and infirmity which they commit partly 1. Out of ignorance 2. By being suddenly surprized with temptations 3. Contrary to their owne purposes and endeavours 4. Of Brotherly love and in it 1. The kinds of it which are 1. Loving words which are good 2. Loving deeds which are better 3. Loving thoughts in the heart which are the best of all v. 18. if this kind of love be wanting the other two will be to no purpose And if 1. We be judged of hypocrisy and want of charity by the heart v. 20. We cannot 2. Escape the judgement of God who knoweth the secrets of our hearts ibid. 2. The benefit of it 1. To others in supplying their wants especially those of our owne profession v. 17. 2. To our selves which is an assurance of our regeneration which is a passing from the death of sinne to the life of righteousnesse v. 14. 2. Of our being no Hypocrites v. 19. 5. Of Gods Commandments 1. Their summe comprehended in two words 1. Faith in Christ Jesus v. 23. 2. Love of our brethren v. 23. 2. Their reward for keeping them 1. The grant of all our prayers v. 22. 2. An interest in Christ who if we keepe his Commandments will 1. Dwell in us v. 24. 2. Discover to us that he doth dwell in us by the testimony of the Spirit ibid. CHAP. IV. 1. Concerning faith in matters of Religion wherein he exhorts them 1. Not to be too rash in believing every doctrine they heare v. 1. But 2. To examine every thing Not 1. By the rule of their owne fancies and humours But 2. By the touchstone of Gods holy Word v. ibid. 2. He sheweth 1. What doctrines 1. Are true and to be adhered to viz. the doctrine of salvation by Christ Jesus v. 2. 2. Are false and hereticall which are such as denied the Divinity and Incarnation of Christ v. 3. 2. The natures and conditions of the venters of such doctrines They are such 1. As have not the spirit of inspiration and revelation which they beast so much of v. ibid. 2. As are worldly minded v. 5. 3. As are fleshly minded And 1. Preach sensuall things pleasing to flesh and bloud as licentiousnesse of life v. ibid. 2. Have sensuall Auditours v. ibid. 3. He doth comfort them against such Heretickes by telling them that they are such as have overcome the subtilties of them Not 1. By their owne strength and power But 2. By the wisedome of God whereby they are enabled to discover the falshood of such Heretickes And 3. By his power whereby they become Conquerours v. 4. 2. Concerning 1. Gods love to us wherein observe 1. The extent and greatnesse of it 1. In loving us first v. 19. 2. In expressing this love Not onely 1. In giving us the creatures for our use and service and preservation and good of our bodies But 2. In giving up his deare and onely Sonne for the salvation of our soules v. 9. 2. Our love to our neighbours 1. Because God loveth us v. 11. 2. Because we cannot love him againe unlesse we love our brethren v. 20. CHAP. V. 1. Of Faith 1. Its fruits which are 1. Regeneration and newnesse of life whereby the Regenerate 1. Beare Gods image v. 1. 2. Have a freedome 1. From wilfull sinning and making a trade of sinne v. 18. 2. From being if not 1. Assaulted Yet 2. Overcome by Satans temptations v. ibid. 3. Obtaine victory over the world v. 4. when it doth either 1. Flatter with prosperity Or 2. Threaten with persecution 2. A strong confidence of obtaining the grant of those prayers which we shall offer up to God at any time v. 14. 1. For our selves if they be not made 1. According to our own vain and wicked desires But 2. According to Gods blessed will which should be the rule of all our prayers v. 15. 2. For others when we pray for the pardon of their sinnes so as they be not such sinners as doe not 1. Sinne against the Holy Ghost v. 16. 1. For which God will give no repentance 2. To which for want of repentance he will give no pardon But 2. Onely commit such sinnes whereof 1. They may 2. They doe repent v. 16. 2. Of the object of faith 1. Jesus Christ 2. The promises of God concerning him 3. The fulfilling the types of the Ceremoniall Law in him As 1. The types of sacrifices by bloud in his freeing us from the guilt of sinne by his death 2. The types of washing in his freeing us from the polution of sinne by the Spirit 4. The certainty of Christs being on earth to be our Saviour because we have proofe and evidence for it and that of three Witnesses which is Not 1. Of men though that were sufficient by the Law of Moses But 2. Of the Holy Trinity v. 7. 1. Of God by a voice from Heaven 1. At his Baptisme 2. At his Transfiguration 2. Of Christ himselfe 1. By his doctrine 2. By his miracles 3. Of the Spirit perswading the truth of it 1. In the Word of God 2. In the consciences of men 3. Of Brotherly love the cause whereof is 1. The love of God whose image they beare v. 1. 2. Love of his Commandments which doe 1. Enjoyne us to love others v. 2 3. 2. Are easy to be performed because by the Spirit we have both 1. Will. 2. Power to keepe them v. 3. 4. Of our service to God who hath beene so loving to us in giving us his Sonne to save our soules which must be 1. Religious 1. In Spirit 2. In Truth And not 2. Superstitious in carved images under the faire pretences of representing him who is a God of a Spirituall Essence v. 21. The Analysis of the 2. Epistle generall of Saint JOHN CHAP. I. This Epistle was writ to a Lady wherein 1. The Commendation of her 1. Generally in being called a Lady Elect either 1. Because others did probably thinke her so for her many virtues as charity hospitality c. Or 2. Because the Apostle did certainly foresee her to be in the state of salvation by the inspiration of the Spirit v. 1. 2. Particularly for the good education and bringing up of her Children in the true Religion v. 4. whereby she preserved them from those heresies which many others were fallen into 2. The love and affection which was borne to her both from himselfe and others v. 7. and herein we may observe 1. The grounds of it which was not 1. Her beauty honour and riches But 2. Her Religion for she was loved for the truths sake v. 2. 2. The fruits and effects of the love which the Apostle bore to her which were 1. Joy for her Childrens good proficiency and increase in Religion v. 4. 2. An Exhortation to her to joyn love with her faith wherein he telleth her that his doctrine of Christian love is 1. No new upstart doctrine of his own invention v. 5. But 2. Such as was taught by the Apostles
is eternall happinesse in Heaven v. 1. 2. The meanes unto that end 1. Mortification of sinne by the death of Christ v. 3. 2. Vivification and newnesse of life by the resurrection of Christ v. 1. 3. What they are to avoid in their mortification 1. Fornication and in it 1. The outward acts i. uncleannesse 2. The inward acts inordinate affection concupiscence v. 5. 2. Covetousnesse whereby men trust in money as in their God ibid. 3. The sinnes 1. Of the heart anger malice 2. Of the tongue 1. Censuring detraction speaking ill of others 2. Obscene talke 3. Lying v. 8 9. 4. Why they are to avoid these sinnes 1. Because of the punishment which will be inflicted for such sinners v. 6. 2. Because of their conversion from those sinnes so that their newnesse of life requires new manners and that they should not any more follow their old sinfull courses v. 7.9 5. What they are to doe in their justification i. newnesse of life i. the putting on i. practising 1. Of mercy in relieving those that are in want v. 12. 2. Of meeknesse patience c. towards those that have wrong'd us 1. In enduring the wrongs 2. In forgiving the wrongers after the example of Christ v. 13. 3. Of charity which is the perfection of of virtues wherein they are linked together v. 14. 4. Of a peaceable and quiet carriage and behaviour amongst all men v. 15. for these reasons 1. Because peace was established betwixt them being Gentiles and the Jewes who were formerly at odds ibid. 2. Because they were bound to live peaceably to testifie their thankfulnesse for that peace established amongst them by being made one Church who were formerly enemies ibid. 6. Why they are to practice these virtues in their newnesse of life 1. Because of their Election 2. Because of their Baptisme whereby they were consecrated unto holinesse 3. Because of Gods love unto them to whom they ought to testifie their love by a new life v. 12. 7. The rule of all their actions words and thoughts i. the Scripture out of which he bids them gather matter 1. Of instruction v. 16. 2. Of admonition v. 16. 3. Of praise v. 16. 8. The end of their Actions c. which should be Gods glory v. 17. 9. Particular Family duties 1. Of wives to husbands whose subjection is not 1. Absolute in all things But 2. Conditionall and limited i. in all things that are not displeasing to God v. 18. 2. Of husbands to their wives who 1. Are commanded to love them 2. Are forbid to be harsh to them either in 1. Thoughts v. 19. 2. Words v. 19. 3. Deeds v. 19. 3. Of children to their parents of whom they have their 1. Being 2. Nourishment 3. Education and therefore are bound to be obedient to them v. 20. 4. Of fathers to their children who are forbid to provoke their children to anger which may be done v. 21. 1. By denying them necessary things 2. By laying too heavy commands on them 3. By sharpe rebukes when they are not faulty 5. Of servants to their masters to whom he 1. Exhorts them to doe true and faithfull service and not onely whilst the masters eye is on them v. 22. But 2. Encourageth them to it by the promise of a reward in Heaven v. 24. CHAP. IV. 1. An Exhortation 1. In particular to masters to doe justice to their servants with this motive because they are servants too to Christ their master who is 1. Holy and hates injustice 2. Omnipotent and can punish it v. 1. 2. In generall to all 1. To be constant in prayer 1. For themselves v. 2. 2. For him and other Ministers that they might preach the Word boldly v. 3. 2. To be wary circumspect and prudent in their carriage v. 5. 3. To be discreet in their talke v. 6. 2. The Reasons why he sent Tychicus and Onesimus to them whom he highly commends for their fidelity in the Ministry to make them more gracious with them v. 7.2 were 1. To let them know his imprisonment at Rome by Nero and his condition in it v. 7.9 2. To let him know their state and condition v. 8. 3. To comfort them ibid. 1. That his affliction might noâ— make them sorrow too much 2. That it might not discourage them and make them fall off from the Gospell 3. Courteous Remembrances and Commendations from him and some particular persons 1. To the Colossians in generall as from 1. Aristarchus his fellow prisoner v. 10. 2. Marcus 3. Jesus called Justus for his integrity all which did 1. Helpe him in his Ministry 2. Comfort him in his misery v. 11. 4. Epaphras their Minister whom he commends to make them love him the more v. 12 13. 5. Saint Luke the Physitian v. 14. 2. To some of them in particular as 1. To the brethren in Laodicea v. 15. to whom he desires them to communicate this Epistle v. 16. 2. To Nymphas and his religious family v. 15. 4. A Memorandum 1. To Archippus not to be slothfull in his Ministry v. 17. 2. To them not to forget him in his imprisonment v. 18. 5. A Benediction ibid. The Analysis of the 1. Epistle of Saint PAUL to the THESSALONIANS CHAP. I. After his wonted Salutation in the name of Sylvanus Timotheus and his owne to confirme his doctrine by the approbation of them two v. 1. and benediction ibid. 1. He expresseth his thankes to God for them v. 2. the cause whereof was 1. Their Faith which was not a bare one without good workes v. 3. 2. Their Charity which refuseth to undergoe no toyle and paine and cost ibid. 3. Their Hope which by the expectation of eternall blisse causeth patience in afflictions ibid. 4. His assurance that they were the elect people of God 1. Because they received the Gospell not onely in their eares but hearts v. 5. 2. Because they chearfully suffered for it after the example of him and our Saviour v. 6. 3. Because they by their examples life and doctrine did encourage others to sticke close to the Gospell as those of Macedonia and Achaia 2. He telleth of their fame and great name that they had through the whole World so that there was no necessity of his commendation of them 1. For their readinesse in receiving the Gospell preached by him v. 9. 2. For their conversion from Heathenisme wherein they served Idols which were dead Gods to the service of the true living God ibid. 3. For their earnest expectation of Christs second coming to judgement v. last which made them the more patient and couragious in their afflictions CHAP. II. 1. His Commendation of himselfe without any vaine-glory wherein 1. He sheweth 1. The good successe of his preaching v. 1. 2. His courage in preaching without feare of any persecution v. 2. 3. His sincerity without base flattery of any though never so great v. 4 5. 4. His Freedome 1. From vainglory in not making the peoples applause the end of his pâ—eaching
CHAP. I. 1. The greatnesse of Gods favour to us in speaking to us 1. Plainly by his Sonne And not 2. Obscurely by his Prophets as he did to those that lived under the Law v. 1 2. 2. The worth and dignity of Christ which is the subject of this Chapter and of the whole Epistle set forth 1. In respect of God whom Christ his Sonne is said to represent by way of Metaphor as 1. The light resembleth the Sun 2. The impression of the seale the seale it selfe v. 3. 2. In respect of the World whereof he is said to be 1. The Creatour ibid. 2. The Preserver ibid. 3. In respect of mankind whereof he is said to be a Redeemer from sin death and hell ibid. 4. In a Comparison made betwixt him and the Angels wherein he proveth his excellency above them against the Jewes who thought the Angels greater out of their owne Bookes by shewing 1. That he was not onely the Sonne of God v. 5. 2. That Divine Worship was due to him v. 6. But 3. That he was God himselfe v. 8. 1. In having judicatory power over all things v. 8 9. 2. In being Creatour of all things v. 10. 3. In being eternall v. 11 12. 4. That the Angels at the best were but Servants v. 7. 14. CHAP. II. 1. An Application of his former doctrine wherein is an Vse of Exhortation unto the converted Jewes who had a meane opinion of Christ not to forsake his Gospell which they had received and that for these reasons 1. Because if the neglect of the Word spoken by Angels was severely punished how much more the forsaking of the Gospell spoken by him who was greater then they v. 1 2. 2. Because it was true as being spoken 1. By Christ who was truth it selfe 2. By the Apostles who were inspired by the Spirit v. 3. 3. Proved to be true by many miracles done by him and his Apostles v. 4. 2. A further proofe and demonstration of the dignity and excellency of Christ above the Angels 1. In shewing his power over all things v. 8. In shewing that his taking upon him our nature which is inferiour to that of the Angels was not 1. A lessening of his worth But 2. A raising and heightning of it for stooping so low v. 9. and so he was not thereby made lower then the Angels as the Jewes objected 3. The Humanity of Christ i. his taking on him our flesh wherein is shewne 1. From whence he had it viz. from Abraham remotely v. 16. 2. To what end he tooke it i. that he might dye to redeeme mankind which he could not doe as God v. 14 15 17. CHAP. III. An Exhortation to the converted Jewes who thought Moses to be greater then Christ 1. To obey Christ who was 1. An Embassadour of the good newes of our salvation v. 1. 2. A High Priest that sacrificed himselfe for our redemption ibid. And not 2. Moses who though he was faithfull v. 3. yet was but 1. A part of that House i. the Church whereof Christ was the Builder ibid. 2. A Servant in it whereas Christ was a Sonne v. 5. 3. Not to neglect 1. The opportunity 2. The meanes of salvation put into their hands v. 7. 4. To take heed of unbeliefe the cause of disobedience unto Christ whereby the Children of Israel in the wildernesse 1. Did distrust Gods power and providence even then when they had triall of it v. 9. 2. Did by this distrust provoke God to anger whereby they did not all 1. Enter into the promised rest i. Canaan v. 11. But 2. Did perish in the wildernesse v. 17. CHAP. IV. A Discourse of the promised Rest mentioned in the former Chapter wherein 1. The way leading 1. From it infidelity and unbeliefe v. 2. 2. To it a lively faith v. 3. 2. What it is 1. Not the rest of the seventh day v. 4. 2. Not to the corporeall rest from their labours in Canaan which was a type of the spirituall rest v. 8. into which Joshua did bring them ibid. But 3. A spirituall rest in the Kingdome of Heaven ibid. 3. To whom this spirituall rest doth belong i. to believers v. 9. 4. An Exhortation 1. To labour to get it by mortification of our sinnes and ceasing from our owne workes v. 10. 1. By taking warning by the example of those that were for their disobedience destroyed in the wildernesse v. 11. 2. By considering that they themselves will not escape the same punishment if they fall into the same sinne because the Word of God is as quicke and sharpe now as it was then to denounce judgements to denounce judgements to stubborne sinners c. v. 12 13. 2. Not to be terrified with what hath been spoken concerning the greatnesse of Christ But 3. To goe boldly unto him who is as full of goodnesse and meeknesse as power and greatnesse and one that is as willing as able to helpe us as being not onely 1. Subject to our infirmities by taking our nature upon him v. 15 16. But 2. Sensible of them ibid. CHAP. V. 1. Christ is proved to be a High Priest by way of comparison with Aaron wherein he is not onely proved 1. To be equall to Aaron the High Priest in having all the qualifications of a High Priest as 1. His election from amongst men v. 1. 2. His offering up sacrifice for the sinnes of the people ibid. 3. His Ordination from God to that office v. 4 c. But 2. To be farre more greater then Aaron 1. In not offering up a sacrifice for his owne sinnes as Aaron did as being free from all sinne v. 3. 2. In having a Priesthood not 1. Temporary as was Aarons But 2. Perpetuall and for ever v. 6. 3. In being a Saviour v. 9. 2. They are reproved for their unprofitablenesse under the meanes in being 1. Ignorant of the first grounds of Religion of their Catechismes v. 12. When as 2. They might have beene greater proficients skilled in higher matters ibid. 13 14. CHAP. VI. An Exhortation to them 1. To goe forward 1. In leaving but not contemning and forgetting the principles of Religion concerning 1. Repentance for sinnes v. 1. 2. Faith in God for pardon ibid. 3. Baptisme v. 2. 4. Laying on of hands ibid. 5. Resurrection 6. Day of judgement ibid. 2. In endeavouring to get the knowledge of higher matters v. 1. 2. Not to goe backward i. not to fall from Christianity to Judaisme by shewing 1. The danger of Apostasy and falling away totally from faith in the Gospell which being a sinne against the Holy Ghost 1. Against knowledge 2. Out of malice and opposition unto God cannot be repented of and so never pardoned v. 4 5 6. 2. The punishment which God will inflict on those that have the meanes of knowledge i. Gods Word and doe not make good use of it by a similitude taken from thornes v. 7 8. 3. Abraham for an example that they who had beene 1. So forward in
By trusting and hoping in him 3. To follow the example of Christ and not to take it ill if they suffer wrongfully when as Christ himselfe was not free from afflictions v. 18. and did not onely suffer 1. By unjust men But 2. For unjust men ibid. Who is 1. More righteous and holy then they in doing good Not onely 1. In the flesh in the New Testament But 2. By his Spirit in the Old by inspiring Noah to preach repentance to those sinners of his time whereof 1. Some for not repenting are now damned in Hell v. 19. 2. Others upon repentance were saved by water v. 20. to which water Baptisme may be compared whose virtue doth consist Not 1. In the bare outward act of washing the outside of the body But 2. In cleansing the inside of the soule v. 21. 2. More powerfull in that though 1. He died in the flesh Yet v. 18. 2. He was quickned by the Spirit v. ibid. 3. More honourable in that he sits at Gods right hand v. last CHAP. IV. An Exhortation to many Christian duties taken from the Doctrine of our Redemption mentioned in the former Chapter As 1. To mortification of the flesh wherein we have 1. The motives to it which are 1. The consideration of the death of Christ v. 1. 2. The serious consideration of our former ill led lives v. 3. 2. The effect of it which is not the taking away 1. Of the very essence and being of sinne But 2. Of the power and dominion of it v. 1. 3. The meanes whereby it is wrought i. the preaching of the Gospel v. 6. 2. To the Devotion of the soule in prayer whereunto is required 1. The consideration of the day of judgement v. 7. 2. Vigilancy over the heart against drowsinesse and distracted wandring thoughts ibid. 3. To Charity 1. In thinking well of others 2. In speaking well of others 3. In doing well to others 1. In our owne private Houses by hospitality v. 9. in relieving the hungry and distressed Strangers 2. In Gods House the Church wherein those that are lawfully called to the Ministry are bound to doe good to the souls of others by their gifts in preaching Gods holy Word v. 10. which is to be delivered with that 1. Gravity 2. Reverence as may become it v. 11. 4. To patience in Afflictions where we may consider 1. Their nature what they are i. trials of our faith v. 12. 2. Their kinds which are 1. In estate as losse of riches 2. In body as losse of health 3. In name as slanders and reproaches v. 4.14 3. Their Causes which are 1. Bad as theft murther medling too much with other mens businesses v. 15. 2. Good as profession of Religion v. 16. for which Christians were persecuted in those Primitive times 4. Their Extent which is to all men good and bad v. 17. 5. Our behaviour and carriage in these afflictions which doth consist 1. In not wondring at them as new things that never happened to any but our selves v. 12. 2. In not being dejected and cast downe with them but rather rejoycing v. 13. 1. Because we have Christ for the Example of our sufferings ibid. 2. Because we shall have joy for the reward of our griefe ibid. 3. Because it is the lot of all Christians v. 17. 3. In submitting to Gods will in all our sufferings 4. In committing our selves and our cause to Gods care and protection in all distresses whatsoever v. last CHAP. V. 1. Other Duties 1. Of Ministers towards their flock which are 1. The constant instruction of them 2. The carefull government of them v. 2. to both which are required 1. Willingnesse of the mind ibid. 2. Honesty of the heart in respecting 1. Gods glory 2. The peoples good And not 3. Their owne gaine and profit ibid. 3. Their loving carriage towards them without insulting over them v. 3. To which duties is annexed their encouragement in their calling i. their reward v. 4. 2. Of the people 1. To the Ministers that they and especially the younger sort use a reverent carriage towards them v. 5. 2. To one another in using a friendly and a loving carriage to all without pride and insolency Because pride is 1. Hatefull to God ibid. 2. A hindrance to the receiving of his graces which are given onely to the humble ibid. 3. Of all both Pastour and flock to God Allmighty 1. In a patient bearing of afflictions sent by him 1. Because it is in vaine to resist him who is all-powerfull v. 6. 2. Because meeknesse in afflictions is the way to deliverance from them v. ibid. 2. In a sincere relying on him and trusting in him for deliverance v. 7. 3. In keeping a strict watch over our selves that we may not be surprized by the temptations of Satan who is an Enemy 1. Cruell And 2. Subtile and industrious v. 8. 4. In arming our selves against his temptations with a lively faith and not thinking our selves the worse for them because they befall the best men v. 9. 2. The Apostles Conclusion of the Epistle wherein 1. His Prayer and therein 1. The Preface of it wherein are 1. Gods titles 2. Gods goodnesse v. 10. 2. The matter of it that they may persevere and continue in Gods grace ibid. 3. The Conclusion of it Gods praise v. 11. 2. The Party by whom he sent it i. Sylvanus with his commendation v. 12. 3. The Men with whom he was and the place where he was when he writ it and his Farewell v. 13 14. The Analysis of the 2. Epistle generall of Saint PETER CHAP. I. 1. His Salutation of the same persons writ to in his former Epistle wherein is 1. His calling and this 1. Generall a Christian v. 1. 2. Particular an Apostle ibid. 2. Their calling which is the profession of the Christian faith whereof consider 1. The worth of it as being pretious ibid. 1. In respect of its Object i. Christ 2. In respect of its End i. the salvation of our soules 2. It s comparison with the faith of the Apostle which is the same 1. In respect of its virtue v. ibid. Though not 2. In respect of its degree 3. The cause of it Gods mercy in that it is Not 1. A worke of our selves But 2. A gift of God through the righteousnesse of him and our Saviour ibid. 3. His prayer for them v. 2. 1. For grace and peace ibid. 2. For their increase in both v. ibid. 2. His Exhortation of them to holinesse of life 1. In leaving off the sinnes which they have followed in the time past v. 4. 2. In becoming new men for the time to come by a constant endeavour to get by the assistance of Gods grace 1. A working and no bare and naked faith but such as is joyned with a good life v. 5. 2. Knowledge in the mysteries of Religion v. ibid. 3. Temperance in prosperity in the moderate use of all temporall blessings v. 6. 3. Patience in adversity in the