of the Apostles 2. Tim. 3. 14. Hence it appeares to be a fault in sundrie priuate persons when they read the Scriptures to gather priuate opinions to broch them to the world This practise hath beene the foundation of heresies and schismes in the Church Secondly Paul writes with consent that he might the better mooue and perswade the Galatians to receiue his doctrine which he is nowe to deliuer Hence it appeares that the Consent of Pastors and people is of great excellencie For the better conceiuing of it and the meaning of the text I will handle three points The first is what is the force of consent wherein stands it and where it is nowe to be found For the first Consent is of force to prepare the heart and to mooue it to beleeue as Augustine saith I had not beleeued the Gospell except the authoritie of the Church had mooued me And this is all it can doe For it is the word that is the obiect and the cause of our faith the word it selfe workes in vs that faith whereby it is beleeued And Paul in this place vseth consent not to worke a faith in the Galatians but onely to stirre vp a liking of his doctrine Two errors of the Church of Rome must here be auoided One that Consent is a certaine marke of the Church It is false for Consent may be among the wicked in the kingdome of Antichrist Reuel 13. 16. In the kingdome of darkenesse all is in peace Againe dissention may be among the godly as betweene Paul and Barnabas Paul and Peter in the church of Corinth there were schismes 1. Cor. 11. Consent therefore simply vnles it be ioyned with true faith and true doctrine is not of force to declare vnto vs the true Church The second errour is that the catholike consent of beleeuers in pointes of religion is the true and liuely scripture and that â—he written word is but a dead letter to it and to be iudged by it for his sense and meaning But all is contrary For the written word is the first perfect pattern of the mind and will of God and the inward consent in the hartes of men is but a rude and imperfect extract and draught of it The second point is wherein standes this consent it must haue his foundation in Christ thence flow to the members as the oile from Aarons head to his garments Psal. 133. and it standes in three things consent in one faith and doctrine consent in affection whereby men be of one hart Act. 2. 47. consent in speach 1. Cor. 1. 10. The third point is where it is now to be found The Papists say that they haue true and perfect consent among themselues and that fathers and Councells be on their side and that we haue no consent among our selues I answer first that they haue not the coÌ„sent which they pretend for the proper points of Popery were not known to the apostles nor to the Apostolicall churches but were taken vp in the ages following by little and litle Secondly such doctrines as the papists make articles of faith are but opinions and coniectures in the fathers and Councles Thirdly the things which the Papists hold are the same peraduenture in name but they are not the same indeede with that which the fathers hold neither are they holden in the same manner as for example the purgatory which the fathers hold is a thing far different from the purgatory of the papists and so all the rest Of consent they may bragge but they cannot shew it As for our selues we all consent in the foundation of religion There is difference about the descent of Christ into hell The thing we all hold namely a descent the difference is in the manner whether it be vertually or locally There is difference about the paines of Christ in his agony and passion yet all acknowledge the infinite merit and efficacy of the death of Christ. There is difference about the gouernement of the visible church on earth For the substance of gouernemant all agree but for the manner of execution and administration they doe not That Christ is present in the Eucharist that his body and blood is there to be eaten and drunken all our churches agree and the difference is only touching the manner of his presence namely whether it be spirituall or locall And this is the mercy of God that in all our differences the foundation of religon is not rased Let vs pray for the continuance and increase of this consent Thus much of the persons that write now follow the churches to which the Epistle is sent to the churches of Galatia At this time the Galatians had made a reuolte and were fallen from iustification by the obedience of Christ so as Paul was affraid of them Chap. 4. and yet he called them churches still vsing great meekenes moderatioÌ„ His example must we follow in giuing iudgement of churches of our time And that we may the better doe this and the better releeue our consciences marke three rules The first is that we must rightly consider of the faultes of churches Some are faultes in manners some in doctrine If the faults of the Church be in manners and these faults appeare both in the liues of ministers and people so long as true religion is taught it is a church so to be esteemed and the ministers must be heard Math. 23. 1. Yet may we seperate from the priuat company of bad men in the church 1. Cor. 5. 11. and if it be in our liberty and choise ioyne to churches better ordered If the errour be in doctrine we must first consider whether the whole church erre or some few therein If the errour be in some and not in all it remaines a church still as Corinth did where some denied the resurrection because a church is named of the better part Secondly we must consider whether the church erre in the foundation or no. If the errour or errours be beside the foundation of religion Paul hath giuen the sentence that they which build vpon the foundation haie and stubble of erronious opinion may be saued 1. Cor. 3. 15. Thirdly inquiry must be made whether the church erre of humane frailty or of obstinacie If it erre of frailty though the error be in the foundation yet it is stil a church as appears by the example of the GalatiaÌ„s Yet if a church shall erre in the foundation openly and obstinately it seperates from Christ and ceaseth to be a church and we may seperate froÌ„ it may giue iudgement that it is no church When the Iewes resisted the preaching of Paul and had nothing to say but to raile Paul then seperated the Church of Ephesus and Rome from them Act. 19. 8. 28. 28. It may here be demaunded why Paul writes to the Galatians as brethren and calls them Churches seeing they haue erred in the foundation and are as he saith vers 6. remooued to another
things Our first parents not content with their first estate must needes be as God Nadab and Abihu offer sacrifice to God but the fire must be of their owne appointment King Achas will offer sacrifice to God but the altar must be like the altar at Damascus False-teachers beside the doctrine of the Apostles had profound learning of their owne The Iewes beside the written law of Moses must haue their Cabala containing as they supposed more mysticall and excellent doctrine The Papists beside the written word set vnwritten Tradition which they make equall with the Scripture We that professe the Gospel are not altogether free from this fault We like that Christ should be preached but sermons are not in common reputation learned neither doe they greatly please the most vnlesse they be garnished with skill of arts tongues and varietie of reading this curiousnes and discontentment the Lord condemnes when he forbids plowing with the oxe and the asse and the wearing of garments of linsi-wolsie And it is the worst kind of discontment that is in things pertaining to saluation It is called by Paul the itching of the care and it is incident to them that follow their owne lusts The remedie of this sinne is to learne the first lesson that is to be lear ned of them that are to be good schollers in the schoole of Christ and that is to feele our pouertie and in what extreame neede we stand of the death and passion of Christ and withall to hunger thirst after Christ as the bread and water of life Read Isa. 44. 3. Ioh. 7. 37. Psal. 25. 11. the example of Dauid Psal. 143. 6. When the heart and conscience hath experimentally learned this lesson and not the braine and tongue alone then shall men beginne to sauour the things of God and discerne of things that differ and put a difference betwene grace and workes mans word and Gods word and for the working of our saluation esteeme of mans workes and mans word as offols that are cast to dogges Paul addes which is not another Gospel that is though it be an other gospel in the reputation of false teachers yet indeede it is not an other but is a subuersion of the Gospel of Christ. Hēce I gather that there is but one Gospel one in number and no more For there is but one way of saluation by Christ whereby all the Elect are saued from the beginning of the world to the ende Act. 15. 11. 1. Cor. 10. 3. It may be demanded how they of the old Testament could be partakers of the bodie blood of Christ which then was not Answer The bodie and blood of Christ though then it was not subsisting in the world yet was it then present to all beleeuers two waies first by diuine acceptation because God did accept the incarnation and passion of Christ to come as if it had beene accomplished Secondly it was present to them by meanes of their faith which is a subsistance of things that are not seene and consequently it makes them present to the beleeuing heart Againe hence it appeares to be a falshood that Euery man may be saued in his owne religion so be it he hold there is a God and that he is a rewarder of them that come vnto him For there is but one Gospel and if the former opinion were true then so many opinions so many gospels Paul saith that the world by her wisdome could not know God in his wisdome and for this cause he ordained the preaching of the word to saue men 1. Cor. 1. 21. And though he that comes to God must beleeue that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that come to him yet not euery one that beleeues generally that there is a God and that he is a rewarder of them that come to him comes to God for this the deuills beleeue The fourth point is concerning the Authors of this Reuolt and Paul chargeth them with two crimes The first is that they trouble the Galatians not onely because they make diuisions but because they trouble their consciences setled in the gospel of Christ. It may be alleadged that there be sundrie good things which trouble the conscience as the preaching of the law the censure of excommunication the authoritie of the magistrate in compelling Recusants to the congregation I answer these things indeede trouble the consciences of men but they are euill consciences and the ende of this trouble is that they may be reformed and made good But the crime wherewith the false-apostles are charged is that they trouble the consciences of the godly or the good consciences of men Here then is set downe a note whereby false and erroneous doctrines may be discerned namely that they serue onely to trouble and disquiet the good conscience And by this we see the Romane religion to be corrupt and vnsound for a great part of it tends this way Iustification by workes is a yoke that none could euer beare Act. 15. The vowe of single life is as a snare or as the noose in the halter to strangle the soule 1. Cor. 7. 34. So is the doctrine which teacheth that men after their conuersion must still remaine in suspence of their saluation and that pardon of sinne is necessarily annexed to confession in the eare to satisfaction for the temporall punishment of sinne in this life or in purgatory On the contrary the Gospell of Christ as here it appeares troubles not the good conscience but it brings peace and perfect ioy Iohn 15. 11. Rom. 15. 4. And the reason is plaine for it ministers a perfect remedy for euery sinne and comfort sufficient for euery distresse And this is a note whereby the gospell is discerned from all other doctrines whatsoeuer The second crime where with the false-apostles are charged is that they ouerthrow the gospell of Christ the reason of this charge must be considered They did not teach a doctrine flat contrary to the Gospell of Christ but they maintained it in word and put an addition to it of their owne out of the law namely instification and saluation by the workes thereof And by reason of this addition Paul giues the sentence that they peruer◠and turne vpside downe the Gospell of Christ. Vpon this ground it appeares that the Popish religion is a flat subuersion of the Gospell of Christ because it ioynes iustification by workes with free iustification by Christ. The excuse that the works that iustify are workes of grace and not of nature will not serue the turne For if Christ by his grace make workes to iustifie then is he not onely a sauiour but also an instrument to make vs sauiours of our selues he beeing the first and principall sauiour and we subordinate sauiours vnto him But if Christ haue a partner in the worke of iustification and saluation he i◠no perfect Christ. 8. But though we or an angell from heauen preach vnto you otherwise then
that which we haue preached vnto you let him be accursed 9 As we said before so say I now againe if any man preach vnto you otherwise then ye haue receiued let him be accursed An obiection might be made against the former conclusion thus But the most excellent among the Apostles Iames Peter Iohn by your leaue teach an other gospel then that which Paul had preached To this obiection he makes answer in this verse negatiuely that whosoeuer teacheth another Gospell is accursed whatsoeuer he be In this answer three things are to be considered a sinne the punishment thereof and a supposition seruing to amplifie the sinne The sinne is to preach in the cause of our iustification any other thing beside that or diuers to that which Paul taught the Galatians though it be not contrarie Thus much the very words import and the same wordes are againe vsed in the next verse And Paul bids Timothie auoid them that teach otherwise that is any diuers doctrine as necessarie to saluation beside that which he taught 1. Tim. 6. 3. And the reason of this sinne is because God hath giuen this commandement We may not depart from his word to the right hand or to the left neither may we adde thereto or take therfrom Iosu. 1. v. 7. 8. Deut. 4. 12. Before I gather any doctrine hence this ground is to be laid downe that Paul preached all the counsell of God Act. 20. 27. And that which he preached beeing necessarie to saluation he wrote or some other of the Apostles Ioh. 20. 31. This beeing graunted which is a certen trueth two maine conclusions followe One that the Scriptures alone by themselues without any other word are aboundantly sufficient to saluation whether we regard doctrines of faith or manners For he that deliuers any doctrine out of them and beside them as necessarie to be beleeued is accursed The second conclusion is that vnwritten Traditions if they be tendered to vs as a part of Gods word and as necessarie to saluation they are abominations because they are doctrines beside the Gospell that Paul preached And the Romane religion goes to the ground because it is founded on Tradition out of and beside the written word Learned Papists to helpe themselues make a double answer One is that they are accursed which preach otherwise then Paul preached and not they which preach otherwise then he writ But it is false which they say for that which he preached he writte Augustine hauing relation to the text in hand saith that he is accursed which preacheth any thing beside that which we haue receiued in the legall and Euangelicall scriptures Againe he saith that he must not teach any more or any other thing then that which is in the Apostle whose words he must expound The second answer is that to preach otherwise is to preach contrary Because as they say precepts and doctrines may be deliuered if they be diuerse and not contrary As the Gospell of Iohn and the Apocalyps were written after this epistle to the Galatians which are diuers to it though not contrarie the like they say of the canons of councells and that Paul Rom. 16. 18. put 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 beside for contrarie I answer thus The proposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 translated beside or otherwise signifieth thus much properly and we are not to depart from the proper signification of the words vnlesse we be forced by the text And the place in the Romans in his proper and full sense must be turned thus Obserue the authors of effences besides the doctrine which ye haue learned And Pauls minde is that they should be obserued that teach any other diuers or distinct doctrine though it be not directly contrarie The Gospell of Iohn and the Apocalyps written afterward propound not any diuers doctrine pertaining to the saluation of the soule but one and the same in substance with that which Paul wrote The Canons of Councels are traditions touching order and comelinesse they prescribe not any thing as necessarie to iustification and saluation Againe the Embassadour that speakes any thing beside his commission is as well in fault as he that speakes the cōtrarie though not so much The second point is the punishment Let him be accursed Here are three things to be considered The first what is it to be accursed Ans. God hath giuen to the Church the power of building and it hath 4. degrees Admonition Suspencion from the Sacraments Excommunication Anathema And this last is a censure or iudgement of the Church whereby it pronounceth a man seuered from Christ and adiuged to eternall perdition Rom. 9. 5. 1. Cor. 16. 22. And he is here said to be accursed that stands subiect to this censure The second part is who are to be accursed Answer Hainous offendours and desperate persons of whose amendment there is no hope And therefore this iudg ment is seldome pronounced vpon any We finde but one example in the newe Testament Paul accursed Alexander the Copper-smith 2. Tim. 4. 14. And the Church afterward accursed Iulian the Emperour Other examples we finde not any The third point howe the Church should accurse any man and in what order Answer In this action there be foure iudgements The first is Gods which is giuen in heauen whereby he doeth accurse obstinate and notorious offendours The second iudgement pertaines to the Church vpon earth which pronounceth them accursed whome god accurseth It may be said howe comes the Church to knowe the iudgement of God whereby he accurseth Answer The word sets downe the condition of them that are accursed and experience and obseruation findes out the persons to whome these conditions are incident The third iudgement is giuen in heauen whereby God ratifies and approoues the iudgement of the Church according to that whatsoeuer ye binde on earth shall be bound in heauen The last iudgement pertaines to euery priuate person who holds him in execration whome God hath accursed and the Church hath pronounced so to be If he heare not the Church the Church pronounceth him to be as a Publican and heathen then saith Christ let him be a Publican to thee Thus must the text be vnderstood Hence we we are taught to be carefull in preseruing the puritie of the Gospell because the corrupters thereof are to be accursed as the damned spirits Hence againe it appeareth that the Church in accursing doth but exercise a Ministerie which is to publish and testifie who are accursed of God Lastly hence we learne that priuate persons must seldome vse cursing because God must first accurse and the Church publish the sentence of God before we may with good conscience vtter the same They therefore which in a rage accurse themselues others deale wickedly We are called ordinarily to blessing not to cursing The third point is the fupposition of things impossible on this manner Put the case that I Paul or any other of the Apostles should
teach otherwise then I haue taught you neither I nor they must be beleeued but be accursed Againe put the case that an angell from heauen should come and preach otherwise then Paul preached to the Galatians who must be beleeued Paul or the Angel the answer is not the Angell but Paul and the angel must be accursed And the reason is because Paul in preaching and writing did represent the authoritie of God and God puts his owne authoritie into the word which he vttered and he was assisted by the extraordinarie immediate and infallible assistance of Gods spirit From this supposition sundrie things may be learned The first that the word preached and written by Paul is as certen as if it had bin written by God himselfe immediately It may be obiected that Paul saith 1. Cor. 7. 12. To the remnant I speake not the Lord. I answer Paul saith I not the Lord not because he was deceiued in his aduise for he spake by the spirit of God c. 7. v. 40. but because he gaue counsell in a case of marriage whereof the Lord had made no expresse lawe The meaning then is this I speake by collection from the lawe of God and not the Lord by any particular and expresse lawe Secondly it appeares hence that the articles of faith or the doctrine of the Gospell is in excellencie and authoritie aboue all men and angeis And hence it followes that the Church and Councels cannot authorize the word of God in the minde conscience of any man For the inferiour and dependent authoritie addes nothing to that which is the principall and superior authoritie Therefore the opinion of the Papist is false that we cannot knowe the scripture to be the word of God but by the testimony of the Church as though the letter of a Prince could not be knowne to be so without the testimonie of the subiects The principall authoritie is sufficient in it selfe to authorize it selfe without externall testimonie Thirdly since the daies of the Apostles sundrie doctrines haue bin receiued and beleeued touching intercession of Saints praier to the dead and for the dead Purgatorie and such like and these doctrines haue bin confirmed by sundrie revelations And here we learne what to iudge both of the doctrines and of the reuelations namely that they are accursed because the doctrines are beside the written word and the reuelations tend to ratifie and confirme them Lastly hence we learne what to thinke of the writings of Papists and Schoolemen whereof some are called Seraphicall cherubicall or Angelicall doctors They broch and maintaine sundrie things beside that which the Apostles preached wrote as iustification by workes and a mixture of the lawe and the Gospell they giue too little to grace and too much to mans will In this regard Paul hath giuen the sentence that they are accursed For this cause students of diuinitie are warily to read them with praier that they be not led into temptation and they are to vse them onely in the last place And they are greatly to be blamed that preferre them almost aboue all writers they shewe that they haue little loue of the Gospell in their hearts 9 As we said before so say I now againe if any man preach vnto you otherwise then ye haue receiued let him be accursed In these words Paul repeates againe that which he said before and the repetition is not in vaine but for three weightie causes the first is to signifie that he had spoken not rashly but aduisedly whatsoeuer he had said before the second is that the point deliuered is an infallible truth of God the third is to put the Galatians and vs in minde that we are to obserue and remember that which he hath said as the foundation of our religion namely that the doctrine of the Apostles is the onely infallible truth of God against which we may not listen to Fathers Councels or to the very Angels of God If this had bin remembred and obserued the Gospel had continued in his puritie after the daies of the Apostles In this verse one thing is to be obserued Before Paul saide they are accursed which teach otherwise then he had taught here he saith they are accursed which teach otherwise then the Galatians had receiued Whereby it appeares that as Paul preached the Gospel of Christ so the Galatians receiued it And they receiued it first in that they had care to know it secondly in that they gaue the assent of faith vnto it as to a truth against which the very Angels could take no exception And for this also are the Thessalonians commended that the Gospel was to them in power and much assurance The great fault of our times is that where as the Gospel is preached it is not accordingly receiued Many haue no care to know it and they which know it giue not vnto it the assent of faith but onely hold it in opinion And this is the cause that there is so small fruit of the Gospel This sinne will at length haue his punishment The places that are not seasoned by the waters of the Sanctuarie are turned to saltpits Ezech. 47. v. 11. 10 For now whether preach I men or God or seeke I to please men for if I should yet please men I were not the seruant of Christ. The interrogations in this place doe I preach and doe I please are in stead of earnest negations I doe not preach I doe not please And when he saith doe I now preach men or God his meaning is this Heretofore I haue preached the Traditions of men but now beeing an Apostle I preach not the doctrine of men but of God And when he saith doe I seeke to please men his meaning is this I doe not make this the scope of my mini sterie to frame and temper my doctrine so as it may be sutable and pleasing to the affections of men For otherwise we are to please men in that which is good and for their good 1. Cor. 10. 33. Rom. 15. 2. This verse containes a double reason of his former speach and of the repitition thereof The first is this Though heretofore I taught the Traditions of men yet now I teach the word not of men but of God and therefore I accurse them that teach otherwise The second is framed thus If I should yet please men I were not the seruant of God but I am the seruant of God therefore I seeke not to please men but if neede shal be I will denounce curses against them Here first we see the proper matter of the Ministerie which is not the word or doctrine of man but of God By this the Ministers of the Gospel are taught to handle their doctrine with modestie and humilitie without ostentation with reuerence and with a consideration of the maiestie of God whose the doctrine is which they vtter that God may be glorified 1. Pet. 4. 11. Secondly the hearers in hearing are to know that they haue to
the rest were eie-witnesses and eare-witnesses of the sayings and doings of Christ and in that they were guided by the infallible assistance of the spirit both in preaching and writing their Testimonie touching the things which they wrote must needes be authenticall If it be said that counterfeit writings may be published to the world vnder the name of the Apostles I answer if they were in the daies of the Apostles they by their authoritie cut them off and therefore Paul saith If any teach otherwise let him be accursed And they prouided that no counterfeits should be foisted vnder their names after their departure And hereupon Iohn the last of the Apostles concludes the new Testament with this clause If any man shall adde vnto these things God shall adde vnto him the plagues that are written in this booke Reu. 22. 18. If any demand of what value is the testimonie of the Church I answer consider the Church distinct from the Apostles and then the testimonie thereof is farre inferiour to the Apostolicall testification concerning the word of God For the Church is to be ruled by the testimonie of the Apostles in the written word and the sentence of the Church is not alwaies and altogether certen nor ioyned with that euidence of the spirit wherewith euery testimonie Apostolicall is accompanied Furthermore that we may be capable of these two testimonies and take the benefit thereof we our selues for our parts must yeilde subiection and obedience to the word of God In this our obedience shall we be assured that it is indeed of God as our Sauiour Christ saith Ioh. 7. v. 17. This doctrine touching the certentie of the word is of great vse For when the minde and conscience by meanes of the double testimonie before mentioned plainely apprehends it there is foundation laid of the feare of God and of iustifying faith before we be assured that the scripture is the word of God it is not possible that we should conceiue and hold a faith in the promises of God And the want of this certentie in many is an open gappe to heresie apostacie Atheisme and all iniquitie Secondly by this it appeares that the Church of Rome erreth grossely in teaching that we cannot knowe the scripture to be the word of God without the testimonie of the Church in these latter times and that without it we could haue no certentie of religion whereas the testimonie of the spirit or the euidence thereof in scripture with the testimonie of the Apostles will doe the deede sufficiently though the Church should be silent The second maine point is That it is necessarie that men should be assured in their consciences that the calling and authoritie of their teachers is of God It may be demanded howe we in these daies should be assured hereof I answer thus a diuers consideration must be had of the first Ministers of the Gospel and of their successors Touching the first Ministers and planters of the Gospel within these 80. yeares We must consider that a calling is of two sorts Ordinarie and Extraordinarie Ordinarie is when God calls by the voices and consent of men following the laws of his word Extraordinarie is when God calls otherwise And this he doth 3. waies first by immediate voice Thus God called Abraham and Moses and thus were the Apostles called The second is by the message of a creature Thus Aaron and the tribe of Leui was called by Moses Elizeus by Elias Philip was called by an angel to baptize the Eunuch Act. 8. 26. The third is by instinct Thus Philip a deacon preached in Samaria Act. 8. 14. Thus the men of Cyprus and Cyrene preached among the Gentiles and the hand of God was with them though otherwise they were but priuate persons Act. 11. 19 20. Of this kind was the calling of the first preachers of the Gospel It may be obiected that they did not confirme their callings and doctrine by miracles which they should haue done if their callings had beene extraordinarie I answer they preached no new doctrine but the old auntient doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles which they had heretofore confirmed by miracles Now old doctrine needes no newe miracles but new doctrine such as are the Popes decrees decretals Againe it may be alleadged that men may falsly pretend extraordinarie calling I answer if three rules be obserued they cannot The first is that extraordinarie neuer takes place but when there is no roome for ordinarie The second that they which plead a calling extraordinarily must be tried by the word both for doctrine and life for this is an infallible way to discouer false teachers Math. 7. 22. Deut. 13. 1. 5. Iohns authoritie is said to be from heauen because his baptisme that is his doctrine was so Luk. 20. 2. The third is that extraordinarie teachers in these last daies after they haue brought men to receiue the Gospel are to be ordained as other ordinarie ministers after the laws of gods word For they are not extraordinarie in respect of their doctrine which is the doctrine of the word nor in respect of their office or function in which regard they are Pastors teachers and not Apostles or Euangelists but their callings are extraordinarie in respect of the common abuse of the office of teaching and in respect of the common corruption of doctrine These 3. rules as caueats obserued we may easily perceiue who are called extraordinarily who not and they are all fully verified in the first preachers of the Gospell Thirdly it is obiected that they which are lawfully called are ordained by them whose auncetours haue bene successiuely ordained by the Apostles I answer Succession is threefold The first is of persons and doctrine joyntly together and this was in the Primitiue Church The second is of persons alone and this may be among infidels and heretikes The third is of doctrine alone And thus our Ministers succeede the Apostles And this is sufficient For this Rule must be remembred that the Power of the keyes that is of order and iurisdiction is tied by God and annexed in the new Testament to doctrine If in Turkie or America or els where the Gospel should be receiued of men by the counsell and perswasion of priuate persons they shall not neede to send into Europe for consecrated Ministers but they haue power to choose their owne Ministers from within themselues because where God giues the word he giues the power also Touching the Successours of the first preachers their calling was altogether ordinarie and they were ordained of their predecessours It is obiected that their callings are corrupt I answer thus All actions Ecclesiasticall that tende to binding or loosing appertaine properly to the person of Christ and men are but ministers and instruments thereof And therefore to call men to the ministerie and dispensation of the Gospel belongs to Christ who alone giueth the power the will the deede And the Church can doe no more but testifie
kingdome of the Messias was an earthly kingdome and with this opinion the Disciples of Christ were tain â—ed IV. They held that the keeping of the morall lawe stood in externall obedience as appeares by the speeches of Christ reforming their errours Math. 5. 6. 7. chap. V. They maintained a naturall freedome of the will in the obseruing of the law Luk. 18. Lord I thanke thee saith the Pharisie I doe thus thus VI. They held a iustification by the workes of the lawe without the obedience of the Messias Rom. 9. 3. VII Beside the written word and law of Moses they had many vnwritten traditions which they obserued precisely and the obseruation of them was accounted the worship of God Math. 15. 3. 9. Other points they held but these are the principall It may further be demaunded how the Iewes could hold such hereticall damnable opinions and yet be the people of God Answer They had for their parts forsaken God but God had not forsaken them because the Temple was yet standing and the sacrifices with the outward worship yet remained among them In this regard they were still a reputed people of God Againe they are called a people of God not of the bigger but of the better part and the better part was a small remnant of them that truely feared God and beleeued in the Messias Of which sort were Ioseph Marie Zacharie Elizabeth Simeon Anna Ioseph of Arimathia Nicodemus Againe it may be demanded howe the Iewes beeing such a people of God should fall away to so daÌ„nable a religion Answer They neither loued nor obeyed the doctrine of Moses and the Prophets and therefore God in iudgment left them to the blindenesse of their owne mindes and the hardnesse of their own hearts Isai. 6. The like may be our case If we loue and obey not the Gospel more then we haue done our religion may ende in ignorance superstition and prophanenesse as theirs hath done The second thing in Pauls example is his conuersation whereby he liued and conuersed according to his religion The like should be in vs. For the profession of the faith and godly conuersation are to goe together Phil. 1. 27. Faith in the hart is a light and workes are the shining of this light Math. 5. 16. Christ hath redeemed them that beleeue from their vaine conuersation 1. Pet. 1. 18. Heere many of vs doe amisse disioyning faith and good life And this fault is the greater because it is an occasion to our aduersaries to mislike and reiect our religion Pauls conuersation hath two partes his persequution of the church and his profiting in his religion Persequution properly is the afflicting of the people of god for their faith and religion In this we are not to follow Paul but to doe the contrary that is by all meanes to seeke the good of the church After Gods glory immediatly we are to seeke the comming and aduancement of the kingdome of God Now this kingdome is a certen estate and condition of men whereby they stand subiect to the word and spirit of God And this subiection to God and Christ is the propertie of them that be members of the church of God All both rich and poore conferred something according to their abilitie to the building of the Temple which figured the church of God The fault of our times is that we build our selues and our worldly estates and little respect the common good of the church In the persequution of the church by Paul two pointes are to be considered the manner and measure or accomplishment The manner is that he persequuted the church extreamely or aboue measure That which Paul did in his religioÌ„ we must doe in ours The good things that we are to doe we must doe them with all our might Eccles. 9. 10. our dutie is to keepe our hartes in the feare of God and we must doe it with all diligence Prou. 4. 24. It is our duty to seeke gods kingdome and we must take it with violence To enter into life is our duty and we must striue to enter To pray is our duty and we must wrastle in praier Rom. 15. 30. Iosias turnes to God with all his harte The law requires that we should loue God with all the powers of body and soule and with all the strengh of all the powers In earthly things we must moderate our thoughtes cares but spirituall duties must be performed with all our might The accomplishment of persequution is that Paul wasted the church and made hauocke of it Here I consider 2. points what is wasted who is the waster For the first it is the church Here 2. questioÌ„s may be demaÌ„ded the firist is how the church can be wasted Answer In respect of the inward estate thereof which standes in election faith iustification glorification it cannot be wasted In respect of his outward estate it may be wasted that is in respect of mens bodies and in regard of the publike assemblies and the exercises of religion The second question is why God suffers his enemies to wast his owne church Answer Iudgement beginnes in Gods house and his iudgements sometime are very sharpe whether they be inflicted for triall or correction of sinnes past or for the preuenting of sinnes to come As in the bodie sometime there is no hope of life except armes and legges be cut off euen so is it in the church Hence it appeares that there shall be a last iudgement and that there is a life euerlasting in heauen because the wicked man florisheth in this world and the godly are often oppressed The waster of the church is Paul By whome we learne that sinne where it takes place giues a man no rest till it hath brought him to a height of wickednes Hatred hauing entred into Caines heart leaues him not till it haue caused him to imbrue his hands in his brothers bloud Coueteousnes makes Iudas at length to betray his master and hange himselfe Blind zeale makes Paul not only to persequute but also to wast the church Therefore it is good to auoide the first beginnings yea the very occasion of sinne The second part and point in Pauls conuersion is that he profittes in his religion Thus should we profit in the gospell of Christ. It is gods commandement be ye perfect as your heauenly father is perfect that is indeuour to come to perfection All the faith we haue or can obtaine is little enough in the time of temptation Iob that said in his affliction though the Lord kill mee I will still trust in him saith also that God wrot bitter things against him and made him to possesse the sinnes of his youth It is a token that a man is dead in his sinnes when he doth not growe or increase in good things 1. Pet. 2. 2. In this regard great is the fault of our daies for many are wearie of the gospell many stand at a staie without profiting many goe backward The cause
is this Commonly men liue as it were without the lawe and thinke it sufficient if they doe not grossely offend not considering that the lawe of God is a lawe to our thoughtes and affections and all the circumstances of our actions That we may hereafter make good proceedings in our religion we must remember 3. caueats One that we must indeuour to see and feele in our selues the smalenes of our faith repentance feare of God c. And the great masse of corruptions that is in vs. Thus with the beggar we shall be alwaies peecing and mending our garment The second that as trauellers we must forget things past and goe on to doe more good Psal 3. 14. The third that we must set before vs the crowne of eternall glorie seeke to apprehend it 1. Tim. 6. 11. thus did Moses Heb. 11. In Pauls profiting two things must be considered the measure and the thing in which he profited The measure in that he profited aboue many others Hence we learne that in matters of religion there should be an holy Emulation and contention among vs and our fault is that we contend who shall haue the most riches and honour or goe in the finest apparell and striue not to goe one beyond another in good things Againe Pauls modestie must here be obserued He doth not say that he profited more then all but more then many and he saith not more then his superiors but more then his equalls for time and he saith not more then all the world but more then they of his owne nation This modestie of his must be learned of vs for it is the ornament of our faith and therefore must be ioyned with our faith The matter or the thing in which Paul profited is that he was aboundantly zealous for the traditions of the fathers Here I consider three points I. What zeale is Answ. It is a certen feruencie of spirit arising of a mixture of loue and anger causing men earnestly to maintaine the worship of God and all things pertaining thereto and moouing them to griefe and anger when God is any way dishonoured II. For what is Paul zealous Answer For the outward obseruation of the law and withall for Pharisicall vnwritten Traditions which therefore he cals the Traditions of his fathers III. What is the fault of his zeale for he condemnes it in himselfe Answer He had the zeale of God but not according to knowledge For his zeale was against the word in that it tended to maintaine vnwritten Traditions and iustification by the workes of the lawe out of Christ Rom. 10. 2. Hence we learne sundrie things For that which Paul did in his religion are we to doe in the profession of the Gospell First we are to addict and set our selues earnestly to maintaine the trueth and the practise of the Gospel Christ was euen consumed with the zeale of Gods house Ioh. 2. The angell of the Church of Laodicea is blamed because he is neither hotte nor cold Rev. 3. He is accursed of God that doeth the worke of God negligently Ierem. 48. Secondly we are to be angrie in our selues and grieued when God is dishonoured and his word disobeyed When the Israelites worshipped the golden calfe Moses in holy anger brust the tables of stone Dauid wept and Paul was humbled for the sinnes of other men Psal. 119. 136. 2. Cor. 12. 21. Thirdly we are here taught not to giue libertie to the best of our naturall affections as to zeale but to mortifie them and to rule them by the word Numb 15. 39. otherwise they will cause vs to runne out of order like wild beasts as here we see in Paul Lastly let it be obserued that Paul here condemnes zeale for the maintenance of vnwritten Traditions And let the Papists consider this 15. But when it pleased God which had seperated me from my mothers wombe and called me by his grace 16. To reueale his sonne in me or to me that I should preach him among the Gentiles immediately I communicated not with flesh and blood 17. Neither came I to Hierusalem to them which were Apostles before me but I went into Arabia and turned againe to Damascus Paul before prooued that he learned not the Gospell of any man before his conuersion here he further prooues that he learned it of no man after his conuersion And the substance of his reason is this because immediately vpon his conuersion he conferred with no man but went and preached in Arabia and Damascus In the words I consider foure things First the causes of Pauls conuersion And here he sets down three degrees of causes depending one vpon another The first is the good pleasure of God whereby he doth whatsoeuer he will in heauen earth in these words when it pleased The second is his seperation from the wombe which is an acte of Gods counsell whereby he sets men apart to be members of Christ and to be his seruants in this or that office This separation is said to be from the wombe not because it began then for it was appointed by God before all times euen from eternitie as all his counsels are But the H. Ghost hereby signifies that all our goodnesse and all our dexteritie to this or that office is meerely from God because we are sanctified dedicated and set apart in the Counsell of God from all eternitie and therefore from the wombe or from our first conception and beginning The third cause is vocation by grace the accomplishment of both the former in the time which God hath appointed The second thing is the manner of forme of Pauls vocation in these words to reueale his sonne to me The third is the end of his vocation to preach Christ among the Gentiles The last is his obedience to the calling of God in the 16. and 17. verses To begin with the efficient causes of Pauls conuersion here we see the order and dependance of causes in the conuersion and saluation of euery sinner The beginning of our saluation is in the good pleasure of God then followes separation or election to eternall life then vocation by the word and spirit then obedience to the calling of god after obedience euerlasting life This order Paul here sets down and the consideratiō of it is of great vse Hence it appeares to be a doctrine erronious which beginnes our saluation in the preuision of mans faith and good workes For in Paul order workes haue the last place And it must be Gods pleasure that man shall doe a good worke before he can doe it And if seperation to eternall life should be according to faith or workes then we should make seperation of our selues as well as God And vocation is not for workes but that we might doe good workes Eph. 1. 4. Secondly by this order it appeares that the saluation of them that beleeue is more sure then the whole frame of heauen and earth because it is founded in the vocation of God which is
concerning faith and good life is inseperably annexed to his person and in it are we to rest The principall voice of the iudge and the definitiue sentence is the written word And the office of the Church is no more but to gather declare testifie and pronounce this sentence It is obiected that when a question is propounded the scripture cannot speake nor Christ in the Scripture but the Church onely I answer againe that God ascribes to the written word a voice or speech Rom. 3. 19. and the scripture speakes sufficiently to the resoluing of any mans conscience in all matters pertayning to saluation Again they alleadge that the Church is before the scripture and therfore it beeing most auncient must be the Iudge I answer that the Church was before the writing of the word but not before the word which is written For the church presupposeth faith and faith presupposeth a word of God Vpon this our doctrine they further vpbraid vs that we wil be tried by nothing but by the scriptures euen as the malefactour that will not be tried by the Quest but by the euidence I answer for the satisfying of our aduersaries we submit our selues to the triall of the Church and Councels so be it the three cautions before remēbred be duly obserued specially that all things be iudged and tried by the written word and by reasons gathered thence Againe the Papists hence gather that the scriptures are to be approoued by the Church Ans. Thus much we graunt yet so as we hold that the principal approbatiō of the word wherby we are mooued to beleeue and obey is in the word frō the word and not from the church For the scripture hath his euidence within itselfe which is sufficient to make vs beleeue the word to be the word though the Church should say nothing The third point is concerning the persons with whome Paul conferred namely with them that were the cheife that is with them that were in price and account as Peter Iames c. Here we see what is the honour and worshippe that is due to excellent men namely a pretious and reuerend estimation Thus the name of Dauid was in price in Israel for his vertues 1. Sam. 18. last And thus with the Papists are we content to honour the Saints Again here the Papists gather that they are hereticks that after Pauls example will not go vp to Rome to Peter and his successour to haue their doctrine and religion tried and examined I answer first we are content to be tried by the writings of Peter Iames Iohn Paul c. And this is the commandement of God in doubtfull cases To the Law and the testimonie Isai 8. Secondly I answer that we haue a commandement not to goe vp to Rome at this day to haue our religion tried Reuel 18. Come out of Babylon my people Thirdly I answer that the Bishop of Rome is Peters successour not in teaching but in denying Christ. And the learned Papists confesse that for this succession they haue but a humane faith grounded vpon humane historie The fourth point is the Ende of the conference Least I should runne that is least I should preach or had preached in vaine These words of Paul are not simply to be taken For the Ministerie of man and euery sermon brings forth the fruite which God hath appointed And whether it be vnto the hearers the sauour of life or the sauour of death it is alwaies a sweet sauour vnto God The words therefore carrie this meaning Least my preaching should be of lesse vse and profit or againe least I should preach in vaine in respect of that good which is looked for at the hands of an Apostle And this Paul speakes because a rumor went abroad that his doctrine in many things was contrarie to the other Apostles And by this meanes many were kept from receiuing the Gospell and the faith of weake beleeuers was quenched Now then the ende of the conference was to stay this false report that the Ministerie of Paul might haue passage and that with greater profit Hence the Papists gather that the doctrine of Paul was vncerten and vnprofitable till it was approoued by Peter I answer that Paul sought the approbation of his doctrine at the hands of Peter and the rest not because it was vncerten and vnprofitable but because it was slaundered and the slaunder was that he taught otherwise then Peter did Nowe to cut off this slander he vseth meanes to manifest his consent with Peter and therefore seekes approbation at his hand Againe when Paul saith Least I should runne in vaine he giues vs to vnderstand that the Ministerie of the word is not a worke of ease or pleasure but a labour nay a continued labour like to the running in a race It were therefore to be wished that ministers of the Gospel would so labour and walke in this calling that they might be able to say with Paul I haue fought a good fight I haue finished my course c. 2. Tim. 4. Thirdly hence it appeares that all beleeuers should haue a certen knowledge of their faith and religion The procuring of this was the thing that Paul aimed at in this conference with the Apostles at Ierusalem We must not be as children carried away with euery winde of doctrine Eph. 4. 14. Gods word requires faith in vs and faith presupposeth certen knowledge The first and second commandements require that we knowe God and his will distinguish him from false gods and his worshippe from false worshippe Here comes the fault of our times to be considered most men among vs doe not knowe their religion neither can they distinguish it from errour and false religion A foule negligence We take paines to learne trades and occupations that we may haue wherewith to preserue this temporall life what a shame then is it that we learne not better to know the doctrine of true religion whereby our soules are to be saued Lastly here we learne that the office of the Minister is not onely to teach and preach but also to studie and take care howe by preaching he may doe the most good 3. But neither yet Titus which was with me though he were a Grecian was compelled to be circumcised After the Conference followes the Approbation which was giuen to Paul It stands in foure things The first that the Apostles did not compell Titus to be circumcised v. 3. The second that they added nothing to his doctrine v. 6. The third that they gaue him the hands of fellowship v. 7. The laste that at his departure they required of him nothing but the giuing of Almes v. 16. For the first the words And Titus was not compelled to be circumcised carrie this sense I for my part was readie to circumcise Titus if there had beene a meete occasion false brethren would haue imposed a necessitie vpon vs then I and Titus refused and the Apostles did not vrge me to circumcise him Here it may
till the comming of the Messias and now the Catholike Church is in the roome of the sanctuarie in it must we seeke the presence of God and the word of life therefore it is called the pillar and ground of truth 1. Tim. 3. 15. Fourthly in Ierusalem was the throne of Dauid Psal. 122. 5. and in the Catholike Church is the throne or scepter of Christ figured by the kingdome of Dauid Reu. 3. 7. Fiftly the commendation of a cittie as Ierusalem is the subiection obedience of the citizens now in the Catholike Church all beleeuers are citizens Eph. 2. 19. and they yeild voluntarie obedience and subiection to Christ their king Psal. 110. 2. Isai 2. 5. Lastly as in Ierusalem the names of the citizens were inrolled in a register so the names of all the members of the Catholike Church are inrolled in the booke of life Reu. 20. 15. Hebr. 12. 23. Againe the Catholike Church dwelling here belowe is said to be aboue in heauen for two causes First in respect of her beginning which is from the Election and grace of God and from Christ the Mediatour of whose flesh and bone we are that beleeue Eph. 5. 30. The iustice whereby we are iustified is in Christ our holinesse and life flowes from the holinesse and life of Christ as from a roote Secondly the Church is said to be aboue because it dwels by faith in heauen with Christ for the propertie of faith is to make vs present after a sort when we are absent Heb. 11. 2. The vse This beeing so we are admonished to liue in this world as Pilgrimes and strangers 1. Pet. 2. 11. and therefore we must not set our loue vpon any earthly thing but our mindes must be vpon the countrie to which we are trauelling And whatsoeuer is an hinderance to vs in our iourney we must cast it from vs that we may goe lightly and if we haue any wrongs done vs either in goods or good name we must the rather be content because we are out of our countrie in a strange place and hereupon we must take occasion to make haste to our iourneys end that is to our own citie and last abode Thus did the Patriarches Heb. 11. 13 15. Secondly we must carrie our selues as Burgesses of heauen Phil. 3. 20. And this we shall do by minding seeking affecting of heauenly things by speaking the language of Canaan which is to inuocate and praise the name of God Lastly by leading a spirituall life that may beseeme the citizens of heauen Many faile in this point when they come to the Lords table they professe themselues to be citizens of the citie of God but in their common dealings in the world they play the starke rebels against God and his word and liue according to the lusts of their blinde and vnrepentant hearts Thirdly when Paul saith that Ierusalem which is aboue is free c. he shewes that the Catholike Church is one in number no more Cant. 6. 8. My doue is aboue and the onely daughter of her mother Ioh. 10. 16. One sheepefold There be many members but one bodie 1. Cor. 12. 12. Fourthly hence we gather that the Catholike Church is invisible For the companie of them that dwell in heauen by their faith cannot be discerned by the eie Iohn saw the heauenly Ierusalem descending from heauen yet not with the bodily eye but in spirit Reuel 21. 10. The things which make the Catholike Church to be the Church namely election vocation iustification glorification are inuisible The papist therfore erreth when he teacheth that the Catholike Church is a visible companie vnder one Pastour namely the Pope And the places which they bring to prooue the visibilitie of the vniuersall Church concerne either particular churches or the churches which were in the daies of the Apostles or againe they speake of the inward glorie and beautie of the Church Free that is redeemed from the bondage of death and sin and so from the curse of the lawe Of this freedome I will speak more afterward The mother of vs all shee is called a mother because the word of God is committed to the keeping of the Church which word is seed 1. Pet. 1. 23. and milke 1. Cor. 3. 2. and strong meat Heb. 5. 14. And the church as a mother which by the ministery of the said word brings forth children to God after they are borne brought forth shee feeds them with milke out of her owne breasts which are the Scriptures of the olde and newe Testament Here a great question is to be propounded namely where we shall find this our Mother For it is the dutie of all children to haue recourse vnto their mother and to liue vnder her wing The aduocates of the Popish Church Priests and Iesuits say we must be reconciled to the Church and See of Rome if we would be of the Catholike church To this purpose they vse many motiues I will here propound seauen of them because heretofore they haue bin scattered abroad among vs. The first motiue The Church of Rome hath meanes of sure and certen interpretation tradition councels fathers we haue nothing but the priuate interpretation of Luther Melancthon Caluin c. Answ. Scripture is both the glosse and the text And the principall meanes of the interpretation of scripture is scripture it selfe And it is a means when places of scripture are expounded by the Analogie of faith by the words scope and circumstances of the place And the interpretation which is sutable to all these is sure certen and publike for it is the interpretation of God Contrariwise the interpretation which is not agreeable to these though it be from Church Fathers and Councells is vncerten and it is priuate interpretation Now this kind of interpretation we allow and therefore it is false that we haue onely priuate interpretations and that all the interpretations of the Church of Rome are publike Secondly I answer that we are able to iustifie our Interpretations of Scripture for the maine points of religion by the consent of Fathers and Councells as well as they of the church of Rome The second motiue We haue no diuine and infallible authoritie to rest on in matter of religion but they of the church of Rome haue Ans. In the Canonicall scriptures of the Prophets and Apostles there is diuine and infallible authoritie for they are now in the new Testament in stead of the liuely voice of God And this authoritie we in our Church acknowledge Secondly I answer that the church hath no diuine and infallible authoritie distinct from the authoritie of scriptures as the Papists teach but onely a Ministerie which is to speake in the name of God according to the written word The third motiue We haue no limitations of opinion and affection but they of the church of Rome haue I answer first we suffer our selues to be limited for opinion by the Analogie of faith and by the written word and so doth
not the Papist which addes tradition to the scripture And for affection we suffer our selues to be limited by the doctrine of repentance and new obedience Secondly I answer that the church of Rome vseth false meanes of Limitation For it teacheth that for opinion we must captiuate our senses to the determination of the church by beleeuing as the church beleeueth though it be not knowne what the church beleeueth And it limits affection by auricular confession and by canonicall satisfactions meere inuentions of men The fourth motiue The Romane religion drawes the multitude Ans. It drawes them indeede because it is a naturall religion but it doth not turne them from darknes to light from death to life Secōdly I answer that Antichrist in his comming shall draw the multitude 2. Thess. 2. 9. The fift motiue There were neuer but two alterations of religion One in the daies of Elias the other in the daies of Iohn the Baptist. Ans. I will shew a third Paul saith that before the ende there shall be a departure 2. Thess. 2. and this departure is generall in all nations Reuel 13. 16. and after a thousand yeares there shall be the first resurrection Reuel 20. 5. and this resurrection is the reuiuing and the restoring of the Gospel after long ignorance and superstition The sixt motiue The church of Rome hath a Iudge to ende controuersies we haue none Ans. Christ is our Iudge and the scripture is the voice of this iudge determining all things pertaining to saluation fully and plainly to the contentation of any conscience The seauenth motiue The Romane religion is sutable to ancient Tradition Ans. It is contrarie For it abolisheth the second commandement touching Images and the tenth touching lust And it ouerturneth sundrie Articles of faith For it abolisheth one of the natures of Christ by the reall presence and his three offices by ioyning partners and associates with him To these seauen I adde three other The eight motiue then is this Our Ministers they say tooke vnto themselues new callings and consequently that we are but schismatikes Ans. The offices of the first restorers of the Gospel were ordinarie and their vocation to the said offices was ordinary for they were all either Priests or Schoole doctors It may be saide that they departed from their callings I answer they departed onely from the common abuse of their callings which they restored to their right vse The ninth motiue The church of Rome hath true baptisme and therefore it is a true church Ans. Baptisme in the Papacie pertaines not to it but to another hidden church in the middest of the Papacie as the light in the lanthorne pertaines not to it but to the passenger Secondly though the church of Rome hold the outward baptisme yet doth it ouerturne the inward which stands in the iustification of a sinner by imputation of the obedience of Christ. Thirdly baptisme seuered from the preaching of the Gospel is no marke of a church Circumcision was vsed in Samaria and yet they were no people of God Hos. 1. 9. The tenth motiue The church of Rome hath antiquitie and succession from the Apostles Ans. They are no markes of the church vnlesse they be ioyned with propheticall and Apostolicall doctrine The kingdome of darknes hath also antiquitie succession vniuersalitie and vnitie Now then we are to hold the church of Rome as a stepmother nay as a professed harlot shee is no mother of ours For the Lord saith Come out of her my people Reuel 18. Let vs therefore come to the true answer The catholike Church our Mother is to be sought for and to be found in the true visible churches the certen markes whereof are three The preaching of the word of God out of the writings of the Prophets and Apostles with obedience Ioh. 10. 28. Eph. 2. 20. True inuocation of God the father in the onely name of Christ by the assistance of the spirit Act. 9. 14. 1. Cor. 1. 2. the right vse of the sacraments baptisme and the Lords supper Math 28. 18. And by these shall we finde the true Church of God in England Ireland Scotland Germanie France c. Againe in that the Church is called our Mother the Papist gathereth that her commandements must be obaied Prov. 1. 8. and therefore in their Catechismes beside the commandements of God they propound the commandements of the Church But I answer that the precepts of the father and the mother must be one and then the mother must be obaied The Church is called the mother of vs all that is of all true beleeuers Hence it follows that wicked men are not members of the catholike Church as Popish doctors erroniously teach for then the church shall be a mother not onely to the children of God but also to the children of the deuill Lastly in that the church is our Mother we are taught that we must despise our first birth and seeke to be borne againe vnto God and sucke the brest of our mother feeding on the milke of the word Psal. 45. 11. 1. Pet. 2. 2. Thus to be borne a member of the new Ierusalem is a great priuiledge Psal. 87. 5. Reuel 3. 12. 27 For it is written Reioyce thou barren that bearest no childrē breake forth and crie thou that trauelest not for the desolate hath many more children then shee which hath an husband These words are the testimonie of the Prophet Isa c. 54. 1. and they are brought to prooue that which Paul said in the former verse that the Catholike Church is the Mother of vs all that is not onely of the Iewes but also of all beleeuing Gentiles In the words I consider the preface to the Testimonie and the testimonie it selfe The preface It is written where two points are to be considered The first is who saith Jt is written Ans. The Apostle Paul whose authoritie was diuine and infallible because he was led into all truth by the spirit of God so as he could not erre in deliuering doctrine to the church And yet for all this he followes the rule of the written word And his manner was so to doe Act. 26. 22. This shewes the shamelesse impudencie of the church of Rome which takes to it selfe an absolute power of iudgement in all matters without and beside the scripture yea a power to iudge of the scripture it selfe and of the sense thereof without the helpe of scripture vpon a supposed infallible assistance of the spirit The second point is In what question saith Paul It is written Ans. In a controuersie betweene him and the false Apostles touching the iustification of a sinner This shewes that the scripture it selfe is the meanes to determine and decide controuersies There was for this purpose in the old Testament the liuely voice of God vttered in the Oracle at the Mercie seat but in the new Testament there is no such voice of God but the written word is in stead thereof to the ende of the world And therefore
If ye be iustified by the law ye are abolished from Christ First I gather that the Law and the Gospel are not one in substance of doctrine as the Papists teach for they say the Gospel is nothing but the law made more perfect and plaine which if it were true a man might be iustified both by Christ and the law which Paul saith cannot be Secondly I gather hence that it is a meere deuice of mans wit to say that Christ by his death and passion merited that we should merit by our owne workes our iustification and saluation For if this were true that the merit of our workes were the fruit of Christs passion Paul would not haue said that iustification by the law should abolish Christ vnto vs. For the cause and the effect both stand together whereas Christs merit and the merit of our works agree euen as fire and water And no maruell For the reason why Christ meriteth is the Personall vnion of the Godhead with the manhood which vnion because it is not to be found in any meere man neither is there any true and proper merit to be found Whereas Paul saith Ye are fallen from grace some gather that the children of God may fall quite from the fauour of God Ans. Men are said to be vnder grace two waies First in the iudgement of infallibilitie and thus onely the Elect are vnder the grace of God Secondly in the iudgement of Christian charitie and thus all that professe Christ though indeede hypocrites are vnder the grace of God And in this sense Paul saith that the whole Church of Galatia is vnder the grace of God And they are said to fall from grace not because all were indeede vnder the fauour of God and at length cast out of it but because God makes it manifest to men that they were neuer in the fauour of God Thus Christs enemies are said â—o be blotted out of the booke of lifâ— Psal. 69. 28. when God makes it manifest that their names were neuer written there Secondly I answer that Paul speakes this not absolutely but vpon condition If ye will be iustified by the law And therefore v. 10. he saith that he is perswaded better things of them Lastly here we see it is false that euery man shall be saued by his religion for he that is abolished from Christ is quite out of the â—auour of God And therefore no religion but that which is truly Christian saueth 5 For we in the spirit by faith waite for the hope of righteousnes 6 For in Iesus Christ neither circumcision nor vncircumcision auaileth any thing but faith which worketh by loue The meaning We I Paul the rest of the Apostles and all other Christian churches In spirit that is in the powers of the soule sanctified and renewed In this sense Paul saith that the true circumcision is that which is in the heart in spirit Rom. 2. 29. and Christ saith that true worship of God is in spirit Ioh. 4. 24. And that spirit is here taken in this sense it is manifest because it is opposed to circumcision which is in the flesh By faith we wait Faith apprehends the promise and thereby brings forth hope and faith by meanes of hope makes them that beleeue to waite Hope of righteousnes that is saluation or life eternall which is the fruit of righteousnes Tit. 2. 13. or againe righteousnes hoped for Righteousnes indeede is imputed to them that beleeue and that in this life yet the fruition and the full reuelation thereof is reserued to the life to come when Christ our righteousnes shall appeare and when the effect of righteousnes namely sanctification shall be accomplished in vs. Rom. 8. 23. 1. Ioh. 3. 2. The sense then is this All the Apostles and Christian churches with one consent in spirit by meanes of their faith waite for the full reuelation of their imputed righteousnes and for euerlasting life whereas the false Apostles place their righteousnes in circumcision of the flesh and looke to haue the fruition of it in this life v. 6. In Christ that is in the Church kingdome or religion of Christ. 2. Cor. 5. 17. If any be in Christ that is if any be a Christian he is a new creature Vncircumcision that is the condition and workes of men vncircumcised Auaileth any thing is of no vse respect or acceptation with God Faith working faith effectuall in duties of loue The resolution These wordes containe a second reason where Paul confirmes the former conclusion and it may be framed thus That thing which makes vs waite for the hope of righteousnes that iustifies not circumcision but faith makes vs waite for the hope of righteousnes therefore not circumcision but faith iustifies The proposition is omitted the minor is in the 5. verse And it is confirmed by two arguments The first is the consent of all Churches We waite The second is taken from the propertie of faith in the sixt verse thus It is faith and not circumcision that auailes before God therefore faith and not circumcision makes vs waite Againe in these two verses Paul meetes with an Obiection which may be framed thus If ye abolish circumcision and the ceremoniall law ye abolish the exercises of religion The answer is in stead of them we haue other exercises in our spirit namely the inward exercises of faith hope and loue The vse In the 5. verse foure things are to be considered The first is who waites Paul saith we waite Before he hath iustified his doctrine by the Scriptures now he addes the consent of the Churches Here then we see what is the office of all faithfull dispensers of the word namely to declare such doctrines as are founded in Scriptures and approoued by the consent of the true Church of God Paul an Apostle that could not erre respected consent much more are all ordinarie Ministers to doe it Againe it is the office of all Christian people to maintaine and defend all such doctrines and opinions as are founded in the Scriptures and ratified by the consent of the true churches of God and no other This to doe is to walke in the way of vnitie and peace and to doe otherwise is to walke in the way of schisme and heresie The second point is what is waited for Paul saith the reuelation of righteousnes and eternall saluation Here I obserue that there is no iustification by the obseruation of the law and I prooue it thus The righteousnes whereby a sinner is iustified is apprehended by faith and expected by hope but if righteousnes were by the law men should haue the fruition of their righteousnes in this life and consequently the hope thereof should cease Secondly here is comfort for the godly They complaine of the want of sanctification but they are to know that in this life they shall neuer feele righteousnes as they feele sinne here they must hunger and thirst after righteousnes liuing in some want of it If we haue the first
see the fidelitie of Paul if he had sought himselfe his honour profit or pleasure he would not haue taught any doctrine that should haue caused persecution The like minde must be in all teachers nay in all beleeuers who are to receiue the Gospel for it selfe without respect to honour profit or pleasure Paul addes further in way of defence that the scandall of the crosse was not abolished Hence it followes that the Gospel must be preached though all men be offended God must not be displeased though all men be displeased Act. 5. 29. Indeede Christ pronounceth 〈◊〉 woe against them by whome offences come but that is meant of offences giuen and not of offences taken of which Christ hath an other rule Matth. 15. 14. Let them alone they are the blind leaders of the blind Againe by the offence of the Iewes we see the mind of men who cannot be content with the death and passion of Christ vnlesse they may adde workes or something els of their owne for their iustification and saluation Thus doe the Papists at this day and the like doe many of the ignorant people among vs that will be saued by their good dealing and their good seruing of God Touching the imprecation in the 12. verse three questions are to be propounded The first is whether Paul did well thus to curse his enemies I answer yea for first we must put a difference betweene the priuate cause of man and the cause of God Now Paul accurseth the false Apostles not in respect of his owne cause but in respect of the cause of God and not as his owne enemies but as the enemies of God Secondly we must distinguish the persons of euill men Some are curable and some againe are incurable of whose saluation there is no hope Now Paul directs his imprecation against persons incurable And he knew them to be incurable by some extraordinarie inspiration or instinct as the Prophets and the rest of the Apostles did in sundrie cases and hereupon he curseth sometime euen particular persons as Alexander the copper-smith 2. Tim. 4. 14. Thirdly we must distinguish the affections of men Some are carnall as rash anger hatred desire of reuenge c. some againe are more spirituall and diuine as a zeale of Gods glorie and of the sâ—â—tie of Gods church Now Paul in pronouncing the curse is not carried with a carnall affection but with a pure zeale of Gods glorie and with the same spirit by which he penned this Epistle The second question is whether we may not curse our enemies as Paul did Ans. No for we haue not the like spirit to discerne the persons of men what they are and our zeale of Gods glorie is mixed with many corrupt affections and therefore to be suspected We in our ordinary dealings haue an other rule to follow Matth. 5. blesse and curse not If we dare goe beyond the limitts of this rule we must heare the speach of Christ ye know not of what spirit ye are Luc. 9. 55. The third question is how we should vse the imprecations that are in the psalmes of Dauid as Psal. 109. and in other places of scripture Ans. they are to be directed generally against the kingdome of the deuill and they are further to be vsed as Prophecies of the holy ghost comforting his Church and procuring a finall sentence vpon the enemies of God The word which is translated disquiet is to be considered for it signifies to put men out of their estate and to driue them out of house and home as enemies doe when they sacke and spoile a towne By this we se that the doctrine of iustification by workes or by the law is a doctrine full of danger and peril because it puts men out of their estate in Christ and berâ—aues them of their saluation in heauen Therefore let all men flie from the religion of the Papist as if they would flie from an armie of Spaniards or Turkes Contrariwise they that would prouide well for themselues and their posteritie and plant themselues in a good estate must take this course They must coÌ„sider that there is a citie of God in heauen the gates and suburbes whereof be vpon earth in the assemblies of the Church that this citie hath many roomes and habitations many liberties that the law wherby this citie is ruled is the whole word of God specially the doctrine of the Gospell In this citie is all happines and out of it there is nothing but woe and misery Enter therfore into the suburbes of this citie of God as ye professe the Gospell so subiect your mindes and consciences and all your affections to it and be doers of it in the exercise of faith repentance new obedience Thus shall you haue a good estate in Christ ioyfull habitation in heauen 13. For brethren ye haue bin called to libertie only vse not your libertie as an occasion to the flesh but by loue serue one another The first part of the Epistle touching the faith of the Galatians is ended and here beginnes the second part touching good life and it continues from this verse to the 11. verse of the sixt chapter In it Paul doth 2. things first he propounds the summe of his doctrine then after makes a particular declaration of it The summe of all is propounded in this 13. v. in which Paul first setts downe the ground of all good duties and then 2. maine rules of good life The ground is in these wordes brethren ye haue bin called to libertie And it must be noted that as these wordes are the foundation of that which followes so are they also the reason of that which goes before and therefore Paul saith for brethren c. The 2. rules are in the words following One in these vse not your libertie as an occasion to the flesh the other in these doe seruice one to another by loue In the ground of all good duties namely the calling to libertie 4. things are to be considered 1. who calls 2. who are called 3. what is the calling of God 4. why it is here mentioned by Paul To the first who calles I answer God the father in Christ by the spirit for he is absolute Lord of all his creatures therfore he may call out of the kingdome of darknes into his owne kingdome whome he will And it is God alone that calleth the things that are not as though they were Rom. 4. 17. The second is who are called Ans. All they that any waie answer the calling of God for Paul saith indifferently of all the Galatians that they were called Now men answer the calling of God some in profession some in heart some in both And all these are said to be called yet with some difference The calling of God is directed first of all and principally to the Elect and then in the second place it pertaines to them which are not Elect because they are mixed in societie with the Elect. And hence
be admonished by Magistrates and Ministers to relinquish their superstitious practises and that vpon a double ground I. Nothing hath efficacie but by the Ordinance of God And this efficacie was either put into the thing in the creation or since by some new Institution in the word And the efficacie of things that comes by any other meanes is by Satanicall operation II. Charmes inchantments and spells whatsoeuer haue no force vnlesse we beleeue that they can doe vs good Now this faith is a false faith and the seruice of the deuill For we must beleeue nothing hope nothing doe nothing without or against the word of God If these two rules be obserued not onely charming but all witchcraft shall be banished out of the world Againe it may be demanded what are the signes that serue to discouer a witch Ans. This discouerie is very hard For witches doe their feates in close manner not onely by foule and open cursing but also by faire speaking and by praising of things And hereupon we haue a fashion in England when we praise any thing withall to blesse it as to say it is a goodly child God saue it that our speach may not be suspected of witchcraft Neuerthelesse there are fiue speciall things that serue to discouer a witch One is the free confession of the accused or suspected witch The second is the confession of the associats of the witch The third is Inuocation of the deuill For that is to renounce baptisme and to make a league with the deuill The fourth is Euidence that the partie hath intertained a familiar spirit in the forme or likenes of some visible creature The fifth is Euidence of any action or actions that necessarily presuppose a league made with the deuill As for example if the partie shew a mans face in a glasse though he professe angelicall holines he is in league with the deuill by whose meanes the feate is wrought There are besides these other signes but they are either false or vncerten A man is sicke he suspects that he is bewitched he takes it on his death that such a partie hath bewitched him All this is nothing but the suspition of one man and therefore no proofe Likewise the testimonie of some wizzard is but the testimonie of one and it is the deuills testimonie and therefore not to be receiued Againe neighbours fall out threatnings are vsed in anger afterward the partie threatned is either sicke or he dies hereupon the partie that vsed threatning words is accused of witchcraft And this is the common course But great circumspection must be vsed for sicknesse and death may arise of any other causes Lastly markes in the bodies of men and women are vncerten signes of witches All this I note the rather because if a iudgement befall a man in his familie presently according to the common fashion he saith he is hurt by euill tongues and challengeth some one or other of witchcraft whereas his owne ignorance vnbeleefe contempt of Gods word and Sacraments c. are the onely witches that hurt him and pull downe Gods iudgements vpon him Heresies The word heresie generally signifies any opinion either good or bad More specially it signifies any errour in religion Thus Ecclesiasticall writers take it For they condemne for heretikes such as erred in smaller points holding the foundation as Vigilantius Novatus c. And the very Opinion that there are Antipodes was condemned for heresie though it be a matter of small moment Yet most properly Heresie may be thus defined It is an errour in the foundation of Christian religion taught and defended with obstinacie Thus Paul saith Tit. 3. 11. that an heretike is peruerted that is put beside the foundation and condemned of himselfe in his sinne that is to say he erres obstinatly euen against his owne conscience I say that heresie is an errour in religion to put a difference betweene an errour in Diuinitie and an errour in Philosophie which is not tearmed heresie and againe to put difference betweene schisme and heresie for heresie is in doctrine schisme in manners order regiment Againe I say heresie is an errour in the foundation of religion to distinguish it from errours that are in smaller points of Diuinitie Some teach that Abraham was borne the 70 of Terah some the 130 of Terah Both cannot be true yet neither of them are heresie Some teach that Daniels weekes begin straight after the returne out of captiuitie others teach that they must begin 80 yeares after both cannot be true yet neither opinion is heresie So there are sundrie opinions touching Ophir Tarshish to which Ionah fled Decapolis in the Gospel all cannot be true yet they are not heresies because they concerne onely times and places and other circumstances of the Bible Lastly I say that heresie is maintained with obstinacy to distinguish heresie a single error For there are three things in heresie an error in the maine doctrine conuiction of the partie touching his error and obstinacie after conuiction The vse In that heresie an error in the minde or vnderstanding is made a worke of the flesh hence it followes that the word flesh signifies more then sensualitie namely the corruption of the higher powers euen of the minde and conscience though Papists teach otherwise Againe if heresie be a worke of the flesh our dutie is to detest and eschew heresies And that we may for euer preserue our selues from them three rules must be obserued I. We must propound vnto our selues the right Principles of religion For as euery Art hath his confessed principles so hath Diuinitie The head and chiefe Principle whereof is this All Scripture of the Prophets and Apostles is giuen by inspiration of God This is the foundation of all true faith here is the highest stay and stoppe This principle is the demonstration of all doctrines and conclusions and it hath no principle aboue it selfe whereby it is to be confirmed As for humane reason it is no principle of religion For it is imperfect and erronious and serues onely to make men without excuse Indeede in the minde of man there are certaine naturall conclusions that there is a God and that he is to be worshipped c. but the certentie of these is in the written word We can by reason dispute of the creation of the world but a full certentie we haue not by reason but by faith in the word Hebr. 11. 3. Againe the Papist makes the authoritie of the Church a principle For that is the first ground which they lay downe that we must captiuate our senses to the authoritie of the Church But this is no principle in religion For we cannot imagine a Church without faith and faith cannot be without the word of God It may be saide that Scripture is the sense of the written word and this sense must be from the Church Ans. Scripture it selfe is both the glosse and the text Scripture is the best interpreter of it selfe And
in Christ that they may haue some rule whereby to trie the spirits consonant to the analogie of faith and the doctrine of the orthodoxe Fathers of the Church which Paul calleth the forme of knowledge Rom. 2. 20. and The forme of doctrine Rom. 6. 17. and a patterne of wholesome wordes 2. Tim. 1. 13. which formes of doctrine were in vse in the primatiue church in the Apostles daies as it is manifest Heb. 6. 1. where the Apostle sets downe the principall points of the Catechisme calling them the doctrine of the beginning of Christ. And after the Apostles we find that they were vsed by the learned Fathers both of the Greeke and Latine Church Clement Alex. had his Pedagogue Cyril of Ierusalem his Catechisme and Mystagog bookes Origen that famous Catechist his books of principles Theodoret his Epitome 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lactantius his Institutions Augustine his Enchiridion Hugo de S. Victore his books of the Sacraments or mysteries of christian religion And it were greatly to be wished that as in other reformed churches beyond the Sea they haue a set Catechisme which all men follow and in the church of Rome one approoued by the Councell of Trent so there were an vniforme Catechisme inioyned by publick authoritie to be vsed in all Families Schooles and Churches in this land that we might all with one mind and one mouth iudge and speake the same thing Now as Catechismes gathered out of plaine and easie places are necessarie for the simple so Commentaries are as necessarie for the vnderstanding of such places as are more abstruse and difficult Our Sauiour Christ the great Doctor of the Church hath by his owne practise giuen vs a president hereof in expounding the lawe Matth. 5. in expounding all hard parables to his disciples a part for the text saith that he vnfolded or expounded them vnto them Mark 4. 33. That he interpreted vnto them in all the scriptures the things which were written of him Luk. 24. 27. That he opened vnto them the scriptures v. 32. And they haue bin alwaies so accounted in the Church of God For the Iewes as we know had their Perâ—shim the Greeke church their Scholia the Latin Church their Glosses with other Paraphrases Expositions Neither was it euer called in question by any saue by the phantasticall Anabaptists who rest onely vpon immediate reuelations And some preiudicate Papists who hold the consent of all Catholikes to be the true Scripture both the glosse and the text the written word but inkie Diuinitie and a dead letter And certaine arrogant spirits who with Nestorius skorne to read any Interpreters But how Commentaries ought to be written it is not so easie to define there beeing such difference as well in regard of the manner of writing as of the measure For besides that the Popish writers make foure seuerall senses of the Scripture commending Ierome to excell in the Literall Origen in the Allegoricall Ambrose in the Anagogicall Chrysostome in the Tropologicall they haue aboue fiftie seuerall waies of expounding the Scripture as their owne writers doe record In the measure we finde some too tedious as the two Alphonsi Tostatus and Salmeron who vpon euery small occasion digresse from the text or rather take occasion to enter into infinite friuolous questions which breede strife rather then godly edifying which is by faith For there is not so short a Chapter in the Bible vpon which the former mooueth not aboue eight score questions whereupon his volumes growe to that bignesse that one contracting his Commentarie vpon S. Matth. and drawing it into an Epitome yet could not so abridge it but that it contained aboue a thowsand pages in folio in the largest volume smallest character The other is so short with his 12 volumes vpon the Euangelists that he might well haue contracted leaues into lines and lines into letters Which tedious discourses and impertinent excursions from the text serue for no other ende but to cast a mist before the eyes of the reader and drawe as it were the vaile of Moses ouer his face so that he cannot see the meaning of the holy Ghost Others on the contrarie are too short and compendious offending as much in breuitie as the former in prolixitie by name Emanuel Sa the Iesuit whose Commentaries vpon the Bible are shorter then the text it selfe like to those of Apollinaris of whome Ierom writeth that a man which readeth them would thinke he red Contents of chapters rather then Commentaries But as for the manner the literall sense which our author here followeth is the onely sense intended by the Spirit of God the Allegoricall Tropologicall Anagogicall beeing but seuerall vses and applications thereof For the Scripture consisting in the sense not in the letters is profitable to teach and improoue as Paul saith whereas from the Allegoricall sense no necessary argument can be taken as their owne doctors confesse either to confirme or confute any point of doctrine therefore much lesse from the Tropologicall or Anagogicall And as for the measure in regard of breuitie or prolixity the golden meane hath alway beene iudged by the learned to be the best which is not onely to giue the bare meaning paraphrastically but to make collection of doctrine and application of vses yet breefly rather pointing at the cheife heads then dwelling long vpon any point Some are of opinion that a Commentor is onely to giue the literal sence of the place without making further vse of application or instruction To which I could easilie subscribe if all the Lords people could prophesie or if all were able to handle the word of God the sword of the spirit For as to an expert Musitian who is acquainted with the concords or rules of discant it is as good a direction to haue onely the ground as if he had euery point pricked out vnto him beeing inured to the diuision vpon euery point as it falleth out in the ground So to him that is acquaynted with the word of God a short and concise handling of the Scripture may be as good a direction as if euery point were discoursed at large But because all readers are not strong men in Christ some beeing but babes who must haue euery thing minced and cutt small vnto them before they can receiue it Neither all teachers expert prompt Scribes like to Ezra nor mightie in the Scripture as Apollos such as are able to diuide the word a right and applie it fitly as they ought Some beeing deceitfull worckmen peruerting it to their owne destruction in pressing the two dugges of the Scripture the Ould and New Testament that in steed of milck they sucke nothing but blood Others vnskilfull casting wild Colloquintida into the pott of the children of the prophets beeing too hastie to learne and too ignorant to know of them selues what they should haue gathered Therefore to help the
temple And thus hoping that these respects may entreate for a friendly acceptance at thy hands and that thou wilt afforde mee thy good word for my good will and a fauorable construction for my paines I commend it to the blessing of the Almightie and thee to his gratious protection vnfainedly wishing to thee as to my selfe the mercie of God in Christ Iesus August 10. Thine in the Lord Iesus R. C. Faults escaped in some copies are thus to be corrected Pag. lin Fault correct 25 30 building binding 70 28 degree decree 86 27 Christin Christian ibidem  refuse refused 105 4 Prov. 14. 24. 136 3 seach search 153 4 7 47 164 25 begunne beginne 176 24 happily haply 241 5 reuealed conceiued 360 33 it is 402 1 come came 440 16 maginations imaginatioÌ„s 461 29 foole foote 469 23 notes motes 472 38 Recidauation RecidiuatioÌ„ 473 7 the thiefe thiefe 478 30 Quaerenda Quâ—rendo 480 17 Supposes Supposals 482 25 perfunctorie defunctorie 482 37 thâ— the 490 38 heard hard 505 36 thought though 556 23 equall equall 559 26 our an 585 8 see seeing 612 3 Peter Peters 647 14 o other In the Epistle to the Reader for hath read haue CHAP. 1 THE EPISTLE OF S. PAVL TO THE GALATIANS The Argument TWo things are generally to be considered the occasion of this Epistle and the Scope The occasion that mooued Paul to write this Epistle was because certen false-Apostles slaundered him both in respect of his calling as also in respect of his doctrine teaching that he was no Apostle and that his doctrine was false And by this means they seduced the Churches of Galatia perswading them that iustification and saluation was partly by Christ and partly by the Lawe The Scope of the Epistle is in three things First the Apostle defends his calling in the first and second chapters Secondly he defends the truth of his doctrine teaching iustification by Christ alone And vpon this occasion he handles the greatest question in the world Namely what is that Justice whereby a sinner stands righteous before God in the 3. and 4. and in the beginning of the fift Thirdly he prescribes rules of good life in the fift and sixt chapters 1. Paul an Apostle not of men nor by man but by Iesus Christ and God the father who raised him from the dead THe Epistle hath 3. parts a Preface an Instruction and the Conclusion The preface is in the fiue first verses and it hath two parts an inscription and a Salutation The inscription sets downe the persons that write the Epistle and the persons to whome it is sent The persons that write are two Paul the Brethren Paul is mentioned in the first verse In which in comely and decent manner he commende himselfe to the Galatians by his office and function as Apostle that is one called to be a planter and founder of the Church of the newe Testament among the nations And because the title of an Apostle in generall signification may agree to all teachers therefore he goes further and sets downe the cause of his Apostleship And first he remooues the false causes in these words not of men that is not called by men as by Authors of my calling or not called by the authoritie of men And in this Paul opposeth himselse to the false-apostles who were called notby God but by men Againe he saith not by man that is not called of God in and by the ministerie of any meere man And in this Paul opposeth himselfe to all ordinarie ministers of the Gospell whatsoeuer who are called of God by man This done he propounds the true cause and author of his Apostleshippe of whome he was called immediately Against this it may be obiected that Paul was ordained to be an Apostle by the imposition of haÌ„ds of the Church of Antioch I answer that this imposition was rather a confirmation then a calling Secondly they of Antioch had not imposed hands on Paul but that they were commanded by the spirit of God Further Paul addes that he was called by Christ and God the father for three causes The first was to signifie the consent of will in the father and Christ. The second was to teach vs howe we are to conceiue of God namely that he is the Father and Iesus Christ and the Holy Ghost for the Godhead may not be conceiued out of the trinitie of persons The third is because the father is the fountaine of all good things that come to vs by Christ. Lastly he sets downe the effect or action of the Father who raised him from the dead and that for two causes One was to prooue Christ to be the naturall sonne of God for he professed himselfe to be so and that was one cause why he was crucified and put to death Nowe when he was dead if he had not bin the sonne of God indeede he had neuer risen againe but had perished in death And in that the father raised him againe to life he gaue testimonie that he was his own naturall sonne And therefore Paul saith that Christ was declared to be the sonne of God by the resurrection from the dead and he applies the words of the Psalme thou art my sonne this day haue I begotten thee to the time of Christs resurrection Againe Paul mentions the resurrection of Christ to note the time of his owne calling for though the rest of the Apostley were called when Christ was in the estate of humiliation yet Paul was called afterwards when Christ was entred into his kingdome and sate at the right hand of his father The vse First whereas Paul in the very fore front of his Epistle beginnes with his owne calling I gather that euery minister of the Gospell ought to haue a good and lawefull calling A man cannot preach vnlesse he be sent Christ tooke not vnto him the office of a Mediatour till he was called and sent of the Father Therefore the opinion of the Anabaptist is foolish and phantasticall who thinke that euery man may preach that will without any speciall calling They alleadge that the house of Stephanas ordaine themselues to the Ministerie of the Saints Answer the meaning of the place is not that they called themselues but that they set themselues apart to the ministerie of the Saints in the purpose and resolution of their owne hearts Againe they alleadge that all Christians in the newe Testament are Kings and Priests and the office of the priest is to teach I answer all are priests in that they are to offer themselues in sacrifice to God and to teach priuately within their places and callings as the master his seruants the father his children c and to make a confession of their faith when they are called so to doe Thirdly they alleadge that the power of the keies is giuen to the Church I answer it is indeed yet so as the vse and administration thereof belongs to the Ministers alone in the
dispēsation of the word Secondly whereas Paul saith not of men but of Christ I gather that euery lawefull calling is of God and not of men as authors thereof and that the Right to call belongs to God The father thrusts forth labourers into the vineyard the sonne giues Pastors and teachers the Holy Ghost makes ouerseers It may be alleadged that the Church hath authoritie to call and ordaine ministers I answer that the Churches authoritie is no more but a ministerie or seruice whereby it doeth testifie declare and approoue whome God hath called Thirdly whereas Paul thus proclaimes his calling Paul an Apostle of Iesus Christ I gather that the callings of the Ministers of the Gospell must be manifest to their owne consciences and the consciences of their hearers And that for diuers weightie causes First they are imbassadours instruments and the mouth of God and for this cause they are to speake in the name of God and this they cannot doe vnlesse they knowe themselues to be called Secondly that the calling of the Ministerie may tend to edification there is required the assistance of Gods spirit in the teacher the protection of him and his ministerie the effectuall operation of the spirit in the hearts of the hearers And he that wants the assurance of his calling cannot pray to God in faith for these things neither can he apply the promises of God to himselfe Thirdly the knowledge of our callings breeds conscience of our duties diligence and the feare of god Lastly knowledge of our callings in the consciences of the hearers breeds a reuerence in their hearts and obedience to the ministerie of the word Vpon this some may demaund howe they may knowe that they are called of God to the ministerie of the word Answer they may knowe it if they finde three things in themselues the first is the testimonie of their consciences that they entred not for praise honour lucre but in the feare of god with a desire to glorifie him and to edifie the Church The second is a facultie to doe that to which they haue a desire and will In this facultie are two things knowledge of God and his waies and aptnesse to deliuer that which they knowe The third is the Ordination of the Church which approoues and giues testimonie of their will and abilitie He that hath these things is certainely called of God Nowe put the case a man wants the first of these three because he entred with euill conscience beeing carried with ambitious and couetous desires then I answer that his calling still in respect of the Churh is good and lawefull and when he repents of his bad conscience it is also accepted of God The fourth point to be obserued is that Paul makes three kinds of callings in the Church One is when men are called by men and not by God and thus are all false teachers called The second is when men are called of God by the ministerie of men thus are all ordinarie ministers of the word called The third is when men are called not by men but by Christ immediately And Paul here signifieth that he himselfe and the rest of the Apostles were called according to this third way And in this respect he puts a difference betweene the Apostles and all the Ministers of the newe Testament For in that they were called immediately they were also taught by immediate inspiration and also aided by the infallible assistance of Gods spirit And of all this they had promises Math. 10. 19. 20. Luc. 10. 16. Hence we may gather the certenty of our religion The essentiall note of the Church is faith faith stands in relation to the word of God and the word of God is no word vnto vs vnlesse we knowe it to be so and we knowe it to be so because it was written by the Apostles who in preaching and writing could not erre Secondly hence I gather that the doctrine of the Apostles it the immediate word of God because it was giuen by inspiration both for matter and words whereas the doctrine of the Church in sermons and the decrees of councels is both the word of God and the word of man The word of God as it agrees with the writings of the Apostles Prophets the word of man as it is defectiue and as it is propounded in tearmes deuised by man It may be obiected that Paul spake some things of himselfe and not from the Lord 1. Cor. 7. 12. Not the Lord but I. Answer the meaning is not the Lord by any expresse commaundement but I by collection and interpretation of Scripture and that by the assistance of Gods spirit v. 40. Seeing then the writings of the Apostles are the immediate and meere word of God they must be obeyed as if they had beene written without man by the finger of God Lastly seeing it is the propertie of an Apostle to be called immediatly by Iesus Christ hence it follows that the authority office and function of Apostles ceased with them and did not passe by succession to any other Therefore it is a falshood that the Pope of Rome succeedes Peter in Apostolicall authoritie and in the infallible assistance of the spirit when he is in his consistorie And where paul saith he was called by Iesus Christ and not by man that is meere man he giues a pregnant testimonie that Christ is both God and man And whereas Paul was called by Christ raised from the dead hence I gather the dignitie of the Apostle Paul aboue all other Apostles in that he was called after the resurrection of Christ when he was entred into his kingdome The Text. 2. And all the brethren that are with me to the Churches of Galatia The Exposition By brethren we are to vnderstand such as seperated themselues from the Pagans and receiued the faith of Christ 1. Cor. 5. 11. And here more specially such as taught and professed the faith that is both pastors and people whether of Antioche as some thinke or of Rome as others And Paul writes his Epistle as well in their names as in his owne and with their consent for two causes One was that he might not be thought to deliuer any priuate doctrine deuised of his owne head And this care he had alwaies and therefore taught nothing but that which was in the writings of Moses and the Prophets Act. 26. 22. And this was the care of Christ who saith My doctrine is not mine but his that sent me Joh. 7. 16. And at this daie this must be the care of the Ministers of the Gospell to deliuer nothing of their owne First therefore their doctrines must be founded in the writings of the Prophets and Apostles and secondly that they may be sure of this they must haue the consent of the true Church specially of such as haue beene the Restorers of the gospell in this last age This rule Paul giues Timothie to continue in the things which he had learned of Paul and the rest
deale with God and that they are to receiue the doctrine taught not as the word of man but as the very word of God as the Thessalonians did 1. Thess. 2. 13. The want of this consideration is the cause that some contemne the ministerie of the word and others are not touched and mooued in hearing Againe here is set downe the right manner of dispensing the word which must not be for the pleasing of men but of God Hence it appeares that Ministers of the Gospel must not be men-plea 〈…〉 nor applie and fashion their doctrine to the affections humours and dispositions of men but keepe a good conscience and doe their office The Lord tells Ieremie he must not turne to the people but the people must turne to him Ierem. 15. 19. Thus God shal be with them and they shal bring forth much fruit And the people must know it to be a good thing for them not to be pleased alwaies by their Ministers The ministerie of the word must be as a sacrificing knife to kill and mortifie the old Adam in vs that we may liue vnto God A sicke man must not alwaies haue his minde but he must often be crossed and restrained of his desire and so must we that are sicke in our soules in respect of our sinnes It is a fault therefore of men that desire to be pleased to haue matters smoothed ouer of their teachers This is Dauids balme which he wisheth may neuer be wanting to his head Psal. 141. 5. The ende of this verse sets downe a memorable sentence That if we seeke to please men we cannot be the seruants of God Hence I gather that our nature is full of rebellion and enmitie against God because they which please men cannot please God Againe here is set downe what is the hurt that comes by pride and ambition It keepes men that they cannot be the seruants of Christ. Ye beleeue not saith Christ because ye seeke glorie one of another Ioh. 5. 44. Ambition so fills the minde with vanitie and the heart with worldly desires that it cannot thinke or desire to please God Wherefore he that would be a faithfull Minister of the Gospel must denie the pride of his heart and be emptied of ambition and set himselfe wholly to seeke the glorie of God in his calling And generally he that would be a faithfull seruant of Christ must set God before him as a Iudge and consider that he hath to deale with God and he must turne his minde and senses from the world and all things therein to God and seeke aboue all things to approoue his thoughts desires affections and all his doings vnto him Lastly the profession of the seruant of God is here to be obserued in the example of Paul who saith Doe I now preach men and doe I yet please men as if he had said I haue done thus and thus I haue preached the Traditions of man heretofore and I haue pleased man in persequnting the Church of God but I doe not so still neither will I. And he that can say the like with good conscience I haue sinned thus and thus heretofore but now I doe not neither will I sinne as I haue done is indeede the seruant of God v. 11. Now I certifie you brethren that the Gospel which was preached by me was not after man The meaning is this that it may the better appeare that I haue iustly accursed them which teach any other Gospel and iustly reprooued you for receiuing it I giue you to vnderstand that the Gospel which I preached was not after man that is not deuised by man or preached of me by mans authoritie but it was from God and preached by the authoritie of God And this sense appeares by v. 10 and 12. In these words is laid downe the reason of the conclusion or the assumption of the principall argument which was on this manner If I be called to teach and that immediatly of God and my doctrine be true then ye ought not to haue reuolted from the Gospel which I preached but I was called to teach immediatly of God and my doctrine is true The first part of this assumption is here set downe and handled to the ende of the second chapter and the conclusion as we haue heard was set downe in the premises Hence two maine points of doctrine that are of great consequent may be gathered The first is this It is a thing most necessarie that men should be assured and certified that the doctrine of the Gospel and the Scripture is not of man but of God This is the first thing which Paul stands vpon in this Epistle It may be demanded how this assurance may be obtained I answer thus For the setling of our consciences that Scripture is the word of God there be two testimonies One is the Euidence of Gods spirit imprinted and expressed in the Scriptures and this is an excellencie of the word of God aboue all words and writings of men and Angels and containes 13. points The first is the puritie of the law of Moses whereas the lawes of men haue their imperfections The second i◠that the Scripture setteth downe the true cause of all miserie namely sinne and the perfect remedie namely the death of Christ. The third is the Antiquitie of Scripture in that it fets downe an historie from the beginning of the world The 4. is prophecies of things in sundrie bookes of Scripture which none could possibly foretell but God The 5. is the confirmation of the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles by miracles that is works done aboue and contrarie to the strength of nature which none can doe but God The 6. is the consent of all the scripture with themselues whereas the writings of men are often at iarre with themselues The 7. is the confession of enemies as namely of heretickes who in oppugning of scriptures alleadge scriptures and thereby confesse the trueth thereof The 8. is an vnspeakable detestation that Sathan and all wicked men beare to the doctrine of scripture The 9. is the protection and preseruation of it from the beginning to this houre by a speciall prouidence of God The 10. is the constant confession of Martyrs that haue shedde their blood for the Gospell of Christ. The 11. is that fearefull punishments and iudgements haue befallen them that haue oppugned the word of God The 12. is holinesse of them that professe the Gospell The last is the effect and operation of the word for it is an instrument of God in the right vse whereof we receiue the testimonie of the spirit of our adoption and are conuerted vnto God And yet neuerthelesse the word which conuerteth is contrarie to the wicked nature of man The second testimonie is from the Prophets and Apostles who were Embassadours of God extraordinarily to represent his authoritie vnto his Church and the pen-men of the holy Ghost to set downe the true and proper word of God And the Apostles aboue
obedience is that Paul did not communicate with men that is conferre and consult with them touching his doctrine and calling And this he amplifies by a comparison thus He did not consult with any man no not the Apostles of Hierusalem And he addes a reason of his doing because they were but flesh and blood in respect of God and indeede it is vnmeete to consult with men touching the matters of God Hence I gather that Gods word whether preached or written doth not depend on the authoritie of any man no not on the authoritie of the Apostles themselues it is sufficient to authorize it selfe Christ receiues not the testimonie of man Iohn 5. 34. And it is an errour to thinke that the Church doth authorize the word and religion in the consciences of men For the Church it selfe is founded on the word The Church cannot consist without faith nor faith without the word Secondly hence I gather that there is no consultation or deliberation to be vsed at any time touching the holding or not holding of our religion He that will followe Christ may not put his hand to the plough and then looke backe againe to his friends to see what they will say Luke 9 61. He that would be wise must denie his owne wisdome and become a foole 1. Cor. 3. 18. The three children would not consult touching the worshipping of the image but said be it knowne to thee O king that we will not worship thy gods Dan. 3. When the iudge gaue Cyprian the martyr leaue to deliberate a while whether he would denie his religion he answered that in diuine matters deliberation is not to be vsed By this I gather that the Schoolemen haue done euill which haue turned all diuinitie into Questions and haue made of the articles of our faith a questionarie diuinitie Secondly by this we are taught that in the day of triall we may not consult of the change of religion but we must be resolute and tread vnder foote the perswasions of flesh and blood Thirdly our obedience to God must be without consultation We must first trie what is the will of God and then absolutely put it in exequution leauing the issue to God Abram is called of god to forsake his countrie kindred Gen. 12. he derectly then giues attendance to the commandement and goes as it were blind fold he knowes not whither God promised him a childe in his old age he beleeues God without any reasoning or disputing the case with himselfe too or fro Rom 4. 20. But the common manner is though we knowe the will of God to dispute the case and to consult with our friends and to practise according to carnall counsell Eue listens to the counsell of Satan and neglects Gods commandement Saul beeing forbidden to offer Sacrifice in Gilgal till Samuel came to doe it consults with himselfe whether he may doe it or no and followes his owne reason against Gods commandement and lost his kingdome for it And this kind of deliberation whereby mē consult what is to be done is the cause of the manifold rebellions of men in the world In that man is tearmed here flesh and blood we are taught not to put confidence in man we are taught to humble our selues before God we are taught euery day to prepare our selues against the day of death and the day of iudgement yea to account euery new day as the day of death because we are but flesh and blood The third point is where Paul first preached namely in Arabia and Damascus Arabia is a region of the world where Mount Sina standes and where the children of Israel wandered 40. yeares The inhabitants thereof were of two forts some more ciuill and some barbarous Ciuill as the Israelites Amalechites Madianites c. Yet were they professed enemies of the people of God Barbarous as the Easterne part of Arabia to ward Babylon For the inhabitants dwelt in Tents and liued like wilde and sauage men by robbing and stealing and consequently by killing Isai. 13. 20. Ierem. 3. 2. Here we see Pauls estate and condition when he first begins the exequution of his Apostolicall function God then laies vpon him a sharpe and waightie triall For he goes alone into Arabia and he must become a teacher to his owne professed enemies yea to a sauage generation of whose conuersion he had no hope in mans reason And this hath bin an vsuall dealing of God with his owne seruants When Moses was called to deliuer the Israelites and was in the way the Lord for a defect in his family comes against him to destroy him Exod. 4. 24. Da uid is annointed king of Israel and withall Saul is raised vp to persecute him and to hunt him as men hunt Partridges in the mountaines Ionas is called to preach to Niniue and withall God forsakes him and leaues him to himselfe so as he is cast into the sea and deuoured of a fish and after this beeing deliuered he must goe preach at Niniue When Christ was in his baptisme as it were inaugurated the Doctor of the Church presently after before he begun to preach he is carried into the wildernesse to be with wild beasts and to be tempted of the deuill Mar. 1. v. 12. And the reasons of this dealing of God are manifest by this meanes sinnefull men are made fit for the office of teaching For the saying is true Reading praier and temptation make a Diuine Againe by this meanes they are caused to depend on the prouidence and protection of God and they are made fit for the assistance and presence of Gods spirit who dwels onely with them that are of humble and contrite hearts Nowe then let not them that in any notable change of their liues finde notable temptations be discouraged for this is a condition that befalls them by a wise and speciall prouidence of God For it was the spirit of God that led Christ into the wildernesse to be tempted after his baptisme Againe here we are taught to acknowledge three things in God His power in that he sets vp his kingdome where it is most oppugned and raignes in the middest of his owne enemies namely the wicked and sauage Arabians according to that in the Psalme 110. v. 2. His goodnes in that he sends Paul to preach repentance to the people that are in the snare of the deuill at his will 2. Tim. 2. 26. His trueth in that he nowe fulfils things foretold by Dauid Psal. 72. 10. The kings of Sheba Saba shall bring gifts that is Ethiopians and Arabians 18. Then after three yeares I came againe to Ierusalem to visit Peter and abode with him fifteene daies Paul hauing prooued before that he learned not the Gospel of any man no not of the Apostles at Hierusalem goes about nowe to answer exceptions that might be made against his reason And first of all it might haue beene obiected that he was seene at Hierusalem sundrie times and therefore in all likelyhood
is the time when in these words then after fourteene yeares Here two questions are to be demaunded The first is of which of his iourneies must this be vnderstood for he made fiue iournies to Ierusalem The first from Arabia the second when he and Barnabas were sent by the Church of the Gentiles to carrie almes to Ierusalem the third when he went to the Councell at Ierusalem the fourth when he went vp for the keeping of his vowe the last is mentioned Act. 19. 21. Answ. These words are not spoken of the first for that was but three yeares after his conuersion neither can they well be vnderstood of the second because Paul then was sent by the Church and therefore he went not by reuelation And they cannot well be vnderstood of the third for then Paul would here haue mentioned the Councell of Ierusalem whereof he was a principall member specially seeing he hath occasion so to doe and it serued much for his purpose The fourth fifth iourneys were after a longer time then fourteene yeares It is likely therefore that this iourney here mentioned and described by Paul is none of the fiue mentioned by Luke but some other The second question is When these fourteene yeares must beginne Ans. It is vncerten Some thinke they must beginne at his conuersion some three yeares after when Paul went first to Ierusalem and either may be a truth None must here take offeÌ„ce For though circumstances of time and place beeing things of lesse moment cannot alwaies be certenly gathered yet histories for their substance and doctrines pertaining to saluation are plainly set downe And here we are put in minde to be content to be ignorant in some things because the spirit of God hath more darkly expressed them or againe because we cannot by reason of our blindnes gather them The third point is concerning the companions of Paul in this iourney namely Barnabas and Titus And Paul takes them with him that they might be witnesses to the Iewes of the doctrine he taught among the Gentiles and againe to the Gentiles of the consent that was betweene him and the rest of the Apostles For the law of God is that euery matter shall be established by the testimonie of two or three witnesses Hence we learne that if a question arise of the doctrine which is deliuered in the publike Ministerie then the hearers that are able to iudge must be witnesses and the triall is to be made by them Thus saith Christ in the like case Why aske ye me aske them that heard me Ioh. 18. 21. Therefore great care and circumspection is to be had of things publikely deliuered Againe whereas Paul makes Barnabas a Iew and Titus a Gentile his companions we are taught to imbrace with a brotherly loue not onely the men of our owne countrey but also such as be of other nations specially if they beleeue For then they are all children of one father and pertaine all to one familie and there is no difference of nations now It is a fault therefore that men of one nation carrie in their hearts a generall dislike and hatred oftentimes of them with whome they deale and conuerse and that because they are of such or such countries The fourth point is the cause of his iourney in these words and I went by reuelation Here we are taught that for the iournies we make we are to haue some good and sufficient warrant though not a reuelation yet a commandement or that which counteruailes a commandement as when we trauaile by vertue of our callings When Noe had made the Arke he enters into it at Gods commandement he abides in it and when the earth was in part dried he presumes not to goe out till the Lord bad him Here three sorts of men are to be blamed Pilgrimes that trauell to Ierusalem or other countries in way of merit or religion For they haue no warrant Secondly trauellers that goe from countrey to countrey and out of the precincts of the Church vpon vaine curiositie to see fashions Such when they trauell from their own countries yet they trauell not from their vices but rather goe deeper into them and come home againe with many bad and corrupt fashions The last are beggers Rogues that passe from place to place that they may'l ue in idlenes vpoÌ„ the sweat of other mens brows Thus much of the iourney now followes the Conference in these words and I communicated c. Here generally I gather that Conferences both priuate and publike are laudible and to be maintained specially when they tend to the maintenance of vniâ—ie and consent in doctrine The Papists blame vs Protestants for condemning Conferences as they say and Councells But they doe vs wrong Indeede the Councell of Trent we reiect and condemne For in it against all equitie the Pope was both partie and iudge In it there was no libertie to make triall of truth For nothing was propounded but by the liking and consent of the Pope Againe the whole Councell consisted of such as were of the Italian faction whose faith was pinned on the Popes sleeue Neuerthelesse we allow all Christian Councells lawfully gathered and we desire there might be a Generall Councell for the triall of truth and for the staying of vnsetled minds these three caueats beeing remembred One that the Councell be gathered by Christian Princes to whom the right of calling a Councell belongs The other that the Pope be no iudge but a partie The third that Christ in his word be the iudge and that the Delegates in the Councell be but as witnesses determining all things by the written word In this conference we are first to consider the manner of conferring which was vsed Paul saith he communicated with them that is he laid downe vnto them and expounded the Gospel which he preached and this he did priuatly that is with the Apostles one by one in plaine and familiar manner as one friend doth with an other Therefore for the maintaining of this conference there was no assembly made neither was there any disputation held Onely Paul declares his doctrine and they giue assent Hence it appeares that Paul doth not submit the truth of his doctrine to triall For he was resolued of it and he accursed him that taught otherwise but his intent was to seeke the approbation of the Apostles that he might stop the mouth of his aduersaries The second point is the matter of the conference and that is the Gospel which Paul preached Here the Papist gathereth that the Church is the iudge in all questions pertaining to religion and the word because it is here the thing that is iudged I answer first that they gather amisse For Paul doeth not here submit the Gospel which he preached to the iudgement of the Church of Ierusalem And it is false which they teach for the soueraigne Iudge of all questions and controuersies in religion is Christ alone The power to determine and resolue in cases
hearts vpon the outward things of this world because God doth not respect vs for them But we are earnestly to seeke after the things that make vs accepted with God as true faith righteousnes and good conscience Rom. 14. 17. Againe superiours must be admonished to deale moderately with their inferiours Coloss. 2. 11. Againe inferiours are to comfort themselues if they be oppressed in that God the iudge of all accepts no persons Lastly here we learne that when we shall haue immediate fellowship with God in heauen all outward respect of persons shall cease God himselfe and the lamb Christ Iesus shall be all in all to the Elect. In the ende of the verse Paul addes for they communicated nothing to me but to the contrarie Rom. 1. 12. may be obiected Where Paul desires to come to Rome that he might be comforted by their mutuall faith both his and theirs Answ. Though the Apostles did communicate nothing to Paul in respect of doctrine or iudgement yet might they or the meanest beleeuers conferre something vnto him in respect of comfort or the confirmation of his faith and thus much he signifieth to the Romanes Here is a good item for them that come to no sermons because they can learne nothing Put the case they were as learned as the Apostles yet might they profit in hearing in respect of comfort of faith and good affection 7 But on the contrarie when they saw that the Gospel ouer the vncircumcision was committed vnto me as the Gospel ouer the circumcision was to Peter 8 For he that was mightie by Peter in the Apostleship ouer the circumcision was also mightie by me toward the Gentiles 9 And when Iames and Cephas and Iohn knew the grace of God that was giuen to me which are accounted pillars they gaue to me and to Barnabas the right hād of fellowship that we should preach to the Gentiles they vnto the Circumcision The wordes of more difficultie are thus to be explaned Contrariwise that is they did communicate nothing to me in way of correction but on the contrarie they gaue me the hand of fellowship Againe the words Circumcision and vncircumcision signifie the nation of the Iewes and the Gentiles the one circūcised the other vncircūcised And whē Paul saith that the grace of God was giuen to him he meanes specially the gift of an Apostle Rom. 1. 5. Lastly to giue the right hand of fellowshippe to Paul is to esteeme and acknowledge him for their collegue or fellowe Apostle by giuing the right hand in token thereof The contents of the words are these Here Paul sets downe the third signe of his approbation namely that the cheife Apostles acknowledged him for their fellow Apostle v. 9. Secondly he sets down the manner how the cheefe Apostles acknowledged this fellowship and that was by making a couenant with Paul that he should preach to the Gentiles and Peter to the Iewes Thirdly he sets down the impulsiue cause that mooued the Apostles to receiue Paul to their fellowship and that was the decree of God whereby he ordained that Paul should be the cheife Apostle to the Gentiles and Peter the cheife Apostle among the Iewes v. 7. Lastly he sets down the signes whereby the Apostles knew that Paul was ordained the Apostle of the Gentiles and they are two the grace of god giuen him and the power of his Ministerie among the Gentiles v. 8 9. Furthermore the things here contained are in a syllogisme disposed thus When the Apostles saw that I was ordained the cheife Apostle of the Gentiles and Peter of the Iewes they acknowledged me for their fellow Apostle and made a couenant with me that I should preach to the Gentiles and Peter to the Jewes But when I was with them at Ierusalem they saw that I was ordained the cheife Apostle of the Gentiles and Peter of the Iewes This minor is omitted yet the proofe thereof is set down thus For they saw the efficacie of my ministerie among the Gentiles and the grace of God that was with me Therefore they acknowledged me for their fellow Apostle c. The vse This text makes notably against the primacie of Peter First therefore let vs obserue the Ordinance of God here plainely expressed that Paul should be the cheife Apostle of the Gentiles and Peter the cheife Apostle of the Iewes And this may else where be gathered For the commission of the twelue Apostles ran thus that they must first preach to Ierusalem and Iudea then to Samaria and in the last place to the vttermost part of the earth Act. 1. 8. And Pauls commission was that he should first preach to the Gentiles and in the second place to the people of Israel Act. 9. 16. It may be obiected that the commission of all the Apostles was to goe into all the world and to preach to all men without exception Mar. 16. 15. Answer This power and libertie Christ gaue to all the Apostles and he did not take it away afterward neuerthelesse he ordered it by a second decree that Paul should specially haue care of the Gentiles and Peter of the Iewes And this the Lord did in great wisdome that confusion and discord might be auoided and a regard had of all prouinces through the world Hence it followes that the primacie of Peter ouer Iewes Gentiles is a supposed thing For the ordinance of God is that Peter shall be cheife ouer the Iewes and not ouer the Gentiles which were almost all the world beside And thus the supremacie of the Pope goes to the ground for if he hold of Peter and succeede him in authoritie and office as he pretends he must challenge a superioritie ouer the Iewes and he hath nothing to doe with vs. For Paul was cheife ouer the Gentiles and not Peter Secondly this Ordinance of God giues vs to vnderstand that the place Math. 16. 18. Thou art Peter and vpon this rocke will I build my Church c. and I wil giue thee the keies of the kingdome of heauen doth not containe a promise made to Peter of a primacie ouer all the Apostles and ouer the Catholike church If Christ had meant any such thing in these words he would not haue assigned the Iewes to Peter and all the nations of the world beside to Paul Thus we see how this text for many hūdred yeares hath beene abused and is still at this day Thirdly it is false which the Papists teach that the place in S. Iohn Feede my lambes and feede my sheepe giues a primacie to Peter ouer the whole world For by the ordinance of God this feeding of lambes and sheep is limited to the nation of the Iewes Lastly whereas Eusebius saith in his Chronicle that Peter was Bishop of Rome and sate there 25. years it hath no likelihood of truth for then Peter liued in the breach of an expresse commandement of God for a long time because the Iewes were his speciall charge Againe it is to be obserued in this
text that Iames Peter Iohn are made equall all being pillars and Iames is first named and that not without cause For not Peter but Iames was the President of the councell of Ierusalem because he spake the last and concluded all Act. 15. 13. Therefore the first naming of Peter in other places of scripture is no sufficient proofe of his supremacie Thirdly Peter here is said to make a couenant with Paul that he shall be the Apostle of the Gentiles and Peter of the Iewes But if Peter had bin head of the Church for 14 yeares togither and had but known the primacie which the Papists giue to him he would not haue consented to this order It is alleadged that Paul was the cheife Apostle ouer the Gentiles in respect of paines and labour and not in respect of iurisdiction I answer this distinction hath no ground in the word of God Againe Paul was an Apostle and vsed his Apostolicall authoritie ouer the Gentiles and there is no Ecclesiasticall person that is or can be aboue an Apostle For he was simply to be beleeued in preaching and writing and had extraordinarie power giuen him by God to punish them that rebelled Againe Paul here saith that the Gospel was committed to him and Peter that is that they were put in trust with it Hence we learne 3. things The first that the Gospel is not ours but gods and that men are but the keepers of it For this we are to praise God The second is that the ministers of the word are to keep and maintaine the truth of it with all faithfulnesse and good conscience and further to apply it to the best vse and to the greatest good of men For this charge lies vpon them that are put in trust The third is that the Gospel is a speciall treasure For this we in England are to giue vnto God all thankfulnes specially by bringing forth the fruits of the Gospel In this dutie the most of vs come short and therfore we may iustly feare least God take from vs the gospel of life and giue it to a nation that will bring forth the fruit of it Moreouer in that Paul saith that God was mightie by him and Peter to the Iewes and Gentiles we are to consider the efficacie of the Ministerie Of it three cautions are to be obserued The first that grace or power to regenerate is not included in the word preached as vertue to heale in a medicine Paul saith He that planteth and he that watereth is not any thing 1. Cor. 3. 7. To regenerate is the proper worke of God not agreeing to angels no not to the flesh of Christ exalted aboue men and angels For the vertue to renew or regenerate is not in it as in a subiect but in the godhead of the sonne The second caution is that grace is not inseparably annexed and tyed to the word preached for to some it is the sauour of death to death The third is that the preaching of the word is an externall instrument of faith and regeneration and the proper effect of it is to declare or signifie And it is an instrument because when the ministers of the word doe by it signifie and declare what is to be done and what is the will of God the spirit of God inwardly inlightens the minde and inclines the heart to beleeue and obey Hence we learne that it is a magicall fiction to suppose that fiue words For this is my bodie should transubstantiate the bread into the bodie of Christ. Secondly we learne that the Sacraments doe not conferre grace ex opere operato by the worke done For the word and Sacraments are both of one nature Sacraments beeing a visible word Now the word the preaching of it doth not conferre grace but onely declare what God will conferre Thirdly by this it appeares that charmes or spels haue not force in them to cure diseases and to worke wonders but by satanicall operation For the best word of all euen the word preached hath it not Lastly we are here to be put in mind that we loose no time in hearing of the word for it is a meanes whereby we are clensed and renewed Euery branch that bringeth forth fruit God purgeth it by his word and other meanes that it may bring forth more fruite Ioh. 15. It is a thing to be obserued that the Apostles at Ierusalem acknowledged Paul to be an Apostle because he had the gift of an Apostle and because his ministerie was powerfull amōg the Gentiles Therefore they which haue the gift of teaching by whome also God is powerfull in the conuersion of sinners are Ministers certenly called of God Let them thinke on this that vtterly condemne the ministerie of the Church of England For many teachers among vs can shew both the gift of teaching and the power or efficacy of their ministery It is worth the marking also that the Apostles are called Pillars Here we see what is the charge of the ministers of the word namely to sustaine and to vphold the Church by doctrine praier counsel good life Elizeus is called of Ioas The charrets and horsemen of Israel 2. King 13. 4. And the Church of God vpon earth is called the Pillar and ground of trueth in respect of the Ministerie of the word 1. Tim. 3. 15. Againe in that all ministers in their places according to the measure of gifts receiued are pillars they are admonished hereby to be constant in the truth against all enemies whatsoeuer It is the praise of Iohn the Baptist that he was not as a reed shaken of the winde Math. 11. 7. All beleeuers are to stand fast in temptation against their spirituall enemies Eph. 6. 13. and this they shall the better doe if they be directed by the good example of their teachers Thirdly in that Ministers are pillars we are taught to cleaue vnto them and their ministerie at all times in life and death For we are liuing stones in the temple of God Christ is our foundation and they be pillars to hold vs vp and therefore not to be forsaken Deut. 12. 19. Furthermore Paul at this time was not accounted a pillar for he saith thus Iames Cephas Iohn are accounted pillars as who should say I am accounted none Thus Paul goes through good report and euill report and is content to be contemned Lastly the example of concord among the Apostles is to be obserued in that they giue the right hands of fellowship one to an other 10 Warning onely that we should remember the poore which thing also I was diligent to doe In these words Paul sets downe the fourth and last signe of his approbation at Ierusalem on this manner At my departing the Apostles warned me to remember the poore and of no other thing did they giue me warning therefore there was a full and perfect consent betweene vs. In the wordes two things are set downe the Apostolicall warning and the practise of it by Paul The warning
in these words Warning onely that we should remember the poore In them three points are to be considered The first that the Church of Ierusalem is in extreame pouertie And the causes of it may be two The first because the poorer sort receiued the Gospel thus it was in Corinth 1. Cor. 1 26. Not many wise according to the flesh not many mightie not many noble The like we in experience at this day the poorer sort among vs doe more heartily receiue it then they of the richer sort By this we are taught that we may not fixe our loue and our confidence vpon riches they that buie must be as though they bought not and they that possesse as though they possessed not Because riches steale away the heart The second cause of their pouertie was that they were depriued of their riches for the profession of the name of Christ. 1. Thess. 2. 14. Heb. 10. 34. Here we are taught to sit downe and to recken what the profession of Christ will cost vs to the vttermost and we must put this in our account that we must be readie and willing to part with the deerest things in the world for the name of Christ. And this reckning and resolution must we daily carrie about with vs. The second point is Why the Church of Ierusalem must be releeued by the Gentiles considering by Gods law Deut. 15. 11. euery place must releeue his owne poore Ans. We are first of all debters to our owne poore and they must first be releeued this done in the case of extreame necessitie we are debters to the poore a thousand miles off And in this case did the Apostles craue releefe of the Gentiles for them of Ierusalem The third point is that the Apostles themselues are carefull for the gathering of releefe Hence we learne that it is the office of Pastours and teachers not only to preach and dispence the word but also to haue care of the poore and this care is to be shewed in exhortation counsell ouersight As for the administration and execution of matters belonging to the poore it belongs to others If the Apostles at any time gathered carried and dispensed releefe it was because the Church was not yet founded and planted and therefore there was no other to doe it Now I come to the practise of Paul in these words Which thing also I was diligent to doe it Here first let vs marke that Paul who had spoiled and made hauocke of the Church of Ierusalem now gathers releefe and as we say begges for it and no doubt the rather that he may make some recompence for the wrong he had done By his example we are taught to make Satisfaction for all iniuries and hurts done to others and that to the vttermost He that steales according to the qualitie of his theft must restore either twofold or fourefold Exod. 22. 7. he that maimes a man must pay for his healing and for his resting that is for the losse of his labour Exod. 21. 19. Daniel saith to Nabuchadnezzar O King breake off thy sinnes with almes deedes Dan. 4. 24. that is whereas thou hast bin giuen to crueltie and oppression cease to doe so any more and make some recompence by giuing of almes Dauid saith it is the propertie of a wicked man to borrow and not to repay Psal. 37. 21. Satisfaction recompence and restitution is the way to life by the appointment of God Ezech. 18. 7. and 33. 15. If thou restore the pledge and repay that which thou hast robbed thou shalt liue and not die The Lord saith Are the treasures of wickednes yet in the house of the wicked and he addes that he will not iustifie the false ballance Mich. 6. 10 11. Zacheus in his conuersion for known wrongs restores fourefold and for his vnknown wrongs he giues halfe his goods to the poore Luk. 19. 7. Let vsurers ingrossers and all that oppresse or deale deceitfully remember this and begin to make conscience of this du ty of Satisfaction or restitution And that it may the better be practised I will further set downe fiue points The first is who must satisfie and restore Ans. He that is the cause of any wrong or losse to others and all they that are accessarie Men may be accessarie many waies by commaundement by counsell by consent by partnership by receiuing by silence when a man ought to speake by not hindring when he ought to hinder by not manifesting that which we ought to manifest The second is To whom must restitution be made Ans. To him that is wronged and beares the losse if the partie be knowne and aliue if he be dead to his heires if all be dead to the poore If the person wronged be not knowne to vs as often it falls out then restitution is to be made to the Church or commonwealth and restitution is to be turned into Almes for the poore Dan. 4. 24. Moreouer if both the giuing and the receiuing of a thing be vnlawfull as in bribes and Simoniacall gifts restitution is not to be made to the giuer but as before it is to be applied to common vse specially to releefe The third point is What must be restored Ans. The things which are of vsvniustly receiued or deteined either known to vs or vnknowne If they be knowne they are in their owne kind to be restored or in value Exod. 21. 19. If the partie who is to restore be in extreame pouertie and haue not wherewith to make recompence he must doe that which he can that is he must shew a readie and willing minde and this is done by confession and by crauing of pardon If goods to be restored be for their value and quātitie vnknowne then restitution must be made according to the iudgement and discretion of them that are wise The fourth point is touching the time when Ans. In respect of preparation of mind we must presently satisfie yet not in respect of execution For the Act of restitution may be deferred if there be ignorance of the right or ignorance of the fact if the restorer be in extreame neede if vpon present restitution life goods or good name be indangered The last point is in what order and manner Restitution is to be made Ans. Things certen must first be restored and things vncerten after Among things certen that is which certenly belongs vnto an other things bought and not deliuered are to be restored and Deposita things committed to our trust If things to be restored for their value and qualitie be vncerten the order is this Restitution must be made according to the discretion of wise men in some part and for the rest pardon to be craued Againe in restitution warines is to be vsed least by supplying the losses of other men we make to our selues the losse of good name Againe in Pauls practise we see an earnest care and diligence to prouide for the poore And his diligence is further expressed Rō 15. 25 28.
couenant they are children of God and originall sinne which is in them is couered from their first beginning and not imputed to them The vse There was no absolute necessitie of circumcision For they which died before the eight day were borne holy and consequently in the couenant and therefore might be saued And thus Baptisme was not of absolute necessitie for the children of beleeuers are borne holy and Christian and therefore dying in the want of baptisme may for all that be saued The seale of the couenant is not of like necessitie with the couenant it selfe Secondly here we learne that it is not the act of baptisme to conferre the first grace but onely to confirme and seale it vnto vs. Adoption and life beginnes not in baptisme but before If the roote be holy the branches springing thenee are holy We are borne Christians if our parents beleeue and not made so in baptisme Lastly if we be borne holy it is our shame that we haue made no more proceeding in holines then we haue done the most remaine ignorant and vnreformed and they of the better sort either stand at a stay or goe backward The second point is concerning Iustification in the 16. v. of which sundrie things are there propounded And first I will beginne with the name The word Iustifie is borrowed from courts of iudgement and signifies a indiciall act Otherwhiles it is put for the action of the iudge and then it signifies to absolue or to pronounce innocent Thus Paul saith Act. 13. 39. That we are instified from all things from which we could not be iustified by the law of Moses that is absolued or cleered Againe he opposeth iustification to accusation and condemnation Rom. 8. 33. Now the contrarie to condemnation is absolution Sometimes againe the word iustifie signifies the act of the partie iudged or of the witnesses and then it imports as much as to giue testimonie or to declare and approoue Thus Iames saith Abraham was iustified by workes chap. 2. v. 22. that is declared and approoued to be a iust man by workes In the former signification is the word vsed where the holy Ghost deliuereth the doctrine of iustification as in this place The vse Here we see how to distinguish betweene Iustification regeneration and renouation Regeneration is vsually in scripture the change of the inward man whereby we are borne anew Renouation is the change both of the inward and outward man that is both of heart and life Iustification is neither but a certaine action in God applied vnto vs or a certaine respect or relation whereby we are acquit of our sinnes and accepted to life euerlasting Secondly we must here note that the Teachers of the Church of Rome mistake the word Iustification For by it they vnderstand nothing els but a physicall transmutation of the qualitie and disposition of our hearts from euill to good And by this mistaking they haue made a mixture or rather confusion of law and Gospel Thirdly here we see what is to be the disposition of the partie iustified for by the consequent we may learne the antecedent A man therfore that would be iustified must come before the iudgement seat of God and there must he plead guiltie and be his owne aduersaâ—ie condemning himselfe and beeing pressed with the terrours of the law he must flie and make his appeale to the throne of grace for pardon in Christ and then he shall be acquit or iustified from all sinner Thus much doth the word 〈…〉 stifie import Thus came the Publican before God Luk. 18 when he said Lord be mercifull to me a sinner and departed iustified Thus in the sift petition we are taught to come euery day into the presence of God and to acknowledge our debts and to vse the plea of mercie saying Forgiue vs our debts The second thing to be considered is the subiect of iustification or the person to be iustified and that is man generally signifying that a Man is iustified The holy Ghost speaketh thus generally for two causes The first is because all men without exception haue need of iustification euen they which are regenerate Rom. 3. 23. And in this place Paul saith that he and Peter and the rest haue beleeued in Christ that they might be iustified by faith Here we are to take notice of the miserable condition of prophane and secure Epicures who neuer so much as dreame of any iustification The second reason is because God communicates the benefit of iustification generally to all sorts of men and this he doth in the Ministerie of the word in which he beseecheth men to be reconciled to God 2. Corinth 5. v. 21. This must be an inducement vnto vs to come vnto Christ humbling and iudging our selues that we may be iustified God himselfe from heauen vseth reasons vnto vs daily to mooue vs to the practise of this dutie What meane these gratious and continuall preseruations of Prince and people Church and land By them we see it is the good pleasure of God to giue vs a time to seeke his kingdome and righteousnes wherefore let vs not neglect the day of visitation but take the time while it serues that we may turne vnto God and be accepted of him and escape the woe pronounced vpon Corazin and Bethsaida The third thing to be considered concernes things excluded from iustification as false causes namely the works of the Law Here it may be demanded what works are meant I answer first not onely workes of the Ceremoniall but also of the morall law For all men know that ceremoniall actions are of no vse vnlesse they be ioyned with morall duties of loue and mercie And if Paul meant onely Ceremoniall workes he needed not to haue made so long a discourse against iustification by workes for he might haue ended the whole matter in a word or twaine by shewing that the ceremoniall law was abrogated by Christ. Secondly I answer that not onely workes done before faith are excluded but also workes that follow faith and are done in the estate of grace For Paul here reasons thus If no flesh be iustified by workes then not we beleeuers but no flesh at all is iustified therefore not we beleeuers Dauid Psal. 143. reasoneth on the same manner No flesh shall be iustified in thy fight therefore I cannot though otherwise I be thy seruant in keeping thy commandements When Abraham was the father of all the faithfull and was come to the highest degree of faith and abounded in good workes yet was he not then iustified by workes Rom. 4. 1 2. Paul kept a good conscience before God and men Act. 23. and yet was he not iustified therby 1. Cor. 4. 4. And he saith that we are not saued by the workes which God hath ordained that we should walke in Eph. 2. 9 10. And the workes that God hath ordained for vs to walke in are the best workes of all euen workes of grace Againe he saith that we are not saued
the word stands in three things The first is true and proper interpretation of the Scripture and that by it selfe for Scripture is both the glosse and the text The second is sauorie and wholesome do ctrine gathered out of the Scriptures truly expounded The third is the Application of the said doctrine either to the information of the iudgement or to the reformation of the life This is the preaching that is of power Let all the sonnes of the Prophets thinke vpon these things and studie to be doers of them Furthermore two questions are here resolued The first is whether Images be necessarie in the congregations of the people of God Ans. There are Christian Images and Pictures and they are very necessarie And these Images are Sermons of Christ and the Right administration of the sacraments For in them Christ is described and painted out vnto vs. As for the painted and carued images of the Papists we vtterly detest them as Idols They alleadge that they are lay-mens bookes but Habakuk saith they are doctours of lies Hab. 2. 18. And where the liuely preaching of the word is there is no neede of them And therefore Images were not established in Churches in these West parts till after 700. yeares As long as the church had golden teachers there were no wooden images but when golden teachers did degenerate and become wooden teachers then came both golden and wooden Images It is further said why may not we paint Christ in our churches with colours as with wordes in sermons Ans. The one the Lord alloweth namely the description of Christ in speach But the caruing or painting of images in churches and that for religious vse he condemneth Exod. 20. 6. The second question is Whether there be now in the church of God any sacrifice or oblation of Christ Ans. There is after a sort For there is a liuely representation of the passion of Christ in the Preaching of the word and in the administration of the Lords supper as if Christ were yet in crucifying and as though his blood were now distilling from his hands sides As for the sacrifice of the Masse it is an abomination and a meere mockerie For there the Priest when he saith Accept these gifts c. is become a Mediatour betweene Christ and God and the bodie and blood of Christ is offered in an vnbloodie manner that is blood is offered without blood and the Priest when he hath offered Christ eates vp all that he hath offered Yet for this damnable oblation many stand and the reason is because they are bewitched and inchanted with pretended shewes of Fathers Councells Antiquitie Succession c. Lastly here we learne what is the dutie of all beleeuers namely to behold Christ crucified Cant. 3. 11. O daughters of Sion behold your king But where must we behold him Not in Roodes and Crucifixes after the Popish manner but we must looke on him as he propounds himselfe vnto vs in the word and sacraments For thus is he the true obiect of our faith And how must we behold him by the eye of faith which makes vs both see him feele him as it were crucified in vs. Here note that implicit faith which is to beleeue as the Church beleeues is a blind faith for by it we cannot contemplate and behold Christ. And the common fault is here to be noted whereby men neglect and passe by this contemplation of Christ. There is among vs the euill eye that deuoureth all it seeth there is the adulterous eye but where is the eye of faith to behold Christ where is the force of this eye to be seēe which maketh the thing which it beholdeth to be ours and vs like vnto it We loue to tricke and paint our bodies and some to set fine complexions on their faces and therefore complexions at this day are made a kind of marchandise but away with such vanities If ye loue to be painted I will tell you what ye shall doe The office of the Ministers is to describe and paint out Christ vnto vs let them paint Christ crucified in the heart and set vp his image there and then shalt thou haue a fauourable complexion in the eye both of God and man That this contemplation of Christ by faith may take more place and be the better practised consider the vse of it First by beholding Christ crucified we see our miserie and wickednes For our sinnes are the swords and speares which haue crucified him Zach. 12. 10. Secondly this sight brings vs true and liuely comfort for beholding Christ crucified we see Paradise as it were in the midst of hell we see the handwriting against vs cancelled Coloss. 2. 14. we see the remission of our sinnes written with the heart blood of Christ and sealed with the same Thirdly this sight of Christ makes a vniuersall chaunge of vs. The Camelion takes to it the colours of the things which it seeth and are neere vnto it and the beleeuing heart takes to it the disposition and minde that was in Christ crucified by viewing and beholding of Christ. This sight makes vs mourne and bleede in our hearts for our offences when we consider that Christ was crucified for them and it makes vs loue Christ when we consider the loue of God in Christ crucified Lastly this thing must be a terrour to all the vngodly For they haue no care to behold Christ but by their leud liues they crucifie him and for this cause in the day of iudgement they shall see with heauie hearts Christ to be their iudge whome they haue pearced Reuel 1. 7. Better therefore it is now in the day of grace to behold him with the eye of faith to our comfort then now to despise him and then to behold him to our euerlasting shame with the eye of confusion 2 This onely would I learne of you Receiued ye the Spirit by the workes of the law or by the hearing of faith 3 Are ye so foolish that after ye haue begunne in the spirit ye would now be made perfect by the flesh The sense of the words When Paul saith this would I learne of you he meets with the conceit of the Galatians who thought themselues wise and the effect of his speech is this I haue called you fooles but it may be that you thinke your selues wise and me foolish well let it be so then with all your wisdome teach me and let me learne but one thing and that is by what meanes ye receiued the Spirit Touching the phrase Receiued ye the Spirit three things must be obserued The first that the Spirit sometimes signifies the essentiall spirit of the Father and the Sonne as 1. Cor. 12. 4. There is a diuersitie of gifts but one spirit Sometimes againe it signifies the effects operations or gifts of the spirit as namely when flesh and spirit are opposed as in this text And further when it signifies gifts yet then the presence of the spirit is not excluded
righteousnes and iudgement and then he will bring vpon them all that he hath spoken Gen. 18. 19. to the Israelites he saith that they must turne and obay and then he will make all his promises and couenants good Deut. 30. 1. 6. and Isa. 1. 16 17 19. To the Iewes Peter saith Repent first and then they shall be baptized for the remission of sinnes Act. 2. 38. 42. And Philip saide to the Eunuch If thou beleeuest with all thy heart thou maist be baptized Act. 8. 37. The vse By this order we see that the commandement to beleeue and to repent is more large and generall then the promise of mercie in Christ. For the commandement is giuen to all hearers to turne and beleeue and the promise is made onely to such hearers as doe indeede turne and beleeue therefore it is a falshood to imagine that the promise of saluation belongs generally to all mankind Againe by this order it appeares that Repentance belongs to baptisme and it is one of the first things that are required and therefore it is follie to make Repentance a distinct meanes of saluation and a distinct sacrament from baptisme Thirdly if it be demanded why so many persons that haue bin baptized liue for all this as if they had not bin baptized in the common sinnes of the world like prophane Esaus and yet doe comfort themselues in their baptisme Ans. They doe not know and consider the Order which God vsed in couenanting with them in baptisme but they deale preposterously ouerslipping the commandement of repenting and beleeuing and in the first place lay hold of Gods promise made to them in baptisme This is the cause of so much prophanesse in the world Againe there be many persons that haue bin baptized who neuertheles cannot abide to heare and read the word of God and the reason is because they obserue not the order of their baptisme first of all to become disciples and then to lay hold of the promises of God They likewise are to be blamed that bring vp their youth in ignorance For they are baptized vpon condition that they shall become disciples of Christ when they come to yeares of discretion And they are by this meanes barred from all the mercies of God for we must as good disciples obay the commandement that biddes vs turne and beleeue before we can haue any benefit or profit by any of the promises of God Lastly we are here taught in the working of our saluation to keepe the Order of God which he hath set downe vnto vs in baptisme which is first of all to turne vnto God according to all his lawes and secondly vpon our conuersion to lay hold of the promises of God and the confirmation thereof by the sacraments Thus shall we find comfort in the promises of God and haue true fellowship with God if we beginne where he beginnes in making of his couenant with vs and end where he ends And this we must doe not onely in the time of our first conuersion but also afterward in the time of distresse and affliction and at such times as by frailtie we fall and offend God In a word if for practise we alwaies keepe our selues to this order we shall find true comfort in life and death It followes Baptizing them into the name or in the name of the Father Sonne and holy Ghost These words signifie first to bap tize by the commandement and authoritie of the Father Son and holy Ghost secondly to baptize by and with the inuocation of the name of the true God Whatsoeuer ye doe in ward or deede doe it in the name of our Lord Iesus Christ that is by the in vocation of the name of Christ. Col. 3. 17. Thirdly to baptize in the name c. signifies to wash with water in token that the partie baptized hath the name of God named vpon him and that he is receiued into the houshold or familie of God as a child of God a member of Christ and the temple of the holy Ghost Thus Iacob faith in the adoption of Ephraim and Manasses Let them be mine and let my name be called vpon them Gen. 48. 5. 16. And Paul saith that the Corinthians might not be named and distinguished by Paul Cephas Apollos because they were not baptized into their names but into the name of Christ. 1. Cor. 1. 13. And this I take to be the full sense of the phrase Here we see what is done in baptisme the Couenant of grace is solemnised betweene God and the partie baptised And in this couenant some actions belong to God and some to the parties baptised Gods actions are two The first is the making of promise of reconciliation that is of remission of sinnes and life euerlasting to them that are baptised and beleeue The second is the obsignation or sealing of this promise and that is twofold outward or inward The outward seale is the washing by water and this washing serues not to seale by nature but by the institution of God in these words baptize them c. and therefore Paul saith cleansing the Church by the washing of water in the word Eph. 5. 26. The inward sealing is by the earnest of Gods spirit Eph. 1. 13. The action of the partie baptized is a certaine stipulation or obligation whereby he binds himselfe to giue homage to the Father Son and holy Ghost This Homage stands in faith whereby all the promises of God are beleeued and in Obedience to all his cōmandements The signe of this obligation is that the partie baptized willingly yeelds himselfe to be washed with water It is not saide in the name of God but in the name of the Father Sonne and holy Ghost to teach vs the right way to know and to acknowledge the true God This Knowledge stands in sixe points all here expressed The first is that there is one God and no more For though there be three that are named yet there is but one name that is one in authoritie will and worship of all three And elswhere men are said to be baptized into the name of the Lord. Act. 10. 48. The second is that this one true God is the Father Sonne and holy Ghost A mysterie vnsearchable The third that these three are really distinct so as the Father is first in order the Sonne the second and the holy Ghost not the first or second but the third The fourth is that they are all one in operation Ioh. 5. 19. and specially in the act of reconciliation or couenant making For the father sends the sonne to be our Redeemer the sonne workes in his owne person the worke of redemption and the holy Ghost applies the same by his efficacie The fift is that they are all one in worship for the Father Sonne and holy Ghost are ioyntly to be worshipped together and God in them The last is that we are to know God not as he is in himselfe but as he hath reuealed himselfe vnto vs in
the sacrament is administred And that it may conferre grace some say that the saide action hath vertue in it for this purpose which passeth away when the action is ended others say it hath no vertue in it but that Gods vsing of the action eleuates it and makes it able to conferre grace But this doctrine is a fiction of the braine of man Iohn the Baptist Math. 3. 11. makes two baptizers himselfe and Christ and he distinguisheth their actions his owne action is to wash with water and the action of Christ is to wash with the holy Ghost This distinction he would not haue made if he by the washing of water had conferred the holy Ghost Paul saith Christ sanctifieth his Church by the washing of water through the word Eph. 5. 26. Baptisme therefore doth not conferre grace because the bodie is washed with water but because when it is washed the word of promise is beleeued and receiued The Apostles are called fellow-workers with God 1. Cor. 3. 9. and yet in the worke of regeneration and in giuing of life they are not any thing v. 7. Peter saith directly that the washing away of the filth of the flesh doth not saue but the stipulation that a good conscience makes to God 1. Pet. 3. 21. The worke of creation is from God immediatly and onely now regeneration is a worke of creation and therefore it is of God immediatly and not immediatly from the sacrament and mediatly from God The flesh of Christ is eleuated and exalted aboue the condition of all creatures neuertheles vertue to giue life is not in the flesh of Christ but in the godhead much lesse then shall the sacraments haue vertue in them to conferre grace Faith is said to iustifie yet not by his owne vertue for it doth not cause our iustification but serue as a meanes to apprehend it when it is caused by God how then shall the sacraments cause iustification Lastly if the outward washing of the bodie be eleuated aboue his naturall condition in the administration of baptisme then so oft as the outward element is vsed in any sacrament there is a miracle wrought and Ministers of sacraments are workers of miracles which may not be said Againe their doctrine is erronious in that they teach that the outward act in the Sacrament performed by the Minister cōfers grace where there is no gift of faith to receiue that which is conferred contrarie to that saying Ioh. 1. 12. As many as receiued him he gaue this power to be the sonnes of God Indeed they say there must be faith and repentance to dispose the partie but this disposition serues onely to take away impediments and not to inable vs to receiue that which God giueth The vse We must not thinke it sufficient that we come to the Church heare Gods word and pray contenting our selues in the worke done For thus shall we deceiue our selues but in doing these acts of religion we must in our hearts turne vnto God and by faith imbrace his promises otherwise the best actions we doe shall be vnprofitable vnto vs. Heb. 4. 2. Againe if the vsing of the element in the sacrament doe not conferregrace then be assured that charmes and spells be the words neuer so good haue no vertue in them to doe vs good but by diabolicall operation The last question is whether baptisme imprint a Character or marke in the soule which is neuer blotted out Ans. In scripture there is a twofold marke of distinction one visible the other inuisible Of the first kind was the blood of the paschall lambe in the first passeouer for by it the first borne of the Israelites were marked when the first borne of the Egyptians were slaine Of this kind is baptisme for by it Christian people are distinguished from Iewes Turkes and infidels The inuisible marke is twofold The first is the eternall Election of God 2. Tim. 2. 19. The foundation of God stands sure and hath this seale The Lord knowes who are his By vertue of this Christ saith I know my sheepe Ioh. 10. And by this the Elect of all nations are marked Apoc. 7. and 9. The second is the gift of regeneration which is nothing els but the imprinting of the image of God in the soules of men and by this beleeuers are said to be sealed Eph. 1. 13. 2. Cor. 1. 22. And baptisme is a meanes to see this marke in vs because it is the lauer of regeneration The Papists haue deuised another worke which they call the Indeleble character and they make it to be a distinct thing from regeneration and they say it is imprinted in the soules of all men good and bad and remaines in them when they are condemned What this marke should be they cannot tell some make it a quality some a relation but indeed there is no scripture for it the truth is it is a meere fiction of the braine of man The sixt point to be handled concernes the Necessitie of baptisme Here we must put difference betweene the Couenant of grace and baptisme which is the confimation or seale of the couenant To make couenant with God and to be in the said couenant is absolutely necessarie to saluation for vnles God be our God and we the seruants of God we cannot be saued Baptisme it selfe is necessarie in part first in respect of the commendement of God who hath inioyned vs to vse it secondly in respect of our weakenes who haue neede of all helps that may confirme our faith Yet baptisme is not simply necessarie to saluation for the want of baptisme when it canbe had doth not condemne but the contempt of it when it may be had and the contempt is pardonable if men repent afterward for the children of beleeuing parents are borne holy 1. Cor. 7. 14. and theirs is the kingdome of God and therefore if they die before baptisme they are saued The theese vpon the crosse and many holy martyrs haue died without baptisme and are in the kingdome of heauen It is obiected that the male child which is not circumcised must by God commandement be cut off from the people of God Gen. 17. 14. and therefore he that is not baptised must also be cut off Ans. The text is spoken and meant not of infants but of men of yeares who beeing till then vncircumcised despise the ordinance of God and refuse to be circumcised And this appeares by the reason following for he hath made my couenant void now infants doe not this but their parents or men of yeares Secondly the speach of Christ is obiected Ioh. 3. 5. Except a man be borne of water and the holy Ghost he cannot enter into the kingdome of God Ans. Christ alludes to the washings of the old testament Ezech. 36. 25. and withall giues an exposition of them on this manner Thou art a Pharisie and louest much washing but if thou wouldest enter into the kingdome of heauen thou must be washed with cleane water that is
borne anew by the holy Ghost Againe I answer that if the words be meant of baptisme they carrie this sense The kingdome of heauen doth not signifie life eternall but the Church of the new Testament and that in his visible estate Mark 9. 1. and baptisme makes men visible members of the Church and regeneration by the spirit makes them true and liuely members Here then baptisme is made necessarie not in respect of eternall life but in respect of our admission and entrance into the Church whereof it is now the onely meanes The seauenth point is touching the Circumstances of baptisme which are fiue The first concernes the persons which are to administer baptisme of whome I propound foure questions The first is whether not onely Ministers of the word but also lay-persons as they are called or meere priuate men may administer baptisme Ans. Ministers of the word onely For to baptize is a part of the publike Ministerie Matth. 28. 18. Goe teach all nations baptizing them And marke how preaching and baptising are ioyned together and things which God hath ioyned no man may separate Againe he that must performe any part of the publike Ministerie must haue a calling Rom. 10. 14. Hebr. 3. 5. but meere priuate persons haue no calling to this busines And whatsoeuer is not of faith is sinne now the Administration of baptisme by priuate persons is without faith For there is neither precept nor fit example for it in the word of God The example of Zippora is alleadged Exod. 4. 28. who circumcised her child Ans. The example is many waies discommendable For shee did it in the presence of her husband when there was no neede shee did it in hast that shee might haue preuented her husband shee did it in anger for shee cast the foreskin at the feete of Moses And it seemes shee was no beleeuer but a meere Madianite For shee contemned circumcision when shee called her husband a man of blood by reason of the circumcision of the child v. 26. and in this respect it seemes Moses either put her away or shee went away when he went downe to Egypt Againe it is obiected that priuate persons may teach and therefore baptize Ans. Priuate teaching and Ministeriall teaching are distinct in kind as the authoritie of a master of a familie is distinct in kind from the authoritie of a Magistrate A priuate person as a father or master when he teacheth the word of God he doth it by right of a master or father and he is mooued to doe it by the law of charitie but Ministers when they teach are mooued to teach by speciall calling and they doe it with authoritie as Embassadours in the roome and stead of Christ. 2. Cor. 5. 21. Againe though a priuate man might dispense the word alone yet doth it not follow that he may administer both the word and the seale thereof both which are ioyned in baptisme and ioyntly administred The second question is whether baptisme administred by a wicked man or an hereâ—â—ke be indeede true baptisme Ans. If the said partie be admitted to stand in the roome of a true pastour or minister and keepe the right forme in baptising according to the institution it is true baptisme The Scribes and Pharisies the chiesest doctours of the Iewes were not of the tribe of Levi but of other tribes and they were indeede euen the best of them but herelikes and Apostataes and consequently to be deposed and excommunicate neuertheles because they were in the place of good teachers and fate in Moses chaire that is taught sundrie points of Moses doctrine therefore Christ saith heare them Math. 23. 1. And to this effect was the conclusion of the Churches in Africa against Cyprian Vpon the same ground the same answer is to be made if it be demanded whether baptisme administred by him that cannot preach be of force or no It were indeede to be wished that all Ministers of holy things were preachers of the word neuerthelesse if such as preach not stand in the roome of lawfull pastours and keepe the forme of baptisme it is baptisme indeede The third question is whether an Intention to baptise be necessarie in him that baptiseth Ans. If the word of Institution come to the Element it is a sacrament whatsoeuer the minister intend Paul reioyced that Christ was preached though many preached him of enuie or contention intending no good Phil. 1. 16. And the Priest in the Masse pronouncing the words of consecration if he intend not to consecrate in Popish learning there is no consecration and thus the bread eleuated is meere bread and not the bodie of Christ and consequently the people adore not Christ but an idol The intention therefore of the minde is not necessarie so be it the Institution be obserued And the efficacse of the sacrament depends not on the will of man but on the will of God The last question is what is the dutie of the Minister in baptising Ans. He stands in the roome of God and what he doth according to the Institution it is as much as if God himselfe had done it with his owne hand from heauen And therefore wheÌ„ the Minister applieth water which is the signe pledge of grace to the body he doth withall applie the Promise of remission of sinnes and life euerlasting to the partie baptised And that is as much as if God should say to the partie calling him by his name I freely giue vnto thee the pardon of thy sinnes and life euerlasting vpon condition thou keepe the order set downe in baptisme which is to turne vnto me and to beleeue in Christ. Here we see a ground of speciall faith for if God for his part by the hand of the Minister applie the promise of mercie vnto euery particular beleeuer euery particular beleeuer is againe by a speciall faith to receiue the promise Againe the consideration of this which God hath done for vs in baptisme must mooue vs seriously to turne vnto him according to all his lawes and by faith of our hearts to apprehend his mercifull promises and to rest on them For when God shall speake vnto vs particularly and as it were assure vs of his mercies with his owne hand and seale we must needs be much mooued and affected therewith The second circumstance is concerning the persons to be baptised and they are all such as be in the Couenant in likelihood or in the iudgement of charitie For the seale may not be denied to them that bring the tables of the couenant And they are of two sorts Men of yeares and Infants Men of yeares that ioyne themselues to the true Church are to be baptised yet before their baptisme they are to make confession of their faith and to promise amendment of life Act. 2. 38. and 10. 38. And thus places of Scripture that require actuall faith and Amendment of life in them that are baptised are to be vnderstood of men of yeares Infants of beleeuing
on the Lords day But this doctrine seemes not to stand with the fourth commandement It seemes to be a truth more probable that euery seauenth day in the weeke must be set a part in holy rest vnto God for this is the substance of the fourth commandement And it is also very probable that the Sabbath of the new Testament is limited and determined by our Sauiour Christ to the Lords day For Paul and the rest of the Apostles obserued the first day of the weeke for a Sabbath day Act. 20. 7. and he saith Whatsoeuer ye haue heard and what ye haue seene in me that doe Phil. 4. 9. Againe it was the decree or constitution of Paul that the collection for the poore should be the first day of the weeke at Corinth now this collection in the Primitiue Church followed preaching praier sacraments and it was the conclusion of all other exercises in the assemblie 1. Cor. 16. 2. And this first day of the weeke is called the Lords day Apoc. 1. 11. and it is so called because it was dedicated and consecrated to the honour of Christ our Lord. And who is the author of this Dedication but Christ himselfe the Lord of the Sabboth It is alleadged that the Sabbath and the commandement touching the Sabbath is Ceremoniall and vpon this ground they take libertie keep no Sabbath at all But the truth is that the commandement touching the Sabbath is not wholly Ceremoniall It may be the first words Remember the Sabbath day to sanctifie it and the words In it thou shalt doe no manner of worke c. are spoken of the Iewes Sabbath but the wordes Sixe daies shalt thou labour and the seuenth day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God are morall and containe a perpetuall truth Therefore the words of Paul must be conceiued with an exception of the Sabbath day which is the seuenth day in euery weeke which day Christ hath limited by his Apostles to the Lords day The vse This text of Paul discouers vnto vs a great part of the superstition of the Popish Church in the obseruation of holy daies First beside the Lords day they appoint many other sabbaths whereas it is the priuiledge of God to appoint an ordinarie day of rest and to sanctifie it to his owne honour Secondly they bind mens consciences to the obseruation of their holy daies which Paul here forbids and Col. 2. 16. Thirdly they place the worship of God in the obseruation of their holy daies but God is worshipped in vaine by mens precepts Matth. 15. Fourthly they place a great holines in their festiuall daies more then in other daies Fiftly they dedicate many of their holy daies to the honour of Saints and Angels whereas the dedication of ordinarie and set daies is a part of diuine or religious worship Lastly their holy daies for number are more then the festiuall daies of the Iewes and thus they bring people into their old bondage nay to a greater bondage then euer the Iewes indured in respect of daies and times It may be said that the Church of the Protestants obserue holy daies Ans. Some Churches doe not because the Church in the Apostles daies had no holy day beside the Lords day and the 4. commandement inioynes the labour of sixe daies Indeede the Churches of England obserueth holy daies but the Popish superstition is cut off For we are not bound in conscience to the obseruation of these daies neither doe we place holines or the worship of God in them but we keepe them onely for orders sake that men may come to the Church to heare Gods word And though we retaine the names of Saints daies yet we giue no worship to saints but to God alone And such daies as contained nothing in them but superstition as the conception and assumption of the virgin Marie we haue cut off Thus doth the Church with vs obserue holy daies and no otherwise Indeede the ignorant multitude among vs faile greatly in the obseruing of daies For they greatly solemnise the time of the birth of Christ and then they keepe few or no markets but the Lords day is not accordingly respected and men will not be disswaded from following of faires on that day Againe to obserue daies of good bad successe according to the constellations of the heauens is an heathenish fashion to be auoided For it is here condemned in the Galatians Here therefore we must be put in minde not to obserue the planetarie houres for men suppose that the houres of the daie are ruled by the planets and hereupon that some houres are good and luckie as they say and some vnluckie that men are taken with planets and borne vnder vnluckie planets But these are heathenish conceits Neither must we respect our Horoscope or the time of our birth and the constellation of the heauens thē as though we could hereby know what should befall vs to the end of our daies And we must not put difference of daies as though some were luckie vnto vs and some vnluckie according to the course of the starres The like I saie of the Criticall daies that is the 7. and the 14. daie after that a man beginnes to be sicke For they are groūded vpon the aspects of the moone which are not to be regarded And the Climactericall years are not to be obserued as dangerous and dismall The obseruatiō of the signes is of the same nature For the 12. signes are nothing els but 12. parts of the first mooueable which is but a supposed heauen Therefore there is no danger in the thing but in our conceit We are to feare God and not to feare the starres neither are we to make differences of daies in respect of them as though the affaires we take in hand should prosper the better or the worse in respect of their different operation Gods commandement is Feare not the signes of heauen Ierem. 10. 2. And good reason For no man can by learning knowe the operation of the starrs because their lights and operations are all mixed togither in all places vpon earth and therefore no obseruation can be made of this or that starre more then of this or that hearbe when all hearbes are mixed and compounded togither Againe the operation of the starres is by their light and light hath no operation but in heat or cold moisture or drinesse In this respect though we may well obserue the full and the change of the moone it is foolishnesse to ascribe the regiment of our affaires to the starres they beeing matters contingent which depend on the will and pleasure of man Lastly it is a great ouersight to hold sundrie of the starres to be malignant and infortunate in respect of vs whereas they are the creatures of God and their light serues for the good of man In a word we are not to make difference of daies neither in respect of holines nor in respect of good or badde successe V. 11. I am afraid
c. In these words the Apostle sets forth the greatnesse of the Apostasie of the Galatians by the effect thereof which was to cause him to feare least he had bestowed labour in vaine amōg them First the occasion of the words must be considered and that is expressed in the former words ye obserue daies and moneths And hereupon he saith J am in feare of you And thus Paul teacheth that workes set vp as causes of saluation with Christ make void the Ministerie and grace of God It may be said this is meant of ceremoniall workes and so it is true I answer it is indeed spoken of ceremoniall workes but it must be inlarged to all workes without exception For Paul saith c. 5. v. 3. If ye be circumcised ye are bound to fulfill the whole lawe Hence then it followes that the doctrine of iustification by workes is an errour in the foundation and beeing distinctly and obstinately maintained there is no hope of saluation Againe here we see the fidelitie of the Apostle Paul and it stands in two things the first is his painefull and wearisome labour to gaine the Galatians to God The second is his care that the foresaid labour be not in vaine And in this example of his we learne three things The first that they which are or desire to be dispensers of the word must doe it not for the bellie or for lucres sake or for the praise of men but simply for this ende that they may gaine soules to God The Scribe that would haue followed Christ for gaine was repelled with this answer that Christ had not so much as a place where to lay his head Math. 8. 20. and to preach for by-respects is to make a marchandise of the word of God 2. Cor. 2. 17. The second is that ministers after the example of Paul must be labourers indeed 1. Cor. 3. 9. and workemen 2. Tim. 2. 15. And they must shewe themselues to be so by their care and industrie in winning soules to God And it is not sufficient now and then to make a discourse vpon a text Thirdly Ministers of the word must be watchmen Ezech. 3. 14 and Heb. 13. 17. their office is not onely to gaine and call men to God but also to preserue and keepe them in Christ which are alreadie called Thirdly here we see the condition of the Church of Galatia and of all other visible Churches vpon earth that they are subiect to Apostasie It may be said how can this be considering true beleeuers cannot fall away Ans. In the visible church on earth there are foure kinds of beleeuers The first are they which heare the word without zeale and they are like the stony ground The second are they which heare knowe and approoue the word The third are they which heare knowe and approoue the word and haue a taste of the power thereof and accordingly yeeld some outward obedience The fourth are they which heare knowe approoue and keepe the word in that they beleeue it and are turned into the obedience of it The three first may fall quite away the fourth cannot And by this meanes it comes to passe that visible Churches vpon earth may fall away because of them that professe the faith three to one may vtterly fall away The vse This must teach vs that are members of the visible Church to feare and to suspect our selues and not to content our selues because we haue some good things in vs but we must labour to be sealed vp to the daie of our redemption and to lay vp a good foundation against the time to come 1. Tim. 6. 18. By seeking to haue in vs such good things as are proper to the Elect as vnfained faith in Christ and conuersion to God from all our sinnes It may be demanded how Pauls labour should be in vaine Ans. It was in vaine in respect of his owne desire and affection to saue all the Galatians secondly it was in vaine in respect of the whole bodie of that Church wherof many were hypocrits It was not in vaine in respect of the elect nor in respect of the counsell of God Isa. 55. 11. Againe it may be demanded what must be done when the labours of our callings are in vaine Ans. We must follow the calling and commandement of God whether we haue good successe or no and whatsoeuer come of it Paul feares least his labour is in vaine and yet he still labours When Peter had laboured all night and caught nothing he saith at the commandement of Christ In thy word will I cast out my net Luk. 5. And thus to doe whatsoeuer follows is true wisedome and the feare of God For it must suffice vs that the worke we take in hand is pleasing vnto God And though it be in vaine in respect of men it is not so before God Isa 49. 4. and 2. Cor. 2. 18. This must euery man remember in his place and calling for the establishing of his minde against all euents V. 12. Be you as I for I am euen as you I beseech you brethren ye haue not hurt me at all The words in this verse to the 16. verse are an answer to an obiection The obiection is this we see now by these sharpe reproofes that Paul hath changed his minde toward vs and that he hath turned his loue into hatred The answer is be as I I am as you the speech is very effectuall and significant and it is like the common prouerb Amicus alter ego alter idem that is a mans friend is all one with himselfe The sense of the words is Be as I looke that your minds be not estranged from me but tender me euen as your own selues for I Paul am the same that euer I was I respect and tender you euen as mine own selfe And least the Galatians should say see ye not how Paul commands imperiously be ye as I therefore he addes I beseech you brethren I command you not In the next words he addes a reason of his answer thus Hatred presupposeth a hurt or wrong to be done ye haue done me no hurt or wrong therefore ye may not thinke that I hate you When Paul saith be as I I am as you we learne that there must be a speciall and mutuall loue betweene the teachers and the people Paul saith that he did inlarge his heart for the Corinthians and he requires the like of them 2. Cor. 6. 11. 13. Teachers must shewe their loue by tendering the saluation of the people by all meanes euen as their own soules Paul could haue found in his heart to haue beene accursed for his countrimen the Iewes Rom. 9. 〈◊〉 He desired that he might be offered vp as a drinke offering vpon the sacrifice of the faith of the Philippians Phil. 2. 18. When the Israelites had sinned Moses stands in the breach as it were in the face of the Canon betweene the wrath of God and them by his praier to stay the iudgement of
Thirdly this doctrine serues to beate downe a point of naturall Atheisme in the heart of man which makes many thinke it a vaine thing to serue God and to heare his word Iob. 21. 15. Mala. 3. 14. Dauid was troubled with this corruption Psal. 73. 15. Many of them which professe the name of Christ will not be brought to keep the Sabbath daie and in their dealings they vse fraud and lying as other men doe and all is because they thinke they cannot liue by their religion Fourthly the onely way to establish a kingdome or common wealth is to plant the Gospell there for this makes an happie people And this is the maine cause of our happinesse and successe in this church and land And the obedience of the Gospel is it that makes euery man in his trade office and calling whatsoeuer it be to prosper Read Psal. 1. 3. 5. On the contrarie they are wretched and miserable that liue without the Gospell Prou. 29. 18. 2. Cor. 4. 3. 2. Tim. 3. 7. 6. To receiue the doctrine of the Apostles is an vnfallible marke of the Church of God For this is it that makes a people blessed and happie 7. We may not despise the preaching of the word 1. Thes. 5. 20. If we doe we despise our owne happinesse If it be said Preachers sometime are deceiued Answ. Marke the addition of Paul Prooue all things hold that which is good 2. Thess. 5. Touching the speciall loue of the Galatians to Paul First it may be demanded what was the cause of it Answ. The very Ministerie of the Apostle whose office it was to make Disciples Math. 28. 19. and so to plant the Church of the new Testament And for this cause he had a priuiledge to preach the truth so as he could not erre in things which he deliuered to the church 2. He preached with authority as hauing power to correct rebellious offenders 2. Cor. 106. and 1. Cor. 4. 3. he preached with vnspeakeablle diligence Read Act. 20. 31. 4. He had a prerogatiue as the rest of the Apostles had after he had made disciples by imposition of hands to giue vnto them the extraordinary giftes of the Holy Ghost Act. 8. 17. And these are the meanes whereby this speciall loue was procured Secondly it may be demanded whether the Galatians did not more then keepe the law when they would haue plucked out their owne eyes and haue giuen them to Paul for thus they loue him more then their owne selues Ans. The commandement Thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe doth not prescribe that we must in the first place loue our selues and then in the second loue our neighbour but it setts downe the right manner of louing our neighbour and that is to loue him as hartely and vnfainedly as our owne selues The measure of loue is expressed when Christ saith we must loue on another as Christ loued vs. Ioh. 13. 34. There is a certen case in which we must consider our neighbour not only as a neighbour but also as a speciall instrument of God and thus are we in some respectes to loue and to preferre him before our selues Thus a subiect is more to loue the life of his prince then his own life Thus Paul was content to be accursed for the Israelites Rom. 9. 1. And the Galatians would haue giuen their eies to Paul that was so worthy an instrument of the grace of God In their example we are taught to be willing to forsake the dearest things in the world for the Gospell of Christ euen our eies hands feete yea and our life Vers. 16. Because I tell you the trueth We must after Pauls example speake the truth to all men Eph. 4. 25. Am I therefore your enemie the conclusion of the Apostles argument Here we see a corruption of nature which makes vs that we cannot abide to heare the truth in things that are against vs. We hate them that speake the truth selfe loue makes vs conceiue the best things of our selues Here then learne 1. To search thy heart and life that thou maiest know the very worst by thy selfe If thou wilt not know it now thou shalt know it to thy shame in the day of iudgement 2. Be vile and base in thine owne opinion Iob. 34. last 17. They are iealous ouer you amisse yea they would exclude you that ye should altogether loue them 18 But it is good to loue earnestly alwaies in a good cause and not onely when I am present with you The word zeale hath many significations here it is fittely translated ielousie Ye are ielous hereby much is signified that there is a spirituall marriage betweene Christ and his Church that the Church is the Bride Christ the bridegroome or husband the Gospel an instrument drawne touching the marriage the sacraments as seales the graces of the spirit as loue-tokens the Ministers of Christ as friends of the bridegroome and suters for him In this respect they put on the affection of Christ and are zealous for him This Ielousie is twofold pretended ielousie and true ielousie Pretended ielousie is when men falsely pretend the loue of the Church for Christs sake Thus Paul saith They are ielous that is they pretend a loue vnto you for Christs sake but indeede they doe it amisse And the reason follows They would exclude you namely from louing of me Others read the wordes thus they would exclude 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vs the difference in the Original is onely in one letter and the sense is the same that the false Apostles would exclude Paul from the loue of the Galatians that they onely might be honoured and loued Jt is good These words may be vnderstood either of the Galatians or of Paul I rather choose to applie them to Paul that for ielousie he may make an opposition betweene himselfe and the false teachers The sense is this that ielousie is a good thing if it be in a good cause that is if it be indeede for Christs sake and be alwaies the same And Paul addes further that this kind of ielousie is in himselfe because he is ielous ouer the Galatians not onely when he is present with them but also when he is absent and this he further confirmes in the two next verses The scope In these wordes Paul meetes with a conceit of the Galatians for they might happely say that their new Teachers loued them exceedingly and were zealous for their saluation Paul therefore answers by a comparison thus they are ielous ouer you but it is amisse nay ielousie for you is good The first part of the comparison is in the 17. verse the second in the 18. The vse When Paul saith that the false Apostles were ielous ouer the Galatians amisse he sets out the fashion of men in the world which is to doe things which are good in their kind but to doe them for wrong ends It is an excellent office to preach the word but some doe it of enuie and
contention Phil. 1. 15. others make marchandise of the word It is an excellent thing to imbrace the Gospel and yet many men doe it amisse for feare or for honour or for profit or for other sinister respect and not for the Gospels sake This temporall life is an excellent thing yet few there are that know the ende of this life For men commonly spend not their time to seeke the kingdome of heauen and to serue God in seruing of men but with all their might they aime at honours profits pleasures and thus they liue amisse not for the honour of God but for themselues This must teach vs not onely to doe good but to doe it well and to propound good ends to our selues and to seeke to be vpright in the statutes of God Psal. 119. 80. To this ende three things must be done First we must set before vs the will and commandement of God and this must mooue vs to doe the good we doe Secondly the outward action must be conformable to the inward motions of the inward man and they must both goe together Thirdly we must directly intend to obay God in the things we doe and to approoue our hearts and doings to him In that the false Apostles are saide to be ielous or zealous we see how nature can counterfeit 〈◊〉 grace of God and that which the child of God doth by 〈◊〉 that the naturall man can doe by nature Thus Pharao fa 〈…〉 repentance Exod. 9. 27. and Ahab that sold himselfe to worke wickednes 1. king 21. 27. and Iudas in the midst of his despaire is said to repent Matt. 27. 1. Daily experience shewes the like in such persons who in their extremitie with teares vse to bewaile their liues past and with many vowes and protestations promise amendment and yet afterward when they are on foote againe they returne to their old bias In a word there is nothing that the godly man doth by the spirit of God spiritually but an hypocrite may doe the like carnally Nature can play the part of the ape in imitating good things Therefore it stands vs in hand to praie and examine our hearts least we be deceiued in our selues For there may lie a depth of deceit and falshood lurking in the heart And that we be not deceiued two things must be obserued One is that we must cherish in our hearts an vniuersall hatred of all and euery sinne first in our selues and then in others The second is that we must be changed and renewed in our minds consciences and affections Thirdly here we see the propertie of enuie and Ambition in these false teachers Paul must be excluded from the loue of the Galatians that they alone may be loued Thus Iosua would haue excluded Eldad and Medad from prophesying and he would haue Moses to be the onely prophet but Moses saith I would to God all the people could prophecie Num. 11. 29. Iohns disciples would haue excluded Christ baptising but Iohn saith He must increase and I must decrease Ioh. 3. 30. The disciples of Christ would haue excluded one that cast out deuills in the name of Christ but did not follow him and Christ forbad them Luk. 9. 49. Lastly we here see the propertie of deceiuers is to make a diuision betweene the Pastors and the people Beside the former pretended ielousie there is a good ielousie which the Apostle takes to himselfe and els where he calls it the ielousie of God 2. Cor. 11. 2. This ielousie presupposeth the office of the Apostles and all Ministers which stands in three things The first is to become suters to the Church or to the soules of men in the name of Christ and to make the offer or motion in his name of a spirituall marriage and this is done in the ministerie and dispensation of the Gospel The second is to make the Contract betweene mens soules and Christ. Now to the making of a contract the consent of both the parties at the least is required Christ giues his consent in the word Ose 2. 20. and we giue our consent to him and choose him for our head when we turne to God and beleeue in Christ. And the ministerie of the word serues to signifie the will of Christ vnto vs and to stirre vp our hearts to an holy consent The third is after the contract to preserue them in true faith and good life that they may be fit to be presented to Christ in the day of iudgement and so be married to him eternally for then and not before is the marriage of the lambe These duties are all noted by Paul when he saith that he prepared the Corinthians that he might present them as a pure virgin vnto Christ. 2. Cor. 11. 2. And because this charge and office is laid vpon the Apostles and Ministers therefore they are said to be ielous This Ielousie stands in three things The first is to loue the Church indeede and truth for Christs sake The second is to feare least by reason of weaknes and by meanes of the temptations of the deuill the Church and they that beleeue should fall away from Christ. The third is after the fall of the church to be angrie with holy anger and indignation for Christs sake Thus Moses was ielous when the Israelites worshipped the golden calfe and Elias with like zealessue the priests of Baal Thus is Paul said to be ielous in this place and Act. 14. If the Apostle be thus ielous how much more then is Christ himselfe ielous who hath espoused himselfe to his Church This plainly shewes that he cannot brooke either Partner or deputie And therefore his sacrifice on the crosse must stand without the sacrifice of the masse his intercession without the intercession of Saints his merits without the merit of workes his satisfaction without any satisfaction of ours He will haue the heart alone and all the heart or nothing and he will not giue any part of his honour to any other This Ielousie in the Ministers must teach all faithfull seruants of God that they keepe themselues as pure virgins for Christ and set their hearts on nothing in the world but on him Therefore they must hunger after Christ they must account all things dongue for him they must haue their conuersation in heauen with him and loue his comming vnto thē by death Psal. 45. 10. Contrariwise they that set their hearts on any other thing beside him are said to goe a whoring from him and therefore they are accursed Psal. 73. 27. Thus many Protestants doe in their practise whatsoeuer they professe Thus doth the Church of Rome both in word and deede For beside Christ shee hath many other louers and shee goes a whoring after them when shee worships Angels and Saints the images of God and Christ with religious worship Againe by this we are put in minde to yeeld an vniuersall subiection to Christ for this is the dutie of the espoused wife to her husband Lastly that good things
Therefore the seuerall rules and orders of Monkes and Friars in the Church of Rome are meere superstitions Furthermore Paul here makes two degrees of Gods children one is when they are begotten of God and Christ is formed in them The second is when they are begotten of God yet so as they are as yet vnformed Such were the Apostles when they confessed Christ to be the sonne of the liuing God Math. 16. for then they knewe not the article of Christs death resurrection ascension at that time nor the manner of his kingdome Of this sort was Rahab when shee receiued the spies Heb. 11. for then shee was not informed in the religion of the Iewes but only acknowledged the God of Israel to be the true God and had a resolution to ioyne her selfe to the people of God Of this sort were the Corinthians at the first For they were carnall more then spirituall euen babes in Christ 1. Cor. 3. 3. This must teach vs where we see any good thing in men to cherish it For though as yet they be not Christians formed yet they may be Christians in forming When Paul saith vntill Christ be formed he shewes that the conuersion of a sinner is not wrought in one moment but by little and little in processe of time In the generation of infants first the braine heart and liuer are framed then the bones veines arteries nerues membranes and after this flesh is added And the infant first begins to liue the life of a plant by growing and nourishing then it liues the life of a beast by sense and motion and thirdly the life of a man by the vse of reason Euen so God outwardly preuents vs with his word and inwardly he puts into vs knowledge of his wil with the beginnings or seeds of faith and repentance as it were a braine and a heart from these beginnings of faith and repentance arise heauenly desires from these desires follows asking seeking knocking and thus the beginnings of faith are increased and men goe on from grace to grace till they be tall men in Christ. And for this cause we must with constancy vse the good means in hearing reading praying Lastly we are all here put in minde to studie and to vse all good meanes that we may be like to Christ specially in the disposition of the inward man There is a spirituall madnesse in the mindes of many men they thinke of nothing but of the fashion of their apparell and of the trimming of their bodies but let vs thinke how to imprint the gratious image of Christ in our hearts thus shall we be louely and haue fauour in the eyes of God Thus much of Pauls loue now follows his desire in the 20. verse In which I consider three things the desire it selfe I would J were with you now the ende of his desire that I might change my voice the occasion thereof for I am in doubt of you When Paul saith I would I were with you now he shewes that the presence of Pastours with their people is a thing most necessarie And there are two reasons thereof One is to preuent spirituall daungers which are manifold and continuall in that the deuill seekes continually whome he may deuoure and we fight against principalities and powers in heauenly things In this respect Pastours are called watchmen and ouerseers Secondly the presence of Pastours with their people serues to redresse things amisse and to recouer them that be in Apostasie as Paul saith in this place Therefore it were to be wished that this mind of Paul were in all Pastours that with one consent they might say to their people I would I were with you n 〈…〉 In the words that I might change my voice Paul continues the allusion which he made in the former verse to a woman with child and hereby he signifies two things The first is that he will leaue further disputing with the Galatians and fall to lamenting and crying as mothers doe in the time of their trauell by reason of their paine This is to change the voice It was the manner of Paul to abase himselfe and to mourne for the sinnes of others 2. Cor. 12. 24. and he reprooues the Corinthians that they were puffed vp and did not mourne for the incestuous person Like was the practise of Dauid Psal. 119. 136. of Lot 2. Pet. 2. 7. of Ieremie Lam. 2. 11. of the friends of Iob Iob 2. last of the godly in the daies of Ezechiel c. 9. 4. of Christ in respect of Ierusalem Luk. 19. 41. And it hath bin alwaies the practise of holy men when there was no other helpe with tears to commend the case to God If sorrow for other mens offences make Paul change his voice much more are men to doe it for their owne Peter in his repentance left his presumptuous speaking and fell to bitter and secret teares and so did the woman that stood at the feete of Christ weeping and washed his feete with her teares Luk. 7. 38. The like ought we to doe for our offences and sinnes The earth-quake this winter past must stirre vs vp to this dutie For it is a matter full of terrour 1. Sam. 14. 15. and the sicknesse which hath taken hold of thousands as a gentle warning must be respected And it must be considered that the changes of the great world bring with them like changes in the little world that is in the bodies of men Againe to change the voice is to conferre with the Galatians and vpon conference to temper his voice to their manners and condition as nources stammer and lispe with children For some are with pitie to be recouered and some with terrour Iud. 22. 23. Hence I gather That the Conference of Pastours and people is a thing very necessarie Paul here ascribes more to it then to his Epistle It is the life of preaching For by it the teachers know better what to teach and the people better to conceiue things that are taught Here then we see a common fault Men are content to heare but they will not conferre with their teachers and in the time of sicknesse the first person that is conferred with is the Physitian and the Minister is last sent for whereas on the contrarie the cure of the soule is the cure of the bodie Iob 33. 23. 25. Againe here is set downe the way to attaine all good learning and that is that learners be present with their teachers and the teachers againe temper their voices to the capacitie of the learners Thus Samuel was with Eli at the dore of the Tabernacle thus Christ was in the Temple among the doctours hearing them and asking them questions Luk. 2. 44. Thirdly Paul here sets downe the way to make a pacification for religion in these last daies and the way is that the Pastours of the Church be assembled together by the authoritie of Princes and beeing assembled they temper their voices one to another according to the written word Thus
Sina came from mount Sina where the law was deliuered to the Israelites And gendreth to bondage that is it makes all them bondmen that looke to be iustified and saued by the works of the law For Agar or Sina here the translatours are deceiued supposing that mount Sina had two names Agar and Sina but this opinion of theirs hath no ground and the words are thus to be read Agar is Sina Here Agar signifies not so much the person of Abrahams handmaid as that which is said in the former historie of Agar For the words are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And Sina must be considered as a place where it pleased God to publish the law And the wordes thus considered haue this sense Agar is Sina that is Agar figures Sina two waies First in condition for as Agar was a bondwoman so Sina in respect of the law was a place of bondage and in this respect also it is called Sina of Arabia which was a desart out of the land of Canaan Secondly in effect for as Agar bare Ismael a bondman to Abraham so Sina or the law makes bondmen And it answereth Sina answereth to Ierusalem that is as Agar figures Sina so Agar figures Ierusalem and by this meanes Sina and Ierusalem are like and stand both in one order Now Agar figures Ierusalem two waies in condition and effect In condition for as Agar was a bondwoman so Ierusalem or the nation of the Iewes refusing Christ and looking to be saued by the law are in spirituall bondage In effect for as Agar brings forth Ismael a bondman so Ierusalem by teaching the law makes bondmen Therefore Paul saith in the last place of Ierusalem and shee is in bondage with her children The vse These things are said by allegorie Here the Papists make a double sense of scripture one literall the other spirituall Literall is twofold Proper when the words are taken in their proper signification Figuratiue when the holy Ghost signifies his meaning in borrowed tearmes Spirituall senses they make three One allegoricall when things in the old testament are applied to signifie things in the new testament The second is Tropologicall when scripture signifies something touching manners The third is Anagogicall when things are in scripture applied to signifie the estate of euerlasting life Thus Ierusalem properly is a citie by allegorie the Church of the new Testament in a tropologicall sense a state well ordered in an anagogicall sense the estate of eternall life These senses they vse to applie to most places of the Scripture specially to the historie But I say to the contrarie that there is but one full and intire sense of euery place of scripture and that is also the literall sense sometimes expressed in proper and sometimes in borrowed or figuratiue speaches To make many senses of scripture is to ouerturne all sense and to make nothing certen As for the three spirituall senses so called they are not senses but applications or vses of scripture It may be said that the historie of Abrahams familie here propounded hath beside his proper and literall sense a spiritual or mysticall sense I answer they are not two senses but two parts of one full intire sense For not onely the bare historie but also that which is therby signified is the ful sense of the h. G. Againe here we see the scripture is not onely penned in proper tearmes but also in sundrie diuine figures and allegories The song of Salomon is an Allegorie borrowed from the fellowshippe of man and wife to signifie the communion betweene Christ his Church so is the 45. psalme The booke of Daniel and the Reuelation is an allegoricall historie The Parables of the old and new Testaments are figures or allegories When Dauid saith Psal. 45. 4. Ride on vpon the word of truth meeknes and iustice he describes a Princes charriot by allegorie The Guide is the word the horses that draw it are three Truth meekenes iustice And thus the throne of God is described by like allegorie Psal. 89. v. 14. the foundation of the throne are righteousnes and equitie the maine bearers to goe before the throne are mercie and truth It may be demanded when doth the scripture speake properly and when by figure Ans. If the proper signification of the words be against common reason or against the analogie of faith or against good manners they are not then to be taken properly but by figure The words of Christ Ioh. 15. 1. I am the true vine my father is an husband man If they be taken properly they are absurd in common reason therefore the words are figuratiue and the sense is this I am as the true vine and my father as an husbandman The wordes of Christ Take eate this is my body 1. Corinth 11. vers 24. taken properly are against the articles of faith He ascended into heauen and sits at the right hand of God And they are against the sixt commandement Thou shalt not kill And therefore they must be expounded by figure thus This bread is a signe of my bodie The like is to be said of other places they must be taken properly if it be possible if not by figure Here then they are to be blamed that make the vse of Rhetoricke in the Bible to be a meere fopperie For to this purpose there is a booke in English heretofore published As also they of the familie of loue are iustly to be condemned who in another extremitie turne all the Bible to an Allegorie yea euen that which is said of Adam and of Christ. They are two Testaments they are that is they signifie and so Agar is Sina a mountaine in Arabia that is signifies Sina Thus the Rocke in the wildernes is Christ 1. Cor. 10. 4. that is figures Christ. Like to this is the Sacramentall phrase This is my bodie that is to say this bread signifies my bodie Great is the madnes of men that hence gather Transsubstantiation or the real conuersion of bread into the bodie of Christ. They might as well gather hence the conuersion of Agar into mount Sina The two Testaments are the Couenant of workes and the Couenant of grace one promising life eternall to him that doth all things contained in the law the other to him that turnes and beleeues in Christ. And it must be obserued that Paul saith they are two that is two in substance or kind And they are two sundrie waies The law or couenant of workes propounds the bare iustice of God without mercie the couenant of grace or the Gospel reueales both the iustice and mercie of God or the iustice of God giuing place to his mercie Secondly the law requires of vs inward and perfect righteousnes both for nature and action the Gospel propounds vnto vs an imputed iustice resient in the person of the Mediatour Thirdly the law promiseth life vpon condition of works the Gospel promiseth remission of sinnes and life euerlasting vpon condition that we rest
Paul saith It is written In the testimonie I consider three things the condition of two Churches the change of the condition the ioy that is vpon the change The condition of the Church of the new Testament in these words Barren that bearest no children thou that trauelest not the desolate Barren The Christian Church is so called because by the vertue and strength of nature it beares no children to God no more then Sara did to Abraham Ioh. 1. 13. 1. Cor. 3. 7. Secondly it is so called in respect of the beginning thereof when the Iewish church was yet standing till the spirit of God was powred forth vpon all flesh after the ascension of Christ and before this the number of them which were conuerted to God was very small and therefore Christ himselfe complained that he spent his strength in vaine Isai 49. 1. Thirdly it is so called in respect of the latter times of the church in which Christ shall scarce finde faith vpon the earth Luk. 18. 8. Further that the church is barren it is declared by the signe because she neither brings forth child nor beares Desolate that is without husband in appearance by reason of the crosse and affliction and without children because at the first the christian church was constrained to hide herselfe in the wildernesse Reuel 12. 14. It may be demanded howe the catholike church should be desolate Answ. The estate of the church is twofold inward or outward The inward estate stands in the true knowledge of God in Christ in comfort touching remission of sinnes and life euerlasting in the hearing of our praiers in protection and deliuerance from all spirituall enemies in the gifts of the spirit faith hope loue c. In respect of this estate the church is all glorious within and neuer desolate Psal. 45. 13. The outward estate of the Catholike church stands in visible assemblies in the publike Ministerie of the word and sacraments in a gouernment according to the word of God In respect of this second estate the Church may be in desolation This was the condition of the Church in paradise vpon the fall of our first parents of the Israelites at Mount Horeb when they worshipped the golden calfe and in the daies of Elias Rom. 11. 3. and afterward 2. Chron. 15. 3. When Christ suffered the sheapheard was smitten and the sheepe were scattered After Christs ascension all the earth worshipped the beast Reu 13. 12. Hence it followes that the Catholike church is not a visible estate or companie of men vnder one visible head because in respect of her outward estate shee may be for a time in desolation And as this is the estate of the church so is it also of the meÌ„bers thereof They shall be hated of all men Luk. 21. 17. Men shall thinke they doe God good seruice when they kill them Ioh. 16. 2. And Christ himselfe was a man without forme or beautie Isai. 53. 2. Hauing an husband in these wordes the condition of the Iewish church is set forth that shee is married or espoused to God who is her husband Ezech. 16. 8 9. Ose. 2. 19. The like may be said of any other church and namely of the church of England The vse This must teach vs to dedicate our bodies and soules to God and Christ and to giue the maine affections of our hearts vnto him as our loue and our ioy c. Secondly we must adorne and trimme our selues with grace that we may please our husband Psal. 45. 12. Thirdly we must be the glory of Christ as the wife is to her husband 1. Cor. 11. 7. and that is by subiecting our selues to Christ and his lawes Againe if we beâ—roath our selues to Christ indeed we may assure our selues that Christ is our Christ and that he hath giuen himselfe vnto vs and consequently that he will sanctifie vs Ezech. 16. 9. protect vs as an husband doeth his wife Gen. 20. 16. and indowe vs with all things needfull for this life and the life to come Ezech. 16. 10 11. The second point is the change of the church of the newe Testament because shee shall cease to be barren and bring forth many children This is the promise of God and hereupon Paul concludes that the church is a mother of all beleeuers both Iewes and Gentiles Obserue that the promise of God is of infinite vertue in his time and place In the beginning God said let there be this or that and it was so Of like vertue is Gods promise if we can waite his leisure God promised that after 430. yeares the Israelites should be deliuered out of Egypt presently when the time was expired nothing could hinder the promise Read Exod. 12. 41. Therefore our dutie is to rest on Gods promises in all times both in life and death The third point is the ioy vpon the change Reioyce Here are two things to be considered The first who must reioyce Answ. The church Gods kingdome is the place of ioy Rom. 14. 17. Reioycing belongs to the people of God Psal. 68. 3. 106. 5. The musicke of the Temple was typicall and figured the ioy of the Catholike Church where is the assurance of remission of sinnes and life eternall The second point is in what must the church reioyce Ans. In the redemption of Christ and the fruit thereof the conuersion of sinners to god For the prophet had shewed at large the passion and sufferings of Christ Isai 53. and hereupon he saith Reioyce thou barren The Israelites were commanded to feast and to be merrie before the Lord Leuit. 23. 40. 1. Chron. 29. 32. that is before the Lords Arke which was the pledge of his presence Now this Arke was a figure of Christ and the myrth before the Arke signified that the foundation of all our ioy lies in our Reconciliation with God in Christ. The angels in heauen greatly reioyce at the conuersion of a sinner and at the returne of the prodigall sonne the fat calfe is killed The vse It is false that religion breeds Melancholie and cuts of all mirth It doeth not abolish mirth but rectifie it nay it brings men to true and perfect ioy Our first and principall ioy must be that we are in Gods fauour reconciled to God by Christ Luk. 10. 20. In Dauid the head of his ioy was the good estate of the church Psal. 137 6. And all other pettie ioyes must flow from this and be sutable to it Breake forth this signifies that the church vpon earth is as it were pent in with present greife Our ioy in this life is mixed with sorrow The paschall lambe was eaten with sowre hearbes to signifie that we feele no sweetnesse in the blood of Christ till we feele the smart of our sinnes We here must reioyce in trembling Psal. 2. 11. Ioy is sowne for them that are vpright in heart Psal. 97. 12. Crie in our earthly ioyes we must be moderate and sparing we must not eate to much hony
23. Ye are bought with a prise be not seruants of men that is let not your hearts and consciences stand in subiection to the will of any man Here then falls to the ground the Opinion of the Papists namely that the lawes and Traditions of the Church bind conscience as truly and certenly as the word of God This doctrine is not of God because it is against Christian libertie Obiect I. Rom. 13. 5. Be subiect to the higher powers for conscience Ans. Conscience here is not in respect of the lawes of the Magistrate but in respect of the law of God that binds vs in conscience to obay the law of the Magistrate Obiect II. Heb. 13. 17. Obay them that haue the ouersight of you and be subiect Ans. We must be subiect to them because as Ministers of God they deliuer the word of God in the name of God vnto vs and that word binds conscience Againe the lawes which they make touching order and comelines in the seruice of God are to be obaied for the auoiding of scandall and contempt Obiect III. A thing indifferent vpon the commandement of the Magistrate becomes necessarie Ans. It is true But it must be obserued that necessitie is twofold Externall internall And the law of the Magistrate makes a thing indifferent to be necessarie onely in respect of externall necessitie for the auoiding of the contempt of authoritie and for the auoiding of scandall Otherwise the thing in it selfe is not necessarie but remaines still indifferent and may be vsed or not vsed if contempt and scandall be auoided The Apostles made a law that the Gentiles should abstaine from strangled and blood and things offered to Idols Act. 15. 28. yet Paul saith afterward to the Corinthians All things are lawfull 1. Cor. 10. 23. and whatsoeuer is sold in the shambles eate and make no question for conscience sake v. 25. because their intent was not that the law should simply binde but onely in the case of offence and therefore where there was no offence to be seared they leaue all men to their libertie Againe here is an other comfort to all that beleeue in Christ that nothing can hurt them and that no euill can befall them Psal. 91. v. 10. nay all things shall in the ende turne to their good though in reason and sense they seeme hurtfull To beleeue this one thing is a ground of all true comfort The consideration of this benefit of Christian libertie teacheth three duties The first is from our hearts to imbrace loue and maintaine Christian religion because it is the meanes of this libertie The second is carefully to search the scriptures for they are as it were the Charter in which our liberties are contained Thirdly our Christian libertie puts vs in minde to become vnfained seruants of God in the duties of faith repentance newe obedience Rom. 6. 22. For this seruice is our libertie The second point is touching the Author of this libertie in these words wherewith Christ hath made vs free Christ then is the worker of this libertie Ioh. 8. 36. he dissolues the works of the deuill 1. Ioh. 3. 8. he binds the strong man and casts him out of his hold Matth. 12. 29. He procures this libertie by two meanes by his merit and by the efficacie of his spirit The merit of his death procures deliuerance from death and it purchaseth a right to life euerlasting The efficacie of his spirit assures vs of our adoption and withall abates by little and little the strength and power of sinne The vse Hence we learne the greatnes and grieuousnes of our spirituall bondage because there was none that could deliuer vs from it but Christ by his death and passion Hence therefore we are to take occasion to acknowledge and bewaile this our most miserable condition in our selues Secondly the prise that was paid for the procurement of our libertie namely the pretious blood of the immaculate lambe of God shewes that the libertie it selfe is a thing most pretious and excellent and so to be esteemed Thirdly for this libertie we are to giue all praise and thanks to God This did Paul at the remembrance of it Rom. 7. 25. 1. Cor. 15. 57. And not to be thankfull is an height of wickednesse The third point is concerning the persons to whome this libertie belongs and they are noted in these wordes Stand ye fast he hath made vs free Whereby Paul signifies himselfe and the Galatians that beleeued in Christ. Beleeuers then are the persons to whome this libertie belongs Ioh. 1. 12. 1. Tim. 4. 3. And true beleeuers are thus to be discerned They vse the ordinatiemeanes of grace and saluation the word sacraments in the vse of the meanes they exercise themselues in the spirituall exercises of inuocation and repentance and in these exercises they bewaile their vnbeleefe and striue by all meanes to beleeue in Christ. As for them that conceiue a perswasion of Gods mercie without the meanes of saluation and without the exercises of inuocation and repentance they are not true beleeuers but hypocrites When Paul saith Christ hath made vs free that is me Paul and you the Galatians he teacheth that euery beleeuer must by his faith applie vnto himselfe the benefit of Christian libertie But to doe this well is a matter of great difficultie The Papists in their writings report our doctrine to be this that a man must conceiue a perswasion that he is in the fauour of God the adopted child of God and that vpon this perswasion he hath the pardon of his sinnes and the benefit of Christian libertie But they abuse vs in this as in many other things For we teach that the Application of Christ and his benefits is to be made by certaine degrees The first is to vse the meanes of saluation the word praier sacraments the second is to consider and to grow to some feeling of our spirituall bondage the third is to will and desire to beleeue in Christ and to testifie this desire by asking seeking knocking the fourth is a certen perswasion or a certentie conceiued in minde of the mercie of God by meanes of the former desire according to the promise of God Aske and it shall be giuen vnto you The fifth is an experience of the goodnes of God after long vse of the meanes of saluation and then vpon this experience followes the full perswasion of mercie and forgiuenes The fourth point concernes the office of beleeuers and that is to stand fast in their Christian libertie and in the doctrine of the Gospel which reueales this libertie And by this we in England are admonished to stand fast to the religion which is now by law established amōg vs not to returne vnder the yoke of Popish bondage For the Popish religion is flat against Christian libertie two waies For our libertie which we haue in Christ frees vs from the law three waies in respect of condemnation in respect of compulsion to obedience and
will be iustified by one act of the law is bound to performe the rest for his iustification Abolished from Christ that is Christ is become an idle and emptie Christ vnto you Whosoeuer are iustified by the law that is are of opinion that they are to be iustified by the workes of the law For indeede a sinner cannot be iustified by the law but onely in his owne false opinion Grace that is the loue and fauour of God The resolution The third verse is a confirmation of the reason in the second verse and it may be framed thus He which is bound to keepe the whole law hath no part in Christ he which is circumcised is bound to keepe the whole law therefore he which is circumcised hath no part in Christ. The 4. verse is a repetition of the second verse with a declaration therof for he shewes what he meanes by circumcision namely iustification by circumcision and consequently by the whole law And therefore when he had said If ye be circumcised he changeth his speach saying Whosoeuer is iustified by the law Againe least men might thinke it a small matter to be abolished from Christ he shewes that it is indeede to fall from grace The vse These verses are as it were a thunderbolt against all Poperie And first of all I vrge the argument of Paul against the Popish Church and against the Popish religion If ye be iustified by the law ye are abolished from Christ and fallen from Christ. Answer is made that the words are to be vnderstood of such workes of the law as are from nature and goe before faith and not of such workes as are from grace and follow faith for such workes they say are from Christ and stand with him I answer the words of Paul are to be vnderstood of all workes of the law whether they be from nature or from grace For this Epistle of Paul was written about sixe yeares after the conuersion of the Galatians therefore they were and had bin long regenerate persons now men regenerate looke not to be iustified by works of nature but by good workes which are workes of grace And Paul saith Eph. 2. 10. We are not saued by workes which God hath ordained that we should walke in and these are the best workes that are or can be Againe Tit. 3. 5. Of his mercie he saued vs and not of workes of righteousnes By this text we further see that we and the Papists differ not about circumstances vnlesse Grace and Christ be circumstances Againe we see that the Church of Rome is indeede no Church because by maintaining iustification by works it is abolished from Christ and fallen from grace Againe I vrge Pauls argument against them on this manner He which is debter to the whole law hath no part in Christ he which is iustified by workes is debter to the whole law therefore he which is iustified by workes hath no part in Christ Let them answer if they can I turne the same argument another way thus He which is iustified by workes is bound to keepe the whole law but no man can keepe the whole law therefore no man can be iustified by workes They answer to the minor by making a double fulfilling of the law one for this life the other for the life to come and both in their kind perfect The fulfilling of the law for the time of this life they say it is to loue God aboue all creatues in truth and that he which doth thus much fulfills the law and is no offender Hereupon they inferre that works may be answerable to the law and be opposed to the iudgement of God And for this doctrine they alleadge S. Augustine I answer againe that Paul in this place takes it for a confessed truth that no man can fulfill the law and he vrgeth it as a great inconuenience that any man should be bound to keepe the whole law And before he hath said He which is of the workes of the law is cursed Gal. 3. 10. which could not be if there were a fulfilling of the law for the time of this life As for Augustine it is true he makes two fulfillings of the law and one of them for the time of this life but this he saith is imperfect and this imperfection he makes to be a sinne whereas the Papists of our time teach that men may fulfill the law for the time of this life without sinne Where Paul saith If ye be circumcised marke how the false Apostles abuse circumcision It is by diuine institution a seale of the righteousnes of faith and they make it a meritorious cause of saluation It is indeede rather Gods worke then our worke and they make it their owne worke and that meritorious before God Like doe the Papists at this day Baptisme is a signe and seale of Gods mercie by diuine institution and they turne it into a physicall cause which containes and conferres grace In like sort they turne the workes of the spirit almes praier fasting contrition yea their owne traditions confession satisfaction and such like into meritorious causes of iustification and life And this is the fashion of deceiuers to retaine the names of holy things but not to retaine the right vse of them As here we see Circumcision was an obligation to the keeping of the whole law in the old Testament so is baptisme in the new an obligation or bond whereby we haue bound our selues to liue according to all the lawes of God Matth. 28. 19 20. This discouers the Atheisme and vnbeleefe of persons baptised in these our daies for few there be that thinke vpon and performe this obligation We are further to obserue the condition of the law It is wholly copulatiue All the parts of it are linked one to another He that is bound to one commandement is bound to all he that keepes one indeede keepes all he that breakes one in respect of the disposition of his heart is a breaker of all Iam. 2. 10. he that makes no conscience to keepe some one commandement if occasion be offered will breake any Hence it followes that true regeneration is that which is a reformation and change according to the whole law of God and containes in it the seedes of all good duties Christ saith He that is washed is all cleane Ioh. 13. 10. Iosias turned to God according to the whole law Zacharie and Elizabeth walke in all the commandements of God without reproofe Luk. 1. Dauid saith He shall not be confounded when he hath respect to all the commandements of God Psal. 119. 6. On the contrarie he which hath many excellent things in him if he liue in the manifest breach of some one commandement is sound in none nay indeede he is guiltie of all Herod did many good things and yet all was nothing because he liued in incest Mark 6. 20. The deuill is able to bring a man to perdition as well by one sinne as by many Whereas Paul saith
fruits of the spirit the hatred of our owne sinne the purpose of not sinning the feare of God and such like we must content our selues and waite for the fruition of further grace till the life to come Thirdly we must become waiters for the mercie of God and for life euerlasting Gen. 49. 18. Iud. v. â—1 For this cause we must doe as they doe which waite attend for some great benefit we must daily stand with our supplications knocking at the mercie gate to the death and we must daily prepare our selues against the day of death and it must be welcome vnto vs for then is the ende of all our waiting and attending The third point is by what are we to waite Paul saith We waite by faith Hence it followes that faith brings with it a speciall certentie of the mercie of God and of life euerlasting For men vse not to waite for the things whereof they are vncerten Waiting presupposeth certentie The Papists therefore that make speciall hope should also make speciall faith The last point is where is this waiting Paul saith in spirit Here obserue that all the exercises of Christian religion are to be in the spirit God must be worshipped in spirit Ioh. 4. 24. Rom. 1. 9. The heart must be rent and not the garment Ioâ—l 2. The inward motions of the spirit are of themselues the worship of God whereas our words and deedes are not simply but so farforth as they are founded in the renewed motions of the heart Men in our daies thinke they doe God high seruice if they come to Church heare Gods word and say some few praiers Indeede these things are not to be condemned yet are they not sufficient vnlesse withall we bring vnto God a renewed spirit indued with faith hope â—oue In the 6. verse Paul propounds three conclusions The first is this that externall and bodely priuiledges are of no vse and moment in the kingdome of Christ. Paul saith 1. Tim. 4. 8. Bodily exercise profiteth little and that godlines is profitable for all things It was a great priuiledge to be familiarly acquainted with Christ and to haue eaten and drunke with him yet is it of no vse in the kingdome of Christ. For of such Christ saith Luk. 13. 26. Depart from me ye workers of iniquitie It was a great priuiledge to be allied to Christ in respect of blood yet in the kingdome of Christ it is of no vse and therefore Christ saith He that doth the will of my father is my brother sister and mother Mark 3. 33. To conceiue and beare Christ was a great honour to the virgin Marie yet was shee not by this meanes a member of the kingdome of Christ but by her faith in him And if shee had not borne him in her heart as well as shee bare him in her wombe shee had not bin saued To prophecie or preach and that in the name of Christ is a great dignitie and yet many hauing this prerogatiue shall be condemned Matth. 7. 22. It may be alleadged that some outward exercises as baptisme and the Lords supper are of great vse in the Church of Christ. I answer the outward baptisme is nothing without the inward Not the washing of the flesh but the stipulation of a good conscience saueth 1. Pet. 3. 18. Circumcision is profitable if thou keepe the law Rom. 2. 35. By this we are taught not to esteeme of mens religion by their riches and externall dignities For the fashion of the world is if a man haue riches and honour to commend him for a wise vertuous and godly man This is foolishly to haue faith in respect of persons Iam. 2. 1. Secondly by this we are taught to moderate our affections in respect of all outward things neither sorrowing too much for them nor ioying too much in them 1. Cor. 7. 30. The second conclusion Faith is of great vse and acceptation in the kingdome of Christ. By it first our persons and then our actions please God and without it nothing pleaseth God It is the first and the greatest honour we can doe to God to giue credence to his word and from this flowes all other obedience to all other commandements Hence we learne First that we must labour to conceiue faith a right in our hearts by the vse of the right meanes the word praier sacraments as also in and by the exercises of spirituall inuocation and repentance This beeing done we must rest vpon the bare word and testimonie of God without and against sense and feeling and quiet our hearts therein both in life and death Secondly faith in Christ must raigne and beare sway in our hearts and haue the command ouer reason will affection lust And by it whatsoeuer we doe or suffer specially the maine actions of our liues are to be ordered and disposed Lastly it is a thing to be bewailed that the common faith of our daies is but a Ceremoniall faith conceiued without the ordinarie meanes and seuered from the exercises of inuocation and repentance The third conclusion is that true faith workes by loue Hence the Papists gather that loue is the forme and life of faith not because it makes faith to be faith but because it makes it to be a true faith a good faith a liuely faith But this their doctrine is false and erronious For faith is the cause of loue and loue is the fruit of faith 1. Tim. 1. 5. Loue out of a pure heart good conscience and faith vnfained Now euery cause as it is a cause hath his force and efficacie in it selfe and receiues no force or efficacie from his effect Secondly true faith is liuely and effectuall in it selfe and hath a peculiar forme of his owne and that is a certen power to apprehend Christ in the promise For in faith there are two things knowledge and apprehension which some call application or speciall affiance which affiance because the Papists cut off they are constrained to make a supplie by loue Thirdly the operation of faith according to the doctrine of the Papist is to Prepare and dispose a sinner to his future iustification Now if this operation be from loue then loue is before iustification and that cannot be because as they teach iustification stands in loue Loue therfore is not the forme of faith They alleadge for themselues this very text in hand where it is said faith worketh by loue or as they translate it faith is acted and mooued by loue Ans. The meaning of the text is that faith is effectuall in it selfe and that it shewes and puts forth his efficacie by loue as by the fruit thereof And it cannot hence be gathered that faith is acted and mooued by loue as by a formall cause Againe they alleadge Iam. 2. 26. As the bodie is dead without the spirit so is faith without workes Ans. 1. The soule of man is not the forme of his bodie but of the whole man 2. Spirit may as well signifie breath or
teaching admonishing exhorting and by example of good life A particular calling whereby men are called to some estate of life in the familie Church or common wealth And according to the seuerall conditions of particular callings must euery man in his place doe the good he can The magistrate must vse his office first for the maintenance of the Gospell and then for the execution of iustice The minister must preach sound religion in loue of the soules of men The master of the familie must cause his househould to imbrace the Gospell and frequent the exercises of religion Lastly euery man that is in a trade or office must apply himselfe to the vttermost of his power to do all he can for the good of his countrie and he must so deale that he may be helpefull to all with whome he deales and hurtfull to none We are or should be trees of righteousnes our fruite must be meate for others and our leaues for medecines We must be as candles that spend themselues to giue light to others 14. For all the law is fulfilled in one word which is this thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe Fulfilled comprised Rom. 13. 9. One word One precept for the H. G. calles precepts words It may be demanded how the whole law should be fulfilled in the loue of our neighbour Ans. The loue of God and the loue of our neighbour are ioyned together as the cause and the effect and the loue of God is practised in the loue of our neigbour For God that is inuisible will be loued in the person of our neighbour whome we see and with whome we conuerse And the first commandement of the law must be included in all the commandements following and thus the loue of God is presupposed in euery commandement of the second table he therefore that loues his neigbour loues God also Thou shalt loue vnderstand both the affection and the duties of loue Thy neighbour any one that is neare vnto vs in res 〈…〉 t of mans nature Isai. 58. 7. though he be our enemy yet i◠by any occasion he be offered vnto vs of God he is our neighbour As thy selfe these wordes signifie not the measure of our loue as though we should loue our selues in the first place and thē our neighbour in the second place for there are some cases in which we are to loue our neighbour more thē our selues As for example we are more to loue the soule of our brother then our temporall life and a good subiect is more to loue the life of his prince then his owne life here then the H. G. signifies what must be the manner of our loue the word as signifies not quantitie but qualitie and that we are as truly and earnestly with loue to imbrace our neighbour as our selues The scope The words cōtaine a reason of the second Rule which may be framed thus to serue our neighbour in duties of loue is the keeping of the whole law therefore this seruice must carefully be performed The vse Here we see that the end of a mans life is to serue God in seruing of man for this is the summe of the whole law Seruants are commanded in seruing their masters to serue god and to do whatsoeuer they doe as vnto God Col. 3. 23. And so euery man in his place in dealing with men must so deale as if he were to deale with God himselfe Therefore most men prophane their liues when they make the scope and drift therof to be the getting of riches and honours And though they haue great charges that is no excuse for the principal end of our liuing here is to performe seruice to men and in this seruice to do homage to God for which homage God will giue the honour and riches which he sees to be conuenient for vs. Secondly here we may obserue what is true religion and godlines namely to loue and serue God in seruing of man He that saith he loues God and yet hates his brother is a lier 1. Ioh. 4. 20. And here it followes that to liue out of all societie of men though it be in praier and fasting after Monkish fashion is no state of perfection but mere superstition for that is true and perfect loue of God that is shewed in duties of loue and in the edification of our neighbour Againe the hypocrisie of sundrie Protestants is here discouered If they come to the Church and heare sermons frequent the Lords 〈◊〉 they thinke they may do afterward what they will and many such are frequenters of tauernes and alchouses and are giuen to riot and licenciousnes But it is not inough for thee to be holy in the Church thou maiest be a Saint in the Church and a Deuill at home True religion is that which shewes it selfe in thy priuate house priuate dealings and in the course of thine owne life such as thou art in thy particular calling such art thou indeed and truth what showes soeuer thou makest before men 15. If ye bite and deuoure one another take heed that ye be not consumed one of another The sense If ye bite Here Paul alludes to the fashiō of wild beasts as lions wolues c. And by biting we are to vnderstand all iniuries in words as railing cursing slandering bacbiting c. Deuoure here Paul vnderstands all iniuries in deed or violence euen to the shedding of blood Take heed lest here Paul signifies that contentions dissentions breed the destruction and desolation of the Church The scope These wordes are a second reason of the second rule drawne from the dangerous effect of the contrarie thus Contentions breed the desolation of the Church therefore do seruice one to an other by loue The contents In the words Paul deliuers 3 things The first is that there were greeuous contentions in the Church of Galatia The like also were in the Church of Corinth 1. Cor. 3. The cause of the former contentions were differences in points of religion Some of the Galatians no doubt withstanding circumcision and the most of them standing for it For herevpon great were the dissentions of the Churches in Iudea Act. 15. 2. Obserue then that vnitie is not an infallible and an inseperable marke of the Church of God Vnitie may be out of the Church and dissention in the Church as here we see It may be obiected that there is peace in the kingdome of God and that there the wolfe and the lambe dwell together Isai. 11. Ans. This is but in part verified in the kingdome of grace vpon earth and it is fully accomplished in the kingdome of glorie in heauen Againe it may be alleaged that the Church is the companie of them that truly consent in one and the same faith Ans. That is properly meant of the Catholike Church but the case is otherwise in particular Churches where true beleeuers are mixed with hypocrites wherevpon ariseth much dissention And of true beleeuers some are more carnall then spirituall and
that is another cause of dissention 1. Corint 3. 3. The second point concernes the qualitie of these dissentioÌ„s When Paul saith if ye bite and deuoure c. he signifies that they were fierce and violent And such commonly are dissentions for religion as appeares by the persecution in Queene Maries daies the heate whereof nothing could slake but mans blood Againe he signifies in these very wordes that they were bruâ—ish and beastlike more beseeming wolues lions dogges then men This must teach vs to detest railing cursing euill speaking fighting vnles it be in the case of necessarie defence for by these actions we degenerate to the condition of beastes and repell from vs the worke of grace for Christ of lions wolfes beares hath made vs his sheepe and lambes Isai. 11. The third point is touching the effect of contention that is the ruine desolation of the Church The diuision of the members among themselues is the dissolutioÌ„ of the whole bodie Differences in points of religion breed doubting doubting hinders faith and inuocation and the free course of the Gospell and where these be hindred the Church goes to decay And by reason of the dissentions that be in these last daies many liue as Atheistes and will be of no religion By this we are to be admonished to studie and to vse all meanes to maintaine Christian peace and concord Eph. 4. 3. To this end we must remember one generall rule Rom. 12. 18. haue peace with all men And withall we must obserue the cautions which Paul addes one is if it may be with good conscience for there are some with whome there is no peace vnles we sooth them in their vices or denie our religion either in whole or in part The second is If it lie in you for sometime men are accused and must of necessitie defend themselues These two cautions obserued peace must be had with all men It may theÌ„ be demanded why do not the Protestans make a Pacification with the Papists Ans. we are content so to do in respect of ciuill societie but not in respect of religion We haue a commandement to the contrarie Reuel 18. 4. come out of Babylon my people and touch no vnclean thing where a pacification is made both the partes must yeeld somewhat but we may not yeeld in any point of our religion to the Papists In an Instrument of musick the stringes out of tune are set vp or set downe to the rest and the strings that are in tune are not stirred Euen so the Papists are to turne to vs we are not to turne to them our religion beeing the doctrine of the prophets Apostles Peace is three-fould Church peace Ciuill peace Houshould peace All these are to be maintained Touching Church peace I giue 3 rules The first is that for the ending of differences in religion there must be conferences in a free or christian councell the spirits of the prophets is subiect to the prophet 1. Cor. 14. â—2 when there arose differences in the Churches of Iudea the Apostles and elders came together to inquire of the matter Act. 15. 6. And this is a thing much to be desired in these daies specially in these Westerne partes of the world It may be demanded why did not the Protestants ioyne with the Papists at the councell of Trent Ans. from the first session it was more then 6 yeares before any safe conduct was giuen to the Protestants and at their appearing in the councell exception was taken against their letters and they dismissed And when they appeared the second time vpon new safe conduct the councell was the next day reiorned for 2 yeares And when safe conduct was giuen the 3 time the Protestant princes refused to send their diuines because they had bin twice mocked Moreouer the councell was not a free councell because the Pope himselfe was both partie and iudge The second rule There must be a christian toleration one of an other Eph. 4. 2. here that we mistake not I propound 2 questions One is in what must there be a toleration Ans. A toleration presupposeth an errour or defect in our brother An errour is either in iudgement or manners An error in iudgment is either in the foundation of religion or beside the foundation in lighter matters if the errour be in the foundation there is no toleration of it If it be in some lesser matter a toleration is to be vsed according to the rule of the Apostle if ye be otherwise minded God will reueile it Phil. 3. 15. when others see not that which we see we must not preseÌ„tly coÌ„demne them but tolerat their ignorance till God reueile his truth vnto them Againe errors in manners be of 2 sortes some without offence as hastines frowardnes vaine gloriousnes c. these we must tolerate Pro. 19. 11. and others with open offence and such admit no toleration 1. Cor. 5. 11. The second question is to what ende must we tolerate the infirmities and ignorances of our brethren Ans. Toleration must tend to the good and edification of men Rom. 15. 2. We must not so tolerate as that we approoue of the least vice or betray the least part of Gods truth It may here be demanded whether there may not be a toleration for Poperie Ans. No. The toleration of two religions in one kingdome is the ouerthrow of peace Againe Poperie is a religion both hereticall and schismaticall It may be said that faith and conscience is free I answer though faith in the heart and conscience in it selfe be free in respect of mans authoritie yet is not the publishing of faith and the profession of conscience free in like sort but it stands subiect to the power of the Magistrate The third rule Euery man in his place specially teachers must set themselues to build the Church Iud. v. 20. Eph. 4. 12. Indeede the truth is to be defended but marke how The truth must be confessed when time and occasion serues without opposition this done all contentions laid aside we must set our selues to build the Church And the rather Ministers of Gods word in England must remember this because while we are striuing among our selues in sundrie points of difference the Papist our common enemie gets ground Touching ciuill peace it must be remembred that the peace and good estate of Ierusalem stood in this that it was made the seate of Gods sanctuarie and the throne of iustice Psal. 122. When the Arke was in the house of Obed-Edom all things prospered with him Now in the new Testament the preaching of the Gospel inuocation of Gods name with the vse of the Sacraments come in the roome of the Sanctuarie Ciuill peace then is maintained when men yeeld subiection to the Gospel of Christ which brings peace to all that receiue it Touching houshold peace I giue two rules One is that gouernours of families must vrge and compell all vnder them to admit at the least outwardly the practise of
the sense which is agreeable to the words of the text to the scope of the place to other circumstances and to the analogie of faith in the plainer places of Scripture is the proper and infallible sense of Scripture Thus fetching the sense of Scripture from it selfe we shall keepe our selues within the limits of Scripture and in the matter of our saluation haue certentie of faith which we shall neuer haue if we listen to reason tradition and the authoritie of men II. Read the Scriptures be a doer of them in the exercises of inuocation faith repentance then shalt thou neuer be a heretike It is Gods promise Ioh. 7. 17. If ye will obay ye shall know whether my doctrine be of God or no. Psal. 25. 14. The secret of the Lord is reuealed to them that feare him Marke them that make Apostasie and become Papists they are such as neuer had a minde to loue and obay the religion in which they haue bin baptized and brought vp III. Col. 2. 8. Let no man spoile you through Philosophie Paul doth not condemne the Philosophie of the Gentiles but he puts a caueat that it be vsed with circumspection as Marchants vse the sea to wit in eschewing rockes and sands and pirats So students may vse the Philosophie of the Gentiles but they must take heede lest their mindes be corrupted with the errors thereof which are to be considered Naturall Philosophie giues too much to nature or to second causes and too little to God It puts downe principles flat against the word as the eternitie of the world and the mortalitie of the soule Morall Philosophie placeth happinesse in ciuill vertue out of Christ it teacheth that vertue is a meane or mediocritie of affection whereas in true vertue there is not onely a restraint or moderation of affections but also the renouation of them by regeneration It teacheth that Vrbanitie in iesting frumping is a vertue Paul saith no Eph. 5. 4. It teacheth that Magnanimitie whereby a man thinkes himselfe worthie of great honour is a vertue but it is contrarie to Christian humilitie Psal. 131. 1 2. Lastly it teacheth that man hath a freedome of will in good actions which doctrine applied by the Schoolemen to matters of religion is false and erronious The third head of sinnes are such as are against Charitie and they are in number eight The first is Enmitie of it I consider three things The first is whether it be a sinne or no for somewhat may be obiected to the contrarie Obiect I. Psal. 139. 21. Doe not I hate them that hate thee Ans. Dauid here speakes of the hatred whereby he hated Gods enemies not in respect of their persons but in respect of their sinnes whereby they were enemies of God And this hatred is commendable and not here to be vnderstood Obiect II. Luk. 14. 26. He that will be a disciple of Christ must hate father and mother and his owne soule Ans. This hatred is not simply commanded but only in a certaine respect namely as father and mother and a mans owne soule are in comparison opposed to God and Christ in regard of whome they are vtterly to be despised Obiect III. Rom. 9. God chose Iacob and hated Esau and we must be like vnto God Ans. We are to be like vnto God in holines and the duties thereof and not in the soueraigntie and Lordship ouer the creatures whereby he either loues or hates them Obiect IV. It is the vniuersall nature of all creatures to flie their contrarie therefore men may hate their enemies Ans. Man and man are not contrarie in nature or naturall properties but are all one flesh the contrarietie that is is by reason of the corruption of nature The second point is what is this Enmitie Ans. It is a peruerse disposition of minde whereby men remember iniuries discourtesies and vnkindnesses and carrie about them a purpose and desire to requite like for like when time and place shall serue Thus did Esau hate Iacob Gen. 27. 41. and Absolom his brother Amnon 2. Sam. 13. The third point where is this Enmitie Ans. Euery where among vs. For we daily see person diuided against person familie against familie and Corporation against Corporation This shewes that we are carnall and that Gods kingdome takes no place among vs as it should For in it the lambe and the wolfe quietly dwell together Isa. 11. The remedie of this Enmitie is That all be of one mind desire and affection in the receiuing and furthering of the Gospel of Christ. 1. Cor. 1. 11. If in the maine point there be a concord in leffer matters the agreement will be easie Debate It is a contention in words whereby men striue who shall shew most courage who shall get the victorie and who shall carrie away the last word no respect had of equitie or truth In this respect crying or lifting vp the voice in reasoning is condemned Eph. 4. 31. Emulations There is a good emulation and that is when men striue to be like to them that excell in vertue or to goe beyond them And it is commanded by the holy Ghost 1. Cor. 14. 12. and it were to be wished that it were more common then it is Beside this there is a carnall emulation whereby men that excell in any thing grieue that any should be equall to them or goe beyond them The vse If to grieue at another mans Excellencie be a worke of the flesh then it is our dutie to reioyce in the excellencie of others Thus did Moses when Eldad and Medad prophecied Numb 11. 29. And Iohn the Baptist when Christ increased and he decreased Ioh. 3. 29 30. And Paul gaue thankes as well for the graces bestowed on the Churches as for gifts bestowed on himselfe Anger Of it I consider three points The first is whether there be any lawfull anger Aus Yea. Christ in whome was no sinne was angrie Mark 3. 5. When there is a iust cause of anger then is anger iust When there is a manifest offence of God there is a iust cause of anger therefore anger is then iust The second is when is anger a sinne Ans. When men are hastie to be angrie Eccles. 7. 11. and are offended at euery thing that goes against their mindes Or againe hauing a iust cause to be angrie yet they keepe no measure in their anger The third point is the Remedie And that is here set downe Hastines is a worke of the flesh or of corrupt nature and it barres men from the kingdome of heauen and therefore it is to be auoided Contention There are sundrie kinds of lawfull contention as contention with the enemie in iust warre contention at the barre with an aduersarie in a iust cause contention in disputation with an heretike contention in Schoole disputation for exercise and trialls sake Contention is carnall and finnefull in respect of matter and manner In matter when men contend for things for which they should not contend as the
others Lastly in that spirituall men especially the holy men of God and ministers of his word are the Lords surgeans to bind vp the broken and raise those that are fallen as also his physitians to restore those that are in a spirituall consumptioÌ„ of grace we ought to make great account of theÌ„ haue them in singular loue for their worke sake 1. Thes. 5. 19. For if we must honor the bodily Physitian as Syracides saith Eccles. 38. vers 1. who cureth but the diseases of the bodie how much more ought we to honour spirituall physitians which cure the spirituall maladies of our soules The fourth and last point is the manner how we must restore laid downe in these words in the spirit of meekenesse Meekenes is the setling or quieting of the minde freeing it from perturbation especially in repressing the reuengeful affection A meeke and quiet spirit are ioyned together 1. Pet. 3. 4. A notable example hereof we haue in Moses who beeing prouoked in stead of anger shewed meekenes It further makes a man to yeeld of his right and not to prosecute the matter in rigour and extremitie and so it is opposed to seueritie 1. Cor. 4. 21. Shall I come vnto you with arodde or in loue and the spirit of meekenesse Hence ariseth another propertie it bridleth the tongue and the outward man either by silence as Christ being prouoked waâ— dumme and opened not his mouth Isay 53. 7. was silent and answered not a word Luk. 23. 9. or by a soft and gentle answer which asswageth wrath Pro. 15. 1. There is great reason why men should restore their brethren in all meekenesse for without it there is nothing but swelling and faction but troubles and tragedies Againe as meekenesse is necessarie for euery Christian Coloss. 2. 12. Tit. 3. 2. so it is most necessarie for him that would fruitfully and effectually reprooue Hence it is that the Apostle commands vs to Instruct theâ— in meekenesse that are contrarie minded 2. Tim. 2. 25. Motiues to inforce this dutie are these First the exhortation and example of Christ to be followers of him 1. Cor. 11. 1. who was lowly and meeke Math. 11. 29. for he waâ— ledde as a sheepe to the slaughter and like a lambe dummâ— before his shearer so opened he not his mouth Isa. 53. 7. When he was reuiled reuiled not againe when he suffered he threatned not 1. Pet. 2. 23. as it may appeare by that meeke answer If I haue euill spoken beare witnesse of the euill but if I haue well spoken why smitest thou me Ioh. 18. 23. Paul hath no stronger argument to exhort the Corinthians then by the meekenesse and gentlenesse of Christ. 2. Cor. 10. 1. Secondly it is a vertue which God doth make great account of 1. Pet. 3. 4. A â—eeke and quiet spirit is before God a thing much set by Thirdly God hath made excellent promises to them that are of a meeke and humble spirit that he will guide them in iudgment and teach them his waies Psal. 25. 9. That they shall be hid in the day of the Lords wrath Zeph. 2. 3. That they shall inherit the earth Math. 5. 5. Fourthly consider the comfortable effects the good that comes thereby A soft meeke and milde answer turneth away wrath Prou. 15. 1. Meeke and gentle behauiour heapeth coles of fire vpon our enemies head Rom. 12. 20. A soft toâ—gâ—e breaketh the bones Prou. 25. 15. See the example of Gideon appeasing the Midianites Iudg. 8. 1. c. and Abigail pacifying Dauid 1. Sam. 25. Fiftly without meekenesse we cannot sauingly heare the word either read or preached Iam 1. 21. It is further said we must restore in the spirit of meeknes The word spirit is added because it proceeds from the spirit of god who is both the worker and continuer thereof as on the contrarie the spirit of iealousie Numb 5. 14. the spirit of errour 1. Ioh. 4. 6. the spirit of vncleanesse Zach. 13. 2. the spirit of giddines Isa. 19. 14. the spirit of slumber Isa. 29. 19. are so tearmed because they proceede from a wicked spirit So quicke motions sudden perturbations strong affections proceeding either from the spirit of God or of SathaÌ„ are tearmed by the name of spirit Hence we learne that the holy Ghost is author not onely of meeknes but of all sanctifying graces and therefore is called the spirit of wisedome and vnderstanding the spirit of counsell and strength the spirit of knowledge and of the feare of the Lord Isa. 11. 2. Secondly this teacheth vs that all true vertues are wrought onely by the operation of Gods spirit in vs for though there be diuersities of gifts yet it is the same spirit 1. Cor. 12. 4. and therfore the vertues of the Heathen are but glittering sinnes Thirdly that when we see the gifts or graces of God in our selues or others we returne all the praise and glory to God from whome they proceede ascribing nothing to our selues Fourthly this shewes to whome we must haue recourse in our neede namely not to the virgin Marie nor any Saint who stand in as great neede of the fauour of God as our selues but to God alone who is the fountaine of grace Ierem. 2. 13. Lastly in that the spirit is set before meekenesse it shewes that the spirit of God is present with his graces to inspire them to cherish and increase them Therefore the commandement Quench not the spirit 1. Thess. 5. 19. is to be obeyed if we will retaine the graces of God Thus much of the dutie The reasons vsed by the Apostle to enforce this dutie follow to be considered they are two The first is implyed in the word Brethren which is of great force to perswade vs to vse moderation lenitie and gentlenesse Abraham could vse no stronger argument to pacifie Lot then this Let there be no strife betweene thee and me for we are brethreÌ„ Gen. 13. 8. Moses vsed it as a motiue to accord two Ebrewes Sirs yâ— are brethren why doe you wrong one to another Act. 7. 26. For it is a shame that those whome nature hath so neerely conioyned should be so farre disioyned in affection But the reason beeing taken from spirituall brethren such as are not onely brethren in the flesh but also in the Lord hauing the same God for their father the same Church for their mother Christ for their elder brother beeing begotten by the same immortall seede washed by the lauer of one newe birth conglutinate by the sinewes of the same faith nourished by the milke of the same word is so much the stronger by how much grace is a straiâ—er bond then nature therefore Paul would haue vs restore one another in the spirit of meekenesse because we are brethreÌ„ Nay persons excommunicate are not to be accounted as enemies but to be admonished as brethren 2. Thess. 3. 15. The reason why men vse no more mildnesse in their reproofes is because they forget themselues to
twelue Patriarkes Andrew and Peter Iames and Iohn II. for those that are of affinitie Thus the kinsemen of Christ are called his brethren which the Helvidians not obseruing thought they had beene his naturall brethren by the virgin Marie thus Abraham and Lot are called brethren Gen. 13. v. 8 14. though Lot was but his brothers sonne Gen. 14. 12. Thus Iacob the nephew of Laban calleth himselfe his brother Gen. 29. 12. and so Laban calleth him v. 15. III. for men of the same countrey Thus all the Iewes are called brethren one to another Deut. 17. 15. From among thy brethrē shalt thou make a king ouer thee and Deut. 23. 19. Thou shalt not giue to vsurie to thy brother and Rom 9. 1. Paul saith he could wish himselfe anathema or accursed for his brethren that is the Iewes IIII. for those of the same religion 1. Ioh. 3. 16. We must lay downe our liues for our brethren Matth. 23. 8. One is your Doctor to wit Christ and all ye are brothren 1. Cor. 5. 11. If any that is called a brother be a fornicatour with such a one eate not To these we may adde a fifte acception for all those that are confederate or otherwise ioyned together by the bond of nature humanitie societie or friendship Thus Ahab calleth Benhadad his brother that is his friend 1. King 20. 32 33. thus Simeon and Leui are called brethren in wickednes that is confederate in euill Thus all men are called brethren one to another by reason of the bond of nature Gen. 9. 5. at the hand of a mans brother will I require the life of man In all countries those that associate themselues together in warre after a speciall manner are called sworne brethren Now we must not restraine the word brethren to those that are brethren by nature or by affinitie or by countrey neither inlarge it to all those that are brethren by the bond of nature but onely to those that are brethren in the fourth acception that is to say brethren in religion or brethren in the Lord though they be flase brethren if they be brethren at least in outward profession for reproofe beeing a part of Ecclesiasticall Discipline belongeth not to those that are out of the visible Church as to Iewes Turkes Pagans because our Sauiour Christ saith If he heare them not tell the Church and if he will not heare the Church let him be vnto thee as a heathen man and a Publican Which cannot be vnderstood of him that is a heathen or Pagan alreadie And Paul saith 1. Cor. 5. 11. If any that is called a brother that is a Christian be a fornicatour c. and then he addes in the next verse what haue I doe to iudge them that are without that is such as are no members of the Church to whom Ecclesiasticall Discipline reacheth not doe not ye iudge them that are within that is such as are of the visible Church such as doe subiect themselues to the censure and discipline of the church It belongs therefore to those that are of the Church at least in shew but specially to those that are of the same particular Church liuing vnder the same particular gouernment Albeit the case may so fall out that those of another Church professing the same religion with vs may be reprooued and censured yea one Church may admonish another for they beeing members one of another are to procure the good one of another as Paul teacheth by the similitude of the head and the members of the same bodie 1. Cor. 12. Therefore all that are in the bosome of the Church euen the mightie Princes and Potentates of the earth are subiect to reproofe if they doe offend thus Nathan the Prophet reprooued Dauid 2. Sam. 12. and Azarias the Priest rebuked Vzziah 2. Chr. 26. 18. Paul reprooued Peter to his face Gal. 2. 11. Therefore those men yea those Magistrates or Monarchs that cannot endure the least reproofe and will not yeeld their necks to Christ his yoke and their backs to therod of Ecclesiasticall censure are greatly to be censured for herein they contemne the ordinance of God Let thē consider that they are not better then King Dauid who hauing sinned patiently indured reproofe by Nathan Let thē remember how King Vzziah was stricken with leprosie for resisting god in the ministry And here the popish sort come to be taxed who exēpt their cleargie men as they call them frō all reproofs ecclesiasticall proceedings in thrusting them into some one monasteryor other lest their exemplarie punishment should be a blemish or disparagement to their order and profession whereas Paul would haue the ministers and Elders yea all superiours to be reprooued as well as others so it be done in order with due respect as after I will shewe Thus Paul biddeth the Colossians that they should say to Archippus Take heed to thy ministerie that thou hast receiued in the Lord that thou fulfill it Coloss 4. 17. II. We are bound to reprooue all that are in the Church to whome we owe dutie of loue but we are to loue our superiours as much if not more then others therfore we are bound to reprooue them as well as others III. There is greater reason we should reprooue them then others 1. Because they beeing in higher place are in greater danger of falling then others and therefore haue more neede of admotions and reproofes 2. Because they haue many that will flatter them but fewe or none that will or dare reprooue them It will be said all are not to be reprooued which liue in the Church for some be scorners who as Salomon saith must not be reprooued And our Sauiour Christ forbiddeth vs to cast pearles before swine Matth. 7. 6. I answer that onely open scorners contemners persecuters of the word are to be excepted otherwise all wicked men are to be censured and rebuked For 1. Christ speaketh of manifest contemners of religion when he saith that they are like swine which trample pretious pearles vnder their feete and of persecutors when he saith that like dogs they returne againe and all to rend them 2. Christ beeing here vpon earth did not hinder the Pharisies Sadduces Publicans and harlots from comming to his sermons much lesse would he debarre them of this censure of the Church 3. The woman of Syrophenissa though called a dogge yet eateth of the crummes that fall from the childrens table Matth. 15. 27. 4. Paul did often admonish and rebuke the Corinthians though they were carnall and fleshly minded therefore all men though neuer so publike notorious offenders if they be not opē scorners or persecutors of the knowne trueth are to be reprooued Obiect Profane men which notoriously offend and scandalize the Church by their wicked liues haue no fellowship with Christ but are to be accounted as dogs out of the Church I answere 1. They are not to be counted dogs which doe acknowledge their faults the greatnesse of their
1. Cor. 5. 11. and that we should withdraw our selues from euery brother that walketh inordinately 2. Thess. 3. 6. Ans. Pauls practise is not contrarie to Christs precept He purposed indeede to excommunicate the incestuous person if he persisted in his sinne yet marke how in the name and by the power of our Lord Iesus Christ. 1. Cor. 5. 4. in which words the forme of proceeding against him is limited and that according to Christs institution Matth. 18. the name and power of Christ signifying the word and institution of Christ. 2. Paul doth plainly expound himselfe in other places what his practise was in that behalfe as 2. Cor. 13. 1 2. where he signifieth that he did not excommunicate vncleane persons fornicators wantonnes mentioned chap. 12. 21. before the third admonition making his third comming vnto them in stead of three admonitions or witnesses against them It will be saide that Paul threatneth when he commeth he will not spare the rest 2. Cor. 13. 2. therefore it seemeth he was resolued to excommunicate them without any former proceeding against them Ans. When Paul saith I write to them which haue sinned and to all others that if I come againe I will not spare By all others he meaneth not some which he purposed to excommunicate without former admonition for in writing this Epistle to them he admonisheth them all to repent least when he came he should vse seueritie but those which liued securely in the open breach of the law to whome he threatned to come with a rodde if they did not amend 1. Cor. 4. 21. and when he now againe admonisheth threatning that if he come the third time he will not spare Besides this Paul should be vnconstant and vnlike himselfe if he should admonish vncleane persons fornicatours wantons and that three times before excommunication and should at the first excommunicate certen others without any precedent admonition 3. The word there vsed signifieth reproofe in word as it is taken Luk. 17. If thy brother sinne against thee rebuke him therefore the reproofe by many or of many mentioned 2. Cor. 2. 6. may signifie as well the graue serious and effectuall reproofe of the Church by which the incestuous person was reclaimed from his sinne and so preuented the thunderbolt of excommunication as the reall election out of the Church and those words v. 10. if you forgiue any thing may as well signifie receiuing into fauour and familiaritie before excommunication vpon his repentance as restitution after excommunication 4. Be it grounted he were indeede excommunicate as it is most probable he was yet hence it cannot be inferred that they did proceede against him without precedent admonition The Scripture is silent in this point Therefore the reason is not good It is not recorded therefore it was not practised 5. Though the Apostle command we should haue no familiaritie with inordinate liuers 2. Thess. 3. 6. but that we withdraw our selues from them yet he addes withall that if there were any amongst them that would not obey his sayings they should note him by a letter v. 14. and he expressely commandeth that they should admonish the inordinate 1. Thess. 5. 14. for that was his practise as it may appeare 2. Thess. 3. Those that are such that is inordinate liuers we exhort coÌ„mand by our lord Iesus Christ that they worke with quietnes and eate their own bread III. Who are to reprooue It is dutie which concerneth all men our Sauiour Christ saith If thy brother sinne against thee reprooue him and the commandement is generall Leuit. 19. 17. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart but shalt rebuke him plainely now all Christians are brethreÌ„ as I haue shewed therefore all men are bound to reprooue their brethren as occasion shall serue Secondly all Christians are members of the same bodie whereof Christ is the head therefore they are to helpe and further one another as members of the naturall bodie doe and this is done by admonition and reprehension Thirdly the bond of charitie tâ—â—th all men to helpe their brethren in what they can for their good and therefore if neede be to reprooue them And albeit some may seeme to be vnfitte or vnworthie reproouers of others beeing tainted with as great or greater sinnes themselues and so cannot cast out motes out of other mens eyes they hauing beames in their owne yet we must know that sinne freeth none from this dutie indeede none ought to reprooue either with scandall to others or with hurt and hinderance of him that is reprooued yet no man is exempted from this dutie For euery man ought to be cleare and blameles specially of open crimes that so he may more freely and fruitfully reprooue his neighbour but though he be not yet he remaineth still bound to the performance of this dutie Our Sauiour saith not that he which hath a beame in his eye is therefore freed from pulling forth the mote out of his brothers eye but first cast out the beame out of thine owne eye and then thou shalt see to pull out the mote out of thy brothers eye They therefore are seuerely to be censured nay deepely to be condemned who say with Cain Am I my brothers keeper as though it concerned them not a whit whether he sinke or swimme as though euery man were to looke to himselfe alone for his owne behoofe and benefit and not vpon the things of his brethren for their good or as though God had not made euery man a guardian to his brother The dimme candle light of corrupt nature condemneth these men which teacheth that he which may saue and doth not doth in effect as much as kill or destroy The dutie therefore lieth vpon all but chiefely vpon the Pastours and Ministers of the word for they are to inquire into the liues of men specially of those that are committed and commended to their charge for which cause they are called the Lords ouerseers or watchmen Ezech. 33. and 34. And if they doe not strengthen the weake heale the sicke bind vp the broken bring againe that which was driuen away nor seeke that which is lost c. he will require his sheepe at their hands Ezech. 34. v. 4. 10. Paul inioynes the Pastours of the Church of Ephesus that they should take heede to themselues and to the flocks whereof the holy Ghost had made them ouerseers Act. 20. 28. and he commandeth Timothie that he should be instant in season and out of season that he should improoue rebuke exhors with all long-suffering and doctrine 2. Tim. 4. 2. and Titus that he rebuke and exhort with all authoritie Tit. 2. 15. Further it is to be obserued that though all men are bound to reprooue their neighbours if they offend yet in fiue cases they are not bound I. If a man be ignorant of the offence For a man that reprooueth another must be certen of the fault otherwise he doth purchase to himselfe a blot and priuate
it shewes the way and meanes of attaining saluation Lastly the word of life Act. 5. 20. because it doth not only shew the narrow way that leadeth to eternall life but is in it selfe a liuely word and mightie in operation Heb. 4. 12. For as the powerfull word of God in the beginning did giue beeing to things that were not so the Gospel being the power of God to saluation to euery one that beleeueth doth make new creatures by the immortall seede of the word Make him that taught him q. d. catechized him Yet as before it must be taken generally for any kind of teaching or instruction for so the word is vsed else where in scripture as Luk. 1. 4. Act. 18. 25. Rom. 2. 18. 1. Cor. 14. 19. so that this text giueth vs no iust occasion to speake of the originall manner vse and profit of catechizing Partaker of his goods By goods he vnderstandeth foode rayment lodging bookes and other necessaries without the which a minister of the word cannot followe his calling for Paul calleth these goods according to the common opinion which so iudgeth of them Luk. 12. 19. Soule thou hast much goods laid vp for many yeares Luk. 19. 25. Sonne remember that thou in thy life time receiuedst thy good things Make them partaker That is communicate affoard giue vnto them these temporall things seeing they giue you spirituall Of all his goods Not in giuing all away but imparting to their teachers what they stand in neede of accounting nothing to deare for them The Papists vpon this ground take tithe of all as the Priests did in the Leuiticall lawe wheras Paul speaks nothing of tithes There are foure principall duties which the people are to performe to their Pastor three of them are recorded else where in Scripture The first is to heare them as Embassadours sent of God with reuerence The second is to obey them and submit themselues vnto them in the Lord. The third to loue and honour them for the worke sake The fourth the Apostle speakes of in this place to giue them not onely countenance but also maintenance The reasons of this rule are many and waightie We are bound euen by the bond of nature to maintaine our parents if they be in want because they maintained vs and gaue vnto vs our beeing Paul saith It is an honest thing and acceptable before God for children to recompence their parents and progenitors 1 Tim. 5. 4. Nowe if this be so men are bound by the same right to maintaine their spirituall fathers in Christ that haue begotten them a new by the preaching of the word as Paul saith He trauelled in paine of the Galatians till Christ was formed in them Gal. 4. and that he begat Onesimus in his bonds Philem v. 10. And 1. Cor. 4. 15. In Christ Iesus I haue begotten you through the gospel Hence Paul commendeth the Galatians Gal. 4. 15. for that if it had beene possible they would haue plucked out their cies and haue giuen them him And surely we owe vnto our spirituall parents and fathers in Christ not onely this temporall trash but euen our selues as Paul saith to Philem. v. 19. Aibeit I doe not say vnto thee that thou owest vnto me euen thine owne selfe II. It is a law of nations and a conclusion grounded vpon common equitie that those that watch labour and spend thēselues as a candle to giue light to others and that for the common good of all should be maintained of the common stocke by all And the Lord chargeth all the twelue tribes euen all Israel Deut. 12. 19. Beware that thou for sakest not the Levite so long as thou liuest on the earth III. Euery trade calling and condition of life is able to maintaine them that liue therein as experience shewes therefore we may not thinke that the ministerie beeing the highest calling should be so base or barren as that it cannot competenly maintaine them that attend thereupon IV. The ministers are the Lords souldiers his captaines and standard-bearers and therefore are not to goe a warfare at their owne coste the Lords labourers in his vineyard and therefore are worthie of their wages and ought to eate of the fruit of the vineyard the Lords shepheards set ouer the flocke of Christ to feede his sheepe and therefore ought to eate of the milke of the flocke And seeing it was forbidden that no man should muzzle the mouth of the oxe that treadeth out the come shall we thinke that God would haue those that thresh in his floore and separate the wheat from the chaffe the pretious from the vile to be muzzeled or not to liue vpon their labours for they are worthie double honour that is all honour reuerence helpe and furtherance which labour in the word and doctrine 1. Tim. 5. 17. V. The Ministers are to giue themselues wholly to reading exhortation doctrine and to continue therein 2. Tim. 4. 13 15 16. they are wholly to deuote themselues to the building of the Church and to the fighting of the Lords battells and therefore not to be entangled with the cares of this life 2. Tim. 2. 4. therefore they are to haue their pay and their allowance that so they may attend vpon their callings without distraction VI. It is the ordinance of God as Paul saith 1. Cor. 9. 14. that they which preach the Gospel should liue of the Gospel therefore those that doe not their endeauour and inlarge not their liberalitie to vphold and maintaine the Ministerie in good estate they withstand as much as in them lieth the ordinance of God besides they wast and make hauocke of the Church of God and are guiltie of the blood of all that perish for want of instruction I adde further it is the will of God that the Ministers which labour in the word and doctrine should be plentifully and liberally prouided for yet with moderation that they draw not all mens wealth into their purses as the Pope and Church of Rome haue done into their coffers of whome it is truly verified Religio peperit divitias sed filia devoravit matrem which I prooue from the Leuiticall law for the whole land of promise beeing no bigger in compasse then Wales or the fourth part of England yet yeelded vnto the Leuites at the appointment of God besides the share which they had out of the sacrifices besides tenths first fruits c. 48 Cities with their suburbs It may here be demaunded whether the Ministers of the word are now to be maintained by common contribution and liberalitie of the people or not Ans. We must consider that if the Ministers be sufficiently prouided for by set stipends as by some foundation or by the reuenewes of the Church men are not bound to contribute vnto them and make them partakers of all their goods although in regard of thankfulnes they owe vnto them euen themselues as Paul telleth Philemon but onely such as haue not else
wherewith to maintaine themselues And we must consider the reason why Paul commandeth all that are instructed in the word to make them that instructed them partakers of their goods to wit because in Pauls time and long after the Church was not endowed with lands or goods whereby the Ministerie might be vpholden neither had it publike Christian Magistrates but was vnder cruell tyrants in persecution and therefore those that were taught in the word were to maintaine their teachers by liberall cōtribution otherwise they might starue but now the Church beeing greatly inriched they may without contribution be sufficiently maintained of the Church goods And that it is much more conuenient for the Ministers to be maintained by set stipends arising from goods proper to the Church then by voluntarie contribution it may appeare by this in that it cuts off sundrie inconueniences which in voluntarie contributions either cannot be or are hardly auoided First slatterie and suspition of flatterie in beeing thought to haue some persons in admiration because of aduantage Secondly the poorer sort are no way disgraced by this meanes as they should be in contributions except they did giue ratably as the rest Thirdly dissembling and deceit in making as though they receiued little when as they haue much is cut off in a set stipend Fourthly the euill disposed would not so easily cast off their minister and seeke a new that would teach for lesse or would giue nothing at all if they were touched to the quicke and galled for their sinnes Fiftly ostentation in some in giuing much and disdaining those that giue lesse Sixtly suspition of couetousnes and filthie lucre in the ministers in seeming to take of those to whome they ought to giue Seauenthly disgrace of the ministerie in gathering themselues or sending others to gather the peoples liberalitie from dore to dore Lastly a set stipend comes nearer the order appointed by God in maintaining the Priesthood vnder the Leuiticall law In the next place I will answer the common obiections that are made to the contrarie by such as thinke it is as easie a matter to say seruice in the church as to do seruice in the house to stand at the altar of God as to follow their masters plough to preach in the pulpit as to talke in the tauerne I. Obiect 2. Thess. 3. 10. They which will not worke must not eate But Ministers neuer plow nor sow nor hedge nor ditch nor vse any painfull labour for of all men they haue the easiest liues their greatest paines is to read ouer a few bookes or to speake a few words once or twise a weeke Therefore they are not to be maintained Ans. There is a twofold labour one of the bodie another of the minde now albeit the ministers doe not wearie themselues in bodily labour yet they are not therefore idle for the labours of the minde doe faire exceede the labours of the bodie they are more painefull they spend the spirits more they consume naturall moisture and bring old age sooner The holy Ghost calleth the ministerie the worke of the ministerie Eph. 4. 12. nay a worthie worke 1. Tim. 3. 1. therefore Paul saith that those Elders are worthie double honour that labour in the word and doctrine 1. Tim. 5. 17. and he exhorts the Thessalonians that they would know them that labour among them and that they haue them in singular loue for their works sake 1. Thess. 5. 12 13. Hence it is that the Scripture doeth vsually compare the worke of the ministerie to the most toylsome labour that may be as to the work of the husbandman to setting to plowing to sowing to reaping to the labour in the vineyard and the minister to a builder to a shepheard that watcheth his flocke to a soldiour that fighteth in the warres c. Againe we may not iudge of the painfulnes of the calling by the outward appearance for so a man would thinke a King had the easiest life of all when as the truth is the toyle which he takes and the cares wherewith he is possessed doe exceede all other cares if a man knew the trauaile that is required to the welding of a scepter and the paine that is taken in wearing of a heauie crowne he would hardly stoope downe to take the one into his hands or to set the other vpon his head The master builder doth not hewe the stones nor worke the morter nor carrie the rubbish nor any such drudgerie but onely standeth by directeth the workemen yet his labour is double to any of theirs The master of the ship a man would thinke were idle and did nothing he stands not to the tackling he stirreth not the pumpe he driueth not the oares he soundeth not the deepe he rideth not the ropes but onely sitteth still at the sterne and looketh to the pole-starre and guideth the compasse yet his labour passeth all the rest were it not for him the shippe would runne her selfe vnder the water or strike vpon the rockes or be split vpon the sands or fall soule with another as marriners speake Euen so for all the world fareth it with the Ministers of the word they seeme to sit still to be at ease to doe nothing and yet their labour is double and treble to other mens bodily labour except they be vnfaithfull and doe the worke of the Lord negligently II. Obiect Paul laboured with his hands in making of Tents Act. 18. 3. that he might not be chargeable to any Act. 20. 34. 2. Thess. 3. 8. Therefore Preachers are to maintaine themselues by their handy labour not be chargeable to the Church Ans. Pauls example prooueth not that the minister ought to liue by the labour of his hāds for first himselfe receiued a contribution of the Philippians when he was absent frō them Philip. 4. 16. When I was in Thessalonica ye sent once and afterward againe for my necessitie Therefore if Paul receiued exhibition from other churches where he did not labour it is lawefull for the ministers to receiue of those whome they doe instruct Secondly consider the reasons why Paul would not take wages of the Church of Corinth some others I lest he should be a burden vnto them 2. Thess. 3. 8. We wrought with labour and trauell day and night because we would not be chargeable to any of you 2. Cor. 11. 9. In all things I kept and will keepe my selfe that I should not be grieuous vnto you II. That he might giue a president or example to others to tread in his steppes 2. Thess. 3. 9. Not but that we had authoritie but that we might make our selues an example to them to follow vs. III. That he might manifest what his end was in teaching the Gospel not to seeke himselfe but the saluation of his hearers 2. Cor. 11. 14. I seeke not yours but you And vers 19. We doe all things for your edification Philip. 4. 17. Not that I desire a gift but the fruit which may
whereas the word doth not onely signifie qualitie but as properly quantitie as Heb. 7. 4. Consider how great this man was And the word that answereth vnto it signifieth as well quantitie as qualitie Coloss. 2. 1. I would ye knew what great fight I haue Iam. 3. 5. Behold how great a thing a little fire kindleth The plaine and simple meaning therefore of Paul is this that he neuer wrote so long an Epistle with his owne hand vnto any Church as vnto them He writ indeede the Epistle to Philemon with his owne hand but that was short in comparison of this And he wrote larger Epistles to other Churches as to the Romans CorinthiaÌ„s c. but by his Scribes not with his owne hand Therefore seeing this is the longest and largest letter that euer Paul writ with his owne hand it ought to be more regarded and better accepted So that as his paines were greater in writing our diligence should be greater in reading and obseruing the same This shewes Pauls great care of the Churches not onely when he was present but when he was absent How painefull he was beeing among them to winne them to the Gospel how fearefull when he was absent from theÌ„ least their minds should be loauened by false teachers how faithfull both present and absent And it may serue as a president to all Pastours hauing cure of soules to vse the like diligence and conscience in their Ministerie that beeing absent in bodie from their charge vpon necessarie occasions as Paul was yet they would be present in spirit with them and present by their letters that so they may testifie to all the world that they haue a greater care of the flocke then of the fleece It further teacheth vs that if the Minister beeing carried with discreete zeale for the good of the Church goe further either in word or writing then he intended or is thought fit by some as it seemes Paul did in this place for what needes this large letter may some say a shorter would haue done as well that we are not to censure him or limite and prescribe him It had beene a great fault in the Galatians if they had found fault with Paul for this his large letter and in the Disciples Iewes if they should haue blamed his long Sermon which continued at one time from morning to night Act. 28. 23. at another time from the closing of the euening till midnight Act. 20. 7. And so it is in many hearers who are too curious and strictt in prescribing and limiting their teachers to the time longer then which they cannot patiently indure And in stinting them in vrging of this or that point in saying he missed his Rhetoricke his Epimone was to long he was ouerseene in dwelling so long vpon the point it had beene better a word and away c. His second argument is taken from the instrumentall cause that he wrote it with his owne hand Haimo saith it is the opinion of the Doctours that Paul wrote not this whole Epistle with his owne hand but onely from hence to the ende which opinion is confuted by the very text You see how large a letter I HAVE WRITTEN with mine owne hand speaking of the whole Epistle in the time past or if of any one part more then of another of the former part rather then of the latter Secondly his assertion is not true for if we except Ierome none of the Ancients as I take it are of that opinion Not Ambrose who saith Where the whole writing is his owne hand there can be no falshood Not Chrysostome who saith To the rest of his Epistles he did subscribe but this whole Epistle he writ himselfe Not Primasius vsing the word perscripsit that he writ it through with his owne hand Not Theodoret affirming that it seemes Paul writ the whole Epistle Not Theophylact who bringeth in Paul speaking to them in this manner I am enforced to write this Epistle vnto you with mine owne hand Not Occumenius who calls it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Epistle written with his owne hand Not Anselme who paraphrasing the text saith it is all one as if he had said This Epistle I writ with mine owne hand And a little before Not with the Scribes hand but with mine owne hand albeit Anselme cannot so preiudice his assertion who liued long after him Not the Author of the Commentarie vpon the Epistles ascribed to Ierome Tom. 9. for he vpon the 2. Thess. 3. 17. saith plainly With these words he subscribes all his Epistles excepting that to the Galatians which he writ from the beginning to the ende with his owne hand And vpon these very words which we now entreat of See how I am not afraid which of late time haue written with mine owne hand Where by the way we may obserue that Ierome is not the author of those Commentaries beeing so contrarie to himselfe This I confesse is a light matter and not to be stood vpon were it not that some are too hastie to swallow whatsoeuer comes in their way vnder the title of the Doctours It must therefore be a caueat vnto vs not to be too credulous in beleeuing euery one that shall auouch this or that to be the opinion of the Fathers no though it be affirmed by a Father especially by such a one as draweth neere the dregs as Haimo doth It is certen then that Paul writ this whole Epistle with his owne hand the reasons are these First that it might appeare vnder his hand that he was no changeling but the same man that he was before in that he did not preach circumcision or the obseruation of Iewish ceremonies as the false Apostles standered him Gal. 5. â—1 Secondly that this his letter was not counterfaited by another and sent in his name as the false Apostles might haue obiected and the Galatians suspected Thirdly that he might testifie his sincere loue towards them and how he did as it were trauaile in paine of them till Christ were formed in them shunning no labour that might further their saluation We may hence further obserue a threefold difference of the bookes of Scripture in the new Testament Some were neither written by an Apostle nor subscribed as the gospel of Marke and Luke Some subscribed but not written as the Epistle to the Romanes and others Some both written and subscribed as this Epistle and that to Philemon vers 19. I haue written it with mine owne hand J will recompense it Now that Paul subscribed euery Epistle with his owne hand he himselfe witnesseth 2. Thessalon 3. 17. The salutation of me Paul with mine own haÌ„d which is a signe in euery Epistle that it is mine not forged in my name by another so I write the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ be with you all In which place he warneth the Thessalonians againe of false teachers and forged letters for 2.
wresting preuerting and breaking this rule but in making other new Lesbian rules which they prescribe as necessarie to be followed as the rule of S. Francis of S. Dominick S. Austen S. Ierome c. holding on mans baptisme better then another on mans profession holier then another on mans rule perfecter then another following any rule rather then Christs and so diuide his seaâ—â—les coate And that these sundry rules of Monks are vaine and wicked it may appeare First because they agree not with this rule of Paul they beeing many it but on it directing and leading to Christ they leading to by paths obscuring the merit of Christ and prescribing many things partly friuolous partly impious contrary to faith and good life Secondly in that they agree not among themselues euery sect hauing his own proper orders and contending their owne to be better holier perfecter then the rest Thirdly in that they diuide into diuerse sects those that ought to be all on in Christ for which cause Paul calles the Corinthians carnall in houlding some of Paul others of Apollos 1. Cor. 3. 4. For how can they be spirituall who in speech action habitte and attire profession and conuersation professe nothing but shisme and dissention Ierome against the Luciferians saith Sieubi audieris â—os qui dicuntur Christi non a Domino lesu Christâ— sed à quoquam alio nuncupari puta Marciònitas Valentinianos Montenses Campates scito non â—cclesiam Christi sed Antichristi esse Synagogam that is whersoeuer thou shalt heare those that are called Christians not to haue their name from our Lord Iesus Christ but from some other as Marcionites Valentinians Montenses Campates knowe thus much that they are not the church of Christ but the Synagogue of Antichrist Nay further solitary life in leauing the society of men and sequestâ—ing themselues from all company which is the grownd and generall practize of Monkish Eâ—emites for Coenobites to speake pâ—operly are no Monks as the word teacheth is against the very light of nature it selfe First because it is naturall for men to liue together nay it is the ground of the family the church and common-wealth There was neuer nation so barbarous or sauage but endeauoured to liue together by associating themselues in cities townes villages caues woods tents or some other way according to the custome of the countrey which generall practise of all argues the impression of nature in all Secondly speach is giuen men for this end that they might conuerse together for it were little or nothing auaileable if men should liue alone and conuerse withnone Thirdly sundry vertues bestowed vpon men as iustice fortitude loue and frendship should be giuen in vaine if men should liue solitary sequestred from all company Fourthly mans imbecillity argues thus much for whereas all other creatures are armed by nature as the Bull with hornes the Boare with tuskes other with teeth fethers swiftnes c. man is borne feeble and naked not able to prouide or defend himselfe but only by helpe of others which is an argument that he is borne to liue in ciuill society and to be holpen by others Lastly man is borne to doe good to himselfe and others in some estate and calling 1. Cor. 7. But he that liueth alone can doe no good to others nor receiue good from them For whereas they plead for themselues that they leaue their particular callings and betake themselus to Armetages that so they may renounce the world I answer that to renounce the world is not to leaue their places and callings whereunto God hath caled them but to renounce the corruption that is in the world through lust 2. Pet. 1. 4. These and the like reasons made the Philosopher to say that he which left the societie of men and betooke himselfe to a solitary life was either a God or a beast By this we may see what Lesbian rules they follow and how that which they account the highest degree of perfection is in truth the depth of abomination that it hath beene the cause of much wickednes as of idlenes hypocrisie whoredome so domitry besides the cruell murthering of many poore innocents Therefore let neither their hypocrisie nor the churches pretended authoritie nor the long receiued custom any thing mooue vs but that leauing them we follow the rule of Paul in this place for they that walke according to it peace shall be vpon them and mercie By peace we are to vnderstand outward peace as prosperitie and good successe in all things we goe about For whatsoeuer they doe shall prosper Psal. 1. 3. And peace with the creatures as first with the good Angels Colosâ— 1. 20. who are ministring spirits sent forth to minister for their sakes that shal be heires of saluation Ebr. 1. 14. pitching their tents about them Psal. 34. 7. and bearing them in their hands as the nourse her child Psal. 91. 12. Secondly with the godly The Prophet saith that in the kingdome of Christ the wolfe shall dwell with the lambe the leopard shall lie with the kidde c. that is men of fierce sauage and woluish natures shal be so changed by grace as that they shall liue peaceably and louingly together Thirdly with the wicked their enemies partly because they seeke to liue in peace as Dauid saith of himselfe I labour for peace Psal. 120. 7. partly because God so inclines their hearts as that they are peaceable Lastly with the beast of the field and all the creatures The Lord promiseth to make a couenant with the wild beasts and foules of the heauen in behalfe of his people that they may sleepe safely Hos. 2. 18. But the peace which is principally meant in this place is peace of conscience which passeth all vnderstanding Phil. 4. 7. Which is peace with God beeing reconciled and at one with him Rom. 5. 1. Beeing iustified by faith we haue peace with God And peace with our selues which is three fold as it is opposed to a threefold dissention in man The first is when the will and affections renewed by grace are obedient to the minde enlightened by the spirit and at peace therewith opposed to the dissention that is betwixt rebellious affections and naturall reason The second is when grace though strongly assailed giueth corruption the foile whereupon followeth the calming and quieting of the mind opposed to the combate betweene the flesh and the spirit The third is when the conscience perswaded of remission of sinnes and reconciliation with God ceaseth to accuse and terrifie and beginnes to excuse and comfort vs opposed to the conflicts that a distressed conscience hath with legall terrours and the anger of God By mercy which is the cause of this peace are vnderstood all spirituall blessings which flow vnto vs from the loue and fauour of God in Christ as remission of sinnes iustification sanctification and eternall life it selfe The words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vpon them haue great emphasis signifying that these blessings
at Athens and they giue this reason of it because after the sending of Timothie to Thessalonica Paul and he meete not at Athens againe but at Corinth And Baronius affirmeth that it seemes to haue beene written presently after that Sylas and Timotheus came to him to Corinth out of Macedonia by comparing Act. 18. 5. with 1. Thess. 3. 6. Annal. tom 1. pag. 457. l. 1. And Emmanâ—â—i Sa doth censure the Syriacke postscript which saith it was sent from Athens by Timothie seeing that Timothie was then absent The like they affirme in the argument of the second Epistle for albeit the Greeke postscript hath it that it was written from Athens yet they rather thinke it was written from Corinth where Paul aboad a yeare and sixe moneths Act. 18. 11. because the title is like vnto the first Epistle Paul and Sylvanus and Timotheus c. And Baronius saith that it should be written from Athens impossibile est affirmare because it was written soone after the former as may appeare by the inscription Paul and Sylvanus and Timotheus they continuing together but the former was written from Corinth as hath bin prooued and therefore the latter specially considering that Paul went thence from Athens and aboad at Corinth a yeare and a halfe and returned not backe againe to Athens but went to Ephesus Annal. tom 1. pag. 457. l. 2â— Adde hereunto that whereas the postscript of the 1. to Timothie saith it was written from Lâ—odicea the chiefe Citie of Phrigia Pacaciana the Rhemists notwithstanding in the argumenâ— affirme that it is vncerten where it was written though it be commonly said to haue beene written at Lâ—odicca yet it seemeth to be otherwise because it is like he was neuer there as may be gathered by the Epistle to the Colossians which was written at Rome in his last trouble a little before his death for Coloss. 2. 1. Paul seemes to insinuate that he was neuer at that Laodicea of Phrigia neare to Colossos and Hierapolis and that they neuer saw his person Besides neither Plâ—nie who writ after Paul nor any other ancient classique author doth make mention of Phrigia Pacaciana so that it seemeth to haue beene so called long after Pauls discease the first mention that is made of it as some haue obserued beeing in the acts of the 5. Synode of Constantinop Baronius is of opinion that it was written from Macedonia Tom. 1. pag. 564. grounding his coniecture vpon 1. Tim. 1. 3. as I besought thee to abide at Ephesus when I went into Macedonia so doe The same doth Athanasius affirme in his Synopsis and Theodoret in his preface vpon that Epistle Againe the subscription of the 2. to Timothie that it was written from Rome vnto Timothie the first Bishop elected of the church of Ephesus cannot well stand as some thinke with that of S. Paul 2. Timothie 4. 5. Doe the worke of an Euangâ—list seeing that Euangelists were not tied to personall residencie to abide in one place as Bishops and pasters are but were to goe from place to place to confirme the Churches planted by the Apostles But the discussing of this argument whether Timothie were an Euangelist properly so called and whether the same man could not be an Euangelist and a bishop requireth a longer discourse then can be affoarded to this short treatise Lastly the postscript of the Epistle to Tâ—tus saith it was written from Nicopolis of Macedonia the deuisers of which assertion ground their opinion vpon Titus 3. 12. where Paul saith beâ—iligent to come to me to Nicopolis for I haue determined there to winter mistaking the text for he saith not be diligent to come to me to Nicopolis for I haue determined here to winter as beeing there alreadie but I haue determined there to winter By which it is plaine that when Paul wrote to Titus he was not at Nicopolis as the postscript affirmeth and so we see the text which they alleadge for them maketh most against them And this is the iudgement reason of Baronius Annal. tom 1. pag. 575. l. 33. Antuerp howsoeuer Claudius Espencaus shifts his fingers of it and passes it ouer in silence Thus much concerning Subscriptions a word or two touching Inscriptions or titles prefixed before Epistles That these be no part of scripture written by the Apostles but added to the Epistles by some others it may appeare by these reasons First generally if titles were canonicall as well as the epistles themselues the Fathers would neuer haue doubted as they did whether Paul were the author of the epistle to the Ebrewes or not seeing in all copies saue one as Beza hath obserued it beareth his name but some of them ascribe it to Barnabas as Tertullian others to Luke as Jerome witnesseth others to Clement Oecumenius infitleth it only thus The epistle to the Ebrewes without adding the name of Paul or any other as the penner of it and so Hentenius a papist doth translate it out of Occumenius Secondly some epistles as those seuen written by Iames Peter Iohn Iude haue vnfit titles prefixed before them in that they are called sometime Canonicall specially of the Latine church and sometime Catholick chiefly of the Greek church neither of which were euer giuen them by any Apostle or Apostolique writer For first touching the title Canonicall it may seeme strange that this inscription should euer haue been appropriated vnto them which is common with them to the whole word of God as though in them were contained a more perfect and absolute rule of doctrine and manners of things to be beleeued and practised then in the other bookes of holy writ considering that sundrie Diuines albeit erroniously I confesse haue beene so farre from giuing vnto them this preheminence aboue the rest of the bookes of Scripture that they haue altogether reiected them as no part of Canonicall Scripture by name the epistle of Iames the 2. of Peter the 2. and 3. of Iohn and that of Iude of all which it was doubted in auncient time as we see in Eusebius and the Syrian church receiueth them not to this day as beeing not in the Syriacke translation and Caietan a popish writer and the Lutherans at this present reiect them as may appeare by their writings Secondly that this inscription was added to these Epistles without sufficient ground and warrant of reason may appeare in that no reason can be giuen why these seuen should be called Canonicall rather then the Epistles of S. Paul or that to the Ebrewes whosoeuer was the penner thereof For whereas the ordinarie Glosse saith they are called Canonicall because they were receiued into the Canon with the other epistles by that reason they should be no more Canonicall then the rest nay not of that authenticall at least of that vndoubted authoritie the rest are of seeing they hardly obtained to be registred in the Canon with the rest as Canonicall Lastly this title was neuer giuen to these Epistles by the Greek church which was more auncient
but onely by the Latin church as might be prooued by manifold testimonies if it were a thing necessarie to be stood vpon Neuerthelesse howsoeur this inscription cannot be defended yet it may be excused and tollerated as a title of distinction to distinguish them from the other epistles As we see the Iewes diuiding the olde testament into 4. parts the first they called the law or 5. bookes of Moses the 2. the former prophets viz Ioshua Judges 2. bookes of Samuel 2. bookes of the Kings the 3 the later prophets as Esay Ieremie Ezechiel and the small prophets the 4. they called Kethubim which in English is as much as the scriptures not as though those 11. bookes were more properly scripture then the Pentateuch of Moses or the bookes of the former and later prophets but onely for distinction sake they were so called And they are tearmed of the 70. and of the Greeke church 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is holy writts not because they had a peculiar holines proper to them aboue other parts of Gods word seeing all scripture is equally giuen by diuine inspiration nor as though the amanuenses of these bookes were more holy then the other pen-men of the holy Ghost nay contrarily it is doubted by some of Salomon who penned three of these bookes whether he were elected or reiected whereas it is not doubted of the rest but onely as I haue alreadie said to put a note of distinction betwixt them and other bookes in naming of them as Hugo de S. Uict hath well obserued In this sense this title Canonicall may be giuen to these Epistles without danger but if we shall vnderstand it in any other sense we shall be so farre from beeing able to defend it that we shall not be able to excuse it The second title which is giuen them is that they be called Catholike which inscription is as vnfit as the former for they are so called as some would haue it because they were writteÌ„ and directed to the whole Catholike Church consisting both of Iewes and Gentiles But that is not true seeing Iames chap. 1. 1. directeth his Epistle onely to the 12 tribes that were dispersed and not to the Gentiles And Peter who was an Apostle of Circumcision 1. Epist. 1. 1. writeth onely to the strangers the Iewes that dwell here and there throughout Pontus Galatia Cappadocia Asia and Bythinia Others thinke they are tearmed Catholike for that they were not sent to one man or familie or citie or countrey but generally to the whole bodie companie and societie of the Iewes wheresoeuer dispersed ouer the whole earth But neither in this sense can they fitly or truly be tearmed Catholike forasmuch as two of these seuen viz. the second and third of Iohn were written to particular persons the one to the elect Ladie the other to Gains And by this reason the Epistle to Timothie that to Titus and Philemon may be called Catholike as well as these Againe be it graunted that they were all directed to all the Iewes yet I see not why the Epistle to the Ebrewes may not as well chalenge this title to be called Catholike as any of these seuen considering it was written to all the Iewes and onely to the Iewes Thirdly others affirme them to be called Catholike because they containe Catholike doctrine such as appertaineth to all men generally of what estate place condition or calling so euer they be But in this sense all Pauls Epistles may be called Catholike Epistles For whatsoeuer is written is written for our learning that we through patience and consolation of the Scriptures might haue hope Rom. 15. 4. Secondly the word Catholike is not so ancient for Pacianus an auncient father saith it was not vsed in the Apostles daies His wordes are these Sed sub Apostolis enquies nemo Catholicus vocabatur esto sic fuerie vel illud indulge cum post Apostolos haereses extitissent diuersisque nominibus Columbam Dei atque reginam lacerare per partes sciudere niterentur nonne cognomen suum plebâ— Apostolica pâ—stulabat quo incorrupti populi distingueret vnitatem ne intemeratam Dei virginem error aliquorum per membra laceraret that is But thou wilt say vnder the Apostles no man was called Catholique well be it so yet admit this withall when after the Apostles there were heresies and men beganne to rend in peeces and diuide gods done and Queene by sundry different names did not the Apostolike people require their surnames whereby they might distinguish the vnitie of the vncorrupt people least the error of some should rend in sunder gods vndefiled virgin where we see Pacianus doth freely grant that this surname Catholike was not in vse in the time of the Apostles Which testimonie Baronius doth notably dissemble in shewing the originall of this name out of Pacianus affirming but not proouing it to be as ancient as the Apostles Now this errour hath not onely befallen the Latin and Greeke copies but the Syriacke likewise as may appeare in the title prefixed before the most ancient Syrian traÌ„slation where we shal find these words The 3. Epistles of the 3. Apostles before whose eyes our Lord was transfigured Iames Peter Iohn In which inscription be couched 2. soule errours First in that this translator maketh but 3. epistles of James Peter and Iohn whereas there are sixe he omitting the 2. of Peter the 2. and 3. of Iohn as also that of Iude as no part of holy scripture therfore the Syriack church as I haue alreadie said doth not receiue these Epistles into their Canon vnto this day The second is in that he affirmeth Iames before whom our S. Christ was transfigured in mount Tabor to be the author of this epistle For that Iames before whome Christ was transfigured in the mount was Iames the sonne of Zebedeus and brother of Iohn Matth. 17. 1. After sixe daies Iesus tooke Peter and Iames and Iohn his brother and brought them vp into an high mountain and was transfigured before them Which Iames could not possibly be the penner of this epistle for he was slaine by king Herode long before the destruction of Ierusalem and the dispersion of the 12. tribes Acts 12. v. 2. About that time Herode the kinge stretched forth his hand to vexe certaine of the Church and he slew Iames the brother of Iohn with the sword Therfore Iames the author of this epistile was Iames the sonne of Alphaeus For to faine an other Iames the brother of our Lord as some haue done is childish seeing it is plaine by sundry places of the N. T. that there were but two of that name mentioned in Scripture Iames the sonne of Zebedeus called Iames the greater and Iames the sonne of Alphoeus brother to Iude called the lesser and brother of our Lord. GRATIAS TIBI DOMINE IESV COMMON PLACES HANDLED IN THIS Commentarie The first figure shewes the page the second the line 1 HOw a man may
causes 351. 6 Of the churches reioycing 358. 37 It is one in number and no more 351. 37. How the church is troubled vide Trouble The catholike church why called our mother 35. 2. 17 Where our mother is to be found 352. 25. The order to be vsed in the censure giuen vpon a church 9. 10 Ierusalem the mother church rather then Rome 61. 15 The church was before the writing of the word but not before the word 77. 6 It is inuisible 352. Of Circumcision 79. 32 Circumcision considered according to the circumstance of time three waies 373. 15 Circumcision in it selfe a thing indifferent yet not to be vsed if it be vrged as a matter of absolute necessitie 614. 35 Ciuill vertues and a ciuill life are no better then sinnes 16. 10 What is the combate that naturall man haue 417. 28 The cause of the spirituall combate and the persons in whome it is 417. 5. The vse of the combate 419. 1 The commandements of God are not grieuous three waies 190. 15 Concealements of the truth sometimes lawfull 63. 13 How it must be vnderstood that in the commandement the sinnes of the fathers are visited vpon the children 521. 29 Papists make three degrees of concupiscence 252. 11 Concupiscence vide Lust. Conference of Pastor and people necessarie 338. 13 How conscience is free and how subiect to the power of the Magistrate 410. 1 Three obiections remooued that the lawes and traditions of the church bind Conscience as truly as the word of God 369. 21 The consent of Pastors and people excellent 6. 25 What is the force of consent 6. 27 Consent no certen marke of the church 6. 37 The catholike consent of beleeuers in points of religion is not the true and liuely Scripture 7. 5. Consent standes in three things 7. 15. Consent not to be found amongest the papistes 7. 18. Consent is to be found amongest vs in the foundation of religion 7. 23. Consider our selues and others 467. 468. 469. Constancie vid. standing Consultation not to be vsed in matters of religion nor in obedience 56. 19. 37. The vse of the contemplation of Christ by faith 162. 30 The effect of contention 408. 6 Contentions some lawfull some sinfull 436. â—5 Contract in some cases may be dissolued 209. 11 Sinnes after conuersion are pardonable 462. 4 Three causes of Pauls conuersion 46. 32. The order and dependance of causes in a sinners conuersion 47. 13 Fiue Questions of Pauls conuersion vide Paul Conuersion wrought by certain degrees 336. 20 Corruption not felt by corruption but by grace 528. 33 Couenants beeing lawfull are to be kept with heretykes and enemies 208. 23. What couenants with losse are to be kept and what not ibid. 30 Couenants of two sorts legall and euangelicall 569. 6 The couenants of workes hath two properties 348. 27 Conferences and councels are laudible 75. 32 Three caueats in gathering a councell 76. 5 For this ending of differences in religion there must be conferences in a free or christian councell 408. 37. Why the protestants ioyned not with the papists in the councell of Trent 409. 5 Fiue rules for our libertie in vsing the creatures vid. Libertie why we ought to take vp our crosse and follow Christ certaine reasons 620. 5 what is mens by the crosse of Christ. 630. 16. Crucifying is either the action of Christ or our action of Christ threefold 451. 7 Three meanes to crucifie the flesh 451. 26 Reasons why a man hanging on a tree is cursed 202. 8 What the curse is that Christ was made for vs 198. 19 How Christ was a curse ibid. 28 Whether Paul did well in cursing his enemies 396. 30 Whether we may curse ours 397. 10 How we should vse the imprecations in Dauids Psalmes 397. 18 D A fourefould kind of obseruation of daies 314. 4 Against the Popish obseruation of holy daies 316. 7 How Protestants obserue them 316. 28. Against obseruing daies of good bad successe 317. 2 Two rules to be obserued for the right manner and measure of eating and drinking vide Eating Christs temporall death did counteruaile eternall death vide Death Wee must carrie our selues as dead men in three respects 144. 29 There are two degrees both in the first and second death 199. 20. 24. What debate is 436. 3 There is a deceit called dolus bonus 64. 2. Of men deceiuing themselues 508. 30. A man may be deceiued both in diuine and humane things sundry waies 546. 19 A man deceiues himselfe two wries 546. 20. The heart of man deceitfull 546. 40. from whence that springeth 547. 3 Good desires distinguished from carnall d 〈…〉 es by three properties 297. 32 Of the desires of our hearts and that they are cryes and how 598. 6 Of the league of compact with the deuil 429. 20 VVhat is the chiefe principle in diuinitie 433. 24 VVhat drunckennes is 439. 11 Two things in this sinne ibid. 14 To be giuen to drincking is a sinne 439. 21. Inducements to detest drunckennes 439. 30. Arg. for drunkennes answered 440. 20. E Two rules to be obserued for the right manner and measure of eating and drincking 439. 5 ElectioÌ„ ariseth not of the will of man but of the grace of God 40. 27. How we may attaine to the assurance of our election 47. 31 There is a double election 194. 14 Gods election is the roote of all the gifts of God is vs. 308. 15 The meere grace of God is the cause of our election 360. â—6 In religion there ought to be a holy emulation 44. 36 There is a good emulation and a carnall emulation 436. 8 whether Paul did well in cursing his enemies 396. 30 whether we may curse our enemies vide Curse Enmitie vide Hatred Enuie what it is 437. 36 Error in the foundation or beside the foundation of religion 8. 30 Error of humane frailue or of obstinacie 8. 35 No man can set downe the precise time when errors had there be ginning 84. 12 Error is either in iudgement or maÌ„ners both are of two sorts 409. 20. In the examination of our selues foure rules must be obserued 218. 8. The contagion of euill examples must be cut off in the societie of men 109. 40 Excommunication when to be vsed 390. 32 Offenders are not to be excommu nicated at the first but orderly to be proceeded against 393. 9. 486. 37. F Faith is of great vse in the kingdome of God 382. 32 when faith first begins to breede in the heart 240. 30 How faith in Christ is conceiued in the heart 241. 5 whether faith may be lost 69. 25 what Iustifyng faith is as the Papists define 123. 32 The obiect of Abrahams faith was double 123. 38 what true iustifying faith is 124. 35 Faith and confidence are two distinct gifts of God 125. 11 Two causes why a beleeuer is saide to liue by faith 149. 16 How men liue by faith 149. 24 Faith considered two waies 175. 34 That we may liue by faith we
first cause of all good things in vs. 11. 7 Grace and peace are the cheife good things to be sought for 11. 30 Gods order in the communication of grace peace 12. 21 Grace and works cannot stand together in iustificatioâ— 20. 18 Wherein standes the efficacy of preuenting grace 52. 10 Whether it can be resisted 52. 30 How efficacie of grace and libertie of will stand together 52. 37 Grace in Scripture signifieth two things 153. 10 Preuenting grace is two fould 308. 24. The works of grace in God Imprint their Image in the hearts of them that belong to God 308. 32 Falling from grace though but in part is dangerous 339. 23 The hatred of Gods grace in man is the beginning of all persecution 362. 21. What is our Guide now in the new Testament the lawe beeing abrogated 234. 22 Men are said to be vnder grace two waies 318. 28 One little grace of God brings many other with it 391. 11 Beside the antecedent and first grace there is necessarie a subsequent or second grace 421. 34 Grace mentioned in the Scripture twofold 651. 33 Gratia gratum faciens and gratia gratis data ibid. 34 Gratia gratum faciens naturall or supernaturall ibid. 40. 652. 1 Why the fauour and loue of God is called the Grace of Christ 652. 15. The soule the proper subiect of Grace 652. 32 H Hatred whether a sinne or not 435. 4. What it is 435. 27 What a right heart is 111. â—7 What a humble and honest heart is 111. 18. Mans heart peruerse to Gods ordinance 618. 12 What Heresie is 432. 12. 18 Difference betweene heresie and schisme 432. 36 Difference betweene heresie and a simple error 433. 9 Three things in heresie ibid. 10 Three rules to preserue our selues from heresies 433. 20 There are two degrees of honour 455. 22. I Idolatrie committed two waies 304. 16. That Idolatrie may be rooted out of the mind what is to be done 305. 37. What Idolatrie is 427. 22 An Idol and Idolatrie taken two waies 427. 22 the Romish religion teacheth Idolatrie foure waies 428. 9 their Arguments answered ibid. 24 Iealousie twofold 329. 16 Good Iealousie stands in 3 things 331. 26. 332. 6. What the name of Iew signifieth opposed to Gentiles 270. 13 Of the distinction of Iewes Gentiles the cause of it 114. 3 Wherein it stands 114. 16 How long it endured ibid. 31 The nation of the Iewes shall be called and conuerted before the ende of the world but when or how God knowes 182. 2 Ierusalem a type of the catholike church in sixe respects 350. 21 Whether Ignorance be a sinne in those that want the word of God 303. 25. the Image of God standes in two things 335. 13 Whether Images be necessarie in the congregation of the people of God 161. 10 Immoderate vse of Gods gifts is 3 waies 400. 27 Imposition of hands by the church of Antioch vpon Paul no calling but a confirmation of his calling 2. 13. Imputation what 175. 18 Imputation twofold 175. 25. Things indifferent not to be vsed as oft as we liste and how we will 80. 22. Two things restraine the vse of theÌ„ indifferent 80. 29 A thing indifferent when it is made necessarie to saluation is not to be vsed 8115. Infantes how they are to be tearmed innocents and how not 525. 39 Infantes haue no good workes 553 8. Infantes to be iudged not by the booke of Conscience but by the booke of life 553. 10 Inscriptions no part of Scripture 658. What the Intercession of Christ is 298. 7. Certain Interpretation of Scripture where to be found 352. 33 Ioy is twofould 444. 17 Ioy of grace in this life standes in three things and hath a double fruit 444. 18. 23 Paul made fiue Iourneyes to Ierusalem 74. 2 We are to haue some warrant for our Iournies where three sortes of meÌ„ are to be blamed 75. 15. 20 Israel twofould 646. 1 Israell of God what ibid. 4 Israel of God why mentioned ibid. 6. Iudisme what it is 41. 12 What it is to Iudaise 112. 3 Iudge the best of others three obiectioÌ„s mooued answered 392 10. In giuing Iudgment of Churches three rules to be marked 8. 15 Three things are subiect to Iudgement 156. 3 Iudgement is twofould 159. 25 The dutie of ministers often to forewarne the people and the dutie of the people often to meditate of Gods iudgements 441. 10. 15. Iugling a kind of witchcraft 429. 35. What the word iustice signifies 116. 8. The subiect of iustification 117. 10 False causes of iustification ibid. 35 What is that thing in Christ by and for which we are Iustified 118. 32. We are not Iustified onely by the passion of Christ. 121. 10 The meanes of iustification 123. 30. Faith alone Iustifieth 129. 17 Iustice twofould of the person and of the act 176. 18 The danger of the doctrine of Iustification by workes 397. 29 Iustification is twofould of the person of the faith of the person 385. 5 Arguments against Iustification by works 375. 3 Faith and loue no ioynt causes in Iustification 384. 10 384. 10. Whosoeuer obstinately maintaineth the doctrine of iustification by workes cannot be saued 373. 30 Obiections remooued ibid. The kindes of iustification 131. 8 The practise of them that are iustified 131. 36 But one Iustification 177. 1 Papists in the day of death renounce Iustification by workes 183. 34 There is a Iustification before God and a Iustification before men 193. 3. We are Iustified not only by the death but also by the obedience of Christ. 286. 18 No Iustification by workes 419. 9. 420. 6. The twofould popish Iustification confuted 348. 12 K Kingdome of God what 42. 25 Gods kingdome what it signifieth 441. 22. Knowledge of the true God stands in two points 248. 20 Knowledge of god is 2. fould 303. 5 Knowledge whereby men know God is either litterall or spirituall 306. 4. The properties of spirituall are thâ—â—e 306. 18. The Knowledge whereby God Knowes men standes in 2. things 308. 10. and it hath two properties 309. 24 L The distinction of Latria and Dulia friuolous 313. 6 We are free from the Law in foure respects 136. 10 The maine difference betweene the Law and the Gospell 194. 36. 214. 17. Why the lawe is vrged though we cannot keepe it 196. 16 The difference of the promises of the Law and the Gospell 210. 17 Impossible for any man in the time of this life to fulfill the Law 186. 35. Obections remooued c. ibid. 11 There are two kindes of fulfilling the Law 189. 11 The Lawe is not greuous three waies vide commandements The difference of the promises of the Law and the Gospell 210. 17 How the Law reuealed sinne before Christ and after 216. 14. The vse of Gods Lawes 227. 23 The Lawe is a Schoolemaster to Christ in two respects 229. 10 When the Lawe of Moses was abrogated 230. 19 How farr forth the Lawe is abrogated 230. 38 What is the Morall Ceremoniall
of canonicall Scripture 655. 20 Reasons why we must prouide for the poore 100. 35 The Gospell must be preached though all men be offended 396. 15. Preaching containes foure ministeriall actions 54. 17 Effectuall and powerfull preaching of the word stands in two things 160. 39. Preaching must be plaine 160. 11 Necessarie for all men 165. 20 The word must be dispenced in the infirmitie of mans flesh for diuers causes 323. 7 The benefits of preaching 326. 27 Prayer to Saints and Angels is carnall prayer 299. 29 Pray onely to God ibid. 300. 14 The right manner of seeking the praise of men 455. 1 Primacie is 2 of order of power 60. 18. Authoritie of the Church no principle 433. 39. Externall and bodily priueledges are of no moment in the kingdome of Christ. 382. 1 Gods promises lie as voide till the particular time of their accomplishment 204. 20 The promise made to Abraham is a couenant or testament and how 211. 30. Christ is the foundation of all the promises of god partly by merit partly by efficacie 313. 2 Why beleeuers are called children of promise 360. 8 Prouerbiall sentences are not at all times true in euery particular 550. 36. Gods prouidence vseth euill things well 348. 22 Subiectiō to punishment hath three parts 365. 13 There are seuerall degrees of punishments in hell 555. 556 R The workes of redemption exceed the works of creation 14. 19 Of the redemption of man from vnder the law 288. 19. c. Christ the onely redeemer 311. 9 Three markes of regeneration 241. 40. The gift of regeneration is neuer vtterlie extinguished 262. 29 What true regeneration is 377. 35 The workes of the regenerate are mixed with sinne and in the rigour of iustice deserue damnation obiections remooued 419. 9. 15. Of the reioycing of the Church vide Church Two groundes of reioycing vide glorying Reioyce signifying to glorie 517. 11 Obiection against reioicing in ones selfe vide glorying VVhat rules are to be obserued in the reioycing in the testimonie of a good conscience vide glorying False reioycing wherein it confisteth 519. 13 Reioycers are of foure sorts 519. 16 To reioyce in a mans selfe what 517. 18. The cheife principle in religion what 433. 24 Whether it be lawfull to compell men to imbrace religion 614. 5. The Magistrate may compell obstinate recusants to professe true religion ibid. 8. Obiections to the contrarie answered ibid. 25 Pauls manner in reproouing 18. 8 Libertie in reproouing with three caueats 103. 13 Why we vse not in preaching personall reproofes as Iohn Baptist did 393. 16 The manner of reproofe vide Restore He that is iniuried is fitter to reprooue him that offered the iniurie then any other 474. 39 Reproofes must not be deferred 460. 22. No wonder that sinners be loth to be reprooued 460. 37 A treatise of Christian reproofe 469. 31. Who are to be reprooued ib. 35 Reproofe belongs not to those that are out of the visible Church 470. The greatest Princes are subiect to reproofe 471. 15 Onely open skorners and persecuters of the word are not to be reprooued 472. 10 Men are to be reprooued for any sinne knowne ibid. 10 And for wrongs offered vs. 474. 20 Obiection against reproofes answered 47◠12 Who are reprooued 477. 1. 37. In fiue cases we are not bound to reprooue others offending 478. 13. In what manner are men to be reprooued set downe in ten rules 579. 37. The bitternesse of reproofe is to be allaied foure waies 483. 17 A man may reproue another foure waies 484. 8 In fitting our reproofe to the offence committed we must put a difference betwixt sinne finne 484. 28. In three cases we are not priuatly to reprooue but publikely to detect offenders 487. 15 The Pastour ought to be resident with his Hocke for two causes 337. 10. Restitution vide Satisfaction As oftē as our brother falls we must restore him 461. 5 Who are to be restored ibid. 17 Spirituall men are more for to restore those that are fallen then any other 463. 3 The manner how we must restore 464. 28. Reuelation is of two sortes 36. 11. Extraordinarie reuelation is foure waies 36. 15 The reuelation which Paul had is extraordinarie 36. 22 Reuolt what and the kindes thereof 18. 29 Remedies against reuenge 445. 8 Reward is double of honour and of debt 569. 37 Reward presupposeth not alwaies debt 571. 14 God giueth rewardes foure waies 571. 29. The phrases of speech of rewarding double or seuen fold what they signifie in the Scripture 552. 31. Pauls rule what it is 641. 33 The Papists rules Lesbian rules 642. 20. Monkish rules vaine and wicked 642. 28. We must be runners in the race of God 386. 19 We must runne well and to the end 387. 7. 22. S Of the institution of the Sabbath 315. 9 20. Sacraments conferre not grace by the worke wrought 254. 21 whether there be now in the church of God any sacrifice or oblation of Christ 161. 29 Whether the Saints may fall away totally and finally 586. 20 There is but one way of saluation 22. 5. Preuision of faith and good workes no cause of saluation 47. 20 The saluation of beleeuers is most sure 47. 27 The manner and way of our saluation 229. 21 The sanctification of the name of God hath two parts 72. 10 There is a double sanctification 193. 21. Satisfaction must be made for wrongs done 98. 39 Who must satisfie 99. 21 To whome 99. 28 What 99. 38 When 100. 9 In what order and manner 100. 15. Schisme and heresie differ vide Heresie The Papists schismatikes and not we 437. 21 For the auoiding of schisme and sedition two rules ibid. 29 Slanders vse to be raised vpon euery light and vniust occasion 395. 18. Scripture is both the glosse and the text 352. 36. 434. 3 Scripture hath sundrie senses according to the Papists 345. 35 When the Scriptures speakes figuratiuely and when properly 346. 30. The Scriptures by themselues are sufficient to saluation 24. 24 The Scriptures are as certen as if they had beene written by God 27. 5. The authoritie of the Scripture dependes not vpon the testimonie of the Church 27. 20 It is necessarie that men should be assured that the Scriptures are of God 31. 30 The testimonies whereby this assurance may be obtained 31. 35 In Scriptures there is diuine and infallible authoritie 353. 15. The meanes to decide controuersies 356. 29 Bookes of Scripture in the new testament haue a threefold difference 608. 9 Bookes of Scripture why called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as also Kethubim by the Iewes 659. 25 The Scriptures why called Canonicall 641. 38 Seditions what 435. 15 The separation of Paul from the wombe what it is 46. 35 To make a faire shewe in the flesh signifieth foure things 610. 33 Simulation what and the sorts 105. 36. Sinne where it takes place giues a man no rest till it hath brought him to a height of wickednes 43. 39. What a sinne of
infirmitie is 108. 32. Sinnes be of two sorts 224. 27 Difference betweene the godly and vngodly in sinning 443. 3 Originall sinne hath two parts 365. 5. A common fashion to extenuate sinne 389. 56 We must resist euery particular sin 390. 25. It is the nature of sinne to set all things out of order 460. 4 God rewardeth sinnes in the same manner according to the nature of sinne 557. 558. Sinne driues men beside themselues 460. 8. Sinners must not delay their repentance ibid. 21 Sinnes committed after a mans conuersion are pardonable 462. 4. 5. In euery knowne sinne we are wrōged 473. 33 Sinne a burden to whome vide Burden Sinne a spirituall burden 528. 27 How we may be cased of the burden of sinne 529. 36 How sinne is finite and how infinite 554. 2 3 4. Solitarie and Monastick life against the light of nature 643. 13 Why the second person is called Sonne 280. 1 Whether the Sonne be God 280. 14. Two kinds of sorrow 137. 39 A point of great skill to bring a soule in order and frame againe 460. 29. Three things to be considered in the soule the substance the faculties and the qualities 637. 10 What is meant by vvhat soeuer a man sowes that shall he reape 550. 10. Sowing what it signifies in the scripture 550. 20 Obiections against this prouerbiall speech whatsoeuer a man sowes that shall he reape 550. 551. The distinction of sowing to the flesh and to our flesh 553. 36 By sowing to the flesh what is ment 564. 1. 10. To sow to the spirit what it is ibid. 20. The Spirit hath fiue properties 418. 38. What is the spirit a treatise 411. 21. 35. All exercises of Christian religion are to be in the spirit 381. 29 The operation of the spirit is threefold 146. What the Spirit signifies 163. 35 what is meant by the giuing or sending of the spirit 204. 35 In what order the spirit is giuen 205. 3. we receiue the spirit for sixe endes ibid. 20. why the holy Ghost is called the spirit of the sonne 293. 39 The manner how the holy Ghost is sent 294. 35 Foure works in the spirit in causing beleeuers to crie Abba father 295. 32. The spirit of grace in Christians is more excellent then that of creation in two respects 412. 27 Of the operation of the spirit 412. 39. The whole worke of the spirit may be reduced to factions 413. 8 The spirit makes vs change and renew our actions in three respects 413. 21. The lust of the spirit hath two actions 416. 32 The office of the spirit is first to regenerate secondly to guide the regenerate 421. 14. 16 In this guidance there are foure actions of the spirit ibid. Subiection to the worke of Gods spirit hath two parts 422. 1 The propertie of the workes of the spirit a treatise 442. 33 The efficacie of the spirit 443. 6 What it is to liue and walke in the spirit 452. 453 A signe whereby to know whether a man hath in his heart the spirit of God or no. 454 4 Spirituall men opposed to carnall are of two sorts 463. 24 Spirituall men are more fitte to restore those that are fallen then any other 463. 31 Diuers good and euill things are tearmed by the name of spirit 466. 5. Two kinds of spyings 85. 6 Of standing fast in libertie the manner and time of it 372. 17 Two kinds of subiection 269. 11 Subiection to the spirit hath two parts vide Spirit Succession is of three sorts 35. 3 The successours of the first preachers had an ordinarie calling 35. 17. Fiue vses of our sufferings 170. 10 T A propertie of false teachers is to vrge earnestly their owne ceremonies vpon others 617. 20 A propertie of false teachers to teach false doctrine for auoiding of persecution 618. 26 The essentiall difference betweene true and false teachers 619. 24 Another propertie of false teachers to compell others to obserue that which they themselues will not obserue 622. 18 Another note of false teachers to pretend religion to cloake their wickednes 623. 36 The propertie of false teachers is to set a faire show vpon the matter 611. 14. Temperance what foure rules for the practising of it 448. 3 By what law Tēths are due 232. 3 10 Of what value the testimonie of the Church is 33. 4 There must be a christian toleration one of another for the maintenance of church peace 409. 16 In what it stands ibid. 17 To what end it serues 409. 32 Whether there may not be a tolleration for Popery 409. 37 Vnwritten Traditions tendered as a part of gods word are abominations 24. 29 The church is troubled three waies 391. 33. Reasons to mooue men to speake deale truly 447. 26 The time of all euents determined by God 49. 2 Due time how it may be vnderstood 582. 13 We must make a holy profitable vse of time 598. 1 We must redeeme the time lost in three respects ibid. 37 Obseruations of times which be forbidden 600. 6 The kindes of vnlawfull obseruation of time either Iewish or Heathnish and wherein they consist 600. 11 Lawfull obseruation of time twofold diuine or humane 601. 4 Humane obseruation of time threefold 601. 5 V What the desire of vaine glorie is 454. 33 Excuses hereof taken away ibid. 38 They that haue receiued good gifts of God are many times most vaineglorious 455. 38 Remedies of pride and vaineglorie 456. 20. What vncleanes is 425. 21 Of our vnion with Christ. 145. 23 264. 39. Substantiall and spirituall 264. 30 In what respect they are said to be one with Christ 265. 1 Vnitie is not an infallible inseperable marke of the church 407. 18 Though men were not commanded to vow yet the matter and forme of vowes was commanded 60. 5 W What wantonnes is 425. 28 Reasons both in general and speciall that make men wearie of well doing 576. 38 How farre forth the will worketh in the receiuing of grace 11. 16 The absolute will of God cannot be resisted 360. 36 The determination of mans will by the will of god doth not abolish all freedome of will 361. 4 Man hath no freedome of will in good duties before his conuersion 417. 13 What witchcrafteis a treatise of the ground and kindes of it 429. 16 What is a witch 430. 38 Signes that serue to discouer a witch 431. 29. False and vncertaine signes 342. 1 Wiues among the Iewes of two sorts 343. 23 The word is the cause and obiect of our faith 6. 32 The word of God is the matter of the ministerie and how it is to be taught heard 29. 30 35 It depends not vpon the authoritie of the church 56. 11 But vpon it selfe 77. 18 The word must be dispensed in the infirmitie of mans flesh for diuerse causes vide preach Labourers in the word may lawfully take wages though they haue sufficient of their owne to maintaine themselues 543. 18 There be no meritorious workes to
ignorance of the one and hinder the malice of the other and so to profitte the most beside the meaning he hath briefly drawne out such doctrines as naturally arise from the text shewing withall how they ought to be applied for confutation correction instruction consolation Which he hath donne with such dexteritie artificially matching together two things heretofore insociable Breuitie and Perspicuitie that the like I take it hath not beene performed heretofore by any Expositer vpon this Epistle which we may well call the key of the new Testament in that it handleth the waightiest points of doctrine whether we consider the necessarie knowledge thereof or the controuersies of these times Therefore Luther after he had once publikely expounded it toke in hand againe and interpreted it the second time beginning as himselfe saith where he ended according to the saying of Syracides When a man hath donne what he can he must beginne againe Which Commentarie seeing it hath found such good intertainement amongst vs beeing but a forrainer and hauing lost much of his strength and taken winde by changing from language to language as wine from one vessell to another I doubt not but this beeing a free-denizen will find the like fauour and acceptance therather if it will please your Honour to vouchsafe it your countenance To whose protection and patronage I here commend it as S. Luke did his Histories to the most noble Theophylus desiring hereby to testifie my humble dutie vnto your Honor and my thankfulnes to God for the riches of his grace bestowed vpon you in my sterie of the Gospell for your zeale of gods glory your loue of the truth and of all those that vnfainedly embrace the truth And thus fearing to hinder the course of your more serious cogitations actions I humbly take may leaue Desyring the Lord who hath promised to honour those that honour him that as he hath made you Honourable in your noble progenitors so he would make you thrise Honourable in your future successors and long continue you a notable instrument vnder his Highnes of the peace and welfare of your country as hetherto he hath done accomplishing all your desires for present prosperitie and future felicitie From Emanuell colledge in Cambridge August 10. 1604. Your Honours most humbly deuoted RAFE CVDWORTH TO THE COVRteous Reader I Here offer to thy view gentle Reader a Comment and a Supplement the Comment begunne by an excellent workeman and drawne in excellent proportion in all points suting to the analogie of faith and the doctrine of the Orthodoxe Fathers of the Church beeing the substance of his three yeares Lectures vpon the Lords day If his former workes either of Positiue Diuinitie in sundrie of his Treatises or Controuersall Diuinitie in his Reformed Catholike or Case-Diuinitie in his Cases of Conscience haue ministred any comfort vnto thee or giuen thee content I doubt not but these Commentaries will abundantly satisfie thy expectation For to omit the varietie of matter as also the breuitie and admirable perspicuitie in regard of the manner beeing the chiefest commendation of Oecumenius or any Interpreter in them as in a mirrour thou maist more clearely see his knowledge in the mysterie of Christ and his dexteritie in exemplifying that by practise which he had formerly taught by precept theÌ„ in any of his writings besides as hauing a double eminencie aboue the rest First in that they were penned the last of all his workes beeing come to ripenes of iudgement and that vpon mature deliberation after his Sermons as his manner was Secondly in that they were written with his owne hand whereas all his other writings except some short Treatises were taken by some diligent auditors and perused by himselfe Herein resembling the Epistle it selfe which was written with Pauls owne hand all the rest except that short one to Philemon by his â—â—ribes And as they doe exceede his other Writings so I might say perhaps more truly then discreetly that they surpasse in this kinde all the moderne writers that haue gone before them so that he which will vouchsafe to read them shall not greatly neede nor desire any other Interpreter vpon this Scripture the which I speake not as esteeming of Antiquitie no better worth then to be put vnder a bushell that Noueltie might be set vpon the candlesticke but for that I see not but that Iohn Baptist the last of all the Prophets was as goodly a burning and shining candle as any of the rest and that he pointed forth Christ more distinctly then the rest But I hope I shall not neede to vse many words in commendation either of the worke or of the Author beeing so well knowne and sufficiently commended by others for soundnes of doctrine and integritie of life which whilst he was liuing did parallel each other his doctrine beeing a patterne of his life and his life a counterpaine of his doctrine And now beeing dead his sauorie-writings which he hath left behind him breathing forth as it were the sweete smell of a sanctified spirit like a field which the Lord hath blessed hath got him a name neuer to be forgotten which giueth him after his death a second life I am further to aduertise thee good Reader that there were some places in the originall copie to which the Author would no doubt haue giuen some reuiew and correction if God had drawne out the line of his life but a little longer which I haue filed and polished according to my poore skill though very sparingly in such places onely as were obscure or had any phrase of doubtfull construction or otherwise seemed to be mistaken pointing and interlining the rest to fit it for the Presse It may be my vnskilfull handling of them hath depriued them of their due lustre yet sure I am it hath giuen them no tincture Touching the Supplement it was my purpose at the first to have made a supplie of that which was wanting out of the Authors owne writings as it hath beene done in Aquinas Summes and others but afterwardes perceiuing that his workes alreadie extant would not affoard me sufficient matter to furnish out that argument I was inforced to take an other course and to make a supplie with courser stuffe of mine owne as I could Which if it shall seeme not to sure the former in all points I shall desire thee to consider that it is not so easie a matter for Asâ—lepiodorus accustomed to draw with a cole or chaulke only to finish a picture he 〈…〉 nne by Apelles with so curious a pensill and that it is an argument wherein I confesse I haue not beene so much conuersant as perhaps in some other neither chosen out of purpose to make ostentation of witt reading or inuention but left as a necessary task to be performed by some for the perfecting of the worke and the good of the Church if this poore mite may conferre any thing to the Treasurie of the Lords
that may be simply to euery one to hinder all euill whereas to the nature of the generall or vniuersall good 〈◊〉 things appertaine First that all things should be good in some measure of goodnes Secodly that some things should be better then others Thirdly that those things that are defectiue in goodnes that is euills should be ordayned to the common good as in a well ordered house all the parts thereof are good in their kind Secondly some better then others as Paul saith In a great house there are vessells of gold and siluer of wood and stone some for honour and some for dishonour 2. Tim. 2. 20. Thirdly those that are destitute of goodnes as sinkes draughts and other like places seruing for base though necessarie vses are ordained to the common good of the whole house which it cannot want And therefore if the master builder to preuent these particular euills should leaue them out of his building he should preiudice the common good of the whole house which cannot be without them Thus much of the first part namely the duty Now I proceede to prosecute the second which shews first to whome we must do good and secondly the order to be obserued therein We must do good vnto all but specially to those which are of the houshould of faith Touching the first It may seeme that some among the Galatians were of the Pharises mind who thought they were bound to loue their friends but not their enemies or of this perswasion that they were not bound in coÌ„science to do good vnto the healthen amongst whom they liued as being professed enemies of Christ opeÌ„ persecutors of his Church But Paul teacheth theÌ„ vs another lesson wheÌ„ he coÌ„mands vs to do good vnto all sutable to that of our Sauiour Christ loue your enemies blesse them that curse you doe good to them that hate you pray for them that hurt you and persecute you Matth. 9. 44. Let vs consider the good Samaritans practise Albeit there was mortall hatred betwixt the Iewes and the Samaritans Ioh. 4. 6. Yet he seeing his deadly enemie wounded and halfe dead had compassion vpon him powred wine and oyle into his soares bound vp his woundes set him on his owne beast brought him to an Inne and made prouision for him the like ought we to doe euen to our enemies as occasion shall serue Luk. 10. 30. For if we must doe good to our enemies beast his oxe or asse going astray in bringing him home againe Exod. 23. 4. Much more ought we to doe good to our enemie himselfe For the more beneficiall and communicatiue we shewe our selues to be the greater goodnesse we shewe to be in vs as the fountaine which powreth forth his streames vnto all and the candle which standeth vpon a candlestieke shineth vnto all and not to it selfe being couered with a bushell The reasons why we ought to doe good vnto all euen to our enemies are principally foure The first may be taken from the grounds of loue and beneficence which are in all men euen in the wicked themselues nowe the grounds of loue are specially three the first is the image of God which beeing in all men yea euen in prophane persons in part ought to be the loadstone of loue to draw our affection vnto it The second is communion and fellowship in the same nature and therefore we ought to be beneficiall vnto men because they are men though we will not doe good homini yet we must doe it humanitaâ—i as the Philosopher said The third is participation in the death of Christ in that all men haue part in Christ as well as we for any thing we knowe Secondly God whose example we are to followe as hath beene said is good and bountifull vnto all causing his sunne to shine as well vpon the badde as the good and his â—aine to fall as well vpon the ground of the vniust as of the iust beeing kinde vnto the vnkind and to the wicked Thirdly we must doe to others as we would they should doe to vs. Therefore if we beeing in distresse would be glad to receiue good at the hand of a wicked man we ought in the like case to doe good vnto him Fourthly our profession and the reward which we looke for require this at our hands for if we doe good vnto them onely that doe good vnto vs or if we be friendly to those onely that are friendly to vs what singular thing doe we for euen the Publicans doe the like and so hauing our reward here in this life we can expect none other after this life Matth. 5. 47. The second point which containeth the order to be obserued in doing good is laid downe in these words Let vs doe good to all but specially to those which are of the houshould of faith By them of the houshold of faith we are to vnderstand those which by faith are of the same familie with vs namely of the same Catholike church vpon earth the house of God beeing often put to signifie the Church of God as 1. Tim. 3. 15. The house of God is called the Church of God the ground and pillar of trueth Ebr. 3. 2. Moses was faithfull in all Gods house that is his Church and thus this phrase is expounded Eph. 2. 19. Ye are no more strangers and forrainers but citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God So that by them of the houshold of faith we must vnderstand onely the faithfull Indeed among men not onely children but also man-seruants and maide-seruants are counted to be of the family but God accounts them onely to be of his house that are Saints by calling and sonnes by faith The rest are bastards and not sonnes they are it may be in the house but not of the house for true sauing faith doth characterize those that are of the familie of faith euen as fanaticall dreames fantasticall opinions allegorizing of the literall sense of the scripture denying the resurrection of the flesh doe characterize those that are of the familie of loue Hauing the meaning coÌ„sider the dutie which is to do good principally to the faithfull the Saints seruants of god that is we must do good vnto theÌ„ before others more theÌ„ to others which are not of the same familie as Dauid saith My well-doing reacheth not to thee but to the saints that are in the earth them that excel in vertue Psal. 16. 2 3. For it is alone as if the Apostle should haue said As it is fit and conuenient that they that are of the same familie should be helpefull and beneficiall one vnto another rather then to those that are of another family So it is requisite that those which are members of the same bodie nay sonnes and daughters brethren and sisters hauing the same God for their father the same Church for their mother Christ for their elder brother begotten of the same immortall seede nourished with the
same milke of the word and looking for the same blessed inheritance should rather be beneficiall one to another then to those that are forrainers and strangers no way linked vnto them by the bond of faith Now the reasons why we ought especially to doe good to them of the houshold of faith may be these First because God loueth all his creatures specially mankind most especially the faithfull vpon whome he doeth bestowe the riches of his loue yea himselfe also for though God be good vnto all Psal. 145. 9. yet in a speciall sort he is good to Israel to them that are of a pure heart Psal. 73. 1. He is a Sauiour of all men specially of those that beleeue 1. Tim. 4. 10. Secondly because whatsoeuer is done to one of Gods saints is done vnto him Matth. 25. 44. Thirdly in respect of the excellencie of their persons in that they are sonnes of God heires of his kingdome members of Christ Temples of the holy Ghost c. Further in that all the faithfull are called a houshold and a family this teacheth vs that as we haue one bedde and one board one bread to seede vpon and one cuppe whereof all drinke so we should haue one minde and one heart we should cleaue together and hold together for if they of the family of loue ioyne together why should not we which are of the familie of faith hold together If those of the kingdome of darkenesse combine themselues together as it is Psal. 2. 2. The kings of the earth band themselues and the Princes are assembled together a gainst the Lord and against his Christ. Act. 4. 27. Doubt lesse against thine holy sonne Iesus whome thou hast annointed both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and people of Israel gathered thēselues together Psal. 83. 5 6 7 8. They haue consulted together in heart and haue made a league against thee The tabernacles of Edom and the Ishmaelites Moab and the Agarims Gaball and Ammon and Amalec the Philistims with the inhabitants of Tyrus Ashur also is ioyned with them they haue beene anarme to the childrē of Lot How much more therefore ought the children of light to company and consort together But the children of this world are wiser in their generation then the children of light Nay the bruite beasts may condemne vs in this point for cattel heard together sheep flocke together fishes shole together and as the prouerbe is birdes of a feather will flie together What a shame is it therefore for vs that are of the same family of faith to fall out making a rent in the coate and a diuision in the bodie of Christ by seperating our selues one from another in affection of heart and practise of life Againe this may minister comfort to all the faithfull beeing vnder the crosse to consider that they are of Gods family and therefore neede not doubt of the prouidence of God but that he will prouide things necessarie for them for he that prouideth not for his owne and specially for them of his familie hath denied the faith and is worse then an infidell Lastly in that the faithfull are called a familie it shewes that they are but fewe euen a handefull in comparison of the world for what is a familie to a countrie or a kingdome Indeed I graunt if those of the family of faith be considered by themselues they are many Matth. 8. 11. I say vnto you that MANY shall come from the East and from the West and shall sit downe with Abrahā Isaac and Iacob in the kingdome of heauen Nay they are innumerable Apoc. 7. 9. After these things I beheld and loe a great multitude which no man could number of all nations kindreds and people and tongues stood before the throne and before the lambe cloathed with long white robes and palmes in their hands But beeing compared with infidels which shall be condemned they are but fewe Matth. 7. 13 14. Enter in at the straite gate for it is the wide gate and broad way that leadeth to destruction and MANIE there be which goe in thereat Because the gate is straite and the way narrow that leadeth vnto life and FEWE there be that find it MANY are called but FEW chosen Here they are called a family a little flock Luk. 12. 32. a remnant Rom. 9. 27. Let the Papists therfore brag of their Vniuersalitie and multitude as much as they list in the meane time let not vs feare to ioyne our selues to the litle flocke of Christ and with them to goe on in the straite way to eternall life The order which we are to obserue in doing good to others is else where more distinctly set downe in scripture it stands in these degrees First and principally a man must do good to those of his familie as to wife children seruants 1. Tim. 1. 8. If there be any that prouideth not for his owne and especially for them of his houshold he hath denied the faith and is worse then an infidell Secondly after those of our familie we must doe good to our parents and progenitors 1. Tim. 5. 4. If any widow haue children or nephewes let them that is those children or nephewes learne first to shew godlines toward their owne house and to recompence their parents Marke they must first do good to their owne house and then in the second place to their parents that is their fathers mothers if they be children their grandfathers and grandmothers if they be nephewes Thirdly after the two former we must doe good to our kinred 1. Tim. 5. 8. If any prouide not for his owne he hath denied the faith c. where by owne we are chiefely to vnderstand those poore widowes that are neare of blood or kinred vnto vs or generally all those that are of our kinred in the flesh who are therefore called ours because they doe more nearely concerne vs as being linked vnto vs by the bond of nature They that are of our kinred are to be respected and releeued of vs in the third place if they be of the houshold of faith otherwise the Saints of God which are neither kith nor kinne vnto vs are to be preferred before them Fourthly of strangers and forreners we are to doe good to the faithfull before others Fiftly and lastly we must be beneficiall to all whether friends or foes of our kinred or strangers of the house of God or otherwise as God in his prouidence shall offer them vnto vs for so Paul saith We must doe good vnto all men It will be said we are to loue all men alike seeing we must loue our neighbours as our selues and therefore we must doe good to all men alike not respecting the faithfull more then others I answer our loue of our brethren is lesse or greater either in respect of the obiect in wishing a greater or a lesse good vnto them and thus we must loue all men alike in wishing to them eternall