others to whom this his Epistle should come of a saying a Doctrine which as it was sweet and comfortable to himself so it would be to all them who should make the like use of it that he had done This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Iesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief In which words not to spend time about connexion and dependence upon what went before we shall take notice of two things The Doctrine and the Application The Doctrine which is first commended then Propounded Commended by way of Preface and that first from the Veritie then from the Dignitie of it From the Veritie This is a faithful saying from the Dignitie and worthy of all acceptation Propounded Christ Iesus came into the world to save sinners The Application followeth wherein the Apostle bringeth home this General to himself in Particular ranking himself in the list and number of these sinners which we had spoken of yea in the forefront of them of whom I am chief Let these be the parts of the Text upon which I shall through Divine assistance insist severally yet more briefly upon the former that I may enlarge upon the latter the Applicatory part which in this review my eye is chiefly upon Begin we with the Doctrine therein with the commendation of it which is the very same with that which we find affixed to that other Doctrine Chap. 4. v. 9. of this Epistle where the Apostle holding forth the great advantage that cometh unto Christians from true Piety and Godliness Godliness is profitable unto all things having the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come he subjoynes This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation And so here he maketh use of the same commendation only in a different order prefixing it by way of Preface or Introduction Not unlike a Trumpet sounded before the publishing of a Royal Proclamation which serveth to make way for it to call people to the hearing of it and to command attention to it Of such use is this Elogium this high commendation which the Apostle here giveth of this Doctrine which he intended to propound serving to excite all to give the more earnest attendance to it Which use Calvin writing upon it willeth all to make of it And not without cause doth this our Apostle thus ussher in this Doctrine and make way for it it being a Mystery which will not easily pierce and readily sink into the heads and hearts of men to be so received as it ought to be The natural man as he tells his Corinthians 1 Cor. 2. 15 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 receiveth not the things which are of God Spiritual mysteries he receiveth them not into his understanding rightly to apprehend or conceive of them nor into his judgement throughly to be convinced of the truth of them so as firmly to believe them much less into his heart his will and affections to close with them to imbrace them Such is the Doctrine here propounded and published even that great mystery of Godliness as the same Pen styleth it 1 Tim. 3. 16. The Doctrine of Salvation by Christ. A Doctrine though worthy of all yet finding little credence and acceptation in the world And therefore the Apostle to prepare the hearts of men for the receiving of it sets this high commendation upon it commending it first from the Veritie then from the Dignitie of it Touch upon each 1. For the Veritie of it This is a faithfull saying 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sermo fidelis i. e. verus a true saying So we have it rendred Cap. 3. v. 1. of this Epistle And so our former Translation readeth it here This is a true saying Sermo certus as Beza hath it A sure and certain Saying Such are not all the sayings of men not of the wisest no nor yet of the best of them What the Psalmist said in his haste in his passion Psal. 116. 11. I said in my haste All men are lyars The Apostle speaketh it advisedly Rom. 3. 4. Let God be true and every man a lyar Such are men lyars all Passively and Actively Being subject to be deceived themselves they are subject to deceive others Their words their sayings are not alwayes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 true and certain But such are all the sayings all the words which we meet withal in the Word the Scripture The Scripture being as Saint Iames calleth it Iam. 1. 18. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The word of Truth There is not a saying there but is a true saying not a word but is a faithful word Such are the words of the Law and such are the words of the Gospel such are the Threatnings such are the Promises such are the Prophecies which there we meet with all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 true words faithful sayings Write saith the Spirit for these words are faithful and true Rev. 21. 5. And they must needs be so being the words of that God who is the God of Truth as we find him sometimes styled Deut. 32. 4. Psal. 31. 5. Isa. 65. 16. Truth it self The words of that Word the Essential Word the Eternal Son of God who is as he is called Rev. 1. 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That faithful Witness Such is he and such are his words all faithful words Among all none deserving this Encomium this commendation more than this Evangelical word the Doctrine of the Gospel the sum whereof we have comprised in these few words in the Text Iesus Christ came into the world to save sinners Which is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a faithful saying worthy to be credited to be believed So it was by the Fathers under the Old Testament who beheld it only a far off in the Promise though they dyed before they received it yet they believed it living in the faith of it and dying in the faith of it These all dyed in the faith not having received the promise saith the Apostle Heb. 11. 13. speaking of the Patriarchs who died in the faith as firmly believing that Promise concerning the Land of Canaan which God had made to them so that great promise concerning the Messia who was to come into the world whose day Abraham is said to have seen as our Saviour tells the Jews Ioh. 8. 56. In this faith they lived and in this faith they dyed So fully were they assured of the truth thereof that they were not afraid to take their death upon it to dye in the faith of it So certain was this saying to them who beheld it only in the promise Whereupon it was that the Prophet Isay speaking of this of Christs coming into the world he speaks of it as a thing already done To us a Child is born to us a Son is given Isa. 9. 6. How much more certain then may it
be unto us who look upon it in the performance not as a thing to be done but done What was promised to them is made good to us what they looked and waited for we have received So as the Apostle might well say what here he doth This is a faithful saying c. But I shall not spend time in confirmation of this truth which among Christians were but a needless labour Never was truth excepting only that of a deitie that there is a God which is attested by every creature compassed about with such a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 such a cloud of witnesses as this To this truth gave all the Prophets witness so Peter tells Cornelius and his company Acts 10. 43. And to this truth gave all the Apostles witness The one testifying that it should be done the other that it was done To this truth gave all those Types under the Law witness being all Shadows of this Substance To this truth have all the Saints of God in all ages of the world given witness All that ever were before the Law under the Law under the Gospel Some and many of them sealing it with their blood all of them pawning and adventuring their souls their everlasting happiness upon it Now if two or three witnesses be sufficient to establish a word which with men ordinarily they are as that Text tells us Mat. 18. 16. how much more such a cloud of witnesses Never was truth more confirmed then this truth The Doctrine of Salvation by Christ that Iesus Christ came into the world to save sinners This is a faithful saying 2. And as faithful so acceptable that is the second branch of the Commendation This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation So it cannot be said of all truths Sometimes as Aquinas notes upon it a saying may be true and yet a hard saying Verus sed durus This is a hard Saying say the Disciples to their Lord and Master discoursing to them concerning the Bread of Life which he said was Himself Ioh. 6. 60. A true saying This they would not durst not make any question of receiving it from his mouth But a hard saying 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 harsh and irksome to be heard Who can hear it So it was to them because they could not receive it were not able rightly to apprehend and understand it the hardness being as Calvin well notes upon it in their hearts not in the Doctrine delivered Thus Sayings may be and often are true but not grateful such are Reprehensions for the most part being like wine poured into a green wound which though proper and useful yet it is searching and smarting Though they carry never so much truth in them yet they are seldome pleasing seldome welcome Paul reprehending his Galatians he told them nothing but the truth yet that truth which was spoken to them was requited with enmity from them Am I therefore become your enemie because I tell you the truth so he expostulates it with them Gal. 4. 16. Thus it often falleth out Veritas odium parit Truth breeds hatred All truths are not acceptable truths But such is this Truth which our Apostle here holdeth forth That Christ Iesus is come into the world to save sinners It is a Doctrine which hath not more Truth then Sweetness in it deserving not more Credit than Acceptation This is a faithful Saying and worthy of all acceptation Worthy of acceptation and worthy of All acceptation So I shall divide the words 1. Worthy of Acceptation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 An acceptable word worthy to be received as the former Translation renders it And not only received but approved which as a Lapide notes the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 importes And well may it be said so to be it being a good word a good saying containing in it good matter My heart is inditing a good matter saith the Psalmist speaking of the Kingly Office of Christ. Psal. 45. 1. I speak of the things which I have made touching the King as it there followeth Such is the Doctrine of Salvation by Jesus Christ. It is a good word containing good matter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gospel that is a good Spell a good speech which is conceived to be the Notation of the English word Gospel A good Saying containing good tidings It is that which David saith of Ahimaaz 2 Sam. 18. 27. He is a good man and he cometh with good tidings Much more truly may it be said of Jesus Christ and his coming into the world Being himself Good he came with good Tidings tidings of Salvation And what tidings like unto these tidings Good tidings of joy of great joy So the Angell telleth the Shepheards at the Birth of this our Saviour Luke 2. 10. Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy Tidings of Salvation cannot but be tidings of Joy Such are the tidings of temporal Salvation They are good tidings No words more sweet more comfortable to nature than they The Prophet Zachary speaking of the promises of deliverance which God made to Ierusalem at the prayers of the Angel from their present sufferings Zach. 1. 13. The Lord saith he answered the Angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words How much more then the word of Eternal Salvation And this is the word the Saying here held forth in the Text Iesus Christ came into the world to save sinners to be unto them the Author of Eternal Salvation as that Text hath it Heb. 5. 9. And how good is this saying Well may it then be said what here it is to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 worthy of acceptation 2. Yea of All acceptation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a General an Universal Acceptation to be accepted by all men and by all means both implyed in this Expression 1. Worthy to be accepted by all men So it is there being none but hath need of a Saviour all being by nature lost creatures as the Father saith of his Prodigal Son This my Son was lost Luke 15. 24. and without a Saviour a Redeemer for ever lost The news of a Saviour such a Saviour cannot but deserve a welcome entertainment from them Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people saith the Angel there Luke 2. 10. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To all sorts of people of what Nation or Condition soever whether Jews or Gentiles Bond or Free Rich or Poor Prince or Peasant And to all of these sorts There being not any one but cometh within this list of sinners being so by nature and by practise and so justly obnoxious to the wrath of God from which they are no ways able to free themselves they stand in need of a Saviour well then might the Apostle here say of this saying This Doctrine of Christs coming into the world to save sinners that it is worthy of all acceptation to be accepted by all men 2. And as
to know it to be assured of it A. For Answer briefly Are we in measure such as Paul was Truly Penitent sinners such as have been throughly convinced of our sinnes such as have judged and condemned our selves for them such as see and feel the need we have of a Savâ—… our and such as are willing to receive Christ upon Gospel-tearms to take him not only as a Saviour but also as a Soveraign being as willing and desirous to be ruled and governed as to be saved by him Is it so that God hath thus revealed his Son to us and in us as Paul saith he had done to him Gal. 1. 16 If so now stand not to confer with flesh and blood as he there saith he did not Neither be we disobedient to this Heavenly Vision as he tells King Agrippa he was not Act. 26. 19. But hearken we to the command of God the Commandement as St. Iohn there calleth it 1 Iohn 3. 23. This is the Commandement 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that great Gospel-Command which is That we should beleeve on the Name of his Son In obedience to this Command now come we unto Iesus Christ and lay hold upon him beleeving on him for Life and Salvation being confidently assured that He came into the world to Save us And being assured hereof now despair not of obteining this Benefit by and through Him It matters not what our sinnes have been what for Number what for Nature though never so many never so great though we have been the chief of Sinners yet Despair not Such a one had Paul been yet Repenting and Beleeving on Jesus Christ he obteined Mercy Which he did as he saith in the words after the Text That in him Christ Iesus might shew forth all long-suffering for a Patern to them that should hereafter beleeve on him to everlasting Life And so let him herein be to every of us Onely see that we be changed as he was changed not onely in our Name as he was from Saul to Paul in our outward Profession but inwardly changed changed in our hearts and Lives that we may be able to say and make good what he there doth Gal. 2. 20. that we now live yet no longer we not what sometimes we were but made new Creatures finding Christ dwelling in our Hearts by Faith and working in us by his Spirit conforming us unto Himself in his Death and Resurrection so as we daily die to Sinne and rise to newness of Life Being such now what ever we have been yet comfort we our selves with the Remembrance of these words of the Apostle every of us saying after him This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation That Christ Iesus came into the world to save Sinners of whom I am chief And thus shall I now dismiss You and the Text in the Handling whereof I have by a Divine Providence found the Loaves multiplyed my Meditations much enlarged beyond expectation My desire now is and shall be that they may be sanctified and blessed unto my Self and You for those Ends for which they were intended For which let us Pray FINIS READER THere is lately Printed an Exposition on the Parable of the Rich Fool Luk. 12. 16 22. By Mr. Nehemiah Rogers The same Author that formerly hath written upon the Parable of the Lost-Son Lost-Sheep and Lost-Groat Luk. 15. Also upon the Parable of the Creditor and Debtor Luk. 7. And on the Parable of the Samaritane Luk. 10. And on the Parable of the Friend at Mid-Night Luk. 11. And on the Parable of the Figg-Tree Luk. 13. All which are to be sold by George Sawbridge at the Bible on Ludgate-Hill 1662. ERRATA PAge 43. line 12. for It is read Is it P. 45. l. 32. for the work he came which about r. the work which he came about December 29. 1661. Parts of the Text Doctrine Application The Dâ—… ctrine Commended Praefatiâ—… haec nobiâ—… sit instaâ—… Buccinâ—… sonâ—…ntis ad publicandum gratiae Christi prâ—…conium Calv. Com. 〈◊〉 Text. 1. From the Veritie of it The Doctrine of the Gospel the word of Truth Compased about with a cloud of witneses From the Dignity of it Quin potius in illorum cordibus â—…rat durities non in sermone Calv. Com. in loc 1. The Doctrine of the Gospel worthy of Acceptation Groecum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 significat non tantum acceptionem vel acceptationem sed approbationem Corn a Lapide in Text. 2. Worthy of All Accepâ—…ation 1. To be received by all Men. 2. By all means Estius Com. in Text. Into the Ear worthy to be heard * Into the Head worthy to be studied and believed Cabala Hebâ—…aice idem est quod Acceptio i. e. accepta Doctrina traditio a radice 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Kibbet i. e. accepit c. Corn. a lapide in Text. q. d. Iudaei jactant suam 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. Traditionem Cabalam sed nugosam et fabulosam ego veram et certam 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. Traditionem Cabalam a Christo ipso acceptam vâ—…bis trado c. a Lap. ibid. Into the Heart worthy to be entertained with Ioy. With Gratitude Application Divided into 2. Conclusions Christs Iourny Errand Christs Iourny touching which 4 particulars opened Q. 1. Who it was that came Q. 2. How he came Q. 3. From whence he came Q. 4. Whither he came 2. Christs Errand For what he came to be a Saviour For whom he came to save Sinners Some greater sinners than others Christ came to save the greatest of Penitent sinners Use 1. By way of Information 4. Doctrines deduced 1. Touching the two natures in Christ. In mundum venit exprimiâ—… duplicem naturam sc. Divinitatis in qua erat antequam in mundo appareret Humanitatis in qua apparuit Aquin. Com. in Text. 2. The invalidity of the Law Contra Iudaeos significat Legem Legis caeremonias inefficaces esse ad salutem illam enim attulit Christus Corn. a Lapide Com. in Text. 3. The hainous nature of sin Hine discimus enormitatem peccati Idem ibid. Augustine Serm. 9. de verbis Apostoli Cum audis Christum venisse in hunc mundum ut peccatores salvos faceret noli dormire in dulci strato peccati sed audi Paulum dicentem Surge qui dermis illuminabit te Christus Ibid. 4. The wonderful Grace of God to mankind 1. The Grace of God the Father in sending of Christ. Grotius Annot. in 1 Tim. 1. 1 Set forth in 3 Particulars 1. The Person sent his Son 2. For whom he was sent for sinners 3. The benefit to be procured by Him Salvation 2. The Grace of God the Son in coming upon such an Errand Homines desperate aegrotabant ipsa agritudine quia mentes perdiderant etiam medicum caedebant Ille autem etiam cum occideretur medicus erat c. August ubi supra Use 2. Consolation to all and only Penitent