the Gospel promised or fulfilled Metonymically when the name of the thing is given to the instrument or it is taken for the Ministry 1158. Rom. 1.13 I oftentimes purposed to come unto you Ver. 13. But was let hitherto Paul purposing to go to Rome did not resist the will of God nor was it contrary but according to his will not absolutely but conditionally if God pleased the impediments he might have were Satan casting many hinderances in his way or sickness the planting of Churches or the like * 1159. Rom. 1.17 The just shall live by faith Hab. 2.4 The Just shall live by his faith The latter place tells us though wicked or carnal men may trust in externall security yet good souls shall be maintained in their spiritual life by faith in Christ And the former place shews us that man obtaineth life and salvation by the Gospel inasmuch as it offereth Christ the cause of life and likewise this Christ is to be embraced by a lively faith The one or both places tells of getting life if not of keeping and getting for in attributing the one to faith it doth the other consequently 1160. Rom. 1.18 The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness Chap. 2.4 The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance Justice doth not oppose the goodness of God punishing wicked men as they are wicked but goodness invites men to repentance deferring the punishments of the wicked not as they are wicked but as they are Gods creatures and he delights not in their destruction 1161. Rom. 1.26 He reckons up heathenish beastliness and Sodomy Eph. 5.3 Fornication and all uncleanness and filthiness let it not be once named among you The Apostle commemoâ—â—tes the dissolute life of the Heathens to make us avoid it not to imitate it by disgracing it that so being terrified with that filthiness we may escape the anger of God * 1162. Rom. 1.26 God gave them up to vile affections c. 1. Joh. 2.16 Lust of the flesh is not of the Father God gave them up by permission or suffered them to give up themselves to vile affections or God gave them up out of Judgement by substracting his grace and this as his justice because of their former inordinate walking The latter place tells us that lust c. come not from God as the Author nor doth it deny that God for his own glory is the permitter of sin or that he may withdraw his grace 1163. Rom. 2.1 Inexcusable thou art O man whosoever thou art that judgest Chap. 13.1 There is no power but of God The power of the Office is distinguished from the faults of the Person though in the court of Conscience and before God we are sinners yet we are not in the Courts of Civil Justice and before men 1164. Rom. 2.6 God will render to every man according to his deeds Vers 16. God will judge the secrets according to my Gospel In the former place is treated of the effect of faith that goes before retribution in the latter of a necessary instrument God will condemn the wicked and Infidels according to the Law and acquit the believers according to the Gospel for he that believes shal be saved and both waies God will reward according to our works Mar. 16.16 as they were done well or ill from faith or infidelity 1165. Rom. 2.6 He shall render to every man according to his deeds Chap. 3.28 Chap. 8.3 We conclude that a man is justified by faith without the works of the Law To render is not only meant just retribution but free gift Rev. 22.12 Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me to give to every man according as his work shall be This doctrine takes not away justice but confirms it because it respects works for a mans faith and judgeth by the works as the effects of mens faith and life and condemns bad works for unbelief * 1166. Rom. 2.11 For there is no respect of persons with God Rom. 9.13 Jacob have I loved but Esau have I hated God doth not accept this person or refuse that because the one is of this Nation the other of that the one rich the other poor c. But in love he accepts whom he will from the ordinary or damnable condition of the wicked that he accepts any upon arguments taken from himself or his love is not in in justice to the rest but mercy to the Elect. Debitum si non reddis habes quod gratuleris si reddis non habes quod queraris If thou dost not pay thy debt which thou owest thou hast cause to be thankeful if thou dost thou hast no cause to complain Aug. * 1167. Rom. 2.12 He that sins without the Law c. Rom. 4.15 Where no Law is there is no transgression c. There are three kinds of Laws the written Law given to the Jews not to the Gentiles and of this Law speaketh the Apostle here that they sinned without the Law and so shall perish without Law that is the written Law of Moses There is beside the Law of Nature whereof the Apostle speaketh afterward Ver. 14. They having not the Law are a Law unto themselves Against this Law the Gentiles sinned and by this Law they shall be judged The third Law is that which was given unto Adam in Paradice by which not only he but all his Posterity are found to be Transgressors And in respect of this Law even Infants are found trespassers because of Original sin 1168. Rom. 2.13 The doers of the Law shall be justified Gal. 2.16 For by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified Justification is attributed to the Law and to Works not simply but by supposition if any man can perfectly fulfil the Works of the Law but no man can in this weakness perfectly fulfil the Law * 1169. Rom. 2.13 The doers of the Law are justified Rom. 3.28 We conclude a man justified by Faith without the Works of the Law The Law is fulfilled two waies One is in supposition that if a man could by his own strength keep the Law he should thereby be justified There is another fulfilling which is by the perfect obedience of Christ imputed to us by faith whereof the Apostle speaks Phil. 3.9 Of these the Apostle speaks here who endeavour themselves to live according to the Law and shew their faith by their works yet are saved by the obedience of Christ There are two kinds of Justification One is verily and indeed before God which is by faith in Christ Rom. 3.26 The other is in opinion of men Luk. 16.15 Of the former the Apostle speaks here 1170. Rom. 2.14 The Gentiles which have not the Law do by nature the things contained in the Law Chap. 8.7 The carnal mind is enmity to the Law of God for it is not subject to the Law of God The natural Law convinceth the Gentiles the written Law the Jews The Apostle doth not in the former place
end of the Oeconomy of Christs Mediation and God shall be all in all 1353. 1 Cor. 15.27 He hath put all things under his feet Ver. 28. The Son also shall be subject to the Father That subjection shall be effected in his members and Church which is his Body and by resignation of his Kingdom that now he administers at present by his Ministers in the midst of his enemies but not without battel also he shall declare his subjection to the Father answerable to that nature according to which all power is given to him in heaven and in earth * 1354. 1 Cor. 15.44 It is raised a spiritual body Job 19.21 I shall see him in my flesh A spiritual body not in respect of substance or beeing but by reason of those qualities which the glorified body shall partake of Or a spiritual body a body free from carnal desires being wholly subject to and ruled by the Spirit Job speaks of rising with the same body for substance but doth neither imply nor deny but the body may have more glorious qualities 1355. 1 Cor. 15.50 Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God Ver 53. This corruptible must put on incorruption Flesh and bloud here signifies the corrupt nature of man in the state of sin this as it is such cannot inherit the Kingdom of God but our nature purged from corruption shall put on incorruption 1356. 1 Cor. 16.15 The houshold of Stephanus addicted themselves to the ministry of the Saints Heb. 5.4 No man taketh this honour to himself but he that was called of God In the first place is meant the ministry of transparting the collections to the brethren and they did it by the sending of the Apostles by them in a most dangerous time 1357. 1 Cor. 16.22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ let him be Anathema Mat. 5.44 Love your enemies The Apostle doth not pronounce this Anathema out of his own private affection but being led by the Holy Ghost it is not lawful rashly to use private imprecations unless the glory of God require it in an especial manner and there be no hope left of their salvation Love our own enemies but not love Gods enemies he pronounceth a curse not against his but Christs enemies if they love not Christ 1358. 2 Cor. 1.1 Timothy with Paul wrote that Epistle 1 Tim. 1.3 He was left at Ephesus when Paul went into Macedonia Paul sayling from Corinth into Asia Acts 18.19 left Timothy at Ephesus together with Aquila and Priscilla but that they were with the Apostle at Corinth at that time the Inscription it self testifieth 1359. 2 Cor. 1.8 In Asia we were pressed out of measure above strength 1 Cor. 10.13 God will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able The first place is concerning temptation exceeding bare humane strength the second concerning faith and strength given to us by God which is our victory * 1360. 2 Cor. 2.5 But if any have caused grief he hath not grieved me but in part with Ver. 4. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you If the incestuous person or any other have been the cause of your and my grief together I make no reckoning of the grief which I have received thereby in respect of that which my censures have brought upon you whereof he hath been the cause And yet my aim hath not been to afflict you as bearing you any ill will but rather to give you a certain proof of my charity by gaining your salvation through repentance 1361. 2 Cor. 5.2 In this we groan earnestly desiring to be cloathed upon with our house which is from heaven Ver. 4. We groan being burdened not that we would be uncloathed The first place is concerning the groaning by grace the second by nature for the Holy Ghost stirs up a desire of life eternal in the mind of the godly and it is natural to fear death because it destroys nature 1362. 2 Cor. 5.16 We know no man after the flesh Rom. 1.3 Christ of the seed of David according to the flesh Phil. 2.8 To know according to the flesh is to praise that which corrupt flesh delights in and to despise what it despiseth so we knew not Christ carnally but out of Gods Word we know him to be of the seed of David 1363. 2 Cor. 5.19 God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself Ver. 20. We pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled to God Reconciliation is ascribed to God as the principal cause to Christ as the meritorious cause or to the Ministry of the Word as to the Instrumental cause or to our selves apprehending it by faith and applying it for our salvation 1364. 2 Cor. 8.20 Avoiding this that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administred by us 1 Cor. 4.3 With me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you The first place is of just dispraise wherein our hearts convince us the latter is concerning the unjust judgments of the world which proceed from mens depraved affections 1365. 2 Cor. 11.4 If he that cometh preacheth another Jesus whom we have not preached or receive another Gospel which ye have not accepted ye might well bear with him Gal. 1.8 Though we or an Angel from heaven preach any other Gospel unto you then that we have preached let him be accursed In the first place is meant by another Christ and another Gospel a better Doctrine than the Apostle taught but in the latter by another Gospel is meant false doctrine which overthroweth Gods grace and Christs merits 1366. 2 Cor. 11.17 That which I speak I speak it not after the Lord but foolishly 1 Pet. 4.11 If any man speak let him speak as the Oracles of God Paul being forced to it by the calumnies of false Apostles said somethings concerning his own labours and dangers which did not directly appertain to his Ministry Peter speaks of those things which directly appertain to the Ministry of the Word wherein the rule of our words must be the Oracles of God revealed in the Scriptures The Epistle of St. PAUL to the GALATIANS HE defends the Justice of faith against false Apostles that a man is justified not by the works of the Law but by faith in Christ and exhorts to good works that the fruits of faith must be sowed in Christian charity and liberty It was written from Rome in the Year of Christ 60. 1367. GAL. 1.1 Paul an Apostle not of men neither by man but by Jesus Christ Chap. 2.2 I communicated unto them the Gospel which I preach among the Gentiles Ver. 6. Who seemed to be somewhat Paul came to Peter and the rest of the Apostles not that he might learn the Gospel from them but to have their testimony of his Doctrine that he preached nothing to the Gentiles but the Gospel of Jesus Christ 1368. Gal. 1.17 I went not up to Jerusalem to them which were
love to us but Judas delivered Christ out of covetousness The Father for us and for our salvation Judas for thirty pieces of silver to his own destruction 1183. Rom. 3.28 We conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the Law Jam. 2.24 You see that by works a man is justified and nat by faith only Paul doth not separate as to existency works from faith which works by love but the object of Justification before God Gal. 5.6 James rejects faith which wants good works that is a dead faith of the devil v. 17 19. and attributes to works the declaration of Iustification v. 21. yet he confirms a lively faith v. 22. by the example of Abraham Augustine saith that when the Apostle saith a man is justified by faâ—â— he doth it not that works should be despised because they follow the man justified they do not go before Justification * Rom. 3.28 with Jam. 2.24 St. Paul tells us a man is justified by faith in opposition to that justification which the Jews expected by the deeds of the Law St. James tells us a man is justified by works in opposition to a pretence of faith or such a faith as men say they have while they pretend to believe in Christ and yet do nothing that Christ commands St. Paul tells us it is a faith alone that justifies but not such a faith as is alone for that faith which justifies though it justifie as alone yet it alwaies is accompanied with good works St. James saith a man is justified by works or a faith which is working St. Paul speaks of faith as it justifies in foro divino before God St. James of works as they justifie in foro conscientiae vel humano as they justifie us to our selves or to others Faith justifies our Persons Works justifie our Faith 1184. Rom. 3.31 Do we then make void the Law through faith God forbid yea we establish the Law Heb. 7.18 There is a disanulling of the Commandment going before through the weakness thereof The first place is of the Moral Law which faith confirmeth because Christ came to fulfil it and not to destroy it and the end of the Law is to bring us to Christ The latter place is concerning the Ceremonial Law which is abrogated because the shadow was to give place to the substance * 1185. Rom. 4.3 Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness Psal 106.31 And Phinehas executed judgment and it was counted unto him for righteousness Abraham was not justified merito fidei by the merit and worthiness of his faith Abraham was justified by faith not materialiter materially as it was an act but relate objective as it hath relation unto the Object the Justice of Christ and Organice instrumentally as it applyeth the righteousness of Christ Abraham believed the Promise of God to be his shield and to give him an heir of his own body and to multiply his numerous Posterity of whom Christ was the chief and by whom all Nations were to be blessed As for Phinehas God accounted his Act as a righteous Act though men might count it an an Act of rash Zeal So that the Act did not Justifie the Person but the Person doing that Act sincerely was justified as to that Action * 1186. Rom. 4.5 God justifieth the ungodly 1 Kin. 8.31 Condemning the wicked to bring his way upon his head and justifying the righteous God justifieth the ungodly not as he is ungodly but as he is penitent and turning from his ungodliness He is said to justifie the ungodly as those who were so in themselves and are cloathed in Christ and so are esteemed godly * 1187. Rom. 4.5 But to him that worketh not but believeth Lu. 10.28 This do and thou shalt live The former place saith He who is not able to fulfil the condition of works not grounding himself thereon taking the way to be saved by believing to him is the reward reckoned The latter place shews us a man who sought Eternal life by the works of the Law which he could not fulfil whom Christ referred to the Law to shew him his sin knowing that would be a means to bring him to Christ or leave him inexcusable and so they intend the same thing 1188. Rom. 4.7 Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered Mat. 5.2 Blessed are the poor in spirit the clean in heart the merciful In the first place is spoken of the cause of blessedness namely remission of sins and imputation of righteosness In the latter place of vertues which are the way to blessedness 1189. Rom. 4.15 Chap. 5.20 Where there is no Law there is no transgression Chap. 2.12 As many as sin in the Law shall be judged by the Law In the former place the Law is taken generally without which there can be no transgression In the latter place he speaks of the natural Law for even the Gentiles shall perish for violating of it * 1190. Rom. 4.17 Even God who quickneth the dead 2 Kings 4.35 Elias raised the dead c. God only and of his own power raised the dead the Prophets and Apostles raised the dead by power of God and not by their own power They as Instruments God as the Cause 1191. Rom. 4.18 Abraham against hope Ver. 18. Believed in hope He believed contrary to humane hope by his hope in God having confidence contrary to the reason of the flesh the force of nature for all these would have weakned hope would make him doubt and despair also yet he overcame all those difficulties by firm hope he hoped in things desperate distrusting himself but trusting in God * 1192. Rom. 4.20 He staggered not at the Promise Gen. 17.17 Abraham fell upon his face and laughed This laughing is of admiration at Gods favour nor at distrust of his power though he had hitherto found an indisposition in his body to beget a Child and having been so long without he could not but entertain the Promise by way of wonder and rejoycing and in this rejoycing his faith might reach as far as the joy of the Messiah Luk. 2.10 Joh. 8.56 1193. Rom. 4.25 God raised Jesus Christ our Lord from the dead Joh. 10.18 I have power to lay down my life and I have power to take it up The Resurrection is ascribed to God the Father because the works of the Trinity ad extra are indivisible to the Son because he hath the same power with the Father who willingly underwent death and therefore the Resurrection is to be ascribed to his free will 1194. Rom. 5.2 By faith we stand and rejoyce 1 Cor. 10.12 Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed least he fall We stand founded on Gods grace whilst we are kept by the power of God by faith unto salvation by sin we fall when we think we stand 1195. Rom. 5.4 Patience worketh experience Jam. 1.3 Experience worketh patience Probation in the first place is taken
condemnation whereof we are redeemed by Christ 778. Mat. 5.22 Whosoever is angry with his brother is in danger of judgment Eph. 4.6 Be angry but sin not That anger is unlawful when any one without just cause is angry and more with the person than the faults for his own cause and not for Gods cause Thou shalt not kill It is lawful when for Gods glory we are angry with their sins and not with the persons Also the Apostle warns us to moderate this just anger that we offend not by anger against God or our Neighbour * Mat. 5.22 with Eph. 4.6 Anger is twofold either advised or unadvised the former place speaks of unadvised anger the latter place of advised anger Anger is such as ariseth from good principles the love to God guided thereby Secondly It hath for its end the Glory of God of this anger the latter place There is anger which looks at private revenge and springs from private injuries that is excessive in its heat of this in the former place 779. Mat. 5.22 He that saith to his brother Thou fool shall be in danger of hell fire Luk. 24.25 O fools and slow of heart to believe Gal. 3.1 O foolish Galatians who hath bewitched you Christ condemns a contumelious despising of our brother and a reproachful aspersion of foolishness but he in his way to Emaus cals Cleophas and his fellows fools not out of a vicious desire but for their dulness and folly because they believed not the Prophets nor the Word of God so the Apostle called the Galatians foolish * 780. Mat. 5.29 If thy right eye offend thee c. Exod. 20. Thou shalt not kill The former place hints that there is a twofold Body 1. of flesh 2. Of sin now whether of these Members whether outward or sins if they stand betwixt us and Christ we must cut them off and cast them from us The second place condems murther it forbids not a mans parting with any thing though a member of our body to serve Christ It forbids us to kill our selves but not to part with our selves for Christs sake or Cause 781. Mat. 5.25 Agree with thine Adversary 1 Pet. 5.9 Whom resist strong in the faith The first place is concerning all adversaries in general with whom we must agree according to the rule of Charity The latter is concerning the devil in particular whom we must alwaies resist being armed with heavenly weapons against him 782. Mat. 5.32 Whosoever puts away his wife unless it be for fornication causeth her to commit adultery 1 Cor. 7.11 If shee depart let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband Fornication or Adultery is the principal cause of divorce betwixt those that are married but other causes as witchcraft impotency malicious forsaking do not so dissolve the bond of Matrimony The Apostle speaks of desertion and in that case reconciliation must be first endeavoured before the party forsaken or forsaking should be left out of Matrimony * Mat. 5.32 with 1 Cor. 7.15 Laws are Moral Civil or Politick and among particular Laws are those of permission and toleration which were such as did not approve of evil which they conceived but did only tolerate and permit that evil which could not be avoyded for the preventing of a greater evil which otherwise would fall out such were those Laws Deu. 23.10 21.15 This Law of divorce was not an approving of the giving a Bill of divorce for every light cause but tolerating of it for the preventing of a greater mischief even murther For the nature of the Jews was this if a man once took dislike to his wife he would never be at rest till he had shed her bloud if they might not be parted asunder this Law of divorce was only to restrain this evil The Law did not allow a woman to put away her husband because there was no such fear of blood but the man to put away his wife Besides the Law doth not bid a man put away his wife but only permits it The second place speaks of a malicious and willing departing of the Unbeleever which dissolves the marriage but this is no cause of giving a Bill of divorce only Adultery causeth that Here the beleever is a meer patient and the divorce is made by the unbeleever who unjustly forsaketh and so puts away the other * 783. Mat. 5.32 with Mat. 19.29 Whosoever forsaketh not wife c. The former place speaks of a separation by divorce The latter place of forsaking a wife not by giving a Bill of divorcement but that which is caused by imprisonment banishment or death * 784. Mat. 5.32 with Tit. 3.10 Avoid an Heretick after once or twice admonition The former speaks of private persons and of a divorce allowed by the Law permissively The latter place speaks of that Commandment which is not given to every private person but to the Ministers of the Church who after one or two admonitions are to excommunicate and cut off all Hereticks from the Church Secondly It hindereth not but that the bond of marriage may remain sure and firm though one of the parties be cut off from the Church 1 Cor. 7.12 It is one thing to be cut off from the Church another thing to be cut off from bed and boord 785. Mat. 5.39 Resist not evil but whosoever shall smite thee on the right cheek turn the other to him also Joh. 18.23 If I have spoken evil bear witness of the evil if well why smitest thou me The manner of resisting evil is either of retaliation with injury And this Christ forbids or of just defence by which without injury we drive off injuries by Reason or Law So Christ said Why dost thou smite me Not out of a mind desirous of revenge but from a well composed heart he spake that and it is lawful for godly men to complain to the Judge of injuries done unto them * Mat. 5.39 with Joh. 18.23 The former place bids us not resist or arise against the evil one to requite like for like according to the injury done unto us It forbiddeth not resisting evil for we may resist evil by a lawful defence as Christ did by lawful reasoning but he forbids resisting evil by private revenge for he speaketh to his Disciples as to private men Luk. 6.27 The latter place shews an example of Christs reasoning with them about evil offered to them but not of his resisting evil with evil smiting with smiting but readiness to suffer more or turn the other cheek * 786. Mat. 5.39 with Rom. 13.4 Gods Ministers for executing wrath or revenge Revenge is twofold private or publick Private when those who are no Magistrates will revenge themselves on such as do them wrong Instead of pardoning they resist and revenge themselves Publick revenge is when the Magistrate according to Justice and the Law of God punisheth an evil person that wrongeth his brother The former place is of private the latter of publick revenge There are two
have forsaken all and followed thee What shall we have therefore Luk. 17.10 When you have done all those things that were commanded you say We are unprofitable servants we have done only that was our duty to do Peter glories in the name of the Apostles that they had forsaken all for Christ though it was not much that they had so men are wont to reckon largely of their services toward God Christ opposeth against this ambition our duty we owe unto God all that we can and all we possess is from God we are his servants and they that serve him not for himself deserve nothing in the sight of God doing our duty we do not repay the thousandth part of what we owe unto him 867. Mat. 20.16 Many are called and few chosen Rom. 8.38 Whom he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them he also justified Vocation is either external by preaching of Gods Word so God cals all men indifferently to partake of his grace or by the internal vocation joyned with the outward whereby God by his holy Spirit manifesteth to us our election Rom. 8. and declares us to be his children 868. Mat. 20.20 The mother of Zebedees children came to him and desired Mar. 10.35 James and John the sons of Zebedee came to him The Mother spoken to by her children asked in their name for they supposed they should the more easily obtain it by the mediation of their Mother because she was Christs Cousin 869. Mat. 20.23 To sit on my right hand and on my left is not mine to give Rev. 3.21 To him that overcometh will I grant to fit with me on my Throne In the first place Christ maintains that at his first coming God the Father had given him no command to assign to any men any degrees of honour but that he should instruct the faithful concerning the Cross and should promise unto them eternal life which is given to them who shall overcome by faith which is our victory * Mat. 20.23 with Rev. 3.23 He saith It is not mine to give not that he wants power as God but it is not mine to give at this time I came not from the Father for that purpose to reward men with degrees of Glory before mine Ascension but my business was to die for you and to teach you how by enduring the Cross and despising the shame and cleaving unto me you may have that glory which is requisite for you It is not want of power but want of injustice that it is not mine to give for when the time of remuneration comes which is after this life even then I shall not have recourse or an eye unto Relations or Kindreds but I shall give it to whom it is due and in what degree it is fit As if two Princes were set to behold Champions striving for victory and one of them having some familiarity with one of the Princes should desire him to give him the prize and he should answer it is not mine to give but it shall be given to him that winneth it no man will say that he wanteth power but commend his justice So the Lord saith it is not mine not because he cannot but because he will not violate the laws of Justice preferring them and neglecting others if any should afterwards be of more labours or sufferings or vertues It is not Christs to give as man say others The latter place speaks that Christ shall judicially distribute rewards at the last day 870. Mat. 20.29 And as they departed from Jericho behold two blind men fitting by the way side Mar. 10.46 As he went out of Jericho blind Bartimeus sat by the high way side Matthew was an eye witness that they were two but Mark mentions the most noted of them 871. Mat. 20.29 As they departed from Jericho Behold two blind men Luk. 18.35 As he came nigh to Jericho a certain blind man sat by the way side When Christ entred the City the blind man first cryed out and when he was not heard for the noyse he sat in the way where Christ went out and never left crying till Christ called and healed him Christ did defer his cure but did not wholly refuse it so he made proof of his faith and of many others * Mat. 20.29 Luk. 18.35 Mar. 10.46 Matthew and Mark are easily reconciled it being usual when one speaketh of two for the other to speak but of one of most note as when the two possessed with devils were delivered Or it may be that one cryed first unto him and the other followed his example And as for Luke telling that it was done when they were about to enter Jericho I think they did cry unto him when he was to enter but being hindered by the concourse and noyse of the people could not be heard wherefore they stood in some more convenient place about the time of his going out and then crying unto him prevailed But Luke content only to supply what is wanting in the other Evangelists speaketh of no more but the crying to him when he entred and so cometh directly to the Miracle And this is the more probable because Christ oftentimes was wont to delay men seeking to him for the tryal of their faith 872. Mat. 21.19 The fig tree was forthwith dryed Mar. 11.20 In the morning as they passed by they saw the fig-tree dryed up from the root The fig-tree indeed withered forthwith but on the morning the day following the witheredness was made manifest * 873. Mat. 22.14 Many are called few are chosen 1 Tim. 2.4 God would have all men to be saved Many called by Gods revealed Will or that of his Precept but not chosen by his private or the will of his purpose for few are chosen by that God would have all men saved all sorts of men not every particular man but of all conditions of men poor and rich c. * 874. Mat. 21.38 This is the heir come let us kill him 1 Cor. 2.8 Had they known him they would not have crucified c. The former place is but Parabolical and so not argumentative However the Text tels us only they knew him with an head knowledge as the devils knew that is were perswaded by his Works and Miracles he must needs be the Christ but they knew not savingly or feelingly that he was the Christ The latter Text is a Text of charity which St. Paul looking upon himself in his former estate of persecution pronounced thinking that no man would be so base as to persecute and kill the Son of God if he knew that he was the Son of God But this Judgment of charity doth not affirm that there will be none who will sin presumptuously and against the Holy Ghost as probably they did in Matthew 875. Mat. 22.32 God is not the God of the dead but of the living Rom. 14.8 Whether we live or dye we are the Lords Christ denieth not simply but comparatively and relatively from
speaks of the will of his secret purpose 1146. Acts 20.35 It is more blessed to give than to receive Paul saith that these were the words of the Lord Jesus which are not found in the Evangelists Though the words be not found there in the same letters yet the sense of them is found in the words of Christ Lend looking for nothing again Give and it shall be given to you for all Christs words and deeds are not set down but only those which suffice for true faith and our salvation 1147. Acts 21.4 The Disciples said to Paul that he should not go up to Ierusalem Chap. 20.22 Now behold I go bound in the spirit to Ierusalem saith Paul The Disciples by suggestion of the Spirit warned him of bonds and afflictons using also some perswasions of their own as they were moved with brotherly affection being ignorant that it was the will of God that Paul should go up thither which he had revealed to him after a singular manner 1148. Acts 21.9 Philip had four daughters Virgins which did prophesie 1 Cor. 14.34 Let your women keep silence in the Churches The first place is concerning private and extraordinary gifts the latter of the publike Ministry and that which is ordinarily used from which women are excluded 1149. Acts 23.3 Paul reviled Ananias the High Priest 1 Cor. 6.10 Revilers shall not inherit the Kingdom of God Reviling is either lawful which riseth from zeal to Justice and hath the observation of the Law for its object that is just and honest so Peter reviled Ananias Simon Magus Paul Bar Jesus or Elymas and God all wicked men Or unlawful which proceeds from a wicked desire and mind of revenge that Paul had not Acts 5.8 c. 13.10 * Acts 23.3 with 1 Cor. 6.10 The words in the former place are by some not words of reviling but a Prediction of the destruction of the Legal Priesthood being figurative The true High Priest being come he was but a shadow and whited wall Or else it was a free and confident denouncing of Judgment by a kind of Apostolical authority Or else he did it in passion and repented in the following words Revilers in the latter place is meant of such as practice it not such as repent of it and seldom use it Acts 23.3 Sittest thou to judge me after the Law c. 2 Cor. 11.10 For ye suffer c. It is one thing to plead the equity of their cause another thing after the pleading of their cause to bear their sufferings patiently Pauls pleading here against the High Priests unjust proceedings doth not imply that he was impatient in his sufferings 1150. Acts 23.6 Paul cryed out in the council Men and brethren I am a Pharisee 1 Cor. 1.12 He reproves and condemns denominations from men Paul amongst those that disagreed admits the denomination only for distinction sake and so thinking with the Pharisees he distinguisheth himself from the Sadduces So the faithful Professors of the Gospel are called Christians but when the persons agree in Doctrine he forbids to prefer one before the other * Acts 23.6 with 1 Cor. 1.12 Paul calls not himself a Pharisee as if by that name he would abet names to make sects among Christians or those of the same body who agree in substantials but he useth a name which was generally known to hold forth such and such an opinion as that of the Resurrection from the dead I am of Paul c. That shews names to distinguish Christians from Christians as it was corruptly used They all agreed in the main and substance only one gloried he was for Paul another for Apollo c. as they were Teachers one excelling another in the manner of delivery not in the matter delivered 1151. Acts 25.10 Paul will be judged at Caesars Judgement seat 1 Cor. 6.1 Dare any of you go to Law before the unjust Civil Judicatures are to be had in honour the abuse of them is condemned and he admonisheth Christians that they should avoid contentions before unjust Judges lest so contending concerning small matters they should prostitute their sacred Religion * Acts 25.10 with 1 Cor. 6.1 It is one thing for one Christian to implead another another thing for an Heathen to implead a Christian It is lawful for a Christian being impleaded by an Heathen before Heathens to appeal from one Heathen Judicature to another though it be unlawful for two Christians contending which may have the conclusion made by Christians to fly and appeal to Heathens which is the thing the Apostle condemns in the Corinthians * 1152. Acts 25.15 Agrippa and Bernice came down to Caesarea Chap. 12. He was eaten with worms This Agryppa was the son of Herod Agryppa who was eaten to death the brother of Drusilla nor was he King in Judea but in Trachonitis * 1153. Acts 27.12 We came to Phaenice to winter in the Port of Crete Phaenicia is a Province of Syria Phaenice is either a Province which is not here meant or a City and Port in the Island of Crete which Crete is at this day called Candy and subject to the Venetians * 1154. Acts 27.33 The fourteenth day fasting Which cannot naturally be in regard no man in his health can live without meat above seven daieâ— taking nothing by way of set meal or a full refection only now and then a little to keep them alive 1155. Acts 28.28 Be it known therefore unto you that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles Mat. 15.24 I am not sent but to the lâ—st sheep of the house of Israel The Gospel ought to be preached by the Apostles first to the Jews they not believing it came to the Gentiles So Christ preached to the Israelites before he gave command to his Disciples Go and teach all Nations Mat. 28.19 St. PAULS Epistle to the ROMANS IT may be said to be the Method of the holy Scripture in this are contained that which convinceth all both Jews and Gentiles of their sins it demonstrates Justification from sin by the Grace of God by Redemption of Jesus Christ which we apprehend by faith and testifie by good Works as the fruits of our faith It was written in the year of Christ 55. and sent from Corinth 1156. ROM 1.1 Paul a servant of Jesus Christ Joh. 15.15 I will not call you servants There are servants of sin and servants of Righteousness Christ speaks of servants of sin the Apostle was an Apostle of Righteousness either in respect of the common condition that he was freed by Christ from the power of Satan or of his Apostolical office being placed in the sacred Ministry by a singular manner 1157. Rom. 1.2 The Gospel of God which he had promised before by his Prophets in the holy Scriptures Chap. 16.25 The Gospel was kept secret since the world began but is now manifested The Gospel is taken either largely as it signifies the doctrine of Glory concerning Christ revealed in the Word or strictly properly for
passively for experience which rejoyceth by patience in the latter place it is taken actively for trial and the effect of it that is tribulation for affliction trieth faith as fire doth gold 1196. Rom. 5.6 7. Christ died for us 1 Joh. 3.16 Because he that is Christ laid down his life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren Col. 1.24 Christ dying for us a sacrifice and revenger paid our ransom for us John comparing the death of Christ for us and our death for the brethren doth it secundum quid for we dye not to redeem our brethren but to edifie them 1197. Rom. 5.8 God commendeth his love towards us in that when we were yet sinners Christ died for us Rom. 8.32 The Father spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all The Father and the Son did alwaies love us and have done all things for us Christ delivered himself for our sins into the power of the devil and because we were not to be redeemed by power but by righteousness Christ the Righteous died for us and so by righteousness he overcame the devil therefore because the devil had slain Christ it was necessary that he should release those that were captives Aug. de Trin. l. 13. c. 2. and the devil by the price paid was not made rich but ensnared 1198. Rom. 5.10 When we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son Joh. 15.13 No man hath greater love than this that a man lay down his life for his friends By nature we are Gods enemies by reason of sin but by grace we are reconciled to God by Christ who died for us and we are so made the dearest friends unto God 1199. Rom. 5.12 18. As by one man sin entred into the world and death by sin so death passed over all men Ver. 19 As by one mans disobedience many were made sinners so by one mans obedience many shall be made righteous The guilt of Adam is here compared with the grace of Christ because both have that descends on their followers Adam derives his guilt on all men by nature Christ derives his righteousness by grace on all that believe on him * Rom. 5.12 18. with 19. This term of Universality All must be restrained according to the nature of the subject as Adam transfused his Sin unto all which were his off-spring so Christ also justifieth all his that is all his which believe in him Besides the preheminence of the benefit consists not in the equality of the number that Christ should save as many as are lost in Adam for then there should be only an equality not a superiority Herein the Prerogative of grace is seen 1. In the excellency of the effect Life being more excellent than Death Righteousness than Sin 2. In the powerfulness of the Work it shews a greater power to save than to destroy 3. In the preheminence of the amplitude of grace we are justified not only from one but all kind of sins 1200. Rom. 5.20 The Law entred that sin might abound Chap. 7.12 The Law is holy and the Commandment holy just and good The Law increaseth sin not of it self and its own nature but by accident because it discovers sin and the poyson of it that we may know it for by the corruption of nature we are stirred up to strive against the Commandment yet the Law remains still in it self just and good 1201. Rom. 6.3 So many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death Acts 8.13 Simon Magus and other hypocrites were baptized yet they put not on Christ To be baptized into Christ is to put on Christ the Robes of his Righteousness and Holiness which Believers who are baptized do Hieron in Rom. 6. Simon Magus and hypocrites that are not faithful receive not the Spirit but water only in Baptism for there is a common Baptism to all that are baptized but not the vertue of Baptism that is grace Aug. in Psal 77. 1202. Rom. 6.12 Let not sin reign in your mortall body Chap. 3.12 There is none that doth good no not one The first place is to exhort us to mortifie sin in us in the Regenerate sin reigns not they are wholly dead to sin in Christ and partly in themselves they that are not Regenerate know indeed what they ought to do and know that of themselves they are unable to perform it 1203. Rom. 6.14 Ye are not under the Law but under grace Gal. 3.22 The Scripture hath concluded all under sin The first place is concerning the Regenerate who are not under the malediction dominion and rigid exaction of the Law The latter place is concerning all that are subject to sin for whom the Law is a Schoolmaster to Christ by the knowledge of our sins 1204. Rom. 6.18 You are become the servants of righteousness Ver. 20. You were free from righteousness In the former place is spoken of those who were converted and freed from the yoke of sin in the latter of those that are not yet converted who are free from righteousness and are not under the government of righteousness for carnal wisdom cannot be subject to the Law of God 1205. Rom. 6.23 The wages of sin is death Wisdom 2.24 By the envy of the devil death entred into the world The wages of sin is death because the Justice of God would have it so to punish mankind that was fallen by death the Author whereof was not God but it came into the world by the envy of the devil 1206. Rom. 7.6 Now we are delivered from the Law Mat. 5.17 I came not to destroy the Law We are delivered from the curse of the Law the rigour and provocation of it to sin also from the Law or death in which we were held but that takes not away the right use of the Law in respect of us 1207. Rom. 7.7 I had not known lust unless the Law had said Thou shalt not covet 1 Tim. 3.1 If a man desireth the Office of a Bishop he desireth a good work Concupiscence taken morally is either absolutely indifferent as to eat and drink or relatively to the Law and so good or bad as it is done contrary or according to the Law being ordinate or disordinate The latter place the Law condemns 1208. Rom. 7.8 Sin in me wrought in me all manner of concupiscence Jam. 1.15 When lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin Paul means actual concupiscence of corrupt nature James original concupiscence 1209. Rom. 7.9 I was alive without the Law once saith Paul Phil. 3.6 Touching the righteousness which is in the Law blameless Before his conversion Paul lived a Pharisee without any true knowledge of the divine Law ascribing to himself external righteousness which was hypocrisie 1210. Rom. 7.12 The Law is holy just and good 2 Cor. 3.7 It is the ministration of death The Law in it self in respect of the Author is good holy and just