be sure that you cleave to Truth against Falshood to things seemly and venerable against things shameful to things just against Injustice to things pure against Lust and Pollution to things truly amiable against deceiving Paint and flattering Allurements to things deservedly of good report and approved by Men against Scandal In a word Let all things that are truly virtuous and praise-worthy be faithfully minded and followed by you 9. Those things which ye have both learned and received and heard and seen in me do and the God of peace shall be with you 9. Practice the Doctrine which you have heard and received from me and the good Example which you have seen in me and the God of Love and Peace will be with you thus walking in Love and Peace 10. But I rejoyced in the Lord greatly that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again wherein ye were also careful but ye lacked opportunity 10. I was glad and thanked God that your Care of my Supply at last revived not that I suppose it dead before but that you lacked opportunity of sending to me rather than Will and Care of me 11. Not that I speak in respect of want for I have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content 11. I mean not that I so much rejoice that my Wants were supplied For I have learned to be of a quiet and contented Mind in whatever Condition God shall bring me 12. I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry both to abound and to suffer need 12. I know how to be in a low and poor Condition without repining and how to have Plenty without sensuality and abuse I have learn'd how to live in every Place and Case both to be fully provided and to be in hunger through poverty to abound and to suffer need and glorifie God in all 13. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me 13. All this is but my Duty and Christ will strengthen me for all that he calls me to 14. Notwithstanding ye have well done that ye did communicate with my affliction 14. But this Communication for my Supply in my Suffering for the Gospel was your Duty and you did well in doing it 15. Now ye Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel when I departed from Macedonia no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving but ye onely 15. I suppose you know that this Honour of Contributing to me was due onely to you when I first had preached the Gospel in Macedonia no other Church doing the like at my departure 16. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity 16. Note How much professed Christians differ in Liberality as they do in Charity 17. Not because I desire a gift but I desire fruit that may abound to your account 17. Not that I am craving more by commending you or value most my own Supplies but I commend and desire your Fruitfulness in Good Works that it may abound to your own consolation when you must be accountable for all to God 18. But I have all and abound I am full having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you an odour of a sweet smell a sacrifice acceptable well-pleasing to God 18. But I certifie you that I received your Gift from Epaphroditus and it was a very liberal Supply to me and to encourage you I add That under and through Christ the great propitiating Sacrifice such Works are the sweet Incense and Sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God 19. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus 19. And my God who employeth me in his Work will see that you shall lose nothing by furthering his Service but out of the Riches of his Glory by Christ will give a more excellent Supply of all your Wants 20. Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever Amen 20. Now to God who is Love and a Father to us through Christ be Glory for all his Mercies and for and by all his Works for ever Amen 21 22 23. Salute every saint in Christ Jesus The brethren which are with me greet you All the saints salute you chiefly they that are of Cesars houshold The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all Amen Note 1. That Christians were all then called Saints because they were by Profession and Vow devoted to God in the Covenant of Holiness and were not debauched as Multitudes now are 2. That God had his Saints even in a Heathen Persecuting Emperours Family 3. That the Grace of Christ is the Sum of all Benediction on Earth The Epistle of PAUL the Apostle to the COLOSSIANS CHAP I. 1. PAul an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God and Timotheus our brother 2. To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse Grace be unto you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ 3. We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ praying always for you 4. Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love which ye have to all the saints 3 4. Note 1. That Faith and Love are the Sum of Religion and greater Riches than all earthly things 2. Love must extend to all Saints and not onely those that are of one Party 5. For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel 6. Which is come unto you as it is in all the world and bringth forth fruit as it doth also in you since the day ye heard of it and knew the grace of God in truth 5 6. Note 1. It is the Hope of Heavenly Felicity which is the End an effectual Motive of Christian Love and Duty 2. It is the true Word of the Gospel that giveth us this Hope 3. This Gospel divulged to the World is fruitful extensively in the number of Converts and intensely in their Holiness when it is so heard as to cause Men to know Gods Grace in Truth 7. As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellow-servant who is for you a faithful minister of Christ 8. Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit 7 8. Note It 's like Epaphras was he by whom they were converted or at least their present Bishop 9. For this cause we also since the day we heard it do not cease to pray for you and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding 9. True Converts have need to be prayed for that they may have Spiritual and Practical Wisdom to know the Will of God 10. That ye might walk worthy
it is supposed that we are wronged else there is no need of forgiving 2. True Christians are known by this Spiritual Nature as well as by Religious Exercises 14. And above all these things put on charity which is the bond of perfectness 14. But as the most necessary and excellent of all put on true endeared Love to others as your selves for the sake of God who must be most loved For as this is the highest Grace which Christs Spirit worketh in us so it is that Bond which by uniting Believers to Christ and each other tendeth to the perfect compagination growth and welfare of the Church and every Member of it 15. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts to the which also ye are called in one body and be ye thankful 15. And let that Peace which God both giveth you within and calleth you to exercise by dwelling in your Hearts bear rule in your lives towards all Men as being of the same Body And live in continual thankfulness to God 16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 16. Let the word of God so possess your Souls that you may by it have plenteous Holy Wisdom to instruct and admonish one another and Holy Affections that those who have the gift of composing Holy Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs for themselves and others use may do it wisely and all of you use them with Holy Joy in singing to the Lord. 17. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed do all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God and the Father by him 17. And let all that you offer to God in word or deed in worship or obedience be done in the name of the Lord Jesus trusting for acceptance to his Mediation and offer your daily Thanksgiving to God the Father by him our High Priest in the Heavens 18 19 20 21 22 23. Wives submit your selves unto your own husbands as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands love your wives and be not bitter against them Children obey your parents in all things for this is well-pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers provoke not your children to anger lest they be discouraged Servants obey in all things your masters according to the flesh not with eye-service as men-pleasers but in singleness of heart fearing God And whatsoever ye do do it heartily as to the Lord and not unto men 24. Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance for ye serve the Lord Christ 18 19 20 21 22 23 24. See all this before Paraphrased Eph. 5 6. 25. But he that doth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done and there is no respect of persons 25. But if Masters or Servants do wrong to the other though they may escape the punishment of Man God who respecteth no Mans Person will judge and punish them CHAP. IV. 1. MAster 's give unto your servants that which is just and equal knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven 1. Let not your power over your Servants embolden you to abuse oppress or wrong them but give them all wages and usage which Justice and Equity require for you have a Master in Heaven who will judge you as you are and do 2. Continue in prayer and watch in the same with thanksgiving 2. Be constant in Prayer and not cursory or cold and watch in it against your corruptions and temptations joyning thanksgiving with your requests 3. Withal praying also for us that God would open unto us a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ for which I am also in bonds 3. Praying for us Ministers of Christ that God would give us freedom from Mens restraints and our own infirmities that we may with enlargedness and boldness preach the Gospel for which I suffer 4. That I may make it manifest as I ought to speak 4. That I may open and apply it as the Work and the Souls of Men require 5. Walk in wisdom toward them that are without redeeming the time 5. Use the wisdom toward them that are without the Church which is needful to keep you from receiving hurt by them or in doing good to them 6. Let your speech be alway with grace seasoned with salt that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man 6. Let all your speech be the exercise of God's Grace in your Hearts not rotten filthy or vain but wise and savoury that you may speak pertinently and fruitfully to every Man especially in the necessary defence of the truth against Gainsayers and resolving of the doubtful 7. All my state shall Tychichus declare unto you who is a beloved brother and a faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord 7. Tâ—chicus a faithful Brother fully shall acquaint you with my Concernments 8 9. Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose that he might know your estate and comfort your hearts With Onesimus a faithful and beloved brother who is one of you They shall make known unto you all things which are done here 10. Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner saluteth you and Marcus sisters son to Barnabas touching whom ye received commandments if he come unto you receive him 11. And Jesus which is called Justus who are of the circumcision These onely are my fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God which have been a comfort unto me 8 9 10 11. These are all that have helpt me here at Rome in my suffering and have much comforted me 12. Epaphras who is one of you a servant of Christ saluteth you always labouring fervently for you in prayers that ye may stand perfect and compleat in all the will of God 13. For I bear him record that he hath a great zeal for you and them that are in Laodicea and them in Hierapolis 12 13. Note 1. That Prayer should be a Work of fervent labouring 2. That Ministers-should long for the Peoples increase in Grace and universal Obedience more than to promote their own Interest with them 14 15. Luke the beloved Physician and Demas greet you Salute the brethren which are in â—aodicea and Nymphas and the church which is in his house 〈…〉 15. Which use to meet there And when this epistle is read amongst you cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea 16. Note 1. It was the Duty of the Churches to communicate the Epistles written to them by the Apostles 2. What Epistle that written to Laodicea was it concerneth us not to know It 's vain to think that Paul and other Apostles wrote no more Epistles than be in the Bible or that God is bound to bring down all that they wrote to us 17. And say to Archippus Take heed to the ministery which thou hast received in the Lord that thou
who despised him and killed him and persecuted his Cause and Servants did also destroy the Jews 10. When he shall come to be glorified in his saints and to be admired in all them that believe because our testimony among you was believed in that day 10. Note The End of Christs glorious coming will be to be glorified and admired in holy Believers as having by his Merit Intercession and Spirit made them by Holiness fit for Glory and in Justice set them above their Persecutors 2. So far were the poore Christians from being then such a Glory and Admiration that they continued above two hundred years after this to be persecuted and made the scorn of the World 11. Wherefore also we pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness and the work of faith with power 11. We pray that God will fit you by his Grace for this and make you suitable to your holy Calling and fully perform to you all the Purposes of his Love and powerfully finish your Work of Faith Note Worthiness in the Gospel-sense is that Moral Qualification by Grace to which as a Moral Condition God hath promised the Blessing 12. That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you and ye in him according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ 12. Note That Sanctifying Grace maketh Christians a Glory to the Name of Christ declaratively as the Cause is honoured in the Effect and they are glorified in Christ possessively as the Means in the End obtained and the Runner in the Prize and relatively as an adopted Son in a Prince that adopteth him CHAP. II. 1. NOw we beseech you brethren by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and by our gathering together unto him 2. That ye be not soon shaken in mind or be troubled neither by spirit nor by word nor by letter as from us as that the day of Christ is at hand 1 2. I vehemently beseech you that no Pretence either of Spirit Word or Apostolical Letter persuade you that Christs Coming is near at hand and so trouble you and your Faith be shaken when that 's disappointed Note further That it 's more than the Destruction of Jerusalem that is here meant For it will be the Churches gathering together to Christ at his coming 2. And it neither agreeth with the following long Persecutions of the Church by the Heathens nor with Paul's usual Pity to the Jews thus to insult in their Destruction as if it brought a Felicity to the Church like Heaven it self 3. Let no man deceive you by any means for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first and that man of sin be revealed the son of perdition 4. Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God shewing himself that he is God 3. It is dangerous deceit for any to persuade you that the Day of Christ is at hand for there are many things that must first come to pass There must first be a falling away of many from the Faith and that notable Man of Sin must appear who is to be destroyed 4. Who arrogantly opposeth true Christianity and exalteth himself above all c. 5 6 7. Remember ye not that when I was yet with you I told you these things And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time For the mystery of iniquity doth already work onely he who now letteth will let until he be taken out of the way 8. And then shall that wicked be revealed whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming 9. Even him whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders 10. And with all deceiveableness of unrighteousness in them that perish because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved 11. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a lie 12. That they all might be damned who believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness Note 1. That Forewarning should be Forearming 2. Both the rise and fall of Sin and Sinners must have their proper Seasons Gods delays are but staying till the due time 3. Removing Impediments is the Prepartory work for future events 4. This great Enemy of Christ is a Man Lawless and made up of Wickedness 5. He must be first revealed and then consumed even by his Word Spirit and Coming 5. Satan will promote this Enemy of Christ with Power Signs and lying Wonders and Deceivableness of Unrighteousness 6. Not receiving the Love of the Truth of Gospel nor heartily believing it but taking pleasure in Unrighteousness prepare Men for damning Delusions 7. God is said to send them such Delusions by penal Desertions and Permissions Readers I dare not take on me to teach you that as true which I know not my self nor yet to pretend that I know more than I do I confess that I am uncertain who it is that Paul here describeth And meerly to know what other Men say of it is no satisfaction to me especially when they so greatly differ as they do 1. Most of the Fathers and Papists think that Antichrist here described is some odious False-Christ who is yet to come before the End of the World I have much to say against that Opinion 2. Grotius thought that this Chapter speaks of the Emperour Caius Caligula chiefly and partly of Simon Magus So much may be said against that as that his Follower Dr. Hammond rejecteth it 3. Dr. Hammond thinks it speaketh onely of Simon Magus I cannot believe that 1. Because really this Simon was no such considerable formidable Person as he describeth him The few Scraps of History of Simon recited by him are very dubious No great or publick History of those Times mention him He was affrighted into Submission and Supplication to Peter Acts 8. He was not thought worthy the naming after in all the sharp Charges against Hereticks in the Epistles The Judaizers are reproved the Concision called Dogs the Troublers Paul wisheth cut off the Nicolaitans named and the Woman Jezebel and many Antichrists mentioned by John the grosser sort of Hereticks smartly described and condemned by Peter and Jude John forbids us to bid them Good-speed Paul bids Men avoid them as self-condemned The Revelation speaketh yet more fully And none of them all mention Simon as the God and Ringleader of them If the Nicolaitans and all those that the Doctor calleth Gâ—osticks were known to be the Disciples of Simon why is that concealed in such large Reproofs and why not called Simonians as well as Nicolaitans If they were not then known to be his Off-spring it seems these Heresies had other Fathers before him more noted
words even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the doctrine which is according to godliness 4. He is proud knowing nothing but doting about questions and strifes of word whereof cometh envy strife railings evil surmisings 5. Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth supposing that gain is godliness 3 4 5. There be some risen up that teach otherwise on pretense of Christian Liberty and Excellency above Heathens But they go contrary to the Words of Christ our Lord which are the Words of Truth and Life and to the Doctrine which is formed to true Godliness and they are a sort of proud self-conceited Men puffed up with a false Opinion that they know more than others and are but Brain-sick doting about unprofitable Questions and striving about Words and in stead of edifying Men to Salvation the Fruit of all their proud Contention is but the increase of Envy and Strifes and Railings at one another and evil Surmisings and ill Thoughts of one another or ill Opinions paltry and frivolous Disputings against each other coming from Minds corrupted by Pride and Errour that are void of true Knowledge and fly further from the Truth striving for Victory and for their own Conceits taking the Side that is most for their worldly and fleshly Advantage preferring Gain before true Godliness and fitting their Cloak of pretended Godliness and Wisdom to their worldly Gain 5 6. From such withdrawthy self But godliness with contentment is great gain 5 6. Such Men as these being not onely Hereticks but also proud Defenders of their Heresie are neither fit for thy Communion nor to be disputed with but to be avoided if they repent not But resolve thou to adhere to sincere Godliness which with Contentedness with Gods Allowance of daily Bread is the true and great Gain and better than the Wealth of the World which those Hypocrites prefer 7. For we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out 7. As for Bodily Provision and Wealth as we brought none of it with us into the World so it 's certain that we can take none of it away with us and therefore truly have no more than we profitably and well use while we are alive 8. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content 8. If we have Food and Raiment and what is needful to the well-doing of our Work we have enough and must be contented with it For desire of more except to do good with it to others is but the sinful Disease of the Mind 9. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition 9. But they that love and set their Hearts on Riches and seek after them do thereby cast themselves into dangerous Temptations and Snares and kindle and pursue such Desires as shew their gross Folly and in stead of Gain do but hurt themselves and cast themselves into the Gulf of Destruction and Damnation Note 1. Oh how little then do the most of the World that study and scramble for Riches think what they are doing all their Lives against themselves 2. And is it not doleful Blindness in those Roman Prelates that for Wealth and Worldly Greatness have corrupted Christian Doctrine Worship Discipline and Conversation and overthrown the Churches Peace that yet they can say That Paul here condemneth the Gnosticks and Hereticks for that in which they incomparably exceed them 10. For the love of money is the root of all evil which while some coveted after they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows 10. For very much Evil springeth from the Love of Money From hence is sinful Care and Desire and Grief and Anger and Malice and Envy and Oppression and Deceit and Lying and Theft and Murders and Wars and Persecutions and Church-corruptions and Divisions needless Law-suits Bribery False-Witness Perjury Slander Railings and much more such And by coveting Money many have been their own Tormentors piercing themselves through in Body and Mind with many Sorrows vexatious Labours Cares Fears Trouble for Disappointments and torment of Conscience for their Guilt and oft come to an untimely reproachful Death Yea it hath drawn them to forsake or corrupt the Faith for worldly Ends. 11. But thou O man of God flee these things and follow after righteousness godliness faith love patience meekness 11. But thou that art devoted to God and his special Service abhor and avoid this Love of Money and all these its odious Fruits and follow after the Spiritual Riches Righteousness Godliness c. Note That is best which is most Divine likest to God and most pleasing to God and which is the well-fare of our best Part the Soul which will never die and fail us as worldly Riches will 12. Fight the good fight of faith lay hold on eternal life whereunto thou art also called and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses 12. Go on by Faith to overcome all Temptations Difficulties Sins and Adversaries and to propagate and defend the Faith Press towards the Mark till thou lay hold on Eternal Life which is the Prize This is the Life that thou art called out to hope for to seek and to obtain and the Work thou art to do and hast well begun and before many Witnesses openly and manfully stood to the Truth 13. I give thee charge in the sight of God who quickneth all things and before Christ Jesus who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession 14. That thou keep this commandment without spot unrebukable untill the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ 13 14. I must urgently charge thee before God in whose Power are all our Lives and before Christ who went before us by the Example of a good Confession not denying the Truth to save his Life that thou keep this necessary Law of thy Ministry as spotless and unrebukable that thou maist be found such at the coming of Jesus Christ 15. Which in his times he shall shew who is the blessed and onely Potentate the King of kings and Lord of lords 16. Who onely hath immortality dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto whom no man hath seen nor can see to whom be honour and power everlasting Amen 15 16. Which in his due appointed Season God will shew who is the blessed and onely Potentate c. who onely is essentially and necessarily of himself Immortal whose glorious Abode is in the Light inaccessible to us Men and who is to us Invisible to him be Honour and Power for ever Amen 17. Charge them that are rich in this world that they be not high-minded nor trust in uncertain riches but in the living God who giveth us richly all things to enjoy 17. And knowing to what Sins Riches most tempt Men charge the Rich that they be not high-minded nor think highly of themselves for their
hath Decreed their Salvation and will not lose them and he hath marked them out by his Spirit and written on them Holiness to the Lord And therefore on the other side is written Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity For Gods Decree conjoyneth the End and Means and he Decreeth none to Salvation that are not at once Decreed to Sanctification As his Covenant on his part promiseth us Life so our Covenant to him obligeth us to Holiness 20. But in a great house there are not onely vessels of gold and of silver but also of wood and earth and some to honour and some to dishonour 20. But it is not to be wondered at if in Gods House which is his Church-visible or the Professors of Christianity there be Errours and Scandals and some Backslide For it 's usual in great Mens Houses to have some Wooden and Earthen Vessels for low and base usage as well as Silver and Gold for the Table c. 21. If a man therefore purge himself from these he shall be a vessel unto honour sanctified and meet for the masters use and prepared unto every good work 21. All that by Gods Grace do purge themselves from Heresie and Iniquity are Vessels of Honour sanctified and meet to serve and honour God and disposed to all good Works 22. Flee also youthful lusts but follow righteousness faith charity peace with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart 22. Note 1. That the Flesh and its Lusts especially in Youth are such dangerous Enemies to our Holiness and Salvation that we have greet need to be warned to avoid those Lusts and consequently all that cherisheth them Fulness Idleness loose Company c. 2. Righteousness Faith Charity and Peace are the Sum of a Holy Life 3. Charity and Peace must extend to all that call on the Lord out of a pure Heart though not in our Forms or Ceremonies 23. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid knowing that they do gender strifes 23. But whereas the more ignorant and unsound Professors are apt to turn Practical Godliness into Self-conceited Ignorant Controversie and Disputes avoid this ill Practice as knowing that such wranglings do but but breed strifes 24. And the servant of the Lord must not strive but be gentle unto all men apt to teach patient 25. In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth 26. And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil who are taken captive by him at his will 24 25 26. But God's Servants especially Bishops and Teachers must not provoke Dâ—ssenters by striving Debates but be gentle to all Men even the Erroneous apt to teach them and patient with them in Errour Instructing them in Meeekness and in a gentle sort even when they oppose the Truth and thus to wait in the right use of Gods means to see whether God will convince them and turn them by Repentance to the acknowledging of the Truth and that by consideration of what you teach them they may recover themselves out of the Snare of the Devil who captivateth them alive to do his Will Note 1. If Men will not hear gentle teaching much less will they yield to provoking Disputes 2. Yet Disputes like defensive Wars are oft necessary to the defense of the Truth and Church tho it be not the way to win the Opponent 3. Till sinners by consideration can be brought to be Agents in recovering themselves no Teaching or Disputing is like to recover them 4 Fire and Water are not more contrary than this word of God and the way of Romish Prelates who Hereticate Imprison Silence Ruine and Murder True Christians for conforming to all their Superstitious Canons and Ceremonies and not swearing obedience to their usurped Domination CHAP. III. 1. THis know also that in the last days perillous times shall come 1. Before the End the times will grow yet harder more difficult and dangerous 2 3. For men shall be lovers of their own selves covetous boasters proud blasphemers disobedient to parents unthankful unholy without natural affection truce-breakers false accusers incontinent fierce despisers of those that are good 4. Traitours heady high-minded lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God 5. Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof from such turn away 2 3 4 5. The sins which will abound are these 1. They will be enslaved by selfishness and little care for any but themselves 2. Lovers of Money and Covetous 3. Open boasters and Vain glorious 4. Proud 5. Blasphemers and râ—â—â—oachful 6. Disobedient to their own Parents 7. Unthankful 8. Without Holiness Profane 9. Having no true friendly love no not Natural 10. Men that will not live in Peace but are unreconcilable 11. Devils or false accusers of others especially of the best 12. Distempered Ilconditioned Incontinent 13. Fierce and Cruel 14. Having no love to Goodness or Good Men. 15. Betrayers of others or Treacherous 16. Rash Precipitate Heady Men 17. High-minded puft up with selfconceit instead of Solid Knowledge 18. Lovers of Pleasure Sensual and Fantastical as Carnal Men more than lovers of God 19. Having an Image or form of Godliness a shew and outside in Words Gestures Liturgies Ceremonies and Professions 20. But the Power of it for Sanctification mortifying the Flesh and overcoming the World and living above they Savour not but deny and do oppose From this sort of Men turn away and have no communion with them Note If the Apostle had written thus in these latter ages of the Church Guilt would have made many accuse him as Describing and Defaming them and their Church Rulers 6. For of this sort are they which creep into houses and lead captive silly women laden with sins led away with divers lusts 7. Ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth 6.7 This Evil Spirit is already gone forth and these Mischiefs are begun and will increase for such are they that thrust themselves into Houses and there by deceit lead captive silly women who being under a heep of their own sins and acted and led by divers lusts or ill desires come to the Christian Assemblies and are still learning but grow not in sound Religion nor come to any sound knowledge of the truth and so are very capable Receptive Objects for any such deceivers to draw away Note That all the said twenty foresaid Vices which cleave to creeping Hereticks while they are low do work with greater power and confidence in them when they get into Domination 8. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses so do these also resist the truth men of corrupt minds reprobate concerning the faith 8. And as the Egyptian Magicians withstoud Moses to keep Pharoah from believing him and that by Magick so do these resist the True Preachers of the Gospel by their Magick and Arts now and by the Sword and
Cruelty when they can get into Power Men of Corrupt Minds reprobate concerning the Faith Unbelievers under the Name of Christians Note That the Names of Jannes and Jambres are taken by Paul from the Tradition of the Jews 9. But they shall proceed no further for their folly shall be manifest unto all men as theirs also waâ— 9. But as Moses's Miracles overcame the Magicians and shamed them so these shall be stopt in the pursuit of their Deceit and Heresie and Opposition to the Truth and shall not proceed much further but God will confound them and manifest all their folly 10. But thou hast fully known my doctrine manner of life purpose faith long-suffering charity patience 11. Persecutions afflictions which came unto me at Antioch at Iconium at Lystra what persecutions I endured 10 11. But for thy establishment I set before thee the example of my ministry Thou hast been fully acquainted with the Doctrine which I have taught with the course and ordering of my Life my purpose and design my faithfulness in my Work my long-suffering and freedom from wrath my love to others my patient suffering my persecutions and sufferings at Antioch and other places where I have Preached and what the Ministry hath cost me 11 12. But out of them all the Lord delivered me Yea and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution 11 12. But out of them all God delivered me so that I went on to do his Work Yea such is the malignity of the Carnal World against that which crosseth their Lusts and Errour and Carnal Interest that all that resolve in a throughly Godly Life and not by flattery or sin to comply with the wiles of Proud Ungodly Men but to be true to Christ shall suffer some sort of Persecution 13. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived 13. But the sin which hardeneth these Wicked Men to be Persecutors of Godly Christians will harden them so far as to justifie it and stand to it impenitently and think they do God service by Persecuting his Servants pretending that it 's they that are erroneous and bad men and do deserve it and being deceived themselves will by deceit draw others to do the like 14. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of knowing of whom thou hast learned them 14. But do thou continue in that Doctrine which I have taught and thou hast received as assured truth as knowing that thou hadst it from Christ by an Authoriz'd Apostle 15. And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus 15. And from thy Childhood thou hast been trained up in the knowledge of the Old Testament whose Prophesies of Christ and sacred Precepts now Illustrated by the Gospel of Christian Faith are sufficient to make thee wise by the Spirit of Grace in all that 's neeedful to Salvation 16 17. All scripture is given by inspiration of of God and is profitable for Doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness That the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works 16 17. All those Writings which are of Divine Inspiration are also profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Amendment and Correction and for Education and Discipline in Righteousness that so all Gods Servants and especially Teachers may be compleat and fully instructed and furnished for every good work required of God for the Ministerial Service and for Mens Salvation Note Tho this exclude not the use of any Subservient Arts or Knowledge yet certainly this is little understood or believed by the Roman Clergy who have made it necessary to a tolerated Minister to know and observe their numerous Canons and Oaths Subscriptions and Ceremonies besides many Books of theirs while they admit Priests that are ignorant of the Scripture and forbid the reading of them to the People CHAP. IV. 1. I Charge thee therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom 2. Preach the word be instant in season out of season reprove rebuke exhort with all long suffering and doctrine 1 2. So dreadful is the sin Sacrilegiously to deny Christ the Service which thou hast vowed him and art ordained to and to betray the Gospel and Mens Souls by so doing that I do adjure thee with all possible earnestness as before God and as thou wilt answer it to Christ in Judgment when he cometh in the Kingdom of his Glory that thou forbear not by any Persecution as far as possibly thou canst to Preach the Word be instant and urgent in season or fair opportunities yea Out of season necessity must take place of Convenience and Circumstantial Decencies Reprove the faulty Rebuke gross sinners Exhort all Men with unwearied long-suffering and sound Doctrine Note How dreadful a thing it is to cease Preaching the Gospel while we can whatever we suffer for it and whoever forbiddeth it Let them that think that the Apostles onely were exempted from yielding to Mens Prohibition remember that Timothy had his call and Commission from Men Qu. But may not Church Rulers silence Ministers Ans Yes when they so deserve it by doing more hurt than good that Christs Law doth silence them else not Tho they may determine of Place and Circumstances and Magistrates may also dispose of their own free encouragements and may restrain Men from evil doing 3. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers having itching ears 3. Note 1. That the foresight of Evil times by tempting Teachers should make Faithful Ministers labour the harder in their time 2. It is no new thing for Professed Christians not to endure Sound Doctrine but to follow false Teachers 3. It is by their own Lusts or Erroneous Wills and Choice that Professors are seduced by false Teachers 4. Itching Ears is a dangerous Disease 5. False Teachers may be heaped up and to have the Major Vote when Sound Teachers cannot be endured 4. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth and shall be turned unto fables 4. Note That Chuches Pastors and People may turn away from the Truth to Fables 5. But watch thou in all things endure afflictions do the work of an Evangelist make full proof of thy ministry 5. Note That great watchfulness patient labouring and suffering and fulfilling their Ministry approvedly in all Tryals is the Description of a True Minister of Christ 6. For I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand 7. I have fought a good fight I have finished my course I have kept the faith 8. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous judge shall give me at that
as Hereticks reproach you with your weakness but mercifully vouchsafeth to teach the humble Note 1. Prayer is a great and necessary means to get true Wisdom But as for outward things so for Wisdom we must not only pray but labour and use God's other helps Study without Prayer maketh but ungodly talkers whose dreaming knowledge will but condemn them And Prayer without Study and learning of the wise is but a self-deceiving idle tempting of God 6. But let him ask in faith nothing wavering for he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed 7. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 6 7. But see that your Belief of God's Power and Goodness and the truth of his Promises to faithful Supplicants be firm and sound for if you doubt and waver in this you will but be tost about like a wave of the Sea When you cannot trust God every temptation and difficulty will overthrow both your hope and your innocency And such have no promise that God will hear them it is but presumption to expect it Note That the Faith here mentioned is not an assurance of our own sincerity and that God will give us what we ask as being surely fit to receive it But it is a resolute cleaving to the Christian Verity and a sound belief that God is most able and faithful in performing all his Promises and will give all the good which we ask and are meet to receive Distrusting our selves is not distrusting God 8. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways 8. A man whose mind and heart hangs doubtful and unresolved between God and the World Christ and Infidelity Heaven and Earth Holiness and Sin is fickle and still untrusty 9 10. Let the brother of low degree rejoyce in that he is exalted But the rich in that he is made low 9 10. You must not judge of your felicity by your outward things but take that for best which God as a Father provideth for you If he advance you gladly and thankfully acknowledge it if he take you down and deprive you of riches be not only patient but thankful that God will chuse for you according to his wisdom who knoweth better what you are fit for and what is fit for you than you can know 10 11. Because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat but it withereth the grass and the flower thereof falleth and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways 10 11. For riches are too inconsiderable things to make any great just alteration on our minds They are transitory and so is man like the flower whose sweetness you may use for a moment but it fadeth presently before the heat of the scorching Sun 12. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation for when he is tryed he shall receive the crown of life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him 12. It is the tryed Christian that is the blessed man who after suffering and temptation holds fast his integrity God will give him that Crown of Life which he hath promised to all that sincerely love him 13. Let no man say when he is tempted I am tempted of God for God cannot be tempted with evil neither tempteth he any man 13. But as to the seducing sort of temptation which is not to try our constancy but to draw men to sin and ruine let no man charge that on God as his doing for as God cannot be tempted to sin nor possibly love it so he tempteth no man to it much less forceth them to it or unresistibly by determining premotion makes them sin 14. But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed 15. Then when lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death 14 15. But the course of temptation sin and death is this First fleshly appetite lust and phantasie by strongly inclining men to their carnal objects and interests prevail with their Judgments either to take part with these lusts or not to oppose them and so by these lusts Satan the greater tempter doth his work which he could not do without them And when these lusts or carnal affections have bribed the understanding to be erroneous or remiss and have drawn the will to a sinful yielding or consent this sin conceived by lust in the heart doth bring sorth the fruits of a sinful practice in the life and then God's Justice punisheth it with death when it hath resisted and driven away his offered grace 16 17. Do not err my beloved brethren Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of lights with whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning 16 17. Be not deceived about the causes of good and evil sin and death are from our selves but every good and perfecting gift is of God's free grace and donation even from above from the Father of Lights who as the Sun is the same in its nature and action though Earth and Clouds oft interposing make it seem to us as varying by its rising and setting and turning away its light into shadows when the change is not in it so God is unchangeable and our changes and shadows are not from any mutability or shadowy alteration in him but from our selves 18. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth that we should be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures 18. It was of his own good will and grace that he hath regenerated us by the true word of the Gospel and not of any desert of ours and hath made us as the first-fruits sanctified to him so that all good is of God and all evil of our selves and the Devil 19. Wherefore my beloved brethren let every man be swift to hear slow to speak slow to wrath 19. Therefore watch over your selves if you would be safe and particularly observe these three Rules 1. Be swift to hear as humble Learners while proud men are forward to be Teachers before they were ever profitable Learners 2. Be slow to speak and not as proud men full of words because full of self-conceit readier to teach than to learn telling what they think they know while the humble are learning to know more and when in multitude of words there is seldom innocency but the rash and talkative say that which must be repented of 3. Be slow to wrath 20. For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God 20. For a wrathful mind is very unfit for that righteousness which God requireth in and of us It puts the mind out of a composed holy frame and unfits it for communion with God It blindeth and perverteth the Judgment and destroyeth holy love and peace A wrathful man scarce loveth his neighbour
But above all things my brethren swear not neither by heaven neither by the earth neither by any other oath but let your yea be yea and your nay nay lest ye fall into condemnation 12. And I must specially exhort you to avoid customary needless swearing by Heaven or Earth or any oath but let Yea and Nay serve you and be true of your word that you be not drawn into a just suspicion of falshood or condemned for prophaning the name of God Note 1. That this is so far from forbidding necessary oaths for ending strife that it is but to confirm them by preserving the due reverence of them 2. The true nature of an oath is by our speech to pawn the reputation of some certain or great thing for the averring of a doubted lesser thing and not only as is commonly held an appeal to God or other Judge As to swear by the Fire by the Temple by my Faith or Truth by the Life of Pharaoh by the Heavens c. is as much as to say If this be not true then the Fire burneth not the Temple is not holy I am a Lyar Pharaoh is no King as sure as Heaven is Heaven c. so the Lord liveth is This is as true as that God liveth 13. Is any among you afflicted let him pray Is any merry let him sing psalms 13. In your affliction have present recourse to God by prayer in Faith and Hope and when you are chearful and merry turn it to God's praise and thanksgiving for his mercies in singing holy Songs to God Note That it is not only David's Psalms that they are tyed to but such as are by men fitted to their proper cases which confuteth them that condemn all humane Forms of composed words in God's Service 14. Is any sick among you let him call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord 15. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick and the Lord shall raise him up and if he have committed sins they shall be forgiven him 14 15. When any of you is sick let him send for the Bishops of Pastors of the Church and let them pray over him anointing him with Oil in the name of the Lord as a sign and means which he hath appointed for miraculous Cures And if it be the Prayer of Faith and he be a person capable and fit for that deliverance it shall recover him from his Sickness and God shall raise him and if his Sickness be a corrective punishment for any sin that he hath committed God will forgive him and take off that penalty if he repent Note 1. That this implieth that each Church had divers Elders And whereas Dr. H. thinks it meaneth one single Bishop who the Ancients say visited all the sick you may see then how great their Diocesses were Should all the sick men in London or in many Counties send for the Bishop he would come but to a few of them at least forty or eighty Miles off But it will be said He may do it by others And why not give Orders and Sacraments by others as Lay-men now use the Keys And if the work be proper to Bishops those others then are made Bishops if not others may do it 2. Anointing being healthful to dry bodies in those hot Countries was used by Christ's appointment for miraculous Cures and never made a Duty or Sacrament to continue when Miracles cease 3. Sicknesses are usually corrective punishments for sin and to forgive the sin as to that penalty is to remit the punishment and heal the sick 4. The promise of pardon and recovery presupposeth the person penitent and fit for that deliverance 16. Confess your faults one to another and pray one for another that ye may be healed the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much 16. Therefore Penitently confess your faults to one another especially to the Elders that visit you and pray one for another for this is the likely way of your recovery The effectual fervent instant Prayer of a Righteous Man is of great force or prevalence Note 1. An impenitent man is unfit for Pardon and therefore for deliverance from punishment and he that doth not penitently confess and bewail his sin cannot be judged a true Penitent and therefore cannot be prayed for with that Faith and Hope as we may do for the Penitent 2. This is not to be a customary thing or only to a Priest but it 's a duty both in Sickness and Health wherever the expression of Repentance to others is a duty By which alas we know how rare true Repentance is when even professors of Zeal in Religion are sharp in censuring and blaming others and except a very few humble Souls if they be never so justly blamed or reproved do swell against the reprover with pride and indignation as if he were their Enemy And they that separate from the Churches for want of Discipline are earnest for it for others but cannot bear it on themselves nor so much as endure a confutation of their errors but take him to speak against Godliness who speaketh against their mistakes and faults and two many like the Prophane will turn again and all to rend him 17. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months 18. And he prayed again and the heaven gave rain and the earth brought forth her fruit 17 18. Think not that Prayer is a vain or uneffectual thing though we be frail and faulty men Elias was but a man liable both to sufferings and to a troubled mind in them as we are yet on his earnest Prayer it rained not on an Idolatrous Persecuting Country for three years and a half and at his Prayer it rained again and the Land was fruitful 19 20. Brethren if any of you do err from the truth and one convert him Let him know that he which converteth the sinner from the errour of his way shall save a soul from death and shall hide a multitude of sins 19 20. I beseech you Brethren be neither negligent or dispairing to the cure of men in error nor yet impatient with those that would detect your Errors and convince you and bring you to Repentance as proud impenitent Persons are But know that as all men alas are too prone to error if any man err from the truth through ignorance or a corrupted will and one convert him he that converteth a sinner from his error in mind or life doth not only do that which tendeth to save his life from Gods punishing stroak but also shall save his Soul from everlasting death and procure the Pardon of his manifold sin not only so far that the Church but God himself shall receive him into a reconciled state Note 1. That error and sin are the
with holy Resolution and soberly watch and keep up your Hope until the end for that glorious effect of Redemption and Grace which you shall see and enjoy at the day of Christ's glorious appearing which will answer all your Hopes 14. As obedient children not fashioning your selves according to the former lusts in your ignorance 14. And as obedient Children of God to whom you are reconciled no more living as you did in the time of your ignorance in fleshly lusts and worldly vice 15. But as he which hath called you is holy so be ye holy in all manner of conversation 16. Because it is written Be ye holy for I am holy 15 16. And as Children must be like their Father and they must please God who will be saved by him therefore as he that hath called you is a holy God and Saviour be ye a holy People for so God requireth Be holy for I am holy 17. And if ye call on the Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every mans work passe the time of your sojourning here in fear 17. And if you call God your Father and call on him who without respect of persons for any worldly difference judgeth all men according to their works let the thoughts of his Holiness and future Judgment cause you to pass the time that you as Sojourners wait for Christ's coming in holy cautelous obedient fear 18. Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers 19. But with the precious blood of Christ as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot 18 19. For the preciousness of the price which redeemed us tells us the great worth of our Salvation from sin and misery which was not with silver and gold or any corruptible price but it was with the precious blood of Christ the spotless Lamb of God that ye were redeemed from the vain Ceremonies and Traditions which you were bred up in and from your sinful conversation 20. Who verily was fore ordained before the foundation of the world but was manifest in these last times for you 21. Who by him do believe in God that raised him up from the dead and gave him glory that your faith and hope might be in God 20 21. Whom God had sore-ordained to this blessed Office before the foundation of the World but though oft prophesied of was not incarnate and manifest in the flesh till these last times even for you that live since his coming who are not by him drawn as we are falsly accused from the true and only God but by him are taught the true knowledge of God and to believe that God to be God indeed wise good and almighty who raised Christ from the dead and gave him glory and so that your Faith and Hope might be ultimately in God alone by Christ's Mediation 22. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently 22. And as you have purified your Souls from former Errour and Sin by obeying the Gospel by the work of God's Spirit unto unfeigned love of Christian Brethren be sure to keep up that Love and with a pure heart and deep affection to love each other 23. Being born again not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible by the word of God which liveth and abideth for ever 23. Seeing you are not only Brethren by corruptible generation and relation but of incorruptible seed by the Word of God who liveth and abideth for ever and so must your incorruptible love to each other which is part of your incorruptible nature 24. For all flesh is as grass and all the glory of man as the flower of grass the grass withereth and the flower thereof falleth away 25. But the word of the Lord endureth for ever And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you 24 25. For all flesh and all its glory is a fading dying thing like the grass and flower But God's Word is everlasting Truth as Christ the Author is and is our Guide to an Everlasting Life And this true Word is it which we preach to you by the Gospel and bespeaketh endless constancy in your holy love and obedience CHAP. II. 1. WHerefore laying aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisies and envies and all evil-speakings 2. As new born babes desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby 1 2. Lay aside therefore and renounce all naughtiness and all deceit and hypocrisy or counterfeiting and all envy and all speaking evil of others And as new born babes desire and seek and drink in the rational Milk or intellectual without fraud and mixture that you may grow up to Salvation by it which the mixture of heresie or hypocrisie would vitiate and invectives against others would but turn it against your selves 3. If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious 4. To whom coming as unto a living stone disallowed indeed of men but chosen of God and precious 5. Ye also as lively stones are built up a spiritual house and holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ 3 4.5 And if you are Christians indeed and have had a Spiritual relish of the love of God in Christ you must suppose his Church to be like an House in which every stone is a living man and Christ is the chief Foundation stone as the Lord of Life on whom all the building is erected rejected indeed by the Jewish and Heathen Rulers but chosen of God to this blessed Office and more Precious than any Pearl and so coming to him the Foundation as so many living stones your selves you being cemented to him and to one another are made one Spiritual House of God yea as a Temple in which you are all Priests to offer Daily Sacrifice to God which he will accept through the Intercession of the great High Priest Jesus Christ For your Prayer and Praise may be thus accepted Think thus of Gods House and you may be for sweeping and repairing it but you will never be for dividing dismembring or separating from it 6. Wherefore it is contained in the scripture Behold I lay in Sion a chief corner-stone elect precious and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded 6. This the Scripture foretold saying I lay in Sion c. That is I set over the Church a Saviour and a King on whom the Church shall be sounded And none shall be put to shame by the frustration of their Faith Hope and Obedience who put their trust in him 7. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious but unto them which be disobedient the stone which the builders disallowed the same is made the head of the corner 8. And a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence even to
or only such as Ebion Cerinthus and others that denyed somewhat of Christ's Being his Manhood or his Godhead or his real Suffering Or those that were for Moses's Law and held that Christ may be denyed with the Tongue in case of danger so that the heart deny him not pretending that God will have Mercy to our selves and not Sacrifice 24. Let that therefore abide in you which ye have heard from the beginning if that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you ye also shall continue in the Son and in the Father 24. Hold fast the Doctrine which at the first ye received from us and turn not after Novelties and this will preserve you against Seduction and continue you in the Faith Relation and Love of the Son and Father 25. And this is the promise that he hath promised us even eternal life 25. And if you live by â—aith upon his Promises he will give you Eternal Life which he hath promised whatever you suffer or forsake here in the way 26. These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you 26. It is the seducing Hereticks who occasion my writing these Warnings to you 27. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you and ye need not that any man teach you but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things and is truth and is no lie and even as it hath taught you ye shall abide in him 27. But I hope I need no other Argument to confirm you in the Christian Faith against Seducers than that the Spirit of Christ which is his Witness Agent and Advocate hath through his Apostles Preaching and Imposition of Hands been given to you and among you His Miracles have sealed his Truth before your eyes and his illuminating and sanctifying Grace hath been given you if you be true Believers And I hope you will not deny the Holy Ghost As he is thus the Infallible Objective Evidence of Christ's Truth so is he in you an Efficient Illuminating Teacher and ready within you to plead Christ's Cause and teach you all necessary Truth Therefore you need not any man's Testimony and Teaching as those do that have no other but must take the Word of Man alone Use Christ's Ministers but in due Subordination to the Spirit and quench it not and he will keep you 28. And now little children abide in him that when he shall appear we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming 28. Therefore Children waver not but fixedly abide in Christ and true Christianity that when he shal appear in Judgment we may see and meet him with joyful confidence and not with shame unto Condemnation as Apostates will Note 'T is wonder that he that expounds all this of Christ's coming to destroy Jerusalem by the Romans his Enemies should think that all the Christians to whom the Apostles wrote should then meet Christ or be so much comforted therein when most were like to die first and few living to be much the better for it And Christian Compassion would fill them with Grief as Paul had Rom. 9. and 11. and not make them like men of utter malice to take it for so great joy to have the Jews so murdered when Christ wept over them that foretold it and when the Romans were far more to persecute the Church near three hundred Years And this Exposition leaveth all the Christian World since to this day little more use of the abundance of Motives and Comforts of the New Testament than of the fulfilled Prophecies of the Old Do not Christ's and the Apostles words nearly concern us Or should the Church be moved to Constancy Patience and Comfort chiefly sixteen hundred Years after because a Million of Jews were killed then 29. If ye know that he is righteous ye know that every one that doth righteousness is born of him 29. And as ye believe that Christs is just and a Lover of Righteousness so all that sincerely live a righteous Life towards God and Man are new born by his Sanctifying Spirit to his Image and shall surely be received and owned by him CHAP. III. 1. BEhold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God therefore the world knoweth us not because it knew him not 1. Let us therefore instead of forsaking Christ admire the wondrous Love of God to us that hath in Christ adopted us to be his Sons Indeed our Dignity is unknown to the unbelieving World for they knew not Christ to be the Son of God and how then should they know us 2. Beloved now are we the sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is 2. And it is no wonder if our Condition be unknown to the unbelieving World for though we are already the Sons of God and have Right by Promise to future Glory our future Glory is yet unseen and what we shall be doth not appear to the World or to our own sight But we know by faith that when Christ appeareth we that are his Members shall in our several measures be made like our glorified Head in the Perfection both of Soul and Body and place and state of Blessedness For he hath promised that we shall be with him and therefore shall see him as he is and therefore be made capable of such a sight and glorious Communion 3. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure 3. And knowing that without Holiness none can see God and that it is the Pure in heart that have the Promise of seeing him therefore all that have a true effectual Hope of seeing him will make it their chief care to purifie themselves that such Likeness to Christ may render them capable of such a blessed sight 4. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law for sin is the transgression of the law 5. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins and in him is no sin 4 5. For to sin is to transgress and break God's Law for that is the definition of Sin And ye know that Christ came in the Flesh to be a Sacrifice for Sin and to take it away and destroy it and never sinned himself and all this that he might vindicate God's Law and Holiness 6. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not whosoever sinneth hath not seen him neither known him 6. So far as any man is in him and is taught and ruled by him so far is he freed from all sin and all his true Members are delivered from the predominant love and practice of all known sin and are willing to know all that they may avoid it And he that would not know it and when he doth know it doth not hate it more than love it and so far forsake it as to conquer
Schismaticks Fanaticks Puritans Rebels against the Pope or Church that they may justifie their hating murdering imprisoning silencing and ruining them As the Scribes were loth to know who was their Neighbour so are these loth to know who is a Brother But God will know his Children though men call them by reproachful names Alas for the murderous Generation that preach write and strive to destroy the Upright and say they killed them or ruined them in Love that is they hated them in Love Woe to them when God shall judge them 3. Every degree of unjust Hurt or Hatred is a Breach of the Sixth Commandment But the meaning is not every degree or mistaking wrong is as bad as actual Murder or as sure a sign of Death Alas how few else would live 16. Hereby perceive we the love of God because he laid down his life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren 16. As God hath manifested his Love to us by laying down for us the Life of our Redeemer so if we be God's Children we must learn of him as to love our Enemies so if God should call us to it as needful to better ends than our lives to lay down our lives for Christian Brethren 17. But whoso hath this worlds good and seeth his brother have need and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him how dwelleth the love of God in him 17. And if Love must make us die for others surely those have no true Love to God and to the Brethren as God requireth who cannot lay down part of their abundance perhaps superfluity for them but while they are well able yet cannot find in their hearts to relieve them but shut up the bowels of their compassion from them Note O the dreadful account that many of the Rich must give that feast all the year while their poor Neighbours hunger and spend forty times more in needless house-keeping as they call their Luxury than on the Poor 18. My little children let us not love in word neither in tongue but in deed and in truth 18. Let not your Love be hypocritical which will bring forth no better fruit than good wishes and fair words but shew the truth of it by your cost and real helps 19. And hereby we know that we are of the truth and shall assure our hearts before him 19. It is by such efficacy and real fruit that we must know that we are true Christians and not Hypocrites and must have assurance that our hearts are true to God 20. For if our heart condemn us God is greater than our heart and knoweth all things 21. Beloved if our heart condemn us not then have we confidence towards God 20 21. For if our Consciences tell us that our Love is barren and fruitless and so condemn us of Hypocrisie God is greater and more acquainted with our Hypocrisie than our Consciences But if our Conscience truly witness the sincerity of our Love by the fruits of it then this assurance of our Sincerity giveth us boldness towards God 22. And whatsoever we ask we receive of him because we keep his commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his sight 22. And if we do God's Will sincerely in obeying his Commands and the things that please him he will hear our Prayers and grant our just desires and give us that which is good for us whereas if we love iniquity and live therein God will not hear our Prayers Note They that deny that holy sincere Obedience is any condition of God's hearing our Prayers because Faith hath the promise contradict the scope of Scripture 23. And this is his commandment that we should believe on the Name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another as he gave us commandment 23. And the sum of all this acceptable duty is but this To believe truly in Jesus Christ our Redeemer our Teacher King and Intercessor and to obey his great Command of Loving one another with all such God is pleased and heareth them 24. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him and he in him and hereby we know that he abideth in us by the Spirit which he hath given us 24. And if we keep Christ's Commands of fruitful Love in Faith there is a near Communion between Christ and us we dwell in Christ as his Members and he dwelleth in us and his dwelling in us is by the Spirit of Love and Holiness the Seal of his Promise which he hath given us He that keepeth Christ's Commandments specially of Love hath his Spirit And Christ dwells where his Spirit dwells CHAP. IV. 1. BEloved believe not every spirit but try the spirits whether they are of God because many false prophets are gone out into the world 1. There be many false Teachers who pretend to Revelation as Prophets who teach you the Doctrines of Sensuality Worldliness and Malice contrary to the Doctrine of Holiness and Love which I have taught you Therefore believe not that every man speaketh by God's Spirit who pretendeth to it nor that every strong suggestion in your selves is from God's Spirit which seemeth such before you try it But try all pretences of the Spirit whether they come indeed from the Spirit of God or rather from Satan or mens own imagination corrupted by pride Qu. How shall we justly try Spirits or spiritual pretences Ans By somewhat that is more easily known and no otherwise And that is two things 1. The common certain notices of the Light and Law of Nature 2. By the Infallible words of the Spirit in Christ and his Apostles and Prophets For both these are the sure Word of God who doth not contradict himself Our gifts of the Spirit are lower than the Apostles and must be tryed by theirs which were given them to record a Rule for us 2. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God 3. And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God and this is that spirit of Antichrist whereof you have heard that it should come and even now already is it in the world 2 3. By this you shall know whether these Pretenders speak from the Spirit of God For the Spirit of God is the Spirit of Christ sent by him to be his Advocate and plead his Cause and do his Work in the World and therefore beareth witness of him If therefore these Teachers truly and openly in the face of danger do own profess and preach Christ Jesus as the Incarnate Word and Son of God sent from Heaven to redeem teach rule and save us this Doctrine is of the Spirit of God But if they deny the Godhead or Manhood of Christ or that he is indeed the true Incarnate Saviour Prophet Priest and King or will not own him in hazards or sufferings but deny him to save the flesh and teach men so to do
into some sins that are to be punished with Bodily Death or â—hame Magistrates must put to death Murderers and other capital Offenders and when Magistrates do it not God will oft times do it without them himself as he did on Ananias and Sapphira and others In this case if one be to be executed by Justice or be under God's Justice that will put him to death you may pray for his Soul but you must not pray for his Life though he repent because it is against God's Law and the common Good And if you should pray for the Recovery of such a man in Sickness God hath not promised you to recover him No nor any of his own Children when their dying time is come 18. We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself and that wicked one toucheth him not 18. We know that all that are born of God hate sin and overcome it in the course of their lives and live in no reigning sin which is predominant but only hated infirmities which consist with sincere predominant Faith Obedience and Repentance nor have any sin at all so far as they have the Divine Nature but they watchfully keep themselves from the prevalence of Satan's snares 19. And we know that we are of God and the whole world lieth in wickedness 19. And though Christ's Flocks here be less than the World we see by experience that we are of God guided by his Spirit obeying his Laws pleasing his Will living to him and hoping for his Glory and that the unconverted World is wholly set on wickedness and mischief so notorious is the difference between the faithful and the ungodly World which foretells the future difference 20. And we know that the Son of God is come and hath given us an understanding that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ This is the true God and eternal life 20. In a word by all aforesaid we are certain of the truth of our Religion We are sure that the Son of God is come and Christ is he and by his Doctrine and Spirit hath enlightned us to know the true and only God and his Will and we are by faith and the Spirit planted into him who is the Truth even into Jesus Christ So that we are sure it is the true God that we believe and serve and the Gift and Title to Eternal Life that by Christ we do receive 21. Little children keep your selves from idols Amen 21. I speak to you in love as if you were my own Children but with care of you as to your weakness and what temptations the Idolatrous World assaults you with As Christ hath called you out of the World from Idolatry which you have renounced as you love God and your Saviour and your Souls hold close to Christ and return not to Idols nor partake of their Sacrifices nor seem to own them by Idolatrous Communion Amen The Second Epistle of JOHN the Apostle 't is most commonly thought but not certain 1. THe elder unto the elect lady and her children whom I love in the truth and not I only but also all they that have known the truth 2. For the truth's sake which dwelleth in us and shall be with us for ever 1 2. Note It seems this was some choice Woman that was a great support and helper to the Christians and eminent in Piety and stedfastness in the Faith Though some few groundlesly think that it was some Church that he calleth Lady 3. Grace be with you mercy and peace from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Father in truth and love 3. Grace Mercy and Peace from God the Father and Christ the Son are the true unvaluable Blessings I wish you to confirm you in the two great parts of Religion Truth and Love 4. I rejoyced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth as we have received a commandment from the Father 4. I greatly rejoyced that I found thy Children both holding fast the Christian Truth and living in the practice of it as the Father commanded us to preach and do 5. And now I beseech thee lady not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee but that which we had from the beginning that we love one another 5. The sum of my writing to thee is not any Novelty but the old great Law of Christ Be sure that we keep up true Christian Love which Satan is an Enemy to 6. And this is love that we walk after his commandments This is the commandment that as ye have heard from the beginning ye should walk in it 6. And the Love in which we all must live is our Union and Concord in keeping his Commandments even the same Gospel which from the beginning was committed to us For both new and false Doctrines and a sinful life do break the Union and Peace of Christians 7. For many deceivers are entred into the world who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh This is deceiver and an antichrist 7 For there are many Hereticks now come to that deceiving pass that they deny Christ himself either his Godhead or Manhood or Office or Work yea his Incarnation as if his Body were but a Fantasm These are Deceivers and Antichrists 8. Look to your selves that we lose not those things which we have wrought but that we receive a full reward 8. Look to your selves with watchful care that no temptation draw you to back-slâ—de and you lose all your former belief and labour nor we our ministerial labour on you but hold on that you and we may attain that full Reward that we seek 9. Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ he hath both the Father and the Son 9. As it was by the Doctrine of Christ that you were brought into your blessed Knowledge and Relation to the Father and the Son so if you fall from that Doctrine you will fall from God himself to whom by Christ you are reconciled But if you abide in Christ's Doctrine you will continue your Relation to the Father and the Son 10. If there come any unto you and bring not this Doctrine receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed 11. For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds 10 11. As for those Hereticks and Apostates that deny the Gospel or any Essential Part of Christianity shew them no encouraging Countenance Familiarity or Communion otherwise you will be guilty as Partners in their sin 12. Having many things to write unto you I would not write with paper and ink but I trust to come unto you and speak face to face that our joy may be full 13. The children of thy elect sister greet thee Amen 12 13. Note 1. Presence maketh