for our salvation which was hid before and now is revealed or not necessary secret ascribing to the revealed will of God 807. Acts 20. 35. It is more blessed to give then to receive Paul faith that these were the words of the Lord Jesus which are not found in the Evangelists Though the words be not found there in the same letters yet the sense of them is found in the words of Christ lend looking for nothing again Give and it shall be given to you for all Christs words and deeds are not set down but only those which suffice for true faith and our salvation 808. Acts 21. 4. The Disciples said to Paul that he should not go up to Jerusalem ch 20. 22. Now behold I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem saith Paul The Disciples by suggestion of the Spirit warned him of bonds and afflictions using also some perswasions of their own as they were moved with brotherly affection being ignorant that it was the will of God that Paul should go up thither which he had revealed to him after a singular manner 809 Acts 21. 9. Philip had four daughters virgins which did prophesie 1 Cor. 14. 34. Let your women keep silence in the Churches The first place is concerning private and extraordinary gifts the later of the publike Ministry and that which is ordinary used from which women are excluded 810. Acts 23. 3. Paul reviled Ananias the Highpriest 1 Cor. 6. 10. Revilers shall not inherit the Kingdom of God Reviling is either lawfull which riseth from zeal to Justice and hath the observation of the Law for its object that is just and honest so Peter reviled Ananias Simon Magus Paul Bar Jesus or Elymas and God all wicked men or unlawfull which proceeds from a wicked Act. 5. c. 8 c. 13. 10. desire and minde of revenge that Paul had not 811. Acts 23. 6. Paul cryed out in the conusell Men and brethren I am a Pharisee 1 Cor. 1. 12. He reproves and condemns denominations from men Paul amongst those that disagreed admits the denomination only for distinction sake and so thinking with the Pharisees he distingnisheth himself from the Sadducees So the faithfull Professors of the Gospel are called Christians but when the persons agree in Doctrine he forbids to preferre one before the other 812. Acts 25. 10. Paul will be judged at Caesars Judgement seat 1 Cor. 6. 1. Dare any of you go to Law before the unjust Civil Judicatures are to be had in honour the abuse of them is condemned and he admonisheth Christians that they should avoid contentions before unjust Judges lest so contending concerning small matters they should prostitute their sacred Religion 813. Acts 28. 28. Be it known therefore unto you that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles Matth. 15. 24. I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel The Gospel ought to be preached by the Apostles first to the Jews they not beleeving it came to the Gentiles So Christ preached to the Israelites before he gave command to his Disciples Go and teach all Nations Matth. 28. 19. St PAULS Epistle to the ROMANS IT may be said to be the Method of the holy Scripture in this are contained that which convinceth all both Jews and Gentiles of their sinnes it demonstrates Justification from sinne by the Grace of God by Redemption of Jesus Christ which we apprehend by faith and testifie by good Works as the fruits of our faith It was written in the year of Christ 55. and sent from Corinth 814. Rom. 1. 1. Paul a servant of Jesus Christ John 15. 15. I will not call you servants There are servants of sinne and servants of Righteousnesse Christ speaks of servants of sinne the Apostle was an Apostle of Righteousnesse either in respect of the common condition that he was freed by Christ from the power of Satan or of his Apostolicall office being placed in the sacred Ministry by a singular manner 815. Rom. 1. 2. The Gospel of God which he had promised before by his Prophets in the holy Scriptures chap. 16. 25. The Gospel was kept secret since the world began but is now manifested The Gospel is taken either largely as it signifies the doctrine of Glory concerning Christ revealed in the Word or strictly properly for the Gospel promised or fulfilled Metonymically when the name of the thing is given to the instrument or it is taken for the Ministry 816. Rom. 1. 13. I often times purposed to come unto you v. 13. But was let hitherto Paul purposing to go to Rome did not resist the will of God nor was it contrary but according to his will not absolutely but conditionally if God pleased the impediments he might have were Satan casting many hinderances in his way or sicknesse the planting of Churches or the like 817. Rom. 1. 18. The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodlinesse chap. 2. 4. The goodnesse of God leadeth thee to repentance Justice doth not oppose the goodnesse of God punishing wicked men as they are wicked but goodnesse invites men to repentance deferring the punishments of the wicked not as they are wicked but as they are Gods creatures and he delights not in their destruction 818. Rom. 1. 26. He reckons up heathenish beastlinesse and Sodomy Eph. 5. 3. Fornication and all uncleannesse and filthinesse let it not be once named among you The Apostle commemorates the dissolute life of the Heathens to make us avoid it not to imitate it by disgracing it that so being terrified with that filthinesse we may escape the anger of God 819. Rom. 2. 1. Inexcusable thou art O man whosoever thou art that judgest chap. 13. 1. There is no power but of God The power of the Office is distinguished from the faults of the Person though in the Court of Conscience and before God we are sinners yet we are not in the Courts of Civil Justice and before men 820. Rom. 2. 6. God will render to every man according to his deeds vers 16. God will judge the secrets according to my Gospel In the former place is treated of the effect of faith that goes before retribution in the later of a necessary instrument God will condemn the wicked and Infidels according to the Law and acquit the beleevers according to the Gospel for he that believes shall be saved and both waies God will reward according to our works as they were done well or ill from faith Mark 16. 16. or infidelity 821. Rom. 2. 6. He shall render to every man according to his deeds ch 3. 28. ch 8. 3. We conclude that a man is justified by faith without the works of the Law To render is not only meant just retribution but free gift Behold I come quickly and my reward Rev. 22. 12. is with me to give to every man according as his work shall be This doctrine takes not away justice but confirms it because it respects works for
Of the tribe of Judah 500000. 1 Chron. 21. 5. They are numbred 47000. First the Souldiers are numbred with their Colonels but next they are reckoned without their Officers 232. 2 Sam. 24. 13. Shall seven yeares of Famine come unto thee 1 Chron. 21. 12. Choose three years Famin. The Famin of seven years is joyned with the three years famine sent for the cruelty of the house of Saul after that should follow the other for the sins of David 233. 2 Sam. 24. 14. It is better to fall into the hands of the Lord. Heb. 10. 31. It is a fearfull thing to fall into the hands of the living God It is good to be in the hands of God when he is pleased with us because his mercies are great It is fearfull to fall into the hands of God when he is angry for the wicked cannot stand before him in judgement 234. 2 Sam. 24. 15. God sent a Pestilence upon Israel from the morning unto the time appointed Vers 13. Shall there be three dayes Pestilence in thy Land The time appointed was from the morning untill noon of one day or of the continuall morning sacrifice that is four hours 235. 2 Sam. 24. 24. David bought of Araunah the floor and the Oxen for 50. shekels of silver 1 Chron. 21. 25. David gave to Araunah for the threshing floor 600. shekels of gold of just weight The floor with all the ground about it was bought for 600. shekels of gold a greater price then what was given for the threshing floor the Oxen and the wood appointed for the sacrifice The two Books of KINGS Heb. Malachim THe first Book contains the History of Solomon The building of the Temple The division of the Kingdome to Judah and Israel The life of five of the Kings of Judah and eight of Israel Of Elias the Prophet With the History of 116 yeers The second contains the deeds of sixteen Kings of Judah and twelve of Israel Of Elisha and the destruction of the Kingdome and carrying the people of Israel captivo to Assyria Of the children of Judah to Babylon With the History of 345. yeares Jeremias writ them both 236. 1 King 2. 4. If thy children shall keep my wayes and walk in them in truth there shall not fail thee a man to sit on the throne of Israel Gen. 49. 10. The scepter shall not depart from Judah till Shiloh come In the former place it is spoken conditionally of the Kingdome of Israel If the sons of David should keep the wayes of the Lord but because Solomon failed therefore the Kingdome of Israel departed from his son and in the seventh generation the Kingdome of Judah was translated upon Nathan whose posterity ruled over the Jews untill the coming of Christ In the latter place any kind of dominion is foretold to remain in Judahs posterity untill the Messias should come 237. 1 King 3. 1. Solomon took Pharaoh his daughter and brought her into the City of David Exod. 34. 15. Enter not into Covenant with the Inhabitants of that Land nor marry a wife c. Marriages in a different Religion are dangeros nor are they pleasing to God We must not 2 Cor. 6. 14. draw in the same yoak with Infidels for there can be no firme charity or unity where the foundation is neglected that is true Godlinesse That Queen forsaking her Religion and her 1 King 11. 4. fathers house and marrying with Solomon was a type of the mariage of Christ and his Church But because Solomon loved also the women of other Nations and his heart was led away by them to follow other gods he drew the anger of God upon himself and his posterity and caused a defection from them 238. 1 King 3. 13. I have also given thee riches and honour thot none of the Kings shall be like unto thee Mat. 6. 29. Solomon in all his glory was not like the Lillies of the field Solomon exceeded all the Kings in wisdom riches and honour Christ compares the Lillies with his vestiments in his greatest splendour 239. 1 King 6. 2. The house which Solomon built for the Lord the length thereof was 60 cubits the breadth 20. cubits and the height thereof 30 cubits 2 Chron. 3. 4. it is said to be 120 cubits In the first place common cubits in the latter cubits of the Sanctuary must be understood for the sacred cubit did contain two common cubits 240. 1 King 7. 15. He made two brasen pillars of 18 cubits high a piece 2 Chron. 3. 15. He made two pillars of 35 cubits high a piece Both the pillars did appear but 35 cubits high the half of each cubit was hid in the capitall or crowning of the pillar 241. 1 King 7. 19. The chapiters were four cubits 2 King 25. 17. They were three cubits The crown with the chapiter was four cubets without the crown but three cubits 242. 1 King 7. 26. The sea contained 2000 baths 2 Chron. 4. 5. 3000 baths In the former place is expressed the number of baths which ordinarily were put into the Vessell by the Kings order In the latter the capacity of the vessell is set down unto the brim of it so it would hold 3000 baths 243. 1 King 8. 4. The Priests brought up the Arke of the Lord and the Tabernacle of the Congregation into the Temple 2 Chron. 1. 13. The Tabernacle of the Congregation of God was at Gibeon The Tabernacle of David was a new one 2 Sam. 6. 17. 1 Chron. 16. 1. in which was the Arke of the Covenant The old one made by Moses was in the desart and remained at Gibeon 244. 1 King 8. 46. There is no man that sinneth not 1 Joh. 3. 9. Every man that is born of God doth not commit sin Naturally we are polluted with sin by the frailty of the flesh they that are born of God are the sons of God who being regenerate by the holy Spirit doe not give way to sin but carefully resist it being guided by the holy Ghost 245. 1 King 8. 27. The heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain God Col. 2. 9. In Christ dwelleth all fulnesse of the God-head bodily The divine nature cannot be apprehended by us the divinity of Christ is personally united to the flesh and dwels in it as in its proper Temple 246. 1 King 9. 23. Princes over Solomons work 550. 2 Chron. 8. 10. All the Princes over Solomons work were 250. In the former place mention is made of all who took charge of the work in the latter of those that took charge by course 247. 1 King 9. 28. Hiram sent to Solomon 420 talents of gold 2 Chron. 8. 18. They brought from Ophir 450 talents af gold The mariners and Solomons servants spent 30 talents by the way and they brought to Solomon to Jerusalem 420. 248. 1 King 11. 35. God said to Jerohoam I will give unto thee tentribes Vers 36. To Solomons son one tribe Chap. 12. 21. Rehoboam
They that trust in the Lord shall not be moved Rom. 11. 17. Some of the boughs were broken off for their incredulity Christ makes fruitfull and barren Vines the Apostles boughs by which he represents the faithfull and Infidels those that were broken off it was for their unbelief 365. Psal 128. 1. Blessed are all they who fear the Lord. 1 Joh. 4. 18. There is no fear in love for love casts out fear Filiall fear proceeds from faith by which we apprehend God as present all the faithfull have this and consolation accompanieth it The Apostle speaks of the servile fear of the Infidels which proceeds from a sense of the presence of God as a Judge and there is no consolation in this but confusion 166. Psal 132. 13. God hath chosen Sion for his habitation this is my rest for ever here will I dwell because I have chosen it Act. 6. 14. We heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth should destroy this place and change the traditions of Moses In the first place is a promise of the conservation of the Temple and of the Jewish politie upon condition of their obedience if the Jews should do that which God commanded them and keep his holy Covenant In the last Stephen from the predictions of Christ and the Prophets concerning the ruine of the City and Temple at Jerusalem invites them to repentance 367. Psal 139. 1. O Lord thou hast proved me Gal. 6. 4. Every man shall prove his own work The Psalmist prayeth that God would prove him not that he was free from sinne but he desires by mercy to be cleansed The Apostle sheweth what is our duty namely to make our works approved to God which he will prove 368. Psal 136. 1 to 26. The goodnesse and mercy of the Lord is for ever and ever Tit. 3. 4. When the gentlenesse and love of God our Saviour appeared The Fathers under the old Covenant did no otherwise taste the goodnesse of God then we do by looking unto Christ to whom God commended his goodnesse and him that he promised to give our Fathers for their salvation he hath given unto us revealed in the flesh 369. Psal 145. 8. The Lord is gracious and full of compassion Exod. 33. 19. I will have mercy on whom I will Rom. 9. 15 19. God is gracious and mercifull so that he offereth his goodnesse to wicked men also and declares in them the effects of his grace and clemency he made them he gives them temporall goods he defers his temporall and eternall judgments though they are ungratefull to him but he sheweth mercy to whom he will not looking on our worth but he saveth us freely without being obliged he doth all of his own goodnesse and mercy The PROVERBS of Solomon WIthout doubt it was taken out of his 3000 Parables and his most wise sentences for the good of the Church teaching good men patience and wisdome and the fruit of it is to be imbraced and sinne to be fled from Relating the works of the wise and foolish he commends the manners of an honest woman 370. Prov. 1. 15. My son walk not with sinners remove thy foot from their paths Luk. 15. 1. All the publicans and sinners came unto him to hear him and he received them Solomon forbids us to run to evill with wicked men or to allow of their wickednesse Christ receiving publicans and sinners reproved their faults exhorted them to repentance by his great love toward them 371. Prov. 1. 26. I will mock at your trouble and laugh when your destruction cometh Ezek. 18. 32. I will not the death of a sinner for I take no pleasure in the destruction of a sinner God is delighted in his justice when he punisheth those which despise his grace and that will not hearken to his fatherly vocation but of his mercy he will not the death of sinner as death is the destruction of Nature The former place belongs to Gods consequent will the latter to his antecedent will that is ruled by justice this by mercy 372. Prov. 6. 6. Go to the Ant thou sluggard and consider her wayes Psal 55. 22. Cast thy way upon the Lord and he shall bring it to passe Solomon by the example of the Pismire would bring idle slothfull people to honest labour The Psalmist warns all to trust in God and his providence yet not so that we should omit any thing of our duty for so God doth govern all things that he will have us to use lawfull means and effect all our works by them So when Christ saith Be not carefull for the morrow he doth not forbid us to Luk. 12 15. Theoph. work but to give our selves over to care and to neglect Gods providence for we are commanded to till the ground and to take care to live 373. Prov. 4. 3. Solomon was the only son of his 1 Chron. 3. 5. Mother 2 Sam. 11. 27. Bathsheba bare sons to Davaid Simaa Sobab Nathan Solomon was so beloved of his Mother for the singular gifts of nature as though he had been her only son 374. Prov. 6. 30. It is no great fault for a man to steal to fill his hungry soul Exod. 20. 15. Thou shalt not steal Solomon compareth Theft with Adultery and he determines that the punishment and the offence is lesse in Theft then Adultery 375. Prov. 6. 31. A Theef if he be found shall restore seven fold he shall give all the substance of his house Exod. 22. 1. If any man steal an oxe or a sheep or have killed or sold it he shall restore five oxen for one and four sheep for a sheep If a man stole money or cloaths he must restore seven fold for the seventh number being perfect he must redeem his life by it Thefts which could be hid were more heavily punished then such as could not so well be hid as Cattell 376. Prov. 8. 23. I Wisdome was created from the beginning 2 Pet. 1. 19 21. Holy men spake as they were moved by the holy Ghost in time First is meant the essentiall wisdome of God that is Christ the Lord but the Apostle means wisdome revealed by the Prophets 377. Prov. 8. 35. He that findeth wisdome findeth life Eccl. 2. 16. There shall be no remembrance more of the wise then of the fool for ever In the former place we must understand divine wisdome which confers eternall life In the latter humane wisdome which profits nothing after death 378. Prov. 15. 27. He that hates gifts shall live Chap. 17. 8. A gift is as a pretious stone in the eyes of him that hath it Chap. 18. 16. A mans gift maketh room for him and bringeth him before great men A gift to corrupt covetous Judges is accepted and causeth that he that corrupts the Judges may attain his end that he desires for he that bribes oft-times obtains what his mind wished for 379. Prov. 16. 4. God made all things for himself Vers 4. The wicked also for the day
from the holy Ghost 395. Eccl. 7. 16. Be not over righteous Revel 22. 11. Let him that is just be just still Ecclesiastes understands a mans judgement of himself and forbids us that we should not have too great opinion of our own righteousnesse when it is not so with us John speaks of the oath of Justice and continuing the benefit of justification 396. Eccl. 8. 14. There are righteous men to whom evills happen according to the manner of the wicked Psal 1. 3. He shall be like a tree planted by the river side Vers 4. So shall not the ungodly Ecclesiastes sets down the judgement of carnall men concerning the righteous and the wicked from their outward condition and they judge of them both alike yet the condition of good and bad men is most different in this life and in the end of it Here the state of the godly is more excellent and after this life they shall rejoyce for ever Wicked men are abominable here and hereafter they shall be punished eternally 397. Eccl. 9. 1. No man knoweth either love or hatred Rom. 8. 35 38. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ 2 Tim. 1. 12. The first place teacheth that it cannot be gathered by outward happinesse or unhappinesse who it is that God loveth or whom he hateth because these fall out alike to good and evill righteous and unrighteous men Therefore we must not judge according to outward things and accidents but according to the testimony of our faith and the holy Ghost concerning the love of God being certain that no things that befall us for adversity can seprate us from the love of God 398. Eccl. 9. 1. No man knoweth whether he be worthy of love or hatred 2 Tim. 4. 8. There is laid up for me a crown of righteousnesse which the Lord shall give me A man knoweth not from himself or his own strength or humane wisdome whether he be worthy of love or hatred because God bestoweth riches honour strength c. withouâ— any difference Ecclesiastes speaks of discerning good men from bad by naturall judgement the Apostle of the certainty of his salvation 399. Eccl. 9. 8. Let thy garments be alwayes white Isai 2. 8. Luk. 16. 19. Luxurie in cloathing is disallowed Ecclesiastes commends not Luxury but decent and comely cloathing according to our quality which God doth not detest but approves that being refreshed in body and mind we may the better undergoe the labours of our vocation The SONG of SONGS HEb Sirhastrim and Kodes Kodassin that is the Holy of Holies Wherein Solomon under the similitude of a Bridegroome and his Bride describeth Christ and his Church the heavenly and spirituall treasure and the mysteries of salvation to the godly 400. Cant. 1. 5. I am black Vers 6. Look not upon me because I am black Vers 8. O thou fairest amongst women Chap. 4. 1. Behold thou art faire First the Spouse of Christ purgeth herself amongst her friends that is her members that they should not be offended at her blacknesse that is with the scorns and reproaches that her adversaries cast upon her and so she speaks of herself as she is in herself In the latter place as she pleaseth the Bridegroom in which is considerable how he purgeth her by beginnings of holinesse in this life and will in the next life set her compleatly holy before his Father without spot or rinckle 401. Cant. 5. 1. Eat O friends drink yea Eph. 5. 14. Luk. 21. 34 Amb. l. 1. c. 5. de Cain Abel drink abundantly beloved Isai 5. 11. Woe be to yee that rise early in the morning to drink strong drink Drunkennesse with grace not with wine which makes us rejoyce not stumble must be here understood To be drunk here is to be filled with the grace of the holy Ghost and with spirituall joy concerning the Gospell which thing produceth healthfull and pleasant fruit Isaiah cries out Woe to drunkards filling themselves with wine and luxuriating in over much drink 402. Cant. 6. 10. The Church is terrible as an Army with banners Chap. 7. 6. How fair how pleasant art thou O love for delights She is terrible to the Devil the World to Hell but most dear and delightfull to her Bridegroom the Lord Jesus Christ ISAIAS Prophesie IT was written by Isaiah the son of Amos He prophesied 90 years the brother of Amasiah King of Judah about the year of the World 3190. It contains legall Prophesies from Chap. 1. to the 40. with the History of Ezechias And from Chap. 40. to the end it contains Evangelicall Prophesies 403. Isai 1. 2. I have nourished children and they have rebelled against me Vers 4. Ephes 5. 27. The Church is glorious without spot or wrinckle The Church of it self and from it self is full of sins and deformities but she is without spot or wrinkle in her Husband and head Christ who loved her and gave himself for her that he might sanctifie her cleansing her with the laver of water in the word of life Eph. 5. 26. 404. Isai 7. 14. And they shall call his name Emanuel Luk. 2. 21. His name was called Jesus In the Scriptures sometime the name is given to the person not according to the word but the thing signified Emanuel in effect is the same with Jesus Emanuel is God with us by this word the Prophet would explain the person the office and the benefits of Christ and the mystery of the personall Union and that that Son should be God and Man and live amongst men in his humane nature that he should assume that he might redeem them and save them from their sinnes 405. Isai 8. 20. To the Law and the Testament 1 Cor. 2. 2. I determined to know nothing amongst you but Jesus Christ and him crucified Mat. 1. 21. Since Christ is the end of the law and the Prophets it is most profitable for us to beleive in him and to seek comfort in his Crosse for without he had been crucified he had not wrought salvation for mankinde 406. Isai 9. 3. Thou hast multiplyed the Nation and hast not increased their joy Chap. 60. 5. Then thou shalt see and shalt flow together and thine heart shall fear and be enlarged because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee The joy of the Nation and the people under the yoak of Rome though it be not increased yet it is enlarged whilst the Heathen people being called into the Church forsaking their heathenish rites do embrace the Christian Religion 407. Isai 9. 6. Vnto us a child is borne unto us a son is given Luk. 2. After 700. years Christ was born under Augustus Caesar It is usuall in the Scripture to have the present tence and pretertence put for the future tence and the future tense for the present and preter tence So Psal 22. 8. All make a mock of me 408. Isai 9. 6. His name
2 Thess 2 2. The day of Christ is not at hand 1 Joh. 2. 18. It is the last time To be at hand and to draw near do differ the Apostle denieth that the day is at hand but he denieth not that it draweth near it is called the last time in respect of former time and because in the last time the day of judgement draweth nigh it is called the last hour in respect of God because our daies compared to eternity are but one moment and a thousand years in Gods sight as yesterday when it is past also all things are present with God 992. 2 Thess 3. 10. If any would not work neither should he eat 1 Cor. 9. 6. Have we not power to forbear working In the first place flesh and idlenesse are condemned in the later labour is commended which is wrought not with the hand alone but with the head also the Ministers of the Church are not to get their living by the labour of their hands being they are not Mechanicks The Apostle had a singular gift from God to preach extemporary and yet had he means from the 2 Cor. 1. 11. Churches Two Epistles of St PAUL to TIMOTHY THE first is a pattern for Pastors to shew them what they ought to be in Doctrine and Prayers and in Life with their families and laies down the way how to instruct all men of what state age or condition soever It was written from Laodicea in the Year of Christ 52. The second confirms Timothy that he should not be cast down in his minde by reason of the tempests of persecutions and warns him that in preaching the Gospel he should avoid false doctrine that he should be diligent and come unto him It was written from Rome when he was in prison in the year of Christ 70. 993. 1 Tim. 2. 4. God will have all men to be saved every one Acts 13. 48. And as many as were ordained to eternall life beleeved All that beleeve in Christ God doth promote them to salvation and they by Gods Divine Decree are pre-ordained to eternall life for Christ is the Saviour of all especially of those who beleeve 994. 1 Tim. 2. 5. There is one Mediatour between God and man the man Christ Jesus Rom. 8. 26. The spirit makes intercession for us with groans which cannot be uttered Christ is our only Mediatour of Redemption and Intercession the holy Ghost is said to pray for us when he stirreth up our hearts to prayer and causeth us to groan when we call upon God 995. 1 Tim. 2. 12. But I suffer not a woman to teach Tit. 2. 3. Let the aged women be teachers of good things Women must not teach publikely in the Church least they should thereby take occasion of usurping authority over the men but let them be in subjection let the aged women teach the younger women modesty and prudence at home for that they are commanded to do 996. 1 Tim. 2. 15. Women shall be saved in childe bearing Joh. 3. 16. Whosoever beleeveth in Christ shall not perish but shall have everlasting life The first place is concerning the state of women and by for and in are set down for their consolation least being married they should fall from the hope of salvation but they must continue in faith love holinesse and sobriety 997. 1 Tim. 3. 1. If a man desireth the office of a Bishop he desireth a good work 1 Cor. 7. 20. Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called To desire a Bishops Office for that end that a man may serve God faithfully is not disallowed if a man have an honest vocation and continue in it he doth well 998. 1 Tim. 3. 15. The Church of the living God is the pillar and ground of Truth 1 Cor. 3. 11. Other foundation can no man lay then that which is laid even Christ Jesus The pillar and ground he saith that the Church is but not the foundation it doth not primarily support the spirituall building but the Church it self is supported by the foundation 999. 1 Tim. 4. 16. Thou shalt both save thy self and them that hear thee Luk. 2. 11. Christ the Lord is our Saviour The first place speaks of the instrument of our salvation in the Ministry of the Word whereby the faithfull attain salvation the later speaks of the meritorious cause and that is Christ 1000. 1 Tim. 5. 20. Them that sinne rebuke before all Matth. 18. 15. If thy brother trespasse against thee tell him his fault between him and thee alone In the first place he saith what the duty of Pastors is in rebuking sinnes which are committed publikely to the common scandall in the second he speaks of the sinnes of private men committed privately against private persons 1001. 1 Tim. 6. 10. The love of mony is the root of all evil Eccles 10. 9. Pride Pride and covetousnesse are almost alwaies joyned together He is proud who desireth to exceed his condition he is covetous that would have more then enough neither of them can be contented with God himself these two were in the sinne of the first man the chief ingredients 1002. 1 Tim. 6. 16. God only hath immortality Matth. 10. 28. The soules of men are immortall God of himself and in himself is immortall only but Angels and men by the grace of God 1003. 1 Tim. 6. 16. No man hath seen God 1 Joh. 3. 2. We shall see him as he is God being by nature invisible cannot be seen with bodily eyes The faithfull either see God by faith in this life or after a speciall manner in the life to come we shall see him as he is by a more perfect way then we do here by the participation of his glory 1004. 2 Tim. 2. 10. I endure all things for the elect sake that they may also obtain salvation 1 Pet. 3. 18. Christ hath once suffered for our sinnes The Apostle sustained all things for the elect sake not by satisfying for them but by his example edifying and confirming them that they might not refuse to suffer something when he saith that they obtain salvation by Christ he shuts out his own sufferings that they may not be reckoned for satisfactory 1005. 2 Tim. 2. 21. If any man purge himself from these he shall be a vessel unto honour 1 John 1. 7. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all our sinnes Paul means purging from the corruptions of doctrine and manners ver 18. John shews a plenary redemption from our sinnes by Christ Jesus The Epistle of St PAUL to TITUS IT is the compendium of Christian Doctrine informing Teachers set in the Ecclesiasticall State Politicall or Oeconomicall what they ought to do he exhorts all and every one to good works and to fly vain questions and heresies It was written from Nicopolis in the Year of Christ 54. 1006. Tit. 1. 9. Able by sound Doctrine to convince gainsayers ch 3. 9. Avoid foolish questions contentions and strivings