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
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
World and the Flesh will strive hard against both But Grace will conquer and make all a delight 3. Fewer turned Christians then than did after Christs ascension But if most on earth perish how little is the earth to the vast and glorious regions of the blessed 15. Beware of false Prophets who come to you in sheeps cloathing but inwardly they are ravening wolves 16. Ye shall know them by their fruits Do men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles 15 16. And you must expect the temptation of Teachers falsly pretending Divine inspiration and authority they will come to you with enticing pretences as speaking for God for truth for godliness for your salvation for order peace c. but mischief and hurtfulness is in their heart and design And if you think their pretences too hard for you to confute look to the tendency and effects Thorns and thistles prick and hurt and Grapes and Figs are sweet and nourishing If their Counsel and their practice be hurtfull and destroying they are Wolves and not of God Their bloudy jaws and teeth will bewray them tho in sheeps cloathing If they would draw you to wickedness or turn you from a sober just and holy life or if instead of Love and Peace and doing good they are for hatred contention cruelty oppression unjust silencing excommunicating and persecuting by these fruits you may know them N. Tho every cruel wicked man is not a false teacher nor every man is to believed in all his Doctrines who is loving and godly Yet 1. that doctrine that tendeth to do more hurt than good is naught 2. And usually God teacheth the meek and loving and holy persons all necessary truth and forsaketh most the understanding of the wicked proud and worldly And tho not meer ornamental accomplishments yet the saving gifts of the Spirit go together that is Illumination and holy love and obedience and peace And who can be confident that Gods Spirit teacheth those men the truth above others whom he never taught the knows necessary duties of love peace justice holiness and temperance When their lives tell us that they serve the Devil its hard to believe that they are inspired of God as extraordinary men tho they may preach the truth for reputation and advantage 1. Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit 18. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit 19. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire 20. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them 17 18 19 20. As the man is so will he do Therefore by the badness of their fruit you may know that they speak not from the Spirit of God Note That Christ giveth us not this Rule to know ordinary Priests and Preachers Doctrine by For when Rulers and Countreys own sound Doctrine wicâ—ed worldly men will own it for preferment and worldly ends But it is to trie Prophets by who pretend to the Spirits inspiration He that is not ruled by the Spirit is not like to be inspired by the Spirit 2. And tho this hold true as to all wickedness yet the fruit that Christ specially meaneth is hurtfulness As the names of Wolves Thorns and Thistles shew 3. If a good man speak or do ill it is because he is not perfectly good but partly bad For instance The Papal Church pretendeth to the infallible guidance of the Spirit when Pope and Councils agree which is To Prophetical Inspiration beyond the meer improvement of theiâ— own knowledge How shall we know whether their pretence be true 1. We find that they cherish ignorance by forbidding the reading of the Scripture in a known Tongue without a License and praying in a Tongue not understood 2. We find that they divide the Christian world by laying its Unity and Peace on impossible terms even a multitude of their own Canons 3. We find they are adversaries to Catholick love by damning all the Christian world save their own Sect and keeping up their Church and Religion by bloudy Doctrines Inquisitions and Massacres 4. And that it is a worldly interest that is thus managed These being all Wolâ—ish Thorny hurtful fruits disprove their pretence to the Spirits infallibility But it being their interest to be for the Deity Christianity and Immortality of Souls in that they may own the truth And if the Reformed Churches have had some errours it is because they are but of imperfect knowledge and reformation 21. Not every one that saith to me Lord Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven but he that doth the will of my Father which is in heaven 21. It is not verbal professions and pretending to the Spirit or to be Orthodox or to be better than others nor is it formal worshipping God as the Hypocrites do nor honouring me with the lips and knee alone that will save any one but it is only the holy obedient beliver that shall be saved 22. Many will say to me in that day Lord Lord have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out devils and in thy name done many wonderful works 23. And then I will profess to them I never knew you depart from me ye that work iniquity 22 23. Many will then plead not only that they were Bishops or Preachers in the Church but even that they Prophesied and wrought miracles in my name to whom I will say Depart from me all you that lived wickedly whatever you said or did in my name I never owned you nor will I save you 24. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doth them I will liken him to a wise man who built his house upon a rock 25. And the rain descended and and the flouds came and the winds blew and beat on that house and it self not for it was founded on a rock 24 25. He that heareth believeth and obeyeth that which I have now taught you is like a wise man c. Note The obedient believer is the only wise man that buildeth the hopes of his salvation on a sure foundation 26. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine and doth them not shall be like â—ed to a foolish man who built his house on the sand 27. And the rain descended and the flouds came and the winds blew and beat upon that house and it fell and great was the fall of it 26 27. Note 1. Ungodly men that hear Christs Gospel and obey it not are fools and build their hopes of Salvation as on the sands 2. All mens Religion and hopes shall be tried as a house by Storms whether it be well founded and built or not 3. Grievous will be the overthrow of the religious hopes of all hypocrites and ungodly livers 28 29. And it came to pass when Jesus had ended these sayings the people were astonished at his doctrine For he taught them
the priests in the temple profane the sabbath and are blameless 3 4 5. Your strictness and your accusation of my Disciples are but from your ignorance of the Scripture Have ye not read that hunger justified David and his company for eating the consecrated Bread which else none but the Priests might lawfully eat And that the Priests in the temple labour on the Sabbath and break the outward rest of the day which would be profanation did not the Temple service justifie it 6. But I say to you that in this place is one greater than the temple 6. But if the Temple service can justifie labour I am greater than the Temple and my service and authority can justifie it 7. But if ye had known what this meaneth I will have mercy and not sacrifice ye would not have condemned the guiltless 7. If instead of ignorant preciseness for Ceremonies you had but learnt the true meaning of God in his preferring mercy before Sacrifice you would not have thought that Ceremonies and externals are commanded men for their hurt and must be observed against mercy to our selves or others Gods commands are all for mans good and he maketh not externals and ceremonies for a snare to hurt men You would not have censured the guiltless as sinners had you understood this Note This twice repeated most openly condemneth the Papal Church Government 8. For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath-day 8. And as Moses's Law was but to lead men to Christ in whom it is fulfilled so it cannot bind any against him and his authority and saving work for which works sake all things are delivered into his hands even the Law and Sabbath of which he is Lord. 9 10. And when he was departed thence he went into their Synagogue And behold there was a man who had his hand withered and they asked him saying Is it lawful to to heal on the sabbath-day that they might accuse him 9 10. Note That the ceremonial outward strictness of hypocrites is used to ensnare and hurt those that are not of their mind 11. And he said to them What man shall there be among you that shall have one sheep and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath-day will he not lay hold on it and lift it out 11. Will you not draw a sheep out of a pit on the Sabbath-day if you have but one 12. How much then is a man better than a sheep wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath-days 12. It is lawfull to prefer and do a greater duty before a less 13. Then saith he to the man Stretch forth thy hand and he stretched it forth and it was restored whole like as the other 14. Then the Pharisees went out and held a council against him how they might destroy him 13 14. Note That it is part of the Religion of Hypocrites to destroy men for doing the greatest good against their Laws 15. But when Jesus heard it he withdrew himself from thence and great multitudes followed him and he healed them all 16. And charged them that they should not make him known 15 16. Note 1. It is a duty to avoid the hands of Murderers and Persecutors unless when our sufferings are like to do more good than our lives 2. Christ forbid them making him known partly to avoid the envy and rage of persecutors and partly because the time was not yet come till all his works set together with his Resurrection and Spirit should make up a full proof 17 18. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet saying Behold my servant whom I have chosen my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased I will put my Spirit upon him and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles 19. He shall not strive nor cry neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets 20. A bruised reed shall he not break and smoaking flax shall he not quench till he send forth judgment unto victory 21. And in his name shall the Gentiles trust 17 c. In all this he fulfilled what was prophesied by Isaiah Behold c. Him whom I have selected for this work of Salvation in whom I am well pleased as fulfilling all my will He shall have the fulness of the Spirit and he shall teach the Nations the way of Truth and Righteousness He shall not subdue men by tumults violence or wars but as the Prince of Peace and Grace he shall deal gently with the weak and cherish the least degree of goodness and pardon the faults of the penitent and not use severity of Justice till he have gathered his Church out of the world and overcome and judged his final enemies And it is he in whom all nations shall be blessed 22. Then was brought to him one possessed with a devil blind and dumb and he healed him insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw 23. And all the people were amazed and said Is not this the son of David 22 23. This people were so astonished to see his works that they said Sure this is the Messiah the son of David 24. But when the Pharisees heard it they said This fellow doth not cast out devils but by Beel-zebub the prince of the devils 25. And Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them Every kingdom divided against it self is brought to desolation and every city and house divided against it self shall not sâ—and 26. And if Satan cast out Satan he is divided against himself how then shall his kingdom stand 24 c. The Pharisees could not deny the matter of fact it being notorious and therefore they had no shift left for their unbelief but saying that All such works are not of God The Prince of Devils to deceive the people giveth him power to cast out devils and do his miracles But Christ said If the Devil have a Kingdom he hath wit to preserve it Is it the Devils work to do good to mens Souls and Bodies If holy doctrine and casting out 〈◊〉 and healing the diseased be against Satan 〈…〉 then he is against himself if he be 〈…〉 Kingdom City or House will not stand 〈…〉 â—â—vidâ—d and fight against it self 27. 〈…〉 â—â—â—zâ—bub cast out devils by 〈…〉 â—â—â—en cast them out therâ—â—ore 〈…〉 be your judges 28. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God then the kingdom of God is come unto you 27 28. And if you think me a Conjurer and confederate with Satan what say you of your own Countreymen my Disciples who cast them out by the power they receive from me Are they all conjurers too Therefore they shall be witness against your unbelief and blasphemy But if all this be certainly done by me by no less power than the Spirit of God you should see that this is Gods attestation to me and that his Kingdom is come in which the Messiah is to conquer Satan and destroy his works 29. Or else how can one enter
to make Laws for the universal Church on Earth but he and to undertake it is to undertake the prerogative of Christ and to be Vice-christ by usurpation be it Pope or Councils 4. Yet the precept of observing his commands forbids not the observing of the commands of any lawful limited local rulers under him not crossing his commands Parents Masters Pastors Princes must be obeyed in their Provinces and Places even about Gods worship If men make subordinate Laws according to Christs General Laws of Love Concord Edification Order they must be obeyed as e. g. what translations of Scripture to use what Psalms Meters Tunes Gestures Time Place and abundance such like The Gospel according to St. MARK Note 1. That this is the same Mark against whom as not fit to be taken with them St. Paul sharply contended with Barnabas even to parting a sunder But it was not as charging him with any crime but as unfit to be taken with them in so long and hard a work which he before deserted 2. It is said by some to be a tradition that Mark wrote this from the Mouth of Peter but that is uncertain 3. It is questioned seeing it is only the eleven Apostles to whom Christ promised the Eminent help of the Spirit to bring all his Doctrine to their remembrance and lead them into all Truth How can we be sure that Mark and Luke who were no Apostles and had not this promise did never mistake in their writing the Gospel Ans Tho Christ promised not Infallibility to all Preachers then he promised and gave the Eminent Miraculous gifts to the Spirit to others as well as to the Apostles as appeared in Stephen Philip and others And this spirit was to sit them for the work to which they were called which his miracles by them attested 2. And the Apostles that then lived approved these writings of Mark and Luke and so did the Churches where the gifts of the Spirit did then most abound who also delivered them down to us Whether this Mark was Bishop of Alexandria or only a transient Evangelist there a while is an Historical controversie of no great Moment When Antioch had at once so many great Apostles Prophets and Teachers and no one of them then a Bishop to rule the rest as their Pastor we may well conjecture that the case of Alexandria did not much differ from that of Antioch and Jerusalem where neither James nor any one was Governour of the Apostles The Reader must not expect that I repeat at large the Paraphrases or Notes which are written on Matthew when the same History and words are by Mark repeated CHAP. I. 1. THE beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God 2. As it is written in the prophets Behold I send my messenger before thy face who shall prepare thy way before thee 3. The voice of one crying in the Wilderness Prepare ye the way of the Lord make his paths straight 1. c. The publick entrance of Christ on his Ministry and Preaching the glad tydings of Salvation was by the preparation of Johns Ministry Preaching Repentance to fit men for the Kingdom of the Messiah at hand which the Prophets had foretold Note Whether by the Prophets be here meant Isay and Malachi or onely Isay is a Controversie of small moment 4. John did Baptize in the wilderness and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins 4. John told the Jews that the Messiah was now come and brought Pardon and Salvation to all that received him and therefore perswaded them all to Repent that they might be Pardoned and fit Members of his Kingdom and Baptized those that Professed this 5. And there went out unto him all the land of Judea and they of Jerusalem and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan confessing their sins 5. The generality of the people longing for the promised Messiah were glad of this News that he was Come and thronged to John Confessing their Sins and Professing Repentance and were Baptized by him 6. And John was clothed with camels hair and with a girdle of a skin about his loyns and he did eat locusts and wild honey 6. N. This kind of Eremetical Life and Abstinence is overvalued by them who place Merit or Perfection in it and is unjustly vilifyed by some who know not of how great use it is some persons to withdraw from worldly Vanities and Temptations 7. And preached saying There cometh one mightier than I after me the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose 7. N. Christ and his Servants are patterns of Humility But Satan and his servants are known by Pride 8. I indeed have baptized you with water but he shall baptize you with the holy Ghost 8. My Baptism doth but prepare you but his shall power out the Spirit on the Baptized 9. And it came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized of John in Jordan 9. N. Qu. Did Christ Profess Repentance for the Remission of Sins If not how was he capable of Johns Baptisme Answ He was not Baptized to the same uses as other men but as owning Johns Baptisme and the Coming of the Kingdom of God As a General will wear the same Colours with his Soldiers though theirs signifie subjection to him 10. And straitway coming up out of the water he saw the heavens opened and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him 10. See on Matt. 3. 11. And there came a voice from heaven saying Thou art my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased 11. N. God from Heaven Preached the Gospel at Christs Baptisme 12. And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness 13. And he was there in the wilderness forty days tempted of Satan and was with the wild beasts and the Angels ministred to him 12.13 N. 1. To conquer Temptations is to conquer Satan 2. Angels brought him meat at the end of the Forty days 14. Now after that John was put in prison Jesus came into Galilee preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God 14. That the Kingdom of God was coming 15. And saying The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand repent ye and believe the gospel 15. The promised time of the Messiahs appearing is Come Repent and believe this glad-tidings 16. Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea for they were fishers 17. And Jesus said to them Come ye after me and I will make you to become fishers of men 18. And straitway they forsook their nets and followed him 16. c. See on John 1.40 and Matt. 4.18 19. And when he had gone a little further thence he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother who also were in the ship mending their nets 20. And straitway he called them and they left their father Zebedee in
to confirm their Faith Amen THE GOSPEL According to St. JOHN CHAP. I. IN the beginning was the WORD and the WORD was with God and the WORD was God 2. The same was in the beginning with God 1 2. The WORD which hath been since incarnate was in the Beginning before the world was made And this WORD was with God yea the WORD was God Thus this same WORD was in the Beginning of Time and causality with God being God 3 All things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made 3. He was a causal beginning to the whole Creation for all things were made by him nothing was made without him by the Father in creating or forming the World 4 In him was LIFE and the LIFE was the LIGHT of men 4. Being GOD and one with the Father he was especially LIFE even in and with the Father the Infinite Eternal self-living God and so he was Radically and Communicatively LIFE to the World even Intellectual Life by which he is the LIGHT of man as Intellectual and as Taught by Revelation Note It is usual with the Scripture and School Divines to ascribe by some eminency of attribution LIFE and POWER to the FATHER LIGHT and WISDOME to the Son and LOVE JOY and PERFECTIONS to the Holy Ghost yet so that the same also are attributed to each person in Common And so the WORD is said here to have LIFE as one with the Father and yet eminently to be this LIFE by the way of Intellective LIGHT and Illumination 5 And the LIGHT shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehended it not 5 And this LIGHT shineth communicatively unto this darkned World which receiving it but according to the mode and disposition of the receivers through their wilfull resistance receiveth the Illumination and Teaching so defectively as that most in Judea and elsewhere remain in darkness still 6 7 8. There was a man sent from God whose name was John The same came for a witness to bear witness of the Light that all men through him might believe He was not that Light but was sent to bear witness of that Light 6 7 8. God sent John Baptist before us as Elias to Preach Repentance and Faith in the Messiah as ready to appear and as a witness from God to prepare and call the Jews to receive him that was the true LIGHT of the World which himself was not 9 That was the true LIGHT which lighteth every man that cometh into the world 9. He is the true LIGHT who giveth all the world that Light which they do enjoy As the Lord and Spring of Nature he giveth all men their Intellectual Natural Light And as the Repriever and Restorer of blinded Intellects he giveth all men that measure of moral and restored Light and Revelation which they have 10 He was in the World and the World was made by him and the world knew him not 10. He was in the World in a more excellent manner than the Soul is in the Body for the world was made by him and therefore maintained by him and he at last appear'd to the world incarnate and yet the world knew him not in either of his apparances 11 He came unto his own and his own received him not 11. He came in flesh to his people the Jews and they not believing him received him not 12 But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God even to them that believe on his Name 12. But to as many as took him by unfeighed Consent for their Lord and Saviour even to them that believing him to be the Son of God and true Messiah did place all their trust in him for reconciliation with God and for Salvation to all these he gave Right to the State and dignity of Adoption which he purchased even to be the Sons of God as united to him and Heirs of the heavenly Glory 13 Which were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God 13. Who as Children have a like nature communicated from the Parents so have a nature Holy and Divine by spiritual Life Light and Love inclined to do the will of God and to desire things Holy and Heavenly which nature is not produc't of meer natural generation nor of fleshly appetite and senses nor of any meer humane Documents or Laws but is the effect of Gods Grace by his sanctifying Spirit 14 And the WORD was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory the glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth 14. And the word that made the World assumed humane nature in which he dwelt as a better Tabernacle than that of shadows and we saw his Glory appearing in this Tabernacle in his Heavenly doctrine Life Mâ—â—acles and Transfigurations which shewed him to be the only begotten of the Father Glorious in the fulness of Grace and Truth which the shaddowy Tabernacle and Ceremonies did but prefigure 15 John bare witness of him and cried saying This is he of whom I spake He that cometh after me is preferred before me for he was before me 15. John pointed to him saying This is he even the King of Israel Though I am before him in time in my Ministry he is before me in Dignity and was before me in time also 16 And of his fullness have all we received and grace for grace 16. And as he is full of Wisdom and love of grace and spiritual life he as our Head communicateth so much as is meet for us and we receive greater measâ—â—e than were given under the Law even measures answerable to his new appearance and Covenant 17 For the Law was given by Moses but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ 17. For though Moses delivered legal Precepts Types and Ceremonies it is by Jesus Christ that we have Gâ—ace both for holiness and pardon and by him are the Real sâ—bstances which those shadoâ—s typified The measâ—â—e of Grace that the â—aithful had under the Law was through him the promised Messiah and the fuller measure under the Gospel is by his fuller access and communication to us as the Image on the Wax answereth that on the Sâ—gnet 18 No man hath seen God at any time the only begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father he hath declared him 18. How little should we have known of God whom no man ever saw if his Son that is in the bosom of the Father had not declared him and his will to man Note I know not whether these words were the words of John the Baptist or the Apostles 19 And this is the record of John when the Jews sent Priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him Who art thou 20 And he confessed and denied not but confessed I am not the Christ 21 And they asked him What then Art thou Elias And he saith I am not Art thou
and I work 17. To save the aâ—licted is a work beseeming my Father and Me whom you oppose 18. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him not only because he had broken the Sabbath but said also that God was his Father making himself equal with God 18. N. Malignants zeal fathereth even error and persecution on God 19. Then answered Jesus and said to them verily verily I say unto you The Son can do nothing of himself but what he seeth the Father do For what things soever he doth these also doth the Son likewise 19. I tâ—ll you by condemning my Works you condemn my Fathers also For I do nothing but what I know he doth and approveth and he doth them in and by me and I do nothing without him 20. For the Father loveth the Son and sheweth him all things that he doth and he will shew him greater things than these that ye may marvail 20. For the Fathers infinite Love communicateth to the Son that Wisdom and Power by which he doth all that the Father doth and by which you shall see greater things than these and wonder 21. For as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickneth them even so the Son quickneth whom he will 21. As the Father is the Lord of Life and giveth and restoreth life at his pleasure so also doth the Son 22. For the Father judgeth no man but hath commâ—tted all Judgment to the Son 22. For the Father as meer Creator according to the Law of Innocency judgeth no man but hath given up the Government of this World to the Son as Redeemer to judg them as ransomed according to that Law and Measure of Grace which they are under 23. That all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father who hath sent him 23. And so it is by honouring the Son that the Father will be honoured and by dishonouring him the Father is dishonoured 24. Verily verily I say to you He that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me hath everlasting Life and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death to life 24. I tell you if you hear my word obediently and shall believe on God the Father as sending me on the Office of a Saviour you shall have everlasting life by my Merits and Gift and shall not be condemned 25. Verily verily I say to you The hour is coming and now is when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live 25. I tell you that the hour is coming yea now is already come in which it shall appear that the Son of God hath the power of Life and Death Natural Spiritual and Eternal and that they that are dead in Sin and Unbelief shall hear his Gospel and be regenerate and made alive to God and that natural Life shall be restored by him to some Bodies at his own Resurrection and to all at last when he shall effectually call up all the dead to Judgment 26. For as the Father hath life in himself so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself 26. As the Father is essential underived self-â—se communicating life to Creatures So is the Son as God and as Redeemer hath the power of giving Life from himself to the redeemed 27. And he hath given him Authority to execute Judgment also because he is the Son of God 27. And as Redeemer being the Son of God in his Divine Nature and his humane Nature advanced into personal Union with the Divine he hath Authority given him to Govern the World and according to the Law of Grace to do justice for the faithful and against the impenitent unbelievers 28. Marvel not at this for the hour is coming in which all that are in their Graves shall hear his Voice 29. And shall come forth They that have done good to the Resurrection of Life and they that have done evil to the Resurrection of Damnation 28 29. Let not this seem incredible to you For the hour is coming in which the Bodies now turned to dust shall by the Souls return be revived and hear his voice that calls them up And there shall be a Resurrection of the just and unjust They that have done good according to the tenor of that Law of Grace which they were under shall come forth to a life of happiness and they that have done evil violating the conditions of life in that Law to the Resurrection of damnation 30. I can of my own self do nothing As I hear so I judg and my judgment is just because I seek not my own will but the will of the Father who hath sent me 30. I am not to judge according to the weakness of humanity as Princes govern I do nothing but according to Divine infallible decree and appointment which I assuredly know And my judgment is just because I seek not my own humane will as my rule or end but the will of my Father who sent me that is my Rule and End 31. If I bear witness of my self my witness is not true 32. There is another that beareth witness of me and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true 31 32. If I had no testimony but my own word you were not to take it for credible truth But there is another who giveth you convincing evidences of his truth even my Father by his Voice from Heaven and by his Spirit and Works 33. He sent to John and he bare witness to the truth 34. But I receive not Testimony from Man But these things I say that ye might be saved 33.34 You sent to John and he told you of me as the Messiah I need not his or any mans testimony But it nearly concerneth your own safety to believe him 35. He was a burning and a shining light and ye were willing for a season to rejoyce in his light 35. God set him up to be as a burning and shining light to lead you out of darkness to the Kingdom of the Messiah which you expected And a while you gladly heard that news and were baptized by him Till you were told that I am he and then you turned back 36. But I have greater witness than that of John for the works which the Father hath given me to finish the same works that I do bear witness of me and that the Father hath sent me 36. N. For these works could not be done but by Gods power and will who will not be the worlds deceiver 37. And the Father himself who sent me hath born witness of me Ye have neither heard his voice at any time nor seen his shape 38. And ye have not his word abiding in you For whom he hath sent him ye believe not 37 38. By a voice from Heaven God testified me to be his beloved Son But indeed you were not the persons that heard it For you
but have told you the truth I go before you to prepare for your entertainment 3. And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you unto my self that where I am there ye may be also 3. Fear not that I should leave you desolate I do not prepare a place for you in vain but will come again and take you and all believers to my self as a glorified Society N. Did not many other Texts assure us of the Souls reception to Christ at our death this would be sad to us and make us think he would not take us to himself till his return to judgment But it being then that our felicity will be consummate in the consummation of the whole Church in one body therefore Christ putteth this promise of the fullest perfection for their comfort 4. And whither I go ye know and the way ye know 4. And you are not utter strangers to the God and Place that I go to or to the way 5. Thomas saith unto him Lord we know not whither thou goest and how can we know the way 6. Jesus saith unto him I am the way and the truth the life no man comâ—th unto the Father but by me 5 6. It is to the Father I am going And think not carnally of the place or state or way I am your way and Guide and I am the Truth signified by all ceremonial shadows and I am your Life both efficiently directively and finally you must come to God as your end by me as the only way if ever you will be happy 7. If ye had known me ye should have known my Father also and from henceforth ye know him and have seen him 7. You see me in my bodily presence But if you had known me better in my spiritual Being and in the works which I have done by my Fathers power you would better have known my Father also But as you have seen him in me and my works so henceforth you shall know him more 8. Philip saith unto him Lord shew us the Father and it sufficeth us 8. If we might but see the Father it would satisfie us N. Man in flesh would fain live by sight as more satisfying to him than meer faith 9. Jesus saith unto him Have I been so long time with you and yet hast thou not known me Philip He that hath seen me hath seen the Fathet and how sayest thou then Shew us the Father 10. Believest thou not that I am in the Father and the Father in me The words that I speak unto you I speak not of my self but the Father that dwelleth in me he doth the works 9 10. God is invisible and to be seen only in his works effects and appearances And in what or whom canst thou expect to see him more apparently than in me Have I been so long with you and hast thou not seen and known me If thou hast seen me thou hast seen the notifying appearance of the Father And what other sight of the Father canst thou expect Believest thou not that God the Father is so in me and I in him as that he appeareth to the world by me and though his Greatness shine more conspicuously in Sun and Stars Heaven and Earth yet his Holiness Wisdom and ruling Will and his saving Love to sinful man shew themselves most in me in the words that I speak and the works that I do which it is the Father that worketh in me 11. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me or else believe me for the very works sake 12. Verily verily I say unto you He that believeth on me the works that I do shall he do also and greater works than these shall he do because I go unto my Father 11. If you will not believe my own testimony believe me for my Works that I am in the Father and acted by him and he is in me and his Power acteth by me And this Power shall be so manifested that I will enable those that believe in me to do greater Miracles than I have done when I ascend to my Father and send down my Spirit on them by which you shall see that I was acted by the Power of the Father 13. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name that will I do that the Father may be glorified in the Son 14. If ye shall ask any thing in my name I will do it 13. And you shall find by experience in the answer of your Prayers that I am in God and actuate you by his Power For whatever you ask in my name which is fit to be asked and received I will do it as the Mediator between the Father and you that the Father may be glorified in and by the office of my Mediation and Administration When you find that asking in my name procureth your dâ—sire you may know that it is by me 15. If ye love me keep my commandments 16. And I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever 17. Even the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it seeth him not neither knoweth him but ye know him for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you 15 16 17. If you do but love me and shew it by sincere keeping my commandments I will pray the Father and he shall give you the Holy Ghost in an eminent peculiar manner to be a Paraclet or an Agent and Advocate and Intercessor between me and you pleading my Cause with you and the World and pleading your Cause in Prayer with me and my Father To which end he shall as a vital Principle abide with you for ever Even Gods Spirit of Truth who shall teach you the Truth and confute the lying Deceiver The World cannot receive him as an Illuminater and Comforter because not knowing him and being prepossessed with contrary malignant inclinations it resisteth him But he hath in some measure taken possession of you already and ye know and obey him and he dwelleth with you and shall be in you as sent by me and as my Witness 18. I will not leave you comfortless I will come to you 18. Let not my departure too much trouble you I will not leave you as destitute Orphantes but I will rise and see you and when Ascended I will come to you by my Spirit and at last come and take all the Church unto my Glory 19. Yet a little while and the world seeth me no more but ye see me because I live ye shall live also 19. Though I shall shortly depart out of the sight of this World yet ye shall see me For I am your Head and Principle of Life and as I shall live with God in Glory so shall ye live by Communication of Life from me Note Here we have security for the Souls Immortality and Heavenly felicity If Christ live we shall live 20. At that day ye shall know that I
had not come with sufficient evidence it had not been their sin not to believe me to be the Christ But now their unbelief and Persecution hath no pretence 23. He that hateth me hateth my Father also 23. The hatred that is against me is consequently against God my Father it being his Word Works and Witness which they reject 24. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did they had not had sin but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father 24. They had not been bound to believe me to be the Christ if I had not shewed Gods Attestation such works as no man else can do or if any one had done the like Note Yet it is a false inference of the Infidels that therefore none are bound to take him for the Christ where he never came and did such works For History may as infallibly transmit the notice of his Works as Sight and Hearing could receive them 25. But this cometh to pass that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their Law They hated me without a cause 25. But the Word written in Psal 3.19 which in a large sense is part of their Law is thus fulfilled 26. But when the Comforter is come whom I will send unto you from the Father even the Spirit of truth which procedeth from the Father he shall testifie of me 26. But when the Holy Ghost my Advocate and your Comforter is sent down upon you whom after my Resurrection I will send to you for his Eminent signal Gifts from the Father even that Holy Spirit of Truth which proceedeth from the Father he shall be my great Prevailing Witness both to you and by you to the World and shall cause belief 27. And ye also shall bear witness because ye have been with me from the beginning 27. And you on whom this Spirit shall come down shall by his operation be made my effectual Witnesses of what I have said and done and suffered because you have been with me as Eye and Ear Witnesses from the beginning of my publick Ministration CHAP. XVI THese things have I spoken unto you that ye should not be offended 2. They shall put you out of the Synagogues yea the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service 1 2. I foretell you what you must expect that when it cometh you may not be scandalized and turned back They shall cast you out by Excommunication of their Sacred and Civil Assemblys as a reproach yea they that kill you shall do it as an acceptable offering or service to God Note How little do the Religious pretenses of Persecutors deserve regard 3. And these things wilâ— they do unto you because they have not known the Father nor me 3. Did they know the Father and me they would do otherwise wilful Ignorance is the cause 4. But these things have I told you that when the time shall come ye may remember that I told you of them And these things I said not unto you at the beginning because I was with you 4. Remember I foretold you all this which I said not from the beginning because I was with you to incourage you and your time of trial was not come and at first you could not so well bear it 5. But now I go my way to him that sent me and none of you asketh me whither goest thou 6. But because I have said these things unto you sorrow hath filled your heart 5 6. But now I am going to him that sent me and though it be on your business and for your interest you ask me not whither and for what I go But sorrow oppresseth you to hear of my departure 7. Nevertheless I tell you the truth It is expedient for you that I go away for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart I will send him unto you 7. Believe it my departure is for your benefit For the Holy Ghost whom I will then send will be better to you than my bodily presence on Earth 8. And when he is come he will reprove the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment 9. Of sin because they believe not on me 10. Of righteousness because I go to my Father and ye see me no more 11. Of judgement because the prince of this world is judged 8 9 10 11. And it will be his work effectually to plead my cause And first to convince the World of their sin in accusing rejecting and murdering me in whom they should have believed which he will do by his Gifts Miracles and inward Operations And Secondly to convince them of the Truth and Righteousness of my Person and Doctrine and my Right to be the Head of the Church and the Righteousness of my Government of it Because I go into Heaven to take fuller Possession of my Plenipotency and Administration and by my Spirit in you and on the Hearers shall more effectually convince Men and gather my Church than I did while I was with you And Thirdly He shall convince them that God hath Exalted me to the Power of Conquering Satan and his Kingdom and punishing Rebellious Adversaries when they shall see that by my Spirit the Kingdom of Satan falleth and the Powers that served him are partly Converted and partly confounded and destroyed 12. I have yet many things to say unto you but ye cannot bear them now 12. I have many things more to make known to you which you are not yet prepared to receive 13. Howbeit when he the Spirit of truth is come he will guide you into all truth for he shall not speake of himself but whatsoever he shall hear that shall he speake and he will shew you things to come 13. But when the Holy Spirit of Truth is come upon you he will make you capable and will guide you into all Truth which you must Preach and Record for the Propagating and ordering my Church Preaching to the Gentiles laying by the Mosaick Law c. For he shall speak but that which is of God and things to come and which you are not yet fit to receive 14. He shall glorifie me for he shall receive of mine and shall shew it unto you 14. It is this Extraordinary gift of the Holy Ghost which shall be my great convincing Witness in the World that shall prove me to be the Saviour For it is from me that he is sent and my Word that he shall Teach you whether it be Remembring or Expounding what I have already spoken or Teaching you more by Inspiration What he saith and doth in and by you my chosen Apostles that I do by him and you 15. All things that the Father hath are mine therefore said I that he shall take of mine and shall shew it unto you 15. I say he shall take of mine For the wisdom Grace and Gifts that come from the Father come from me that which
but examine which cause God is for 40. And to him they agreed and when they had called the apostles and beaten them they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus and let them go 41. And they departed from the presence of the Counsel rejoycing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name 40. Note Causeless stripes were the Mercy of these Men. The Holy Ghost did not work Miracles to revenge these injuries to the Apostles But taught them to rejoyce in this reproach for Preaching Christ as their great honour 42. And daily in the Temple and in every House they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ 42. And no commands threats or cruelties made them cease Preaching Christ publickly and from house to house CHAP. VI. ANd in those days when the number of the Disciples was multiplied there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration 1. Note Those Jews that understood the Greek Tongue and used the Greek Translation of the Scripture were called Greeks who were some at Jerusalem most at Alexandria and some scattered abroad the World 2. Even in the greatest Exemplification of Christian Love Concord and self denial the interest of the body and its provisions began a murmuring among this chosen Flock that had all things common And can we now expect to live without murmurring at each other upon cross interests and bodily wants The suffering Party will think themselves injured and will complain 2. Then the twelve called the multitude of the Disciples unto them and said It is not reason that we should leave the word of God and serve tables 2. We must prefer the greater before the less the Preaching of Gods word before the charge of distributing to Love feasts and to the Poor and we are not sufficient for both 3. Wherefore brethren look ye out among you seven men of honest report full of the holy Ghost and wisdom whom ye may appoint over this business 3. Note 1. This is the first call of Officers mediately by Men yet the Holy Ghost in the Apostles instituteth the office but yet they give a reason for it A Divine Institution and reason from necessity and convenience well agree 2. The Apostles fix the number 3. The Congregation must choose the Persons 4. God by his Spirit in the Apostles limiteth them to certain qualifications 1. Good Report 2. Full of the Holy Ghost 3. And of Wisdom The Chosen Persons must be appointed or authorized and directed by the Apostles Incapable Matter maâ—â—th both Election and Mens Ordination void But yet the Electors still are Trusted whom to Elect and the Ordainers whom to Ordain And every Error is not a nullity where there are the essential qualifications 4. But we will give our selves continually to prayer and to the ministery of the word 4. Where ever God will bless his Church with Bishops indeed this will be their life and their description 5. And the saying pleased the whole multitude and they chose Stephen a man full of faith and of the holy Ghost and Philip and Prochorus and Nicanor and Timon and Parmenas and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch 5. The Reason of the motion the Authority of the Apostles and the Spirit of God made them all unanimously consent 6. Whom they set before the apostles and when they had prayed they laid their hands on them 6. Prayer to God to accept and bless them and the Authorizing them by the sign of Imposition of hands was the Apostles way of Ordination supposing them instructed for their Office 7. And the word of God increased and the number of the Disciples multiplyed in Jerusalem greatly and a great company of the Priests were obedient to the faith 7. And the success of the Word increased and the number of the Disciples in Jerusalem grow very great and a great Company of the Priests or a great Company and of the Priests some were obedient to the Doctrine of Christ by believing 8. And Stephen full of faith and power did great wonders and miracles among the People 8. Stephen having a great measure of the Spirit was full of Faith and Power and wrought great Miracles 9. Then there arose certain of the synagogue which is called the synagogue of the Libertines and Cyrenians and Alexandrians and of them of Cilicia and of Asia disputing with Stephen 9. Jerusalem being the place where the scattered Jews of all Nations used at certain times to worship no wonder if several Countrys had there several Synagogues Libertines are by most supposed to be Jews made free Though some derive the Name from a Country thinking one Letter is changed 10. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake 11. Then they suborned men which said We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God 10. Note On such terms we dispute with Malignant men When they cannot resist the Truth they turn Diabolists and suborn Men to swear to false Accusations Malignity Bood-thirsty Cruelty and Lying are the three Essentials of a Diabolist 2. It is next to a Miracle of Providence that no greater numbers of Religious persons have been murdered in the World by the way of Perjury and pretence of Law when so many thousands hate them who make no Conscience of false Oaths 12. And they stirred up the People and the Elders and the Scribes and came upon him and caught him and brought him to the Council 12. Note When Informers and Perjured Witnesses and Council or Judges were all of a Mind false Malignants blood thirsty men it was easie to foreknow the sentence 13. And set up false witnesses which said This man ceaseth not to speake blasphemous words against this holy place and the Law 14. For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us 13 14. Note It is very likely that they heard Stephen say some words of Christs Abrogation of the Law from which the Perjured gathered their Testimony and puting their own sence on his words made Blasphemy of them and did not think they were Perjured And what man is there that Judges Jury and Witnesses may not Condemn if they will but put their ownsence on their words Christ so suffered before Stephen And it is no wonder or dishonour to be condemned as the greatest Malefactors by such men Therefore judge of History accordingly where wicked Men are the Accusers and Judges 15. And all that sate in the Council looking stedfastly on him saw his face as it had been the face of an Angel 15. With a a splendor which might amaze them but did not change them so much was Dives in Hell deceived that one from the Dead would convert his sensual Brethren when it is like that if Lazarus had come to them as he prayed they would have put him to death
his Servants sufferings not as bidding them avoid them but as warning them to prepare 12. And when we heard these things both we and they of that place besought him not to go up to Jerusalem 12. Note As Men they persweded him to avoid the danger 13. Then Paul answered What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart for I am ready not to be bound only but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus 13. You do but become your selves the Author of my sufferings What are Bonds and what is Life that I should not cheerfully entertain them for the name of Jesus my Lord Note The condolence and temptations of compassionate Friends are oft more grievous than persecution 14. And when he would not be perswaded we ceased saying The will of the Lord be done 14. We saw by his resolution and unperswadableness that it was Gods will and we submitted to it 15. And after those days we took up our carriages and went up to Jerusalem 16. There went with us also certain of the Disciples of Cesarea and brought with them one Muason of Cyprus an old Disciple with whom we should lodge 17. And when we were come to Jerusalem the brethren received us gladly 15. Muason lodged us and the Church gladly owned us 18. And the day following Paul went in with us unto James and all the Elders were present 18 Note They that say all the Elders were all the Bishops of Judea do without proof fain Paul to have sent word before of his coming and desired a Council to be gathered to entertain him or else they take all the Bishops of Judea to be very gross Nonresidents that were all found the first day so far from their Flocks 19. And when he had saluted them he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministery 20. And when they heard it they glorified the Lord. 19. They rejoyced and thanked God for the success of the Gospel on the Gentiles and scattered the Jews abroad 20. And said unto him Thou seest brother how many thousands of Jews there are which believe and they are all zealous of the law 21. And they are informed of thee that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses saying that they ought not to circumcise their Children neither to walk after the customs 20 21. They are told that thou teachest not only the Gentiles but the Jews to forsake Circumcision and Moses Law and the Customes 22. What is it therefore the multitude must needs come together for they will hear that thou art come 23. Do therefore this that we say to thee we have four men which have a vow on them 24 Them take and purifie thy self with them and be at charges with them that they may shave their heads and all may know that those things whereof they were informed concerning thee are nothing but that thou thy self also walkest orderly and keepest the law 22. The Multitude of Christian Jews will hear of thy coming deliver them thus from this offence we have four Men that made the Nazarites vow to abstain from some things a certain time which is now expired and they are to shave themselves ceremoniously in the Temple Go thou with them and perform there the Legal Ceremonies of Purification and be at the cost of this solemnity on them that the People may know that the report of thee is not true but that thou being a Jew dost thy self keep the Law Note The Law was by Christ abrogated as to the use of the Types and Ceremonies as signifying him that was to come The Political part ceased when their policie was dissolved by their ruine And the moral natural part Christ continued as his Law And the Abrogation of the rest was not fully made known at first but by degrees and the exercise of it long tolerated to the Jews 25. As touching the Gentiles which believe we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols and from bloud and from strangled and from fornication 25. We intend not this for the Gentiles nor would bring them under the yoak of Moses Law c. 26. Then Paul took the men and the next day purifying himself with them entrod into the Temple to signifie the accomplishment of the days of purification until that an offering should be offered for every one of them 26. Paul did as they advised him and performed all the Ceremonies required and came to the Temple to make it known that the days of Purification were accomplished till they were to offer 27. And when the seven days were almost ended the Jews which were of Asia when they saw him in the Temple stirred up all the people and laid hands on him 28. Crying out Men of Israel help this is the man that teacheth all men every where against the people and the law and this place and further brought Greeks also into the Temple and hath polluted this holy place 29. For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the Temple 27. Note Some think that God let out this affliction on Paul for complying so far to please the People as if it had been carnal Councel which he followed But that is not to be supposed that both the Apostles and Elders and he himself who was guided by the Spirit should herein err and be misled This would leave us uncertain of the truth of their writings But it was the way of fulfilling Gods decree and tells us what a task it is to have to do with such Men Whether they be pleased or not we must suffer by them 30. And all the city was moved and the people ran together and they took Paul and drew him out of the Temple and forthwith the doors were shut 30. In blind rage they drag'd him out of the Temple as a Profaner of it 31. And as they went about to kill him tidings came unto the cheif captain of the band that all Jerusalem was in an uprore 31. This sort of zeal maketh Men think it no sin but a serving of God to murder the best of Saints as a Sacrifice to their Holy Temple and Ceremonies 32. Who immediately took Souldiers and centurions and ran down unto them and when they saw the cheif Captain and the Souldiers they left beating of Paul 32 Note 1. Even a Heathen Government is better than the Popular rage of blind ceremonious superstitious Zealots 2. Heathens are oft the Protectors of Christians against the blind rage of those that profess devotion to the same God 33. Then the cheif Captain came near and took him and commanded him to be bound with two Chains and demanded who he was and what he had done 34. And some cried one thing some another among the multitude and when he could not know the certainty
them to us his Apostles and to others that have his Spirit in the measure that they have it For the Spirit of God is given us in our several measures to teach us all things fit for us to know even the Depths of God 11. For what man knoweth the things of a man save the spirit of man which is in him even so the things of God knoweth no man but the spirit of God 11. As a Mans Spirit is conscious of its own secret Actings and Thoughts which no Man else can know so the Spirit of God knoweth the Secret things of God and maketh us know them in our measures which they that have not the Spirit cannot by all their Learning know 12. Now we have received not the spirit of the world but the spirit which is of God that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God 12. And this Spirit God hath given to us not the Spirit of the World to make us carnally and worldly wise but the Spirit of God to make us savour and know God's great mysterious Gifts of Grace 13. Which things also we speak not in the words which mans wisdom teacheth but which the holy Ghost teacheth comparing spiritual things with spiritual 13. And these are the things which we preach to you not in the Words and Manner now counted by the Heathens to be Learned and Wise nor after their vain Arts but in the very Words and Manner which God's Spirit teacheth us who teacheth us the Matter fitting Spiritual Words to Spiritual Things that all may be of God 14. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned 14. But they that have not the Spirit themselves but meer Nature cannot with all their Learning receive these spiritual Mysteries revealed to us by God for they will seem but Fanatick Dreams and Foolishness to them not to be believed Nor can they understand them for only a Mind illuminated by God's Spirit doth discern them 15. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things yet he himself is judged of no man 15. But he that is Spiritual discerneth these revealed things of the Spirit in his Measure when yet he himself and his own Spiritual Apprehensions and Affections are unknown to Carnal Men that hear him 16. For who hath known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him But we have the mind of Christ 16. For who hath pried into God's secret Counsels or known his Mind further than he hath opened it to him But Christ our Teacher hath told us his own and his Fathers Mind which we are to preach to the World for Mens Salvation ANNOTATIONS 1. IT is none of Paul's meaning here to vilifie true Philosophy Logick or Oratory or any useful Knowledge or Art And all Knowledge is useful to one that referreth it to right Ends which is Knowledge indeed For God hath made nothing knowable in vain True Physicks is the Knowledge of the knowable Works of God and God in them that we may admire love serve and trust him True Logick is but the Skill of using our Reason truly and orderly True Grammar and Oratory are but fitting Words to Things and to the Hearers Minds as most tendeth to their Edification God is against none of these which are his precious Gifts But carnal Men have carnal Ends and fit all these abusively to their Ends to wrangle against Truth and divert their Minds from Things to Words and from great and everlasting Things to Trifles and to feed their Pride and Ambition and Covetousness and to make their Malignity more keen and hurtful And such was the Learning of these Heathens which then past for Wisdom in the World 2. Nor doth Paul here favour false Pretenses of the Spirit or true Fanaticism when Men take the Delusions of Satan or every strong Imagination or the boiling of their Pride and erroneous Passions fed by Prejudice for the Work of God's Spirit These sin more dangerously than many others by charging their Sin and Errour upon God and tempting Men to deride the Spirit Even as false Prophets are sharpliest reproved and the counterfeit use of Christ's Name by the Sons of Sceva did but strengthen the Devil against them Therefore we are bid to try the Spirits CHAP. III. 1. ANd I brethren could not speak unto you as unto spiritual but as unto carnal even as unto babes in Christ 1. But this Spiritual Wisdom of which I have said such great things is not in all Christians alike Though the Apostles had the Spirit to lead them to all needful Truth and record it for the Church yet some weak Christians are still so much carnal that their Spiritual Wisdom is but such as Babes in Christ have who have still need to be fed and taught by others And as to such I am constrained to speak to you 2. I have fed you with milk and not with meat for hitherto ye were not able to bear it neither yet now are ye able 2. I fed you with the Food of Babes and not of strong understanding Men or else I had lost my labour by your incapacity For harder things you could not nor yet can bear 3. For ye are yet carnal for whereas there is among you envying and strife and divisions are ye not carnal and walk as men 3. For ye are yet in a great measure Carnal Do not your Envy and Strife and Divisions prove that you are so far Carnal and live according to the corrupt Nature of Man and not by the Spirit of God 4. For while one saith I am of Paul and another I am of Apollos are ye not carnal 4. For while you divide into Factions for your several Teachers are ye not so far Carnal 5. Who then is Paul and who is Apollos but ministers by whom ye believed even as the Lord gave to every man 5. What are any of us but Christs Ministers by whose Ministry you were brought to believe in Christ even as God gave us various Dâ—grees and of Success 6. I have planted Apollos watered but God gave the increase 6. I first preached to your Conversion and Apollos to your further Edification but the Success and Fruit of all was not from our Power but from the free Grace of God 7. So then neither is he that planteth any thing neither he that watereth but God that giveth the increase 7. If then you would know to whom to ascribe your Conversion and Salvation we poor Ministers that plant and water are but as Gods Tools and to be accounted as nothing in comparison of him who as he sent us and enabled us so caused freely all the Success which is our Joy and your Welfare 8. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour 8. Now it is by the same Ministerial
emboldned to go on in Sin supposing that now God pardoneth all Thus Satan hath turned Christs Sacred Ordinance against himself and the Peace of the Church and the Comfort of some and the Reformation of others and carrieth on these most horrid Depravations with such odious Success that without Wonders of gracious Providence there appeareth no probability of Deliverance from these heavy Effects of Sacrament-distraction CHAP. XII 1. NOw concerning spiritual gifts brethren I would not have you ignorant 2. Ye know that ye were Gentiles carried away unto these dumb idols even as ye were led 1 2. As to your case of discerning Spirits and Spiritual Gifts it is of great importance that you should not be ignorant lest you should take evil Spirits for the Spirit of God or not distinguish the various Gifts of Gods own Spirit in Believers In your Heathen state you were carried away with Idol Oracles and Worship 3. Wherefore I give you to understand that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the holy Ghost 3. First in general you may be sure that none of those Idol Oracles or Blasphemers that speak against Christ and Anathematize him as Infidels do do speak by the Spirit of God For God's Spirit bore uncontrolable witness to Christ by Prophesie Resurrection Miracles and Holiness And on the contrary side he that believeth and confesseth that Jesus is the Lord the true Son of God and our Mediator hath surely learnt this of the holy Ghost his outward testimony in the foresaid evidence and his inward teaching For do but truly believe the truth of Christ himself and the truth of all his Doctrine will undeniably follow 4. Now there are diversities of gifts but the same Spirit 5. And there are differences of administrations but the same Lord. 6. And there are diversities of operations but it is the same God which worketh all in all 4 5 6. And as Gifts are ascribed to the Holy Ghost and Administrations to the Son and Operations to the Father Almighty so in all these there is great diversities both of kinds and of degrees 7. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withall 7. But all the gifts of the Spirit are given for the Churches edification or to do good with Though some of them are found in unholy Men who perish in their sin 8. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit 8. The same Spirit maketh one eminently wise and prudent in applying sacred Truth to the Case of the Hearers and it giveth another an eminent knowledge of sacred Mysteries 9. To another faith by the same Spirit to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit 9. Another he maketh eminently strong in Faith for extraordinary Effects and another hath the Gift of miraculous Healing of the Sick when the Spirit will have it done 10. To another the working of miracles to another prophesie to another discerning of Spirits to another divers kinds of tongues to another the interpretation of tongues 10. To another other sorts of powerful Miracles to another to speak by immediate Inspiration either Predictions or powerful Explications and Applications of Gods Word to another a quick and sure Discerning whether Men pretending to the Spirit speak from God or not to another the speaking of divers Languages to another the Interpretation of those Languages to them that understand them not 11. But all these worketh that one and the self-same Spirit dividing to every man severally as he will 11. And though these are very various and greatly dâ—fference Man from Man yet it is the same Spirit that worketh them all diversifying as he freely and wisely pleaseth 12. For as the body is one and hath many members and all the members of that one body being many are one body so also is Christ 12. For here One and Many well consist As the Natural Body is but One Body but made of Many Members differing in number excellency and office so is Christ and his Church 13. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body whether we be Jews or Gentiles whether we be bond or free and have been all made to drink into one Spirit 13. Fâ—r as Sacramentally all visible Members are baptized into one Universal Church of professed Christian and drink the Cap of holy Union and Communion in the Lords Supper so all true living saved Members are baptized by one Spirit into one Universal Church of true spiritual Christians and drink the true uniting Spirit of Communion 14 15 16 17. For the body is not one member but many If the foot shall say Because I am not the hand I am not of the body is it therefore not of the body And if the ear shall say Because I am not the eye I am not of the body is it therefore not of the body If the whole body were an eye where were the hearing if the whole were hearing where were the smelling 14 15 16 17. The Body is not one Member as to Number Kind or Office but many united And so in Christs Body the Church If a mistaken Christian himself should say Because I am low in place Grace or Gifts I am none of the Church this will not prove or make him none Much less if others by false Censure or Church-tyranny say he is none or excommunicate him for dissenting from their vain Appendages or Opinions If all were of one Office Stature Complexion or degree of Grace or Knowledge who would be Rulers and who Subjects who Teachers and who Learners How many Offices of Piety and Charity would be unperformed God hath not a Church on Earth where all Members are so wise as besides the Essentials of Christianity to know all the Integrals much less to know the numerous little Accidents of Forms and Ceremonies and all that is really or pretendedly Indifferent and Lawful which Domineerers can invent to be so indeed and so to be all united in such things indifferent 18. But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body as it hath pleased him 19. And if they were all one member where were the body 20. But now are they many members yet but one body 18 19 20. But as the Wise Creator in Nature so as our Redeemer Governor and Regenerator by Grace God hath chosen great diversity of Members as to Office and Gifts and he himself as it pleased him hath set them in his Church And who are they that presume against him to censure or cast out the meanest of such Were they all numerically or in Office or degree of Knowledge and Grace but one or equal the Church would not be such a thing as God hath made it But now God that freely delighteth in the variety of his Works hath made it one Body of Christ composed of
use convincing Evidence in Explication and Application they all convince him and shew him his Condition 25. And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest and so falling down on his face he will worship God and report that God is in you of a truth 25. And this searching convincing Light will make them join with you in the reverent Worship of God and make them report that God is in your Church a a holy Assembly 26. How is it then brethren when ye come together every one of you hath a psalm hath a doctrine hath a tongue hath a revelation hath an interpretation Let all things be done to edifying 26. Therefore let all your Gâ—fts whether of Psalmody or Doctrine or Languages or Revelation or Interpretation be used to Edification which is the true End of Church-Assemblies And the End is your Directory in the use of all undetermined Accidents of the Means 27. If any man speak in an unknown tongue let it be by two or at the most by three and that by course and let one interpret 27. If you will use your Guift of Languages let it be done by no more than two or three one after another and let some interpret it to the Unlearned in the Church 28. But if there be no interpreter let him keep silence in the church and let him speak to himself and to God 28. That which only God and your selves understand let none but God and your selves hear and speak not that in the Church which they cannot understand 29. Let the prophets speak two or three and let the other judge 29. And the Prophets also must do all to Edification and therefore must speak no more than may edisie the Church which is but two or three at an Assembly the rest judging 30. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by let the first hold his peace 30. If God immediately inspire another then to speak let the first give way to him by silence 31. For ye may all prophesie one by one that all may learn and all may be comforted 31. For all that are Prophets or are then prophetically inspired may prophesie in order that all in the Church may learn and be exhorted and comforted 32. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets 32. And whereas Men may pretend to be inspired of God and that to speak just at that time when it is not so as their own Understanding must judge of the edifying Season and Order so the Prophets that are Hearers having the Spirit of God are fit Judges whether it be that Spirit or a Delusion and Passion of their own that Order may be kept in the Assemblies at least as to the time 33. For God is not the author of confusion but of peace as in all churches of the saints 33. For pretended Inspirations and Mandates are not to be believed against Gods common Law to all the Churches which have a surer notification than a single Man can give us Bâ—t Gods common Law is against Confusion and for Peace and Order and therefore it is certain that Confusion is not of Divine Inspiration 34. Let your women keep silence in the churches for it is not permitted unto them to speak but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law 34. And it is one of the Rules of Order That Women be no Publick Teachers or Speakers in the Church God permitteth it not who hath commanded them Subjection by the Law 35. And if they will learn any thing let them ask their Husbands at home for it is a shame for women to speak in the church 35. Not but that they should learn but it must be with modesty asking their Husbands if they have such as are able to teach them as they ought else they have other private Helps It 's a shame to the Church and her for a Woman there to speak except in common singing Psalms or other Common Acts. 36. What came the word of God out from you or came it unto you only 36. I ask them that contradict this Did Gods Word come out from you or from intrusted Apostles Or did it come to you only that you contradict the Churches 37. If any man think himself to be a prophet or spiritual let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. 38. But if any man be ignorant let him be ignorant 37 38. If any be indeed a Prophet or Inspired and not pretendedly only he will confess that these Canons or Decisions are Gods own Commandments and not my Device But if Men will be obstinate in their Ignorance let them look to it 39. Wherefore brethren covet to prophesie and forbid not to speak with tongues 39. Prophecy for the Churches Edifying is to be coveted and Languages there not forbidden 40. Let all things be done decently and in order 40. That Sacred things be all done decently and not with uncomely negligence and orderly and not in confusion or as every Mans Fancy leads him this is a General Law of God according to which undetermined Modes and Circumstances must be regulated and done ANNOTATIONS I. IT 's a Doubt oft put How it could be that Gods Spirit should inspire Men with Tongues or Prophecy and yet not tell them when and how to use them But it 's not to be thought that he that was before without the Habit had the actual Use of them then suddenly inspired but that as the Learned so the Inspired had the habitual Knowledge of Tongues before they assembled and so for the actual Use and Time were to exercise their own Discretion II. The Description of the Church here oft named as meeting in one Place with their Officers and Guides tells us that then a Church of this Rank was not a Diocess of many hundred Assemblies which had all but one Bishop their Constitutive Head but that it was a Company associated for Personal Communion that usually met in one Place though Necessity might make them meet in many and tho some General Guides might take care of many such Churches III. The greater number of Prophets and Teachers c. that were here in one Assembly whose Exercises the Apostle was put to restrain doth fully confute Dr. Hammond's oft-repeated Opinion That in Scripture-times there is no Proof that there were any more Presbyters to one Church than one who was a Bishop and had Deacons under him and that for want of capable Persons But his Opinion inferreth That then a Church was no greater than could meet in one Place For one Bishop could not be at once in many And if no Subject-Presbyters were made in Scripture-times it must be proved by what just Power they were after made even a sort of Pastors never made by the Apostles IV. The Arguments of the Apostle against the uninterrupted Use of Tongues not understood in the Church are so many cogent plain and vehement that I will
not lose time to answer the Papists Cavils against them when they defend their Latin Masses and Prayers but only note That nothing can be so plainly spoken by Gods own Spirit which Carnal prejudiced Men cannot pervert and that it is no wonder if they will not be judged and ruled by Gods Word unless they themselves may be Judges of the Sense of it and how little Gods Word signifieth to the People where it must have such Expositors and Judges One that knew no more against the Papal Kingdom called the Church of Rome than 1. Their Latin Service and cherishing of Ignorance 2. And that as Leeches they live on Blood and keep up their Religion by violent Cruelty if he have but read this 1 Cor. 14. and Christs Commands for loving each other yea if he have not lost much of Humanity it self I think can hardly be a Papist V. The Pretence that some fetch hence for any Man that will to speak in the Church if he think he is inspired is utterly vain For that leave is here restrained to Inspired Prophets and those to be regulated by the Laws of Order Decency and Edification And God hath made it the Office of the Pastors to be Rulers in the Assemblies VI. The abuse of the General Rules by Papist Usurping Church-Lords and Canonists is notorious who because Gods own Ordinances must as to Modes and Circumstances be managed Decently Orderly and to Edification thence plead for a Dominion to add many Symbolical Rites and Ordinances of their own which Peter and Paul never knew to make Gods Ordinances seem Decent Orderly and to Edification even things that in specie genere are needless at the best and then they silence excommunicate and ruine all that refuse such corrupting inventions Like Zedekiah Ahabs Prophets who with his Brethren spake by a Lying Spirt and then made it Decent Orderly and Edifying by wearing a pair of Horns to tell Ahab how he should push down his Enemies and then smote Michaiah for pretending to have more of the Spirit and Truth than he had that Michaiah might be sed in Prison with the Bread and Water of affliction tâ—ll experience shewed who had the Truth How these Men would have used the Apostles of Christ if they now lived and worshipped God but as then they did their Canons teach us to conjecture CHAP. XV. 1. MOreover brethren I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you which also you have received and wherein ye stand 2. By which also ye are saved if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you unless ye have believed in vain 1 2. And because some endeavour to subvert your Faith I will recite the sum of that Gospel which I preached to you and in which you have since continued and which is the sure and sufficient Doctrine of Salvation though the Articles be few without all the corrupt Additions invented by proud erroneous Men unless your Belief of them have been unsound and superficial and so in vain See that your unsound Belief deceive you not and this Gospel will not deceive you 3. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures 3. For I told you that Christ died as a voluntary Sacrifice for our Sins therein fulfilling what was prophesied of him This I received from God by Inspiration and from the certain Witnesses by just Report and Evidence 4. And that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures 5. And that he was seen of Cephas then of the twelve 6. After that he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once of whom the greater part remain unto this present but some are fallen asleep 4 5 6. And as the Scripture foretold he was buried and rose again the third day and appeared to Peter and after to the special Disciples who were Twelve before Judas's Defection and after And after that it's like in Galilee he was seen of Five hundred c. 7. After that he was seen of James then of all the apostles 7. Note That it 's not to be wondred at that this Appearance to James and to the Five hundred are not before distinctly mentioned in the Gospel when St. John tells us how small a part of what Christ did is written And as one Evangelist hath some things which the other omit so if Paul have some which all four omitted the same Spirit recordeth them all 8. And last of all he was seen of me also as of one born out of due time 8. And after all these he appeared to me from Heaven as to one that was too late converted 9. For I am the least of the apostles that am not meet to be called an apostle because I persecuted the church of God 9. For my persecuting Gods Church maketh me so unworthy to be numbred with the Apostles that though God called me to be one I must esteem my self as the last so the least of them or below the Twelve 10. But by the grace of God I am what I am and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain but I laboured more abundantly than they all yet not I but the grace of God which was with me 10. But Gods free Grace hath called me to this Honour and Work and his Grace given hath not been in vain for though I came late in and was a Persecutor I have since been more laborious than any of them all which I ascribe not to my self but to God's free Grace which chose called instructed excited and strengthned me 11. Therefore whether it were I or they so we preach and so ye believed 11. But whether the Conversion of so many of several Nations was by me or by them is not material to the thing in question These same Articles of Faith were they that we all unanimously prâ—ached and into the Belief of which as the Christian Verity you were Baptized 12. Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead 12. And how then can the same that say they believe the Resurrection of Christ deny the Resurrection of the Dead and the Life hereafter 13.14 But if there be no resurrection of the dead then is Christ not risen And if Christ be not risen then is our preaching vain and your faith is also vain 13 14. If none rise Christ is not risen And if Christ be not risen then it is Falshood and Deceit which we preach and whiâ—h you have believed and not the glad Tidings of Salvation 15. Yea and we are found false witnesses of God because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ whom he raised not up if so be that the dead rise not 15. And then it will follow not only that we deceive the world but that we belie God himself when we witness that
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
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
fellow-souldier but your messenger and he that ministred to my wants 25. But I thought good to send you back Epaphroditus who is my Brother and Fellow-labourer and Messenger who from you supplied my wants 26. For he longed after you all and was full of heaviness because that ye had heard that he had been sick 26. He longed to be with you and comfort you by the sight of his health hearing that his sickness made you sad 27. For indeed he was sick nigh unto death but God had mercy on him and not on him onely but on me also lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow 27. He was nigâ— to death but God in mercy to him and me recovered him not adding his death to my affliction 28. I sent him therefore the more carefully that when ye see him again ye may rejoyce and that I may be the less sorrowful 28. Note That Mercys restored after Danger affect us more than those continued in Prosperity 29. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness and hold such in reputation 30. Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death not regarding his life to supply your lack of service toward me 29 30. Receive him gladly as returned to you by God and account such honourable for it was for the work of Christ that he willingly hazarded his Life by his Travels and labour to be serviceable to me as your Messenger in your stead CHAP. III. 1. FInally my brethren rejoyce in the Lord. To write the same things to you to me indeed is not grievous but for you it is safe 1. Finally Brethren serve God with joyful hearts That I write to you the same things which I have formerly taught you and warned you of is not through sloth of cowardise in me but for your own safety as fittest for you 2. Beware of dogs beware of evil workers beware of the concision 2. To wit that you take heed of the worrying hurtful sort of Men who live in wickedness and calling themselves the Circumcision are indeed the Concision that cut and rend the Churches 3. For we are the circumcision which worship God in the Spirit and rejoyce in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh 3. For we are the Children of Circumcised Abraham who worship God in Spirit and Truth and have no confidence in Fleshly Priviledges or Carnal Ceremonious Jewish Worship 4. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh I more 4. Though if Judaism were matter of trust or boasting I have more such cause than any of them 5. Circumcised the eighth day of the stock of Israel of the tribe of Benjamin an Hebrew of the Hebrews as touching the law a Pharisee 6. Concerning zeal persecuting the church touching the righteousness which is in the law blameless 5 6. I was Circumcised as the Law required I was an Israelite a Benjamite an Hebrew a Pharisee the strictest Sect in Religion not cold in Religion but a zealous persecutor of the Church which I thought had been against it And as to the outward observance of the Law of Moses I seemed to Men so just and harmless that none accused me 7. But what things were gain to me those I counted loss for Christ 7. But I willingly disclaim all confidence in these and reject all as loss that would keep me from Christ 8. Yea doubtless and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and do count them but dung that I may win Christ 8 9. Yea I reject all as loss and hurtful to me which stand against the excellency of the knowledge of Christ for whom I have readily suffered the loss of all things and count them but as Dung in order to my part in Christ and that I may be found in him 9. And be found in him not having mine own righteousness which is of the law but that which is through the faith of Christ the righteousness which is of God by faith 9. Not having and trusting not in that Righteousness which consisteth in keeping the Law of Moses which is of my own Works and I accounted formerly to be my justifying Righteousness but that which is of Faith in Christ even the Righteousness which is of Gods free Gift by believing acceptance of his purchased and offered Grace 10. That I may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his suffering being made conformable unto his death 10. By which I shall gain the knowledge of Christ and of the great Mystery of Salvation by him and the powerful work of his Grace and quickening Spirit and preserving Providence answering in his Members that power that raised him from the Dead and a Communion with him in sufferings by which I shall be made conformable to him as Crucified for our sins and thus in all be made as a Member suitable to him that is my Head 11. If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead 11. In hope that by all these means and methods which I account not too dear I may at last attain that blessed perfection in which I shall be also like him as he is now risen from the Dead and glorified in the state of Immortality 12. Not as though I had already attained either were already perfect but I follow after if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus 12. Not that I have already attained this Conformity to my Glorified Lord or were already perfect by reaching all that I pursue But I run as for this Prize and earnestly strive that at last I may lay hold on and attain the state of Glory to bring me to which Jesus Christ did elect redeem and call me to himself 13. Brethren I count not my self to have apprehended but this one thing I do forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before 14. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus 13 14. I know I have not yet attained the end that I ran for even glorious Perfection But this I do not minding the things of the World which I have forsaken but neglecting and forgetting them and with all my might and diligence striving towards the things which are before I press or hasten towards the Mark for that glorious Crown and Prize for obtaining whereof the high Calling of God by Jesus Christ hath encouraged me to seek and hope 15. Let us therefore as many as be perfect be thus minded and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded God shall reveal even this unto you 15. And let all that are sound and sincere Christians holding these things that are necessary to Salvation be thus minded and with joint endeavour confessing our Defects
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
come till the Jews Rebellion and Revolt from the Romans provoke them to destroy them and then will the wicked Destroyer appear even the Roman Imperial Pride and Rage who exalt themselves above all Humane Power and will arrogate the Name and worship of Gods and put down Gods own instituted Worship and will have Altars and Images erected to themselves 6. What delayeth them yet you know They are killing one another for Empire at Rome and the sin of the poor Jews against Christ and his Apostles is not yet ripe for utter ruine and then next the destroyer will appear For their Self-idolizing is already at work as Caligula's attempt assureth us with Nero's Pride and Cruelty Onely the foresaid impediments at Rome c. do stop the Desolation and Abomination till it be removed and then it will invade the Holy City and Temple and Judea shall feel the Roman Pride and Idolatry Who come as from Satan with all the help that he can give them by Powerful Armies and with the Countenance of the Roman Idolaters Learning and Magicks and Lying Oracles and wonders such as Vespasian pretended to work and the Virtues that his Son Titus made ostentation of And with all the deceitful Learning and Arts which may countenance Idolatry and Wickedness and beguile Men fitted to destruction Because these poor Jews received not the Gospel in Love that they might be saved by Christ and many Christians proved Hypocrites and Formalists and Hereticks therefore God penally will let loose upon them the Learned Roman Idolaters with their Arts and Subtlety and advantages of Power to delude them to worship Idols which are Lying Vanities And so they that would not believe the Truth but had pleasure in Unrighteousness might be left to be their own destroyers by believing and practising the Idolatry and Wickedness which will damn them The Matter of all these three Expositions in it self hath a great deal of Truth that is Mahomet is an Antichrist most notorious The Pope as pretended Universal Head of the Church corrupting Christianity in Doctrine Worship and Discipline and bloodily destroying Sounder Christ is one sort of Antichrist The Roman Pagan Idolaters that set up the Desolating Abomination were no less But which this Text meaneth I know not But I detest that Opinion that maketh all the Visible Church Idolatrous and Antichristian since Constantine delivered it from Pagan Persecution Sure such should not now complain of Persecution but fear Deliverance and Prosperity 13. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you brethren beloved of the Lord because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth 13. But when I speak of this pernicious Apostasie of the followers of this Man of sin and perdition it mindeth me to be thankful to God for you that from the beginning he hath chosen and marked you out for Salvation by Sanctifying you by his Spirit and giving you a found belief of that truth which these Apostates do deny Note That Gods election Connecteth the End and Means whom he chooseth to Salvation he at once chooseth to Sanctification and Confirmed Faith 14. Whereunto he called you by our gospel to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ 14. And I am thankful that my preaching the Gospel was the means by which he called you hereto and to obtain your part with Christ in Glory 15. Therefore brethren stand fast and hold the traditions which ye have been taught whether by word or our epistle 15. Therefore stand fast and hold the same Doctrine which I have delivered to you whether by Preaching Discourse or Writing against all Innovating Seducers 16. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God even our Father which hath loved us and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace 17. Comfort your hearts and stablish you in every good word and work 16 17. And I have great incouragement to pray for you in hope that you may be comforted and established in all that is good because it is to that Christ that is our Saviour and God who is our Father and hath already shewed that he loveth us and hath by his Grace given us solid hope and the foretaste of the everlasting consolation CHAP. III. 1. FInally brethren pray for us that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified even as it is with you 1. And as I pray for you pray ye for us that the word of God may run abroad with speed and prosperous success and not be stopt or hindred by persecutors contradictions or Scandalous Seducers but may be honoured by free and full reception and obedience as it is with you which praise I give you to encourage you 2. And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men for all men have not faith 2. And that our Persons may be preserved and our Preaching prosper against all the endeavours of absurd and wicked Men who are our adversaries For faithless Men are every where against us 3. But the Lord is faithful who shall stablish you and keep you from evil 3. But tho Men be faithless who resist me we have a faithful God who will confirm you and keep you from Satan and from evil 4. And we have confidence in the Lord touching you that ye both do and will do the things which we command you 4. And we have good hope that you will still follow the Precepts which we give you from the Lord. 5. And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patient waiting for Christ 5. To which end I pray that God would direct your Hearts to love himself and patiently to wait for Christ and these two Graces will keep you in obedience from backsliding 6. Now we command you brethren in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that ye withdraw your selves from every brother that walketh disorderly and not after the tradition which he received of us 6. And this is one of the Commands which in the name of Christ I have to deliver you to preserve you from revolting viz to keep your Society clean from Scandal by avoiding the familiar company of every one professing Christianity who liveth disorderly and not according to the Law of Christ which we delivered to him Note 1. That there is a degree of avoiding Familiarity with a disorderly Christian to shame him into Repentance and to preserve our selves and the Honour of Christianity which is short of a publick Declarative Excommunication and casting out of the Church It is justly called Suspension because a Man is not to be Excommunicate till he be proved obstinately Impenitent But a Man that is guilty of a notorious scandalous sin may be suspended while he is under tryal whether he will repent or not 2. Note That this Command of withdrawing from the disorderly doth not require that we withdraw from the Church when
they desire a better countrey that is an heavenly wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God for he hath prepared for them a city 16. But it was a better Countrey which they desired and though the carnal Seed look't but to Canaan the true Believers took Jerusalem but as a Type of the Jerusalem above and chiefly desired a heavenly Countrey and it was specially in relation to Heaven that God condescended to be called The God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob and the God of Israel for it 's there that he will gloriously own and govern them Note 1. The force of Christ's Argument against the Sadduces from God's relation to Abraham c. is here expounded 2. They err that think Believers of old expected not a heavenly felicity Though Moses's Law as it was political to be the Rule of Magistrates Judgment reached not so high yet as subordinate to the Promise or Covenant of Grace it did 17. By faith Abraham when he was tried offered up Isaac and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son 18. Of whom it was said That in Isaac shall thy seed be called 17 18. It was by believing and trusting the Promise of God concerning his Seed in Isaac that Abraham when God thereby tryed him offered up even that Son to death to whom the Promise of Multiplication was made and the Nations to be blest in his Seed 19. Accounting that God was able to raise him up even from the Dead from whence also he received him in a figure 19. For he believed that God's Promise must be fulfilled and could not be broken for want of Power no more than for want of Wisdom or Goodness and that he would rather raise him from the dead than break his word And indeed he received him again as it had been from the dead in which he prefigured Christ's Resurrection and ours Note The great difficulty of Abraham's case was how he was bound to take that to be God's Voice which bid him murder the Innocent and so break God's Law of Nature Must not we try the Spirits by the standing Law of God in Nature Ans 1. God is the absolute Lord of all Lives and can do no man wrong And Abraham knew that he could make both Isaac and himself amends yea that he could and would presently raise him to life again 2. And by full evidence and experimental proof he knew that it was God that spake to him But we are supposed to have more cause of doubting where we must try the Spirits We must believe no pretended Revelation against certain foreknown Truth nor yet disbelieve God upon a proud pretence that we know that to be Truth which indeed we know not 20. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come 20. It was by believing God's Promise of things to come yet unseen that Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau foretelling what God would do with them 21. By faith Jacob when he was a dying blessed both the Sons of Joseph and worshipped leaning upon the top of his staff 21. It was by believing unseen future things that Jacob when he could scarce sit up and was ready to die foretold what God would do with the posterity of Joseph's Sons Note Qu. When Isaac and Jacob both ignorantly preferred the younger before the elder how could that be said to be done by Faith which they understood not Ans. 1. They believed the promised Blessing to both 2. And they believed the inward Inspiration of God which told them This person on whom thou layest thy hands shall have this particular Blessing though they knew not which of them it was by name It was to a determinate individual 22. By faith Joseph when he died made mention of the departing of the children of Israel and gave commandment concerning his bones 22. How could Joseph foretel the Israelites going out of Egypt and give them order to carry his bones with them but by believing unseen future things on the credit of God's Testimony by inward prophetical Inspiration which was his Word to him 23. By faith Moses when he was born was hid three months of his parents because they saw he was a proper child and they were not afraid of the Kings commandment 23. It was by believing some intimation from God partly inward and partly in his personal appearance what Moses should prove as to unseen future things which encouraged his Parents to hide him notwithstanding the murderous commandment of the King 24. By faith Moses when he was come to years refused to be called the Son of Pharaohs daughter 25. Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season 26. Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward 24 25 26. It was by trusting God's Intimations oâ— unseen future things that Moses being grown up refused the wealth and honour of an Adopted Son of Pharaoh's Daughter preferring affliction among the People of God before the short enjoyment of sinful pleasures yea esteeming such reproach as we Christians now undergo for Christ and as the Believers of the future Kingdom of Christ then suffered to be not only tolerable but greater riches than all the Treasures of Egypt because he had a believing respect to the recompence of Reward to which such sufferings did conduce 27. By faith he forsook Egypt not fearing the wrath of the king for he endured as seeing him who is invisible 27. Why left he Egypt to go into a Foreign Land and Wilderness and after fearlesly faced a wrathful King when he spake from God but because as his Eyes saw the flaming tokens of the presence of God so his Faith was instead of a sight of him that is invisible He believed in an unseen God for unseen future things 28. Through faith he kept the passeover and the sprinkling of blood lest he that destroyed the first-born should touch them 28. Why kept he the Passover and sprinkled the door-posts with blood but because he believed God for unseen future things even that the destroying Angel should spare such houses 29. By faith they passed through the red sea as by dry land which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned 28. How durst they have ventured into and through the Red Sea but that they believed God that he would there deliver them by that Miracle when the Egyptians were drowned who went not in by Faith but by Presumption Note It is a great Controversie among Expositors whether the Israelites passed quite through the Sea to the other side or rather went in and came out as in a semicircular course on the same side because their Journeys are after said to be on the same side where they entred and so they think it was but to draw in the Egyptians 30. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were compassed about seven
Judgment and so of our final Salvation 4. In that sincere Holiness and Obedience is the very matter that must justifie men against the virtual or actual accusation of Satan that they were not holy and obedient but ungodly or hypocrites As Faith it self is the matter of our Justification against the accusation that we were not Believers Now James speaketh of no other Faith than Paul doth But 1. He speaketh of another thing under the name of Works 2. And he speaketh of a working Nature in Faith for our Justification begun and of the Deeds themselves as needful to its continuance And in a word he speaketh of such Justification by no sort or works 1. In opposition to Christ or free Grace or 2. In coordination with him 3. But in meer instituted subordination to him And no Christian must ascribe to any Faith Works or act of Man the least part of the Office of Christ CHAP. III. 1. MY brethren be not many masters knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation 1. And as I thus admonish you against the Errour of Hypocrites who take their dead Opinions and Professions for a Justifying Faith so must I do against another Vice which that sort of Hypocrites are guilty of Their Pride and Self-conceit maketh them think that their knowledge is much higher than other Christians and that they are the fittest men to be Teaching Masters and Reprovers and so they are all forwarder to Teach and Magisterially Censure others and use their Tongue to contemn others as short of them in knowledge and to boast of themselves and all their Talk runs in a Teaching and not a Learning way But I warn you to avoid this proud and masterly spirit for it will make your sin the greater and without excuse and increase your condemnation 2. For in many things we offend all If any man offend not in word the same is a perfect man and able also to bridle the whole body 2. Your zeal goeth out by censuring others as great sinners in comparison of you perhaps for not observing your Ceremonies and Traditions or not taking you for their Teaching Masters But fear sin in your selves yea lest your censorious reproachful unbridled Tongues should prove worse than that which you censure others for He that hath most power to rule his Tongue and sinneth not in words is like to be the most perfect Christian and can rule his actions by the same Obedience and Wisdom which doth rule his Tongue 3. Behold we put bitts in the horses mouths that they may obey us and we turn about their whole body 3. As we rule the whole bodies of Horses by a Bridle in the mouth so could you bridle your mouths it would both signifie a power to rule your lives and much promote this 4. Behold also the ships which though they be so great and are driven of fierce winds yet are they turned about with a very small helm whithersoever the governour listeth 4. So the Pilot by so small a thing as the Helm ruleth great Ships that are under the force of Winds 5. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasteth great things 5. And man's Tongue is but a small part of the body though it boast great things and the Government of that little member is a great part of the Government of the man 5 6. Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth And the tongue is a fire a world of iniquity so is the tongue amongst our members that it defileth the whole body and setteth on fire the course of nature and it is set on fire of hell 5 6. The Tongue in the body and the World is like fire among much combustible matter As a little fire kindleth much so this little member doth both kindle defiling passions and guilt in our own bodies and also kindle hatred rage and strife in the World and set on fire the Societies and Affairs of Mankind in the World being it self set on fire by the Devil and used by hellish temptations to hellish designs in diabolical employment 7. For every kind of beasts and of birds and of serpents and things in the sea is tamed and hath been tamed of mankind 8. But the tongue can no man tame 7 8. For all sorts of Animals have been mastered by Man But the Tongue of another who can master when we have so much ado to subdue our own 8 9. It is an unruly evil full of deadly poison Therewith bless we God even the Father and therewith curse we men which are made after the similitude of God 10. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing 8 9. It is to us and in the World an unruly evil till Grace shall tame it and infecteth our selves and the societies where we live with the mortal Poison of many great sins The same Hypocrites who praise God and worship him with it do reproach their Brethren with it not only Men that have some of Gods Image in their natural faculties but those that are Gods true Servants better than themselves who are renewed to Gods Image in Holiness by Grace 10. 11. My brethren these things ought not so to be Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter 12. Can a fig-tree my brethren bear olive-berries either a vine figs so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh 10 11 12. Do you not perceive that your ill reproachful Tongues which vilifie speak evil of and condemn good Christians for not being of your minds do confute themselves when the same Tongues profess to honour God and boast of Wisdom and Religion in your selves If you were as Wise and Godly as you profess your Tongues would not by speaking ill of your Brethren shew the contrary No Fountain sends forth sweet water and bitter fresh and salt no Fig tree brings sorth Olives The tree is known by its fruits 13. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge amongst you let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom 13. Are any among you indeed as much wiser and knowing and excelling others as you would be thought when you censure or despise them Shew it if you would have any wise man believe you not by proud boasting or talking against others but by the true fruits of the Spirit even a better conversation than theirs in all your dealings and by more good works with that humble meekness which signifieth true Wisdom 14. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts glory not and lie not against the truth 15. This wisdom descendeth not from above but is earthly sensual devilish 14 15. But if you have a bitter Zeal and envy and uncharitable heart-rising and strife against your Brethren pretending truth Orthodoxness or Religion for your swelling envy and emulation and talking and preaching down Love and Peace to make those that differ from your side to seem hateful or contemptuous in comparison of
Mat. 24. and received his Notice from none but Christ and that Christ's own words are the surest Notification who is the Antichrist For it is mentioned here not as a thing known only by special Inspiration to them or the Apostles but as a received former Prophecy As you have heard that Antichrist shall come And which way did they hear it but by the Apostles as from Christ whose words the Evangelists have not omitted Now Christ's words were Many shall come in my Name saying I am Christ and shall deceive many Here he doth not fix the name on any one more than on others And it is certain that Christ was not mistaken but what he fore-told did come to pass though we read not of any that was expresly called Christ and commonly so believed that was not because none attempted so to deceive men but because their success was small and soon stifled and not like Mahomet's Biza on the Text Mat. 24. saith In my Name is They shall usurp the Name of the Messiah or Christ Such was that Dositheus whom Theophilact speaketh of and Simon and Theudas and after these Manes who also chose his twelve Apostles And in our Memory the Munster Anabaptists attempted the same and after them David George the Prince of the Libertines So James Nailor lately the Quaker whose Tongue the Parliament bored through whip'd him and imprison'd him till he dyed for solemnly personating Christ riding into Bâ—istol But there were others that promised to deliver the Jews till they drew them into Rebellion to their destruction and so took on them to redeem Israel though they called not themselves the Christ Almost all Expositors agree that these were the Antichrists meant by Christ Mat. 24. But though these were then shortly to arise it followeth not but that more such might arise after them and such was Mahomet above all others notorious by his Alcoron Kingdom and Success And as Ebion Cerintâ—us and some other Hereticks were against Christ in some degree so more notably is the Pope in that degree as he arrogateth Christ's Prerogative and maketh himself a Vicarious Head of the whole Church on Earth So that these grant that such Popes are one sort of those Antichrists that should after arise but that the Pope is not he that is meant by Christ in Matth. 24. nor here by John And whereas 2 Thes 2. is objected for One Man of Sin c. they say that it is not Antichrist properly that is there mentioned but the Anti-God the Roman Idolatrous Emperor that should cause Jerusalem's Desolation and set up there the Idol of Abomination There is the like mention of Antichrist again Ch. 4.3 Every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God And this is the spirit of Antichrist whereof ye have heard that it should come and even now a ready is in the world So Ch. 2.20 He is Antichrist that denyeth the Father and the Son And 2. Joh. For many deceivers are entred into the world who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh This is a deceiver and one Antichrist And say they when no other Text in Scripture hath the name Antichrist and these four all thus expound it of such as deny Christ's Incarnation and directly oppose him and such as were then in being and of many such Heresies and not of one Man or Order alone and when all this concurreth with Christ's own words of many false Christs that should deceive the Jews to their destruction whence can we expect a surer Exposition of Antichristianity whether we take the name for an Adversary to Christ or for a false Christ When Grotius singleth out Barchochebas as the chief Antichrist who called himself the Messiah and seduced thousands and even the Sanedrim of Rulers inâ—o his Error to their destruction it is answered by some That this was all done before this Epistle was written To which some reply 1. That this is utterly uncertain because that Epiphanius saith John was first banished under Claudius and because the contrary Tradition hath no good Evidence and because the Apocalyps is the best Expositor whose very Style implyeth that at least much of it was written before the Destruction of Jerusalem and so may this Epistle 2. Were it certain John maketh no one to be the only or grand Antichrist and therefore Christ's words might be first fulfilled in Barchochebas and such others and yet more after may succeed them The two other Opinions 1. That it is only Simon Magus 2. Or Vespasian I think not worthy the confuting In these difficulties I only advise the Reader that he never forsake great and certain Truths or Duties for any thing uncertain And that Humane Faith overthrow not Divine Faith And no man's Opinion draw him to depose Christ by denying all his Visible Church and making it all in any Age much less in its best state to be Idolatrous and Antichristian Or to bâ— frightned from Christian Love Unity and Peace or from any lawful thing by the meer name of Antichrist But to judge of Doctrines by Scripture and of Persons by their Doctrines Practices and Personal Qualification and to hate sin impartially wherever he findeth it and to accuse rashly and unjustly neither Persons Parties or Societies 19. They went out from us but they were not of us for if they had been of us they would no doubt have continued with us but they went out that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us 19. These Deceivers the Nicolaitans Ebion Cerinthus c. were indeed in our Communion and went out from us but they were never sincerely of the same Faith and Spirit with us else they would have stayed with us But they went out and separated and set up their Heresies that they might shew that they were never sound in the Faith 20. But ye have an unction from the holy One and ye know all things 20. But the most holy God and Saviour hath anointed you with his holy Spirit which will lead you from pernicious Errour into all necessary Truth if you obey him 21. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth but because ye know it and that no lie is of the truth 21. It is not as supposing you ignorant of the Truth that I write to you but because you know the necessary Truth and therefore may the easier reject all inconsistent Falshoods 22. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ he is antichrist that denieth the Father and the Son 23. Whosoever denieth the Son the same hath not the Father but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also 22 23. And who is the dangerous Lyer but he that denyeth that Jesus is the Christ and consequently denyeth the Father Note The scantness of History leaveth it uncertain what sort of Seducers John meaneth whether some that fell to flat Infidelity directly renouncing Christianity
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
this Doctrine and Spirit is not of God But this is the Spirit of Antichrist which you have been foretold should come and is already in the World Note By the Spirit of Antichrist is not here meant the Spirit sent by Antichrist but the same Doctrine that Antichrist will vend and therefore from the sâ—me Spirit that acteth Antichrist which is a Spirit of opposition to Christ And in those times Ebion Cerinthus and many other Hereticks did some deny Christ's Manhood some his Godhead some his Death and some his Resurrection and each part of his Office was denyed That among all there Simon Magus only should be the Antichrist I see no reason to believe of which more before and after 4. Ye are of God little children and have overcome them because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world 4. But your Faith in Christ is of the Spirit of God who dwelleth and worketh in you and you have overcome the worldly seducing Spirit its Doctrines Baits and Temptations for God's Spirit which is in you is more powerful than the Spirit which deludeth the World 5. They are of the world therefore speak they of the world and the world heareth them 5. These Seducers are men of a worldly interest and mind and therefore they preach a wordly Doctrine fitted to a worldly Interest and Ear and therefore worldly men believe them 6. We are of God he that knoweth God heareth us he that is not of God heareth not us Hereby know we the spirit of truth and the spirit of errour 6. We are of God and can prove our Mission by his attestation to our Doctrine as being from God And therefore all that truly know God will receive and own our Doctrine as God's and us as his Apostles but he that is not of God having not the same Spirit receiveth not the same holy Doctrine nor us Thus differ the Spirit of God and of Errour 7. Beloved let us love one another for love is of God and every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God 8. He that loveth not knoweth not God for God is love 7 8. And as true Faith in Christ and open confessing him is one sign so true Christian LOVE is another to know that our Doctrine and Spirit is of God Therefore be sure that you unfeignedly love one another Most certainly LOVE is of God common Love is his common gift and holy Love is his special grace and every one that Loveth Saints as Saints as well as Men as Men sincerely for the Love of God and goodness in them is so far like God who as the God of Nature loveth Nature and as the God of Grace loveth Holiness and therefore is a regenerate Child of God and hath true Faith and Knowledge of God or else he could not love him in his Saints And whatever they pretend they have no true effectual Love of the most Holy God or of his Will who love not his Holiness in his Children and are not dear to one another For LOVE is not a meer quality in God but his very Essence GOD IS LOVE Note I know no sentence more worthy to be written in Letters of Gold or rather written on all our hearts But the other two prime Attributes written in this Epistle must be conjoyned GOD is LIFE LIGHT and LOVE And LOVE is complacency and includeth Infinite JOY or PLEASURE 9. In this was manifested the love of God towards us because that God lent his onely begotten Son into the world that we might live through him 9. And God's Essential LOVE doth tend to communication he is good and doth good He loveth us not with a barren Love as Hypocrites do but he chose this most woderful glorifying way of publick manifesting his Love to us even by sending his Son into the World that we might live through him 10. Herein is love not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the Propitiation for our sins 10. And the Glory of God's Love to us is not only that he consequently loved us for loving him but that he antecedently loved us that we might love him and while we were in sin and enmity freely sâ—nâ— his Son to be the Propitiation for our sins 11. Beloved if God so loved us we ought also to love one another 11. And Gods great works and glorious manifestations of himself to us are purposely to be as the Seal to the Wax to make us like him in our degree And he therefore chose this astonishing way of revealing his LOVE to us that by it we might be brought to love him and one another for him 12. No man hath seen God at any time If we love one another God dwelleth in us and his love is perfected in us 12. It is God himself that his Love â—bligâ—th us to LOVE But as we see him but in the Glass or Image of his Nature and Holiness in Man so we must Love him 〈◊〉 we see him here even in the Natuâ—e and Holiness of Man And if â—e thus holily love one another as Godâ—â— Image God by his Spirit dwelleth in us for it is his Spirit of Love that maketh us thus Love And his Love to us attaineth its end which was to make us like him in Love O that Christians would study this well 13. Hereby know we that we dwell in him and he in us because he hath given us of his Spirit 13. By this sure evidence we know that God and we do as it were dwell in each other and have blessed communion because he hath given us this Spirit of holy Love 14. And we have seen and do testifie that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world 14. And we are the Preachers of Faith and Love as we have seen so we testifie that God the Father glorified his Love by sending his Son to be the Saviour of the sinful World 15. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God God dwelleth in him and he in God 15. It cannot be that any man can soundly believe such astonishing Love that God was manifested in flesh or that the Father sent his Son into flesh by his Doctrine Example Suffering Merits Resurrection and Intercession to save us and shall confess this whatever suffering it cost him but that man must needs be possessed by God's Spirit of holy Love and so God dwelleth in that man by his Spirit and that man in God as the great Object of his Faith and Love For with the heart man believeth to righteousness and with the mouth confession is made to salvation Rom. 10. 16. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us God is love and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him 16. And knowing and by Faith believing the Love that God hath to us and hath declared in Christ we again conclude that GOD IS LOVE and he that
will give them a better And how else should we overcame the World but by believing in him that overcome it and is preparing a place for us in Heaven and hath made us the Heirs of Glory 6. This is he that came by water and blood even Jesus Christ not by water only but by water and blood and it is the Spirit that beareth witness because the Spirit is truth 6. This is he that as he was baptized so he instituted Baptism for the cleansing of Souls And as he was crucified to be a Sacrifice for sin so doth he by his Sacrament and Grace communicate this Sacrifice in its Benefits to us which his Crucifixion signified when both Water and Blood run out of his pierced Side He cleanseth us nor by Water and Baptism alone but as a Sacrifice by Water and Blood and at a dearer rate And the Witness by which God attesteth all this to be his Truth is the Gift of his Spirit 7. For there are three that bear record in heaven the Father the Word and the holy Ghost and these three are one 8. And there are three that bear witness in earth the Spirit and the water and the blood and these three agree in one 7 8. For there are three in Heaven who have given us their Witness to the Gospel on Earth even the Father who hath from Heaven declared Christ to be his Son and the Word or Godhead of Christ which he shewed in his Miracles Resurrection c. And the Holy Ghost sent down for Infallibility Miracles and Renovation of the Faithful And these are so Three as yet to be One. And on Earth we have seen these three Witnesses attesting one thing by Agreement even the Spirit in the Souls of Believers in their Miracles and Holiness sealing the Truth the Water of Baptism and the washing of their Souls from Sin and Christ's Bâ—ood and Sacrifice which is our Expiation signified in the Lord's Supper even as Christ on the Cross first recommended his Spirit into his Father's Hands and then out of his pierced Side came Water and Blood Note Though much of these words Vers 7 8. be not in many ancient Copies of the Bible we have more reason to think that the Arrians left them out than that the Orthodox put them in other Texts that assert Christ's Godhead being so used But however it need not offend the Faithful there being so many other Texts which assert the Trinity 9. If we receive the witness of men the witness of God is greater for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son 9. If the Witness of credible Men and Controversies among us much more must the Witness of God be believed And this mentioned is God's own Testimony of Christ 10. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself he that believeth not God hath made him a liar because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son 10. He that is a true Believer in Christ hath the Spirit of Christ which hath regenerated him for if any man have not his Spirit he is none of his And this Spirit of Power Wisdom and Holiness is most certainly from God and an infallible Evidence that God owneth the Gospel therefore all these have the witnessing Evidence of Christ in themselves And he that believeth not so sure a Testimony of God doth make him a Lyer as if he gave the Holy Spirit as a false Witness of Christ to deceive the World 11. And this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life and this life is in his Son 12. He that hath the Son hath life and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life 11 12. And the sum of the Gospel attested by God and his Spirit is this that God hath made a free Deed of Gift of Pardon and Salvation to the World even the Life of Grace and Glory but so as that this Life is given us in and with Christ who with all these Benefits is offered to Men on condition of believing Acceptance As a Woman in Marriage hath the Man with his Estate and as we chuse our Physician for Physick our Teacher for Learning our Ruler for Government c. He that hath Christ upon believing Acceptance as his Saviour hath Life initially and Title to Salvation And he that hath not Christ through his Unbelief and Refusal hath not Life 13. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God that ye may know that ye have eternal life and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God 13. These things I have written to you that are true Christians that you may know what a Treasure you have in and with Christ even Right to Eternal Life and its Beginning here and that you may go on confirmed and constant in the Faith 14. And this is the confidence that we have in him that if we ask any thing according to his wiil he heareth us 14. And through our Interest in Christ his Merits and Intercession we have sufficient ground of Confidence that by and through him our Prayers are heard and that he will give us whatever we ask which he hath promised to give and we are fit to receive 15. And if we know that he hear us whatsoever we ask we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him 15. And if he thus hear your Prayers we may reckon that in his time and way he will give us whatever Particular we ask if we and our Prayers be qualified for his Promise 16. If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death he shall ask and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death There is a sin unto death I do not say that he shall pray for it 17. All unrighteousness is sin and there is a sin not unto death 16 17. And this comfort you have in your Prayers for others as well as for your selves God will hear you for those who are qualified for the Mercy which you beg for them according to his Promise Death temporal and eternal is the Wages of sin but with great difference There are many sins of Infirmity which we hate and strive against as vain Thoughts Words Passions Coldness in Duty Imperfection in all Good and all sins that stand with true Repentance and the predominant Love of God and Holiness These the Law of Grace doth pardon through Christ and not damn any for But Pardon must be asked and shall be obtained for the faithful penitent qualified person But God hath told us that he doth not pardon the Impenitent and Unsanctified that had rather keep their sin than leave it and are unqualified for Pardon Your Prayer to God to pardon such shall not prevail while they are impenitent much less for them that are Infidels and blaspheme the Holy Ghost And God's own Children may fall
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
destruction of Jerusalem but of the great day of the Lord terrible to all the wicked and the malignant Adversaries of Godliness 16. These are murmurers complainers walking after their own lusts and their mouth speaketh great swelling words having mens persons in admiration because of advantage 16. These are men that swell and murmure and complain against Government and all that cross their Opinions or Lusts after which they walk and they use big and boasting words as men that were more knowing than all others in Philosophical Fancies and the Orders of Angels and Ages and Things above and of Christian Liberty c. and they extol the men for advantage of themselves and of their Sect who are their Leaders and chief Favourers 17. But beloved remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ 18. How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time who should walk after their own ungodly lusts 17 18. But remember the words which Peter and other Apostles have spoken heretofore that told you such men should come and keep to the first Doctrine of the Apostles 19. These be they who separate themselves sensual having not the spirit 19. These separate themselves into a distinct Sect as if they were above the Apostolical Churches but their actions shew that they are sensual carnal men not at all sanctified and guided by God's Spirit as the faithful be 20. But ye beloved building up your selves on your most holy faith praying in the holy Ghost 21. Keep your selves in the love of God looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life 20 21. But ye Beloved must be quite other men from these they build sensuality temporizing and separation upon Errour and proud self-conceit But you must build up your selves and one another in Holiness upon your Divine and most holy Faith They are sensual having not the Spirit You must as men in whom God's Spirit dwells and rules pray in the Holy Ghost even with those holy and fervent desires which the Spirit of God exciteth in you They are revolted from true Faith and Love You must by God's Spirit keep your selves in unfeigned Love to God and to his Truth and one another waiting in Faith and Hope for Eternal Life by God's Mercy in Christ 22. And of some have compassion making a difference 23. And others save with fear pulling them out of the fire hating even the garment spotted by the flesh 22 23. And as to your dealing with such erroneous men it must be differently as they differ even tenderly and compassionately with some and with others you must deal more fervently and sharply as with Lot in Sodom or men in a house that is on fire whose death if not quickly prevented you must fear and therefore be importunate with them But seek to save them all and not to use any violent or hurtful course And your selves must hate and avoid all degrees of filthiness and sensuality 24. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy 25. To the only wise God our Saviour be glory and majesty dominion and power now and ever Amen 24 25. Now to him who is able in all temptations notwithstanding your own weakness to keep you stedfast in Faith and Holiness from falling into the snares of Heresie or Ungodliness and to present you faultless as being faithful and upright and your sins forgiven before the presence of his Glory at his coming that you may see him and stand before him with exceeding joy when the wicked are condemned I say to him the only God of Infinite Wisdom to our Saviour be Glory and Majesty and Dominion and Power now and ever so it will certainly be and such is the prayer of all the faithful The REVELATION of John the Divine CHAP. I. 1. THe revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto him to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John 1. Note 1. It is eminently called the Revelation as being by Vision and Prophetick notice an extraordinary Revelation of future things 2. Beza well observeth hence the Order of God's Revelation to his Church First God himself is the Fountain he revealeth it to our Mediator as Man who knoweth all things as God that according to his Office he may be the Light and Teacher to his Church Christ revealeth it to Angels the Holy Ghost and Angels reveal it to Apostles and Prophets they reveal and record it to the Church where all must learn it but specially Teachers to tell it to the People 3. It is things to come that are here revealed therefore I cannot receive those two Learned mens Exposition who make it a History in a Prophetick style and say that most or very much of it was done before it was written 4. The word shortly made them expound almost the whole Book of things all fulfilled about Constantine's time or presently after Alaricus's sacking of Rome But shortly may signifie no more than 1. That these things will shortly be begun though not so quickly finished And 2. That a thousand years is with the Lord but as one day But I confess that so much as can be proved already done we must not feign to be yet to come 5. It is most like that this John was the Apostle but it 's not certain 2. Who bare record of the word of God and of the testimony of Jesus Christ and of all things that he saw 2 Who by this Writing truly telleth the Churches what Christ by his Angel told him as a faithful Witness of Christ and of all that he saw and heard in this Vision and Revelation some things that then were may be mentioned to introduce the Prophecy of things to come 3. Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this prophecie and keep those things which are written therein for the time is at hand 3. Note It is a desirable thing and an addition to that man's wisdom and happiness who understandeth this and all other Scripture Prophecies but this concludeth not that no other are blessed or that many attain that degree oâ— happiness For I think I never knew one suâ—h But the necessary parts of Christianity which are in this Prophecy mixt with darker passages all must keep that will be blessed 2. The Time of their beginning was at hand and the End not far off 4. John to the seven churches in Asia Grace be unto you and peace from him which is and which was and which is to come and from the seven spirits which are before his throne 4. I John send you this holy Greeting and Benediction Grace and Peace the greatest blessings be to you from the Eternal God and those Angels whom he hath made your special Guardians Note 1. That it is Angels
For though he speak never so high and excellent Mysteries no Man that knoweth not that Language understandeth him 3. But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification and exhortation and comfort 3. But he that intelligibly applieth Gods Word to the Hearers speaketh so as conduceth to their Edification and Exhortation and Comfort which are the Ends of your Assemblies 4. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself but he that prophesieth edifieth the church 4. It is supposed that he that speaketh in a Language unknown to the People understandeth it himself and so may be edified himself For the Spirit of God did not move Men to speak like Parrots they knew not what But he that by Gods Spirit instructeth and exhorteth others edifieth the Church for which End you meet 5. I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied for greater is he that prophesieth then he that speaketh with tongues except he interpret that the church may receive edifying 5. I would you had all such knowledge of Languages as is useful to propagate the Gospel But I more wish as Moses that all the Lords People were Prophets that is inspired to speak wisely and zealously the Will of God to Men. For he is the Greatest in the Church who is most Edifying and that is he that prophesieth more than he that speaketh strange Language unless he interpret it to the Churches Edification 6. Now brethren if I come unto you speaking with tougues what shall I profit you except I shall speak to you either by revelation or by knowledge or by prophesying or by doctrine 6. What the better will you be for speaking Languages to you except I either reveal to you something immediately from God or open to you some Truths which you knew not before or fâ—om God urge you to some needful Duty or Doctrinally expound to you the Matters of Faith and Obedience recorded in the Gospel 7. And even things without life giving sound whether pipe or harp except they give a distinction in the sounds how shall it be known what is piped or harped 7. Even the sound of lifeless things as Musical Instruments being used for some signification are useless if by distinction their signification be not perceptible 8. For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound who shall prepare himself to the battel 8. You may learn this of Soldiers how vain the unintelligible Sound of the Trumpet is 9. So likewise you except ye utter by the tongue words easie to be understood how shall it be known what is spoken for ye shall speak into the air 9. So if you speak not intelligibly to the Hearers what the better are they You do but speak into the air 10. There are it may be so many kinds of voices in the world and none of them is without signification 10. Even the Voices of Birds and Beasts have their useful significancy to Man and to one another much more of Men. 11. Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me 11. Therefore what I understand not is of no mor use to me than to a Barbarian of another Language 12. Even so ye for as much as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church 12. Therefore as you much desire Spiritual Gifts prefer those that most edifie and seek them not for vain glory 13. Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret 13. Let him that hath the Gifts of Languages pray for the Gift of edifying Interpretation 14. For if I pray in an unknown tongue my spirit prayeth but my understanding is unfruitful 14. If I pray in an unknown Tongue my Spirit prayeth but others understand me not and cannot profitably join with me 15. What is it then I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the understanding also I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the understanding also 15. Therefore when I pray or sing by the Gift of unknown Tongues I will also pray and sing intelligibly for edification 16. Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit how sholl he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest 16. If others join not with thee it is but a private Exercise and not a Church-exercise And how shall the Vulgar join by consent and say Amen to what they do not understand 17. For thou verily givest thanks well but the other is not edified 17. Thy Thanksgiving is a good Work but what is another or the Church the wiser for it 18. I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all 18. I thank God he hath given the Gift of more Languages to me than to any of you 19. Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding that by my voice I might teach others also then ten thousand words in an unknown tongue 19. Yet in the Worshipping Assembly which is the Church I prefer a few intelligible Words which may teach others before all that can be said for ostentation and are unintelligible 20. Brethren be not children in understanding howbeit in malice be ye children but in understanding be men 20. Be not like Children that lâ—ve unedifying Gingles but imitate them in harmlesness but as Men value and use that which increaseth Wisdom and Understanding 21. In the law it is writen With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people and yet for all that will they not hear me saith the Lord. 21. It is spoken in Isaiah 14.11 by God That with Men of c. to shew their hardheartedness that would neither hear their own Prophets nor Strangers sent to them by the Providence of God 22. Wherefore tongues are for a sign not to them that believe but to them that believe not but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not but for them which believe 22. So that the miraculous Gift of Languages is to convince Unbelievers of that which the Church believeth already But Prophetical opening the Doctrine of Christ for further edification is appointed for them that are already Believers 23. If therefore the whole church be come together into one place and all speak with tongues and there come in those that are unlearned or unbelievers will they not say that ye are mad 23. Surely you should not meet or worship God scandalously like mad Men But if the whole Church do meet in one place as Churches then did and all speak in unknown Tongues the Unlearned and Unbelievers will take you all for mad Phanaticks 24. But if all prophesie and there come in one that believeth not or one unlearned he is convinced of all he is judged of all 24. But if all that speak do by Gods Spirit