of the blood of Iesus for remission of sins after this hearty application of Christs blood the conscience is furnished with a good answer unto all challenges and so is made good a comfortable conscience absolving the man through faith in Jesus whom it tormented with challenges before it ran to the blood of Jesus for sprinkling Then whensoever the conscience is evil accuseth and vexeth let the vexed heart run to Christs blood and then shall it be free from an evil conscience for the blood of Jesus cleanseth us from all sin Let the heart be sprinkled and the conscience will be good 6. The fourth thing required in him that draweth near as he should is That his body be washed with pure water That is That according to the signification of that Legal Rite their outward conversation be blameless and holy sin being so curbed within that it reign not in their mortal body so foughten against within as it break not forth in scandalous works of Darkness in the actions of the body Then 1. With a sprinkled conscience within men must joyn an holy and blameless conversation without 2. The washing of the conversation without must proceed from an heart sensibly acquainted with the power of the blood of Jesus 3. And this outward holiness of the body must be wrought with pure water that is by the Spirit of Sanctification to distinguish the reformation of a believer from a counterfeit who without may look like a righteous man but within be as a whited Tomb full of rottenness Verse 23. Let us hold fast the Profession of our Faith without wavering for he is faithful that promised Another Exhortation to avow the faith of Christ that is the doctrine of Christ the truth received from Christ and believed and not to quit it in the time of tryal upon any condition 1. The requiring to hold fast the confession of our Faith or Hope as the word importeth teacheth 1. That a true Christian must not onely hold the truth of Christ secretly but must confess it profess and avow it openly where Gods glory and others good requireth the same 2. That he must look for adversary powers and temptations to take that truth or at least the confession of it from him 3. That in these tryals and essays he must hold the faster gripe and avow it so much the more stedfastly as he is tempted to quit it 4. That when he is put to the tryal of this Confession of any point of his Faith hee is also put to the tryal of the confession of his hope whether his hopes of the promised salvation in Jesus be stronger to keep him stedfast or the terror and allurement from men stronger to make him quit the point of truth converted 5. That nothing but this hope is able to make a man stand out in tryal if hee be hardly urged 2. Hee will have the avowing of the truth of Christ to be without wavering Then 1. Men must so learn the Truth that they need not to change again that is must study to know the Truth soundly and solidly 2. And having learned it must not say and unsay one day avow it and another day quit it For so God getteth not his due glory Beholders are not edified the mans testimony wanteth weight with the adversary But hee must be invincible in the truth who will neither alter nor change or diminish any thing of it for fear or favour 3. Hee giveth this for a ground of constancy For hee is faithful who hath promised That is the promises which Iesus hath made to such as constantly beleeve in him shall be surely performed that no constant professor of his Truth shall be ashamed Then 1. Where wee have a promise of any thing made unto us in Scripture wee may be confident to obtain it and bold to avow our hope thereof against such as would teach us the Doctrine of Doubting whereunto wee are of our selves prone and inclined and against such as shake the assurance of the Saints perseverance 2. The ground of our confidence is not in our selves but in the faithfulness of Jesus Christ who hath promised such graces to his children 3. Our bold avowing of our hope is not a bragging of our own strength but a magnifying of Christs faithfulness Vers. 24. And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and unto good works Hee strengtheneth his former Exhortation by giving of directions to further their obedience thereunto And first for mutual up-stirring one of another Whereof wee learn 1. That mutual edification of Christians amongst themselves and sharpening one of another is a special help to constancy in true Religion and a preservative against Apostacy 2. Prudence is required hereunto that mutually wee observe one anothers disposition Gifts Experience Virtues and Faults that wee may the better fit our selves to do good each one of us unto another and to receive good each one of another in our Christian conversing together 3. A godly striving one with another who shall be first in love and well-doing is better than the ordinary strife who shall exceed others in vanity and superfluity of apparel and fare Vers. 25. Not forsaking the assembling of our selves together as the manner of some is but exhorting one another and so much the more as yee see the day approaching Another mean to this same end is the frequenting of Christian Assemblies and Meetings which may further this purpose of mutual edification And therefore 1. Church-Assemblies must be well kept by such as do minde to prove constant in the true Religion 2. Christian Meetings also of private Christians for mutual conference and exhorting one of another is not to be neglected nor forsaken but to be used for keeping unity in the Church and not to foster Schism or hinder the publick Assemblies 2. Hee taxeth the fault of some amongst them who in Schism or purpose of Apostasie withdrew themselves from all Church-Assemblies and Christian-Meetings and fell back again or were in the way of falling back to the denial of Christ openly Then 1. Separation from the true Church and Christian society of the faithful is a remarkable evil 2. The Schism or Apostasie of others should not weaken us in following any good mean of edification but rather stir us up unto more diligence lest by negligence wee fall peece and peece back after their example 3. Hee maketh the approaching of the day to wit of Gods Iudgement a special motive to use the means diligently and make us constant in the Faith Then 1. The day of Gods Judgement should still be looked unto as a thing near hand even at the doors because it is but a very little and our day shall come yea and but a little time till our Lord shall come to judgement 2. The consideration of the day of judgement is a fit mean to sharpen us unto all good Duties which may make our reckoning to be furthered at that day and to make us boldly
the Spirit not of the flesh by Faith and not by any natural bond or tye Vers. 33. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his Wife even as himself and the Wife see that shee reverence the Husband Letting the mystery pass hee returns to the Precepts touching the duties of Husband and Wife and in the last place adds Precept 3. wherein hee reduces all the duties of the Husband to sincere love such as is the love wherewith hee loves himself and this love hee presses upon them On the other side hee reduces all the duties of the Wife to fear and reverence towards her Husband that shee offend him not but indeavour in the Lord to please him in all things CHAP. VI. HEE proceeds to give Precepts touching oeconomical and common Christian duties There are two parts of the Chapter The first contains four Precepts touching oeconomical duties to vers 10. The other is the conclusion of the Epistle containing some common duties unto the end Vers. 1. Children obey your Parents in the Lord for this is right Precept 1. to children that they should honour their Parents and yeeld reverence and obedience to them in all things so far as is possible and pleasing to God the reasons hereof are four 1 Because it is required by all Law both of God and of Nature that children should obey their Parents Vers. 2. Honour thy Father and thy Mother which is the first Commandement with Promise Reas. 2. Because the obedience of children is expressly mentioned in the Commandements as a part of honour due to Parents and commanded in the Law Which is Reas. 3. Because this is the first command which hath a particular promise particularly applyed Vers. 3. That it may bee well with thee and thou mayest live long on the earth Reas. 4. Because the obedience of children towards their Parents conduces to the childrens good and hath a special blessing the lengthening of temporal life which Promise is either simply fulfilled or else by change of the benefit for one much better of a better life Vers. 4. And yee Fathers provoke not your children to wrath but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Prec 2. Touching the part and duty of Parents towards their children that on the one side by too much severity towards their children they abuse not their Fatherly power lest they drive their childrens affection from them and on the other side that by too much indulgence they do not nourish any childish malepertness in their children but that rather they strive to correct their vices and instruct them in good manners in the fear of the Lord. Vers. 5. Servants bee obedient to them that are your Masters according to the flesh with fear and trembling in singleness of your heart as unto Christ Prec 3. Of the duty of Servants towards their Masters the parts whereof are six 1 That they obey their Masters acknowledging their external servile condition to bee from God and that they are not freed from a political servitude by Christ who neither takes away nor changes Governments 2 That they remember that their Masters are not Masters of their consciences but of the flesh or outward man and in things which concern this life 3 That they serve them in reverence and in fear of their anger 4 That laying aside deceit they deal truly and sincerely with their Masters 5 That they serve them with reference to Christs command and so in obeying them they will serve Christ. Vers. 6. Not with eye-service as men-pleasers but as the servants of Christ doing the Will of God from the heart 5. With good will doing service as to the Lord and not to men 6 That without flattering deceit they take care of their Masters business no less in their absence than when they are present to over-look them and not onely that they may please their Masters but that they may please God Lastly That they serve not out of self-love or meer fear but out of good will as those that serve God and not men for hee serves God who obeyes him commanding him to serve his Master Vers. 8. Knowing that whatsoever good thing man doeth the same shall hee receive of the Lord whether hee bee bond or free Besides the Arguments which are tacitly couched in what went before to confirm this Precept hee adds the hope of reward which they shall receive from God who liberally rewards the works of his servants whether they bee free or bond in the flesh Vers. 9. And yee Masters do the same things unto them forbearing threatning knowing that your Master also is in Heaven neither is there respect of persons with him Prec 4. Concerning the duty of Masters towards their servants That proportionably making use of the same virtues they should exercise their masterly power over their servants after a Christian manner and particularly that they should bee moderate in threatnings lest they rule tyrannically over them Knowing Hee adds two reasons 1 Because they have the Lord above them who is able to revenge their weak tyranny 2 Because God is just who doth not respect the person of the Master or servant but beholds the cause and work of both according to equity The Second Part. Vers. 10. Finally my Brethren bee strong in the Lord and in the power of his might The other part of the Chapter contains the conclusion of the Epistle which hath in it four points In the first hee exhorts them to constancy in Faith and Holiness of life and to put on the spiritual armor against our enemies with whom wee must grapple as long as wee live Brethren saith hee bee yee strengthened in the Lord. The Arguments to press on this Exhortation are three Argum. 1. Because they have communion with the Lord in whom is power and strength in whom if yee continue by Faith and make use of his Grace hee will bee ready to help you with his power and effectual operation that so you will both dare to venture on and bee able valiantly to oppose all your enemies and hinderances Therefore bee yee strengthened in the Lord. Vers. 11. Put on the whole Armour of God that yee may bee able to stand against the wiles of the Devil Argum. 2. Because you are armed with all sorts of weapons which are necessary for your war which weapons hee exhorts them to put on that they may bee able to stand in the fight against the Devils assaults and treachery Vers. 12. For wee wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this world against spiritual wickedness in high places Argum. 3. Because our strife is not meerly with men or against our own flesh or against men onely such a fight might seem tolerable but wee are to fight against the author of all these evils the Devil and the whole army of unclean spirits who are no weak and ordinary souldiers but all of them
as in my presence onely but now much more in my absence work out your own salvation with fear and trembling Argum. 9. For the maintenance of peace drawn from what went before in the manner of a conclusion Hitherto yee have ever hearkened to mee and when I was present with you yee obeyed my exhortations Therefore yee should much more now in my absence practise this my exhortation to the preservation of Peace among you seeing yee have fewer helps for your edification and more enemies to â—ow discord among you With fear Argum. 10. Yee should finish your begun voyage to salvation in an endeavour after righteousness with fear and trembling lest yee offend in the way or any way provoke God to anger Therefore you should preserve concord among you viz. in Faith Love and the study of good works as in vers 2. Vers. 13. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure Argum. 11. Yee have nothing in you that yee should boast of or for which through contention yee should contemn one another But every good thing in you is from God who of his own free and gracious good will causeth in you both to will that which is good and to perform it Therefore yee should preserve agreement in Faith Love and the study of good works and finish your begun voyage of salvation in fear and trembling lest yee provoke and anger God working in you Vers. 14. Do all things without murmurings and disputings Argum. 12. Which is proposed after the manner of an exhortation Yee ought to avoid and abhor not onely open strife and contentions but also all malicious and secret grudging Therefore c. Vers. 15. That yee may bee blameless and harmless the Sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse Nation among whom yee shine as lights in the world 16. Holding forth the word of life that I may rejoyce in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain neither laboured in vain Argum. 3. There is no other way to approve your selves true Christians in the sight of the wicked but by seeking peace and avoiding contention Therefore you should preserve concord and avoid contentions The general Christian duties which hee here requires hee commends unto them in different expressions yee ought saith hee to bee blameless such as no one can justly accuse and harmless or sincere in which appears innocence and purity and as the Sons of God without rebuke yee should resemble God your Father in holiness and innocence so that even wicked and perverse enemies may not justly reprove you or find fault with any thing in you yee ought as the greater and less spiritual lights both in word and work to shew your selves examples of righteousness to the world lying in darkness Lastly being illuminated by the Sun of Righteousness or by the living Word of God yee should by your words and works commend and communicate the light truth and virtue of this word to the perishing world that as much as in you lyes it may bee saved That I may rejoyce Argum. 14. If yee live unanimously and behave your selves as it becomes Beleevers I shall rejoyce in your salvation at the day of judgement when it shall appear that my labours in the Gospel have not been in vain but have conduced to your salvation Therefore unless yee grudge mee and your selves so much happiness labour for agreement in faith and the study of good works Vers. 17. Yea and if I bee offered upon the sacrifice and service of your Faith I joy and rejoyce with you all 18. For the same cause also do yee joy and rejoyce with mee Argum. 15. Containing a consolation lest they should bee troubled at the Apostles afflictions to this purpose I brought you by the Gospel unto Christ as a sacrifice that your evil affections being killed yee may bee presented unto God a holy and acceptable sacrifice And if the spiritual sacrifice of my Ministery and of your Faith may bee perfected by the blood of my Martyrdome as by an additional offering I shall rejoyce at my advantage in it and bee glad in your behalf for yours Do yee therefore the like for mee and rejoyce in the perfection of this unanimous sacrifice and whatever befalls rejoyce yee at the fruit of my labours This is the same with the Position vers 2. Fulfil yee my joy that yee bee like-minded having the same love c. The Second Part. Vers. 19. But I trust in the Lord Iesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you that I also may bee of good comfoâ—t when I know your estate The second part of the Chapter follows wherein hee comforts the Philippians by the commendation of Timothy who was about to come unto them adding hope of his comming and of Epaphroditus who was now come to them for the Philippians had need of these helps against seducers and ill-spirited idle men who lay in wait to ensnare them and to make work for them That I also The Apostle shews the end of his sending Timothy to bee this That they might receive comfort from the tydings of his freedome from bonds brought unto them by Timothy and that hee also by Timothies return from them might have comfort from the tydings of their prosperous condition Vers. 20. For I have no man like-minded who will naturally care for your state The Arguments of Timothies commendation are three Argum. 1. Because there was no one who had so ready and sincere a mind for their salvation or their state and to further their comfort as Timothy Vers. 21. For all seek their own not the things which are Iesus Christs Argum. 2. Because that when almost all that were with him seeking their own profit and ease did refuse to take so long a journey for the Philippians comfort Timothy alone was ready for the journey preferring the business of Christ and the Church before his own ease and advantage Vers. 22. But yee know the proof of him that as a Son with the Father hee hath served with mee in the Gospel Argum. 3. Because they knew by experience that Timothy had formerly served them in the Gospel with the same mind that the Apostle did Vers. 23. Him therefore I hope to send presently so soon as I shall see how it will go with mee 24. But I trust in the Lord that I also my self shall come shortly Hee shews that the time of sending Timothy shall bee as soon as hee is assured of his freedome from bonds hee also gives them hope of his own comming for hee himself did hope that by the goodness of God ere it were long hee should bee delivered from prison Vers. 25. Yet I supposed it necessary to send unto you Epaphroditus my brother and companion in labour and fellow-souldier but your messenger and hee that ministred to my wants Thâ—s far of the hope of the Apostles own coming and of Timothies now follows the sending
the whole body are or the gifts of some member may become as to use and profitableness of good to all the members Vers. 15. And let the Peace of God rule in your hearts to the which also yee are called in one body and bee yee thankful Exhortation 7. That if any contention should arise amongst them the Peace of God should bee appointed the Moderatour of contention and all affections and having as it were a reward in its hand should determine what is to bee done Hee calls the Peace of God that which is from God that which pleases God and that which doth not command the loss of truth or any virtue but of our carnal affections To which The Reasons of the Exhortation are three 1 Because God hath called you to peace with himself and that you should follow it amongst your selves 2 Because yee are all members of one body 3 Because yee owe this thankfulness to God who hath made peace with you when hee might have dealt with you as enemies Therefore following peace amongst your selves bee yee thankful Vers. 16. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdome teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and Hymns and spiritual Songs singing with Grace in your hearts to the Lord. Exhortation 8. To study the Word of God and imploy your selves in it there are five branches of the Exhortation 1 That they derive the Word of Christ or the Christian Doctrine propounâ—ed in Scripture from the fountains and as a most acceptable guest entertain it in their minds and hearts that afterwards it might not depart from thence but there constantly abide 2 That they content not themselves that they have tasted the Word of Christ or that they have in some sort known it but they do their endeavour for the procuring a rich and plentiful measure of it to themselves 3 That from thence they learn to bee wise to their own salvation and the benefit of others 4 That they suffer the Word of Christ not to bee idle in them but that they prudently put it forth for the use of their neighbours that with mutual instructions they promote one anothers knowledge with mutual admonitions they may better order their conversations and every one stir up his own and others affections to the singing of holy Psalms Hymns and spiritual Songs composed of some spiritual matter by the Spirit and made for mutual edification 5 That they sing with their affections composed to holiness according to the measure of Grace given to them so that the Song may bee acceptable to God and may administer Grace to the hearers they beholding in the sincerity of their hearts the glory of God in their singing Vers. 17. And whatsoevr you do in word or deed do all in the name of the Lord Iesus giving thanks to God and the Father by him Exhortation 9. That they do all things in Christ i. e. in his name and authority through him or his grace and to him and his glory And because that cannot bee done but forthwith they must have new experiences of divine goodness towards themselves that they may give thanks to God alwaies in all things through Christ without whom God the Father will not bee praised by us nor will hee grant any thing to us but through his Son and in whom whatsoever things are sent in to us by God are turned to our good And these are the general Exhortations to common duties The Second Part. Verse 18. Wives submit your selves unto your own Husbands as it is fit in the Lord. The Other part of the Chapter follows containing special Exhortations to all degrees in a Family The Exhortations are five Exhort 1. Is to Wives with whom hee begins because their condition is harder and more difficult than mens and therefore it is no wonder if God speak first to them Hee requires of them that they bee subject to their own Husbands i. e. that they give them obedience honour and reverence but with a limitation in the Lord that their obedience bee in things lawful and for the command of the Lord to whom Wives are first subject and do owe obedience As it is fit The Argument of the Exhortation is from equity and comeliness for what is commanded is fitting from divine Ordination and from the Law of Nature Vers. 19. Husbands love your Wives and bee not bitter against them Exhort 2. To Husbands whom hee commands in the first place that they love their own Wives and that with a singular and holy affection and to rest satisfied in one Wife Further hee forbids them that they bee not bitter towards them either in word or deeds although they bee provoked by their infirmities but that they prudently rule them as it becomes Husbands Vers. 20. Children obey your Parents in all things for this is well-pleasing unto the Lord. Exhort 3. To Children with whom hee begins as before with Wives and afterwards hee will begin with Servants because their condition is harder and they have need of the instruction of God that they do that which is necessary for them to do of their own accord hee requires of these obedience from the heart toward their parents in all things viz. which their heavenly Father hath not prohibited The Argument of the Exhortation is this because the performance of this duty is most acceptable unto God Vers. 21. Fathers provoke not your children to anger lest they bee discouraged Exhort 4. Especially to Fathers who use to bee more severe than Mothers That they by reproaches injuries and cruel chastisements do not alienate the mindes of their children from them Besides the reasons which are contained in the relation betwixt Fathers and Children he expresly adds this one lest children used more severely at length should despair of thâ—â—r Fathers love and so bee discouraged Vers. 22. Servants obey in all things your Masters according to the flesh not with eye-service as men-pleasers but in singleness of heart fearing God Exhort 5. To servants wherein hee more largely insists because their condition is hardest The â—ranches of the Exhortation are six In the first hee mitigates the condition of servitude from this that it onely belongs to the carnal duties of this life and doth not infer any necessity of obeying in things unlawful In the second hee commands that they obey and serve in all things lawfull even when the commands are hardest 3. That they do that sincerely and faithfully not onely in the sight of their Masters but also when they are absent lest they bee accused of negligence 4. That they in sincerity of heart serve in the fear of the Lord. Vers. 23. And whatsoever yee do do it heartily as to the Lord and not unto men 5. That in all service the outward action draws its original from the minde and more inward affections from whence the outward action may bee derived 6. That they acknowledge the authority of God in the commands of their Masters and that
and are over you or govern you in the name of Christ in all Ecclesiastical matters and those things which pertain to the worship of God and do with authority admonish you of your duties both privately and publickly Vers. 13. And to esteem them very highly in love for their works sake And bee at peace among your selves Reas. 3. Because the work of God for the salvation of beleevers which the faithful Ministers earnestly endeavour requireth that after a singular manner they bee beloved by the people and esteemed very highly And peace Eâ—â—â—rt 4. Chiefly to the people That they bee at peace both amongst themselves and with the Pastors from whom the Devil is wont to alienate the mindes of the people even when the Pastors deserve best at their hands Vers. 14. Now wee exâ—ort you brethren warn them that are â—â—ruly comfort the feâ—ble-minded support the weak bee patient toward all men Exhort 5. To the Pâ—â—sbyters which in the former verse hee distinguished from the people and here hee describes them from their Offices which especially belong to the Government of the Church from the authority of their Office That they diligently execute their Office by admonishing those that live dissolutely of their duty by comforting the feeble by supporting the weak in their love lastly by shewing a gentle minde towards all Lest if they should do otherwise abusing their authority they hinder the work of the Lord which they intend Vers. 15. See that none render evil for evil unto any mâ—n but â—ver follow that which is good both among your selves and to all men Exhort 6. Promiscuously to all That they abstaining from 〈◊〉 revenge follow that which is good as well mutually among themselves as towards 〈◊〉 thaâ— are without Vers. 16. Rejoyce evermore Exhort 7. That rooted by faith in the free love of God towards them they endeavour through Christ and his Righteousness imputed to life eternal to rejoyce and advance Peace in their hearts both in prosperity and adversity Vers. 17. Pray without ceasing Exhort 8. That they look towards God in every condition prosperity and adversity and in every business praying as the matter required Vers. 18. In every thing give thanks For this is the Will of God in Christ Iesus concerning you Exhort 9. That seeing they know that all things fall out for good to those that love God they should in every condition but chiefly in adversity seek for matter of thanksgiving to God For this The Reason of the Exhortation is because God requireth this duty from all and chiefly from Christians upon whom hee hath poured forth his grace and love in Christ. Vers. 19. Quench not the Spirit Exhort 10. That they stifle not the gifts of the holy Spirit whatsoever either by negligence or by evil-doing but on the contrary that they continually stir up and daily encrease them by labour prayer or all other means sanctified by God Vers. 20. Despise not prophesyings Exhort 11. That they contemn or neglect not the holy publick exercises wherein the Ministers of the Churches do interpret the Scripture Vers. 21. Prove all things hold fast that which is good Exhort 12. That they do not rashly embrace every thing in matters of Religion but that they examine every thing by the Rule of the Divine Word or by the analogy of Faith and that they constantly hold and strongly defend that which is sound and good and found acceptable unto God Vers. 22. Abstain from all appearance of evil Exhort 13. That they take heed not onely of that which is evil in the worship of God or their conversations but also of every thing that hath the appearance of evil of which sort are dangerous phrases in Doctrine and indifferency in practice which because of the appearance of evil may yeeld offence to others The Third Part. Vers. 23. And the very God of Peace sanctifie you wholly and I pray God your whole Spirit soul and body bee preserved blameless unto the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ. The third part of the Chapter containeth the Epilogue or Conclusion whereof there are six Articles In the first hee praies the God of Peace or the fountain of holiness and happiness that hee would more and more sanctifie them 1 As to the Spirit or mind already illuminated by the Spirit of God which is the supream faculty of the rational soul. 2 As to the soul or will and affections and 3 As to the body or outward actions that so at the comming of the Lord when the holiness of the faithful is to bee perfected there may bee nothing found but that which is blameless and commendable Vers. 24. Faithful is hee that calleth you who also will do it Artic. 2. In which hee certifies them concerning Gods hearing the preceding prayer 1 From Gods preceding efficacious vocation 2 From the faithfulness of God whereby hee performs that in them to which hee calls them and doth not deâ—â—rt a good work begun Vers. 25. Brethren pray for us Artic. 3. Wherein the Apostle doth not disdain to ask the help of the prayers of the least amongst the faithful Vers. 26. Greet all the Brethren with an holy kiss Artic. 4. Wherein hee salutes all the Brethren in his own name by this Epistle no less lovingly than if hee had saluted them being present with the ordinary sign of salutation i. e. with a kiss not counterfeited but proceeding from Christian love Vers. 27. I charge you by the Lord that this Epistle bee read unto all the holy Brethren Artic. 5. Wherein hee commands and charges in the Name of God that the Ministers or Governours of the Church to whom immediately it appears that this Epistle was sent would produce this part of Scripture for the common use of the Church and take care that it might bee publishly read threatning divine revenge except they published it to the whole Church Vers. 28. The Grace of our Lord Iesus Christ bee with you Amen Artic. 6. And lastly wherein hee concludes the whole Epistle by wishing to them the Grace of Christ which containeth in it self all good things Amen The Second Epistle of Paul to the THESSALONIANS Analytically expounded THE CONTENTS THe occasion of writing this Epistle seems to have been this Some of the Thessalonians abused the Doctrine touching the suddain comming of Christ even to negligence in their Vocations and to the wasting of their goods as if there was no need that they should care for their Estates any more seeing Christ was about to come perhaps to morrow perhaps the day after as they did suppose but others did abuse the simplicity and mistake of some and intending to live upon the goods of others left off working In the mean while the persecution of enemies did rage and concurred to cherish this errour Wherefore the Apostle writes this second Epistle to them solves the difficulty and first of all comforts them against persecutions or afflictions Chap. 1. Secondly Hee explains the Doctrine touching
Christs comming which will approach before the Antichristian Apostacy from the true Faith of Christ should appear and bee discovered to the world Chap. 2. Lastly Hee exhorts them to Christian duties and namely to Diligence in every ones vocation Chap. 3. CHAP. I. Ver. 1. PAul and Sylvanus and Timotheus unto the Church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Iesus Christ 2. Grace unto you and Peace from God our Father and the Lord Iesus Christ. In the direction of the Epistle the same persons salute the Thessalonians which did in the former Here is nothing said as touching the authority of the Apostle neither in the former Epistle because they were all confirmed sufficiently in this Church concerning Pauls Apostleship onely mentioning their communion with the onely true God and his Son Jesus Christ hee distinguishes this Church both from the assemblies of the Heathens and unbeleeving Jews by wishing them both Grace and Peace hee certifies them of all things which make to eternal salvation and righteousness which are to bee communicated to them from God through Christ. Vers. 3. Wee are bound to thank God alwaies for you Brethren as it is meet because that your Faith groweth exceedingly and the charity of every one of you all towards each other aboundeth In the remaining part of the Chapter by giving God thanks for them hee also confirms their Faith and administers to them comfort against all the rage of persecutors wherewith they were vexed The Arguments of comfort and confirmation of their Faith are eight All which do prove that they ought to bee strengthened in Faith and bee comforted in their persecutions Argum. 1. The condition of your Church if I may judge is most happy in the sight of God wherein all yee none excepted as far as can bee known embrace the Lord Jesus with a sincere Faith and one another with a sincere love and proceed in both virtues daily abounding more and more in both virtues Therefore whatsoever your condition is in the sight of the world yee ought to bee comforted and strengthened in Faith Vers. 4. So that wee our selves glory in you in the Churches of God for your patience and Faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that yee endure Argum. 2. The constancy of your Faith and Patience in the midst of persecutions and afflictions which you suffer is so much that I am compelled to praise you before other Churches and to set you out for an example to others Therefore yee ought to bee comforted and strengthened in Faith Vers. 5. Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgement of God that yee may bee counted worthy of the Kingdome of God for which yee also suffer Argum. 3. Your afflictions which yee suffer by those impious persecutors are a manifest token that there will at length bee a general judgement wherein it shall go ill with the bad and well with the good when you shall be pronounced meet through the divine favour to injoy the Kingdome of God because yee suffer many evils for promoting of it Vers. 6. Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation to them that trouble you 7. And to you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Iesus shall bee revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels 8. In flaming fire taking vengeance of them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Iesus Christ 9. Who shall bee punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power Argum. 4. Explaining the former God in his justice will punish in the day of judgement your persecutors and will set you at liberty from all evil Therefore yee ought to bee comforted and strengthened in Faith With us Argum. 5. Yee shall at length obtain together with us and with others the Martyrs of Christ as your fellow-souldiers rest from all evil and misery Therefore yee ought together with us to bee comforted and strengthened in Faith In the Revelation Argum. 6. From those circumstances of the last judgement which makes the revenge terrible that shall bee taken upon them The Lord Jesus 1 shall bee made manifest and visibly come from Heaven a Judge and avenger of injuries 2 The mighty Angels shall accompany him who shall execute the sentence of the Judge vers 7. 3 Hee shall kindle a flaming fire wherein this whole world shall burn 4 Hee shall bee revenged of all those that are found destitute of saving knowledge which is joyned with Faith and Obedience and that have not obeyed the Gospel vers 8. 5 Then the wicked shall bee punished with everlasting destruction 6 This punishment shall bee inflicted by an angry Judge who shall eternally cast them out from his presence From his presence 7 The Lord shall manifest to all how glorious his power is by punishing them mightily Therefore yee ought to bee comforted and confirmed in Faith Vers. 10. When hee shall come to bee glorified in his Saints and to bee admired in all them that beleeve because our testimony among you was beleeved in that day Argum. 7. Of consolation from those circumstances of the last judgement which make the glorious and joyful redemption of the godly For 1 In the same day wherein Christ will destroy his adversaries hee will set at liberty his faithful ones and especially you 2 Hee will communicate his glory to the Saints and will manifest his glory for their glorification 3 His glory shall surpass all our hope and apprehension for Christ shall bee admired in the greatness of his glory communicated 4 Hee will shew his glory in all that beleeve so that there shall bee no beleever wherein Christ shall not bee admired by the way hee gives the reason of this consolation applied to them Because the Thessalonians had beleeved the Testimony of the Apostle preaching the Gospel Therefore hee dare confidently apply the afore-said consolation to them which indeed they shall finde in that day Therefore c. Vers. 11. Wherefore also wee pray alwaies for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness and the work of Faith with power Argum. 8. Of comforting and confirming them in Faith Yee have our continual prayers that yeee may happily attain your end Therefore yee ought to bee comforted in your afflictions and strengthened in Faith There are four Articles of his prayer Artic. 1. I pray that God who is ours by a free Covenant would vouchsafe to make you meet for the vocation or glory whereunto you are called This Article ascribes as well the glory unto which wee are called to the grace or favour of God as well as all the preparation which leads us to it And fulfil Artic. 2. I pray that God would fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness according to his free bounty towards you In which Article hee shews that not onely salvation but all means to
hope through Grace 17. Comfort your hearts and stablish you in every good word and work The third way of confirming their Faith is Prayer to God that hee would effectually comfort their hearts and stablish them in the Faith of the Gospel or of all sound Doctrine and in holiness of life The Arguments of his praying and confirmation of their Faith are four Arg. 1. From the relation of God and Christ to them Jesus Christ is our Lord and God the Father is our Father Therefore hee will confirm us in the Faith or will stablish you with us Hath loved Argum. 2. Because God hath loved us Hath given Argum. 3. Because God hath given us solid reasons of perpetual consolation and right to all those which may everlastingly comfort us And hope Argum. 4. Because God hath given us good hope i. e. not onely the best object of good hope or the best reasons or causes of hoping well but also a large measure as to the habit of this hope and because hee hath granted all these things to us out of his grace and meer favour induced by none of our good deservings which are none or hindred by our evil deserts which are great and many Therefore hee will confirm you together with us lest yee bee deceived by the errours of Antichrist and perish CHAP. III. HEe exhorts in this Chapter partly expresly partly indirectly to some Christian duties after which hee shuts up the Epistle The Exhortations are seven Vers. 1. Finally brethren pray for us that the word of the Lord may have free course and bee glorified even as it is with you Exhort 1. That they ask these two things 1 That by the Apostles Ministry the Gospel might bee speedily and fruitfully propagated and bee magnified amongst other Nations as it was magnified amongst them Vers. 2. And that wee may bee delivered from unreasonable and wicked men For all men have not faith 2 That God would keep the Apostle and deliver him from the snares of his enemies who without all reason perversely opposed themselves against him Hee gives the reason of their hostile minde because many were destitute of true faith Therefore that they might bee delivered from them there was need of Divine assistance Vers. 3. But the Lord is faithful who shall stablish you and keep you from evil Exhort 2. Indirect To confidence and courage of minde lest being fore-warned touching the Infidelity and Apostacy of some and hearing of the dangers which the Apostle underwent they should bee shaken in minde or some way made weaker For which end hee would have them certified and confirmed touching the purpose of God â—â—wards them viz. That hee will establish them in goodness i. e. in faith and holiness and will defend them from the evill dangers or temptations of Satan and his instruments whereof hee gives a reason because that hee who had effectually called them is constant and faithful for the promoting his work and compleating it in them Vers. 4. And wee have confidence in the Lord touching you that yee both do and will do the things which wee command you Exhort 3. To the performance of obedience to Apostolical commands which hee had given to them in the Name of the Lord or should give Hee propounds this Exhortation indirectly by commending their readiness to obey of which alacrity hee was already perswaded Vers. 5. And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patient waiting for Christ. Exhort 4. To the love of God and patience untill the Lords coming folded in a prayer to the Holy Ghost whom hee calls the Lord praying for them that the Lord would go before them in the way and keep and direct them in streight paths Vers. 6. Now wee command you brethren in the name of our Lord Iesus Christ that yee with-draw your selves from every brother that walketh disorderly and not after the tradition which hee received of us Exhort 5. That they by Ecclesiastical censures would restrain the sluggish and drones eating up the honey and by fit courseâ— would correct all that are imployed in no honest labour or business but covered after other mens goods The censure of these the remedies of lighter censures and admonitions being premised is excommunication For hee forbids their being familiar with them viz. after their rejection of private admonitions and the publick sentence of the Church And that they withdraw themselves from them nor admit them to their society which is the consequent of excommunication The reasons of the Precept are five Reas. 1. Because this is the will of Christ in whose authority hee commâ—nds that Disorderly Reas. 2. Is contained in the description of sin because whosever lives disorderly and not according to the rule of the Doctrine delivered to the Church by mee are to bee excommunicated Vers. 7. For your selves know how yee ought to follow us for wee behaved not our selves disorderly among you 8. Neither did wee â—at any mans bread for nought but wrought with labour and travel night and day that wee might not bee chargeable to any of you Reas. 3. Because hee that liveth disorderly doth not carry himself according to my example who have laboured day and night that I might not bee burdensome to any one Vers. 9. Not because wee have not power but to make our selves an ensample unto you to follow us The confirmation of the reason by preventing an Objection from that that the Apostle might use his own liberty and require wages due to him from them yet hee of his own accord departed from his right that he might propose an example to them Therefore these sloathful Drones profitable to none were bound to work that if they would not bee helpful unto others at least-wise they should not bee burdensome to them Vers. 10. For even when wee were with you this wee commanded you that if any would not work neither should hee eat Reas. 4. Because it is meet that hee should not eat who withdraws himself from honest labour as I have heretofore advised you Vers. 11. For wee hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly working not at all but are busie bodies Reas. 5. Wherein hee alleadges the cause why hee urges this Precept Because sloathful idleness nourisheth busie curiosity as they had sufficient testimony of it by some examples amongst themselves For some known well enough to them worked not honestly in their affairs but busie bodies wandring up and down were curious about the affairs of others which did nothing belong to them Vers. 12. Now them that are such wee command and exhort by our Lord Iesus Christ that with quietness they work and eat their own bread For the sake of this idle sort of persons hee repeats and applies the Exhortation Vers. 13. But yee brethren bee not weary in well-doing Exhort 6. Lest in the mean while they should bee weary of well-doing to them that had need poor indeed who were not brought to
care for the Religion and outward conversation of his subjects to the weal of their souls and bodies both amongst men and towards God in this life and hereafter 2. As Melchisedec is the blesser of Abraham the Father of the faithful in the type So is Christ in truth the blesser of Abraham and all the faithful the fountain of all blessing in whom alone every one is blessed who getteth blessing Vers. 2. To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all first being by interpretation King of Righteousness and after that also King of Salem which is King of Peace 1. To go on in the Comparison As Melchisedec the Type was honoured by Abrahams paying of Tythes unto him So is Christ to be honoured by all Abrahams children by giving of their Substance and worldly Goods what is sufficient to maintain the honour of his Kingdome amongst them 2. Presuppose the Type were laid aside yet this thankful meeting that Abraham gave to the man whose office was to bless him in the Name of the Lord doth teach All the faithful Abrahams true seed a duty of Thankfulness to Gods servants set over them to bless them in the Name of the Lord even to honour them by giving of their goods for their sufficient maintenance 3. As Melchisedec the Type is by interpretation King of Righteousness So is Christ in truth King of Righteousness 1. For the personal Righteousness in himself 2. Because hee is the Righteousness of his Subjects made of God unto us Righteousness by imputation 3. Because hee frameth his Subjects peece and peece unto a righteous disposition by sanctifying them 4. As Melchisedec the Type is King of Salem that is King of Peace So is Christ in truth King of Peace to his Subjects by reconciling them to the Father by giving peace of conscience within themselves by making all the Creatures at peace with them and all things turn together for their good and by working still on their eternal welfare and blessedness until hee perfect it 5. As Melchisedec was first King of Righteousness and then King of Peace in the Type So is Christ in truth in this Order first King of Righteousness to his Subjects to take away their sins and to give them Righteousness And then King of Peace because hee giveth them his Peace as the fruit of Righteousness This is the order of his Kingdome Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost Vers. 3. Without Father without Mother without Descent having neither beginning of daies nor end of life but made like unto the Son of God abideth a Priest continually 1. Melchisedec certainly was a very Man King and Priest in such a City if wee consider him in his natural being But if wee consider him in his spiritual being as hee standeth in Scripture under this name hee hath neither Father nor Mother beginning nor end There is no more mention of him what hee was or of whom hee came or of his death but these three verses of Genes 14. As then hee is in a typical being in Scripture So is Christ in truth in his personal being as God without Mother as Man without Father as God without beginning as God and man without ending of life 2. As Melchisedec looking how hee standeth in his Scriptural being abideth a Priest continually so that wheresoever hee is named in Scripture there hee is eveâ— found a Priest also and never a word of his laying down of the Priesthood Even so is Christs Priesthood unseparable from his person Hee abideth a Priest continually in real accomplishment 3. By saying Hee is made like unto the Son of GOD hee giveth us to understand That Gods purpose was in those particulars so to describe him as hee might resemble the Person and Offices of the Son of God And so is a Type of Gods own appointment 4. And if hee was made a likely Type of Christ in his Office of Priesthood then it followeth aâ— Melchisedec had neither any joyned with him in his Priesthood nor Deputy nor Vicar under him in it nor Successor to his Office So neither hath Christ any joyned with him or Substitute or Successor to him in his Priesthood Vers. 4. Now consider how great this man was unto whom even the Patriarch Abraham gave the Tenths of the Spoils To shew Christs Excellency hee draweth them to consider Melchisedec's Excellency above Abrahams that so they might see Christs Excellency to be far more The reason in force goeth thus 1. If Melchisedec the Type be more excellent than Abraham much more must Christ of whom hee is a Type 2. And if Melchisedec's greatness be not easily perceived except there be a due consideration of it much more Christs greatness requireth consideration and is worthy of contemplation 3. If Abraham by paying of Tythes acknowledge Melchisedec's superiority Much more should all Abrahams Off-spring acknowledge Christs Superiority whom Melchisedec typically represented by paying of what is due for the maintenance of his Service and bestowing on his Ministers who are appointed to bless in his Name whether it bee less or more which they bestow in such a manner as it vilifie not nor disgrace their high Employment which Christ hath put upon them and so dishonour him whose Servants they are Vers. 5. And verily they that are of the Sons of Levi who receive the Office of the Priesthood have a Commandement to take Tythes of the people according to the Law that is of their Brethren though they come out of the loyns of Abraham Hee proveth that in Tythes taking Melchisedec was greater than Abraham who did pay Tythes Because for the same respect the Levites by taking Tythes of their Brethren as Priests had a Superiority over them for their office sake who otherwise were their equals Then 1. The Priestly office lifted up the Levites above their Brethren who were sprung of Abraham as well as they 2. The command of taking Tithes was annexed to the office of the Priesthood in token of their superiority by office over them who by nature were at least their equals Vers. 6. But hee whose descent is not from them received Tythes of Abraham and blessed him that had the promises 7. And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the greater Hee proveth again Melchisedec to be greater than Abraham and so greater than Levi because hee blessed him and therefore behoved to be greater Then 1. Abraham notwithstanding hee had the promises yet got hee the blessing by Melchisedec in type and from Christ represented by him in truth 2. If Melchisedec was greater because hee blessed him as type Then Christ far more who blesseth in effect Now there are sundry sorts of blessings 1. There is a blessing of reverence and worship So men bless God This sort importeth no greatness in the blesser but subjection 2. There is a blessing of Charity So men bless one another by mutual prayer This sort importeth no Superiority neither 3. There is a blessing of authority
sinfulness in mind and heart are Preparations to fit us and set us on to joyn in this Covenant wherein God undertaketh to help and remedy all these felt evils through His Christ by putting His Laws in our Mind and writing them in our Hearts For what is this else but tâ— illuminate our Mind more and more with the understanding of his will and to frame our hearts and affections to the obedience of the same 4. That by the Covenant comfort is provided for sinners who are humbled in the sense of their sins and no door opened for presumption nor room given to prophane persons to go on their ways blessing themselves For the maker of the New Covenant presupposeth two things First that his party renounce his own righteousness which he might seem able to have by the Old Covenant Next that he flee for relief to God in Christ to have the benefits promised in this New Covenant Which if he do it is impossible that he can either lean to his own merits or live in the love of his sinful lusts 5. That by this Covenant such an union is made betwixt God and the Believer that the Believer is the Lords adopted childe and the Lord is the Believers God all-sufficient for ever promising to be all to the Believer which to be our God may import and to make the Believer all that one of his people should be Verse 11. And they shall not teach every man his neighbour and every man his brother saying Know the Lord For all shall know me from the least to the greatest 1. While he saith They shall not teach every man his neighbour he doth not mean that his Word and Ordinances and Ministry appointed by him or brotherly communion for mutual edification shall be mis-regarded or not made use of But by the contrary That he will himself be their Teacher in these his own means First giving his children a greater measure of the Spirit and a more neer communion with himself than of old 2. Making his children so wise unto salvation as they shall not hang their Faith upon mans authority but search by all means till they understand the minde of God the infallible Teacher as he hath revealed himself in his Word 3. So clearing the Truth which is outwardly taught unto them by his own Instruments after so sure and perswasive a manner by his Spirit inwardly that the outward Teaching shall be no Teaching in comparison of the inward concurrence according as we hear those Samaritans were taught who believed indeed the womans report that they might go to Christ But when they were come to him got so great satisfaction from himself that they said unto her Now we believe not because of thy saying for we have heard him our selves and know that this is indeed that Christ John 4.42 So will the Lord inwardly make his Truth powerful unto Salvation to his own that they may say to those that are his Instruments Now we believe not because of your saying but because we have heard him our selves Then 1. It is not Gods will that other mens belief should be the Rule of our belief but that we all search to understand the Scriptures and Gods will revealed therein 2. It is easie from this ground to answer that famous question How know you such and such grounds of Salvation We answer It is an Article of the New Covenant They shall be all taught of God 2. He saith They shall all know me from the least to the greatest Then 1. The New Covenant admitteth all Ranks and Degrees of persons and excludeth none high nor low that love to embrace it 2. It may be in sundry points of truth some of them be ignorant and mistaken more than other some But of the saving knowledge of God in Christ they shall all have light in a saving measure 3. The greatest as well as the meanest in whatsoever respect of Place or Gifts must be Gods Disciples in the study of saving Knowledge and hearty obedience Vers. 12. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more 1. To make us believe the former Promises he addeth to a New Article of the Remission of sins because from the Conscience of those ordinarily do arise our doubts and difficulty of drawing near to God Then 1. The conscience of sin must not drive us away from God but rather force us to run unto God more humbly because onely to such as come unto him in his Christ is remission of sin promised 2. Whatsoever sort of sins they be unrighteousness or sin or inquity they shall not hinder God to be gracious to the penitent fleeing to this Covenant for refuge 2. In saying For I will be merciful 1. He maketh his mercy pardoning sin the reason of his bestowing the former good things His giving of one grace the reason of giving another even grace for grace 2. He maketh his mercy the ground of all this favour and nothing in the mans person or works or worthiness of his faith 3. The word Merciful is in the Original Pacified and doth import both Gods respect to the propitiatory sacrifice of Christ which pacifieth him towards us and also our duty in looking towards it as the price of our reconciliation 3. In that the Lord joyneth the promise of putting his Law in the minde and writing it in our heart with the promise of remission of sins he teacheth us That he will have every confederate soul that seeketh the benefit of this Covenant to joyn all these benefits together in their claim with remission of sin seeking to joyn the illumination of their minde renovation of their heart and life at least in their desires and endeavours and not to sever one of them from another but study in uprightness to have them all 4. While he saith He will remember their sins no more he teacheth 1. That he will never forgive sin nor forget it but set it ever in his sight till a man enter into this Covenant with him through Christ. 2. That when he hath forgiven sin he forgeteth sin also whatsoever he remitteth he removeth from his remembrance Vers. 13. In that he saith A New Covenant he hath made the first Old Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away From the name that the Lord giveth this Covenant in calling it New he draweth two consequences The first that the former Covenant by this word was declared old Next that as it was declared old it was so declared shortly after to be abolished Then 1. The least word that proceedeth out of Gods mouth is weighty and worthy of consideration 2. Whatsoever Gods word doth import by due consequence must be taken for Gods truth and Gods minde as if it were expressed 3. Seeing Christ is come and the time is now of this New Covenant we know that by Gods authority the Levitical ordinances and whole form of the Legal
persecutions for the profession of the Gospel are not to be feared Tryal Argum. 1. Persecution will not hurt you but will try and purge you as fire tryeth and purgeth gold and silver Therefore yee ought not to fear afflictions Vers. 13. But rejoyce in as much as yee are partakers of Christs sufferings that when his glory shall bee revealed yee may be glad also with exceeding joy Argum. 2. Yee ought rather to be glad and rejoyce in afflictions for the Gospel sake Therefore persecution is not to be feared That Argum. 3. Confirming the former whilst yee suffer persecutions yee are made partakers of the afflictions appointed for the members of Christ and are made conformable to him who hath suffered the like things for the confession of Truth Therefore yee ought not to fear persecution Yee may bee glad Argum. 4. Because yee shall have the communion of glory and joy with Christ at his coming Therefore c. Vers. 14. If yee bee reproached for the name of Christ happy are yee for the Spirit of Glory and of God resteth upon you on their part hee is evil spoken of but on your part hee is glorified Argum. 5. They that are but reproached for the name of Christ have both the means and the sign of his blessedness much more they which suffer greater things Therefore yee ought not to fear persecutions Because Argum. 6. The bearing of the Cross of Christ is a sign of Christs glorious Spirit resting upon you that shall never depart from you Therefore yee ought not to fear persecution For your part Argum. 7. Confirming the former Although the Spirit of God by those that persecute you may be blasphemed yet it is glorified by the faithful that sâ—fâ—er afflictions Therefore yee ought not to fear persâ—câ—tion Vers. 15. But let none of you suffer as a Murderer or as a Thief or as an evil doer or as a busie body in other mens matters 16. Yet if a man suffer as a Christian let him not bee ashamed but let him glorifie God on this behalf Argum. 8. Although all affliction and namely for evil deeds is not glorious yet when any one is evilly entreated not for his own desert but for Christs sake or because hee is a Christian the affliction is glorious neither doth it become the afflicted to be so troubled as if he were ashamed of the name of Christ but is rather obliged to glorifie God who by a certain degree of Martyrdome hath honoured him Therefore yee ought not to fear persecution Vers. 17. For the time is come that judgement must begin at the house of God and if it first begin at us what shall the end be of those that obey not the Gospel of God Argum. 9. The judgement that God will bring upon the sins of men is begun in the Church as in Gods family towards his own houshold whose sin God chastiseth and crucifies by the Cross of Christ Therefore yee ought not to fear persecution What shall Argum. 10. The afflictions which the faithful suffer will argue that Infidels and Persecutors will at length be most severely punished Therefore yee ought not to fear persecution Vers. 18. And if the righteous scarcely bee saved where shall the ungodly and sinner appear Argum. 11. Clearing the former Argument Seeing that the condition of the faithful is so tedious that they cannot be saved without great difficulty and by afflictions without doubt the condition of the wicked will be intollerable Therefore yee ought neither to backslide from the Faith lest yee perish nor fear persecutions because they shall be brought to nought Vers. 19. Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing as unto a faithful Creatour From hence hee infers an Exhortation which hee confirms together with two other Arguments Argum. 12. They that are evil entreated for Christs sake are not properly afflicted by the will of man but by the will of God who hath determined to perfect his work in those that are his through afflictions Therefore yee ought not to fear persecutions A faithful Argum. 13. They that suffer any thing in the flesh for Christ and they which have resolved to persevere in holiness doing that which is good may be certain and sure of the salvation of their souls both because God is omnipotent and because hee is faithful to perform all things which hee hath promised to them that are his Therefore yee ought not to fear persecution CHAP. V. THere remains three Exhortations with the conclusion The first to the Elders The second to those that are young The third is common to all Vers. 1. The Elders which are among you I exhort who am also an Elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ and also a partaker of the glory that shall bee revealed 2. Feed the flock of God which is among you taking the over-sight thereof not by constraint but willingly not for filthy lucre but of a ready mind Exhort 1. To Elders in the first place generally That they execute their office in feeding the flock committed to them The reasons of the Exhortation premised from the person exhorting are four I pray Reas. 1. Because the Apostle praies and submissively desires that from them Also an Elder Reas. 2. Because hee exhorts them as being an Elder himself A Witness Reas. 3. Because hee was a Witness of the sufferings of Christ which Christ suffered in the execucion of his office and a partaker of the sufferings for Christ with other Martyrs Of the glory Reas. 4. Because by Faith hee was partaker of the glory hereafter to be communicated to true and sincere Pastors at the coming of Christ. Feed The exhortation it self prescribing in special the manner of feeding the flock in four duties Oversight 1. That they diligently attend the oversight of the flocks not doing it lightly and negligently 2. That they do their duty not by constraint but of a willing mind 3. That they do their duty not for the sake of filthy lucre but with a ready and free mind Vers. 3. Neither as being Lords over Gods heritage but being ensamples to the flock 4. That without usurpation of Dominion over the Church they go before the Church in Doctrine and ensample in all virtues Vers. 4. And when the chief Shepheard shall appear yee shall receive a Crown of glory that fadeth not away Hee subjoyns to this Exhortation three other Reasons Chief Reas. 1. Because Jesus Christ as the chief Shepheard shall at length appear who will require an account from the Ministers subjected to him of the administration of their office Yee shall receive Reas. 2. Because hee will give to his Pastors a Crown of glory for their reward That fadeth not Reas. 3. Because it is a flourishing Crown which they shall receive that will never fade away nor perish Vers. 5. Likewise yee younger submit your selves unto the Elder yea all of you be subject one
Christ. The Arguments of the Exhortation are fourteen all which prove that wee ought to endeavour after these virtues joyntly Argum. 1. If you have obeyed the Exhortation endeavouring both to have these virtues and to abouâ—d in them yee will prove that your Faith or the knowledge of Christ in you is not idle or unfruitful but efficacious which makes you ready to every good work Therefore yee ought to obey Vers. 9. But hee that lacketh these things is blind and cannot see far off and hath forgotten that hee was purged from his old sins Argum. 2. If yee were destitute of these virtues you will declare that you see nothing afarre off but that you are onely intent upon the things of this world but blind in divine and spiritual things and unthankful towards God by whom yee confess your former sins are pardoned Therefore yee ought to endeavour after these virtues Vers. 10. Wherefore the rather Brethren give diligence to make your calling and election sure for if you do these things yee shall never fall Argum. 3. With the Exhortation repeated By endeavouring after these virtues yee will prove your selves to be effectually called and elected and will solidly confirm your selves in this perswasion Therefore follow after these virtues For these Argum. 4. If you follow after these virtues yee shall be preserved from Apostacy or falling back neither will yee yeeld to temptations Therefore yee ought to follow after these Vers. 11. For so an entrance shall be ministred unto you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdome of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ. Argum. 5. So a more abundant entrance into the eternal Kingdome of Christ shall be administred unto you i. e. happiness and that life eternal shall more largely open and unfold it self to you that yee may more freely and abundantly peirce into the inward parts of his Kingdome and enjoy the sense of that life in a more abundant measure Therefore follow after these virtues Vers. 12. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you alwaies in remembrance of these things though yee know them and be stablished in the present Truth Argum. 6. Preventing an Objection Although yee are established in the present Truth yet I being an Apostle have now thought out of a desire of your proficiency it necessary to exhort you which yee should in no wise reject Therefore c. Vers. 13. Yea I think it meet as long as I am in this Tabernacle to stir you up by putting you in remembrance Argum. 7. Justice it self by reason of my Apostolical office requires that I excite you to holiness by exhortations and admonitions of this sort so long as I live Therefore be yee obedient Vers. 14. Knowing that shortly I must put off this my Tabernacle even as our Lord Iesus Christ hath shewed mee Argum. 8. As the Lord hath foretold I expect after a short time to end my life by a glorious Martyrdome Therefore as it lyes upon mee to exhort you to these virtues so it lies upon you to hearken to my Exhortation Vers. 15. Moreover I will indeavour that you may be able after my decease to have these things alwaies in remembrance Argum. 9. This Exhortation which I have written to you will be profitable to minde you of your duties even after my death Therefore hearken you to my admonitions Vers. 16. For wee have not followed cunningly devised fables when wee made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Iesus Christ but were eye-witnesses of his Majesty Argum. 10. Those things which I have taught you as touching Christs incarnation or his first coming to execute the office of a Redeemer and as touching his divine nature power sufficiency and efficacy to save the people of God are not fables artificially feigned which may be despised or negligently without use and benefit past by but they are serious and certain things Therefore yee ought to hearken to these my admonitions But as those Argum. 11. Yee have been taught by us Apostles both eye and ear-witnesses of the Truth of Christ already demonstrated so that the certainty of this Gospel was so much as were possible to be concerning things done and past For wee Apostles have perceived by our senses the Majesty of Christ to be so great that wee cannot chuse but at the sight bee rapâ— up in an extasie as it is in the history Matthew 17. conconcerning Christs transfiguration Therefore obey my Exhortations Vers. 17. For hee received from God the Father honour and glory when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased Argum. 12. Christ in whose Faith and Obedience wee exhort you to persevere hath by the audible voice of his Father speaking from Heaven received a glorious testimony from the excellent glory of the Father that hee is the Son of God wherein as in a Mediatour and Surety for his redeemed people God is well pleased satisfying himself abundantly in his Mediation and purchase Therefore obey yee diligently this Exhortation Vers. 18. And this voice which came from Heaven we heard when we were with him in the holy Mount Argum. 13. Those things are so holy which appertain to the Kingdome of Christ that the place it self wherein those things were declared which are preached by us was after a manner made holy viz. Because of Gods extraordinary voice and the divine glory of Christ there manifested Therefore with greater reverence yee ought to hearken to our Exhortations Vers. 19. Wee have also a more sure word of Prophecie whereunto yee do well that yee take heed us unto a light that shineth in a dark place until the day dawn and the day-star arise in your hearts Argum. 14. The Doctrine concerning Christ in whose Faith and Obedience wee exhort you to persevere is confirmed by the testimony of Scripture or a most firm prophetical word Therefore yee ought studiously to obey my Exhortations Hee staies upon this Exhortation confirming the certainty of prophetical Scripture by seven Reasons More sure Reas. 1. Because compared with other waies of revelation it is a most firm medium without and above exceptions whereto other means of revelation no less clear and true are obnoxious But this reason most especially did prevail with the Hebrews who examined visions and revelations made to the Apostles by the Scripture of the Old Testament For the divine authority of the old Scripture was confirmed in their minds some ages before Of Prophecie Reas. 2. That the testimony of foreseeing future Truth hath more evidence in it self of divine operation than the testimony of him who testifies that which hee hath seen or heard being present For no man could foresee this Truth but a Prophet every Beleever could see the Truth fulfilled Which Reas. 3. Because the word of Prophecy is worthy to be attended to by Beleevers into the sense whereof they might enquire to which truth and authority they might subject their consciences