and infirmity which they commit partly 1. Out of ignorance 2. By being suddenly surprized with temptations 3. Contrary to their owne purposes and endeavours 4. Of Brotherly love and in it 1. The kinds of it which are 1. Loving words which are good 2. Loving deeds which are better 3. Loving thoughts in the heart which are the best of all v. 18. if this kind of love be wanting the other two will be to no purpose And if 1. We be judged of hypocrisy and want of charity by the heart v. 20. We cannot 2. Escape the judgement of God who knoweth the secrets of our hearts ibid. 2. The benefit of it 1. To others in supplying their wants especially those of our owne profession v. 17. 2. To our selves which is an assurance of our regeneration which is a passing from the death of sinne to the life of righteousnesse v. 14. 2. Of our being no Hypocrites v. 19. 5. Of Gods Commandments 1. Their summe comprehended in two words 1. Faith in Christ Jesus v. 23. 2. Love of our brethren v. 23. 2. Their reward for keeping them 1. The grant of all our prayers v. 22. 2. An interest in Christ who if we keepe his Commandments will 1. Dwell in us v. 24. 2. Discover to us that he doth dwell in us by the testimony of the Spirit ibid. CHAP. IV. 1. Concerning faith in matters of Religion wherein he exhorts them 1. Not to be too rash in believing every doctrine they heare v. 1. But 2. To examine every thing Not 1. By the rule of their owne fancies and humours But 2. By the touchstone of Gods holy Word v. ibid. 2. He sheweth 1. What doctrines 1. Are true and to be adhered to viz. the doctrine of salvation by Christ Jesus v. 2. 2. Are false and hereticall which are such as denied the Divinity and Incarnation of Christ v. 3. 2. The natures and conditions of the venters of such doctrines They are such 1. As have not the spirit of inspiration and revelation which they beast so much of v. ibid. 2. As are worldly minded v. 5. 3. As are fleshly minded And 1. Preach sensuall things pleasing to flesh and bloud as licentiousnesse of life v. ibid. 2. Have sensuall Auditours v. ibid. 3. He doth comfort them against such Heretickes by telling them that they are such as have overcome the subtilties of them Not 1. By their owne strength and power But 2. By the wisedome of God whereby they are enabled to discover the falshood of such Heretickes And 3. By his power whereby they become Conquerours v. 4. 2. Concerning 1. Gods love to us wherein observe 1. The extent and greatnesse of it 1. In loving us first v. 19. 2. In expressing this love Not onely 1. In giving us the creatures for our use and service and preservation and good of our bodies But 2. In giving up his deare and onely Sonne for the salvation of our soules v. 9. 2. Our love to our neighbours 1. Because God loveth us v. 11. 2. Because we cannot love him againe unlesse we love our brethren v. 20. CHAP. V. 1. Of Faith 1. Its fruits which are 1. Regeneration and newnesse of life whereby the Regenerate 1. Beare Gods image v. 1. 2. Have a freedome 1. From wilfull sinning and making a trade of sinne v. 18. 2. From being if not 1. Assaulted Yet 2. Overcome by Satans temptations v. ibid. 3. Obtaine victory over the world v. 4. when it doth either 1. Flatter with prosperity Or 2. Threaten with persecution 2. A strong confidence of obtaining the grant of those prayers which we shall offer up to God at any time v. 14. 1. For our selves if they be not made 1. According to our own vain and wicked desires But 2. According to Gods blessed will which should be the rule of all our prayers v. 15. 2. For others when we pray for the pardon of their sinnes so as they be not such sinners as doe not 1. Sinne against the Holy Ghost v. 16. 1. For which God will give no repentance 2. To which for want of repentance he will give no pardon But 2. Onely commit such sinnes whereof 1. They may 2. They doe repent v. 16. 2. Of the object of faith 1. Jesus Christ 2. The promises of God concerning him 3. The fulfilling the types of the Ceremoniall Law in him As 1. The types of sacrifices by bloud in his freeing us from the guilt of sinne by his death 2. The types of washing in his freeing us from the polution of sinne by the Spirit 4. The certainty of Christs being on earth to be our Saviour because we have proofe and evidence for it and that of three Witnesses which is Not 1. Of men though that were sufficient by the Law of Moses But 2. Of the Holy Trinity v. 7. 1. Of God by a voice from Heaven 1. At his Baptisme 2. At his Transfiguration 2. Of Christ himselfe 1. By his doctrine 2. By his miracles 3. Of the Spirit perswading the truth of it 1. In the Word of God 2. In the consciences of men 3. Of Brotherly love the cause whereof is 1. The love of God whose image they beare v. 1. 2. Love of his Commandments which doe 1. Enjoyne us to love others v. 2 3. 2. Are easy to be performed because by the Spirit we have both 1. Will. 2. Power to keepe them v. 3. 4. Of our service to God who hath beene so loving to us in giving us his Sonne to save our soules which must be 1. Religious 1. In Spirit 2. In Truth And not 2. Superstitious in carved images under the faire pretences of representing him who is a God of a Spirituall Essence v. 21. The Analysis of the 2. Epistle generall of Saint JOHN CHAP. I. This Epistle was writ to a Lady wherein 1. The Commendation of her 1. Generally in being called a Lady Elect either 1. Because others did probably thinke her so for her many virtues as charity hospitality c. Or 2. Because the Apostle did certainly foresee her to be in the state of salvation by the inspiration of the Spirit v. 1. 2. Particularly for the good education and bringing up of her Children in the true Religion v. 4. whereby she preserved them from those heresies which many others were fallen into 2. The love and affection which was borne to her both from himselfe and others v. 7. and herein we may observe 1. The grounds of it which was not 1. Her beauty honour and riches But 2. Her Religion for she was loved for the truths sake v. 2. 2. The fruits and effects of the love which the Apostle bore to her which were 1. Joy for her Childrens good proficiency and increase in Religion v. 4. 2. An Exhortation to her to joyn love with her faith wherein he telleth her that his doctrine of Christian love is 1. No new upstart doctrine of his own invention v. 5. But 2. Such as was taught by the Apostles
13. but of the Gospell plain and perspicuous ib. and that the Jewes after the coming of the Gospell did not see the mysteries of it was Not 1. Because a vaile was on the Gospell But 2. Because the vaile was on their hearts v. 14 15. CHAP. IV. 1. The Apostles diligence v. 1. And 2. His sincerity in preaching the Gospell in using no dissimulation to gaine mens favours v. 2. 3. The end of his preaching which was 1. Christs glory v. 5. 2. His owne to shew his wit and eloquence 4. His vindication of the dignity of the Gospell which he strongly maintaineth not to be disparaged 1. Because it was not understood of all which was the fault of the men not it v. 3. 2. Because it was delivered by contemptible men v. 4. for therein did Gods glory more appeare 5. His courage in suffering stoutly for the Gospell v. 8 9 10. and in it his motives which were 1. The example of Christ himselfe whâ—â— suffered the like v. 10. 2. The hopes of being rewarded for it by raigning with him ibid. 3. The peoples good v. 15. 6. His comfort and support in affliction in that he wâ—â— not cast downe v. 8 9 10. 7. His comparison made betwixt 1. This life whereof it s 1. Miseries v. 1 2. Shortnesse v. lâ—â— 2. The next and in it 1. The joyes aâ— glory v. 17. 2. The continuaâ—â— and perpetuityâ— CHAP. V. 1. A Consolation to those that suffer in a good cause 〈◊〉 the doctrine of the resurrection v. 1. wherein 〈◊〉 Apostle speaketh of two sorts of bodies 1. Earthly and fraile like a tabernaâ— that is set up for a time and is sooâ— taken downe againe 2. Heavenly incorruptible and perâ—â—nent v. 1. For the hope of havinâ— such a body the godly doe not 1. Feare death but 2. Desire it v. 4.8 2. The meanes to attaine the blessed resurrection spoke of v. 1. which is sanctification of life v. 9. Whereunto are two Motives 2. The love of Christ who died for us for which great mercy we are bound in gratitude to live a holy life v. 14 15. 3. The Apostles profession of his integrity and sincerity in his calling wherein he 1. Vindicates his reputation v. 12. 2. Contemneth the scandalous reports raised upon him by his enemies which cannot discourage him from his Ministry v. 13. Of which Ministry he sheweth the dignity in two things 1. The authority of it it is from God v. 19. 2. The benefit of it it bringeth unto us good newes of our reconciliation with God and of righteousnesse which is not 1. Inherent But 2. Imputative v. 21. CHAP. VI. 1. An Exhortation not onely 1. To the profession But 2. To the practice of what they had learn'd of him v. 1. for three reasons 1. Because they had a faire opportunity for it v. 2. the Apostles living amongst them 2. For avoiding the scandall that might be cast upon them by the Heathen v. 3. if they should be onely formall Professours 3. Because they had his example for it ibid. wherein is presented a Catalogue of virtues necessary for all but especially for a Minister As 1. The virtue for suffering ill viz. Patience which is exercised with these evils 1. Afflictions v. 4. 2. Necessities v. 4. 3. Distresses v. 4. 4. Stripes v. 5. 5. Imprisonments v. 5. 6. Tumults v. 5. 7. Labours v. 5. 8. Watchings v. 5. 9. Fastings v. 5. 2. The virtues for doing well As 1. Chastity v. 6. 2. Knowledge v. 6. 3. Gentlenesse v. 6. 4. True love 5. Speaking the truth 6. Constancy 1. Not to be puâ—â— up on the righâ— hand with prâ—sperity as with praise 2. Not to be cast down on the left hand with adversity as with scorne and contempt v. 7 8. 7. Contentednesse v. 9 10. 2. A Dehortation 1. Before which he 1. Tells them his plaine affectionate dealing with them by way of preface v. 11. 2. Their ungratefull dealing with him in not shewing the like affection v. 12 13. 2. In which he forbids them to keepe company with Idolaters v. 14. as men that were unworthy of their company and as inferiour to them as 1. Righteousnesse is to unrighteousnesse ibid. 2. Light to darknesse ibid. 3. Belial to Christ and unbeleivers to beleivers v. 15. 4. Idols to the Temple of God which they were v. 16. 3. The benefit which they will have by leaving of Idolatrous company i. Gods favours who will be 1. Their Father And 2. Owne them for his Children v. last CHAP. VII 1. An Exhortation to purity to restifie our thankfulnesse for the grace received 1. Inward 2. Outward in abstaining from Idolatouâ— company which pollutes the flesh v. 1. 2. His love to them wherein 1. The extent of it to live and dye with them v. 3. 2. An excuse for writing so sharply to theâ— in his former Epistle being moved to do so out of love and not malice v. 8. 3. His sorrow and 1. It s Cause which was 1. The troubles by his adversaries Jewes and Gentlâ— without 3. His feares within for thâ— weaker sort least they shouâ—â— be either dejected or seâ—â—ced v. 5. 2. It s Cure which was 1. His joyfull meeting with Tâ—tus v. 6. whom he sent to Câ—rinth 2. The good newes by Titusâ— the effect of his former Epâ—stle in their amendment aâ— sorrow which was not 1. Worldly But 2. Godly v. 9. The effects whereof were 1. Carefullnesse 2. Holy indignatitâ— for their sinnes 3. Feare zeale v. 11. 3. Their kind usage of Titâ—â— v. 13. 4. His commendation of them to Titus v. last CHAP. VIII 1. An Exhortation to Charity in releiving the poore Saints at Jerusalem 1. By the example of the Macedonians v. 1. who being poore and afflicted gave 1. Chearfully of their owne accord v. 3. 2. Beyond their ability ibid. 3. Beyond his expectation v. 5. 2. By the Commendation of their virtues as utterance knowledge c. v. 7. 3. By the example of Christ who out of charity became poore for our sakes v. 9. 4. By the example of what they themselves had done formerly v. 10. 2. The Qualification of their charity which must be exercised 1. Chearfully v. 12. 2. Not beyond our ability v. 13. 3. His great expectation and encouragement of their charity by sending men of great note and integrity to receive it as 1. Titus his fellow-labourer v. 23. 2. Saint Luke 3. Sylas as is supposed whom he desires may be kindly used by them v. last 4. His Care 1. Of a good conscience 2. Of a good name v. 21. Least if he went himselfe he might be suspected to doe it to enrich himselfe CHAP. IX The Continuation of his Exhortation to Charity wherein he 1. Commends their forwardnesse to make thee the more ready to give v. 2. 2. Excuseth his earnestnesse with them for it and his sending the brethren to gather it not as 〈◊〉 1. He doubted of their Charity But 2. Least 1. He should suffer in his credit which
Precepts to be observed 1. Of subjection of Servants to their Masters whether they be 1. Infidels v. 1. Or 2. Believers v. 2. 2. Of Caution to all to avoid New Teachers who teach things contrary to the doctrine of Christ v. 3. Either 1. Out of ambition of honour v. 4. Or 2. Out of needlesse curiosity more about words then matter and wrangling Questions ibid. Or 3. Out of covetousnesse of gaine which they account falsely to be godlinesse v. 5 6. 3. Of the Use of riches which are to be enjoyed onely 1. To furnish us with necessary things as Meat And Cloathing v. 8. And not 2. To maintaine us in our lusts v. 9. 2. A strict charge to Timothy 1. Concerning himselfe to practice a good life 1. In being righteous godly faithfull meeke c. 2. In Spirituall warfare against the temptations of the Flesh the World and the Devill which he professed to resist either 1. At his Baptisme Or 2. At his Ordination v. 12. 3. In observing all his rules and precepts v. 14.20 2. Concerning Rich men that they be not 1. Proud of v. 17. Nor 2. Confident in their riches v. 18. But 3. Liberall of them in doing good workes whih God will reward Not 1. For any merit in them But 2. For his promise sake v. 18 19. The Analysis of the 2. Epistle of Saint PAUL to TIMOTHY CHAP. I. After his usuall salutation and benediction v. 1 2. we may observe 1. His love of Timothy expressed 1. In his praying for him v. 3. 2. In his desire to give him a visit v. 4. 2. His joy in him occasioned 1. By his sorrow which was either 1. For his sinne Or 2. For the affliction of S. Paul ib. 2. By his faith 1. For which he thankes God ibid. 2. By which he proves that he did not degenerate from his believing friends v. 5. 3. His Request to him 1. To persevere in that faith v. 6. c. Not to be discouraged by any affliction that either did befall the Apostle or might befall him for the Gospell v. 8. and that because God had given him 1. The spirit of love which would undergoe any misery for the party loved v. 7. 2. Eternall life of his meer grace and mercy for the merits of Christ Jesus v. 9. who hath freed us freed us from death and hath promised life by the Gospell v. 10. which Gospell he did 1. Preach to the Gentiles v. 11. 2. Suffer imprisonment by the Jewes for it v. 12. 3. Trust to be rewarded for it ibid. 2. To keepe close to the doctrine which he had left him and others for a pattern to follow in two chiefe points of Christianity 1. Faith in God 2. Charity to our Neighbour v. 13. And not 3. To forsake him in affliction as some of Asia had done i. Phrygellus and Hermogenes v. 15. But 4. To sticke to him as Oenesiphorus had done whom 1. He praiseth 1. For relieving him v. 16. 2. For making strict enquiry at Rome for him v. 17. 2. Prayeth for v. 18. CHAP. II. The Apostle perseveres in encouraging him to perseverance 1. In suffering Afflictions for the Gospell by Reasons taken 1. From the property of souldiers who should be hardy and he a spirituall souldier to be so too v. 3. and who leave home and friends to serve in the warre v. 4. 2. From the nature of fights and lawes thereof whereby the Combatants are bound to doe every action belonging to them v. 5. 3. From the paines that Husbandmen take for earthly fruits how much more should he for c. v. 6. 4. From the doctrine of the resurrection after which 1. They that suffer for Christ shall be rewarded 2. They that doe not shall be rejected v. 8.11 12. 2. In chusing faithfull Ministers that may not be wranglers about words v. 14. 3. In being himselfe 1. An Orthodox and sound Divine teaching nothing but truth v. 15. 2. A shunner of novelties vaine janglings and niceties which having corrupted some members of the Church as Hymenaeus and Philetus who held onely a spirituall resurrection of the soul would like a Gangrene destroy the whole if not prevented by him v. 16 17 18. And 3. Not troubled at the salling off of some from the Church 1. Because the Elect had a sure foundation and could not be shaken and seduced by any Heretickes v. 19. 2. Because it was no more strange for some to be bad in the Church then in a house for some vessels to be of gold and others of wood v. 20. 4. In all disputes an avoider though he was a young man of that vehemency heat and rashnesse which was incident to young men v. 22. and to be gentle and meeke even to those that did most oppose him v. 25. and of whose amendment there was but a peradventure and uncertainty ibid. v. last CHAP. III. A short Narration 1. What divers would be v. 2 3 4 5. viz. selfish covetous proud voluptuous hypocrites onely for outside Religion of which sort should be such as 1. Did seduce others especially women that were 1. Silly v. 6. 2. Sinfull ibid. 3. Desirous of novelty v. 7. Either with 1. Faire perswasions Or 2. Foule threats and terrours of conscience Or 3. Superstitious observations 2. Were seduced themselves by the Devill v. 13. 3. Should be discovered and come to confusion v. 9. 2. What he was 1. In doctrine v. 13. 2. In life v. 13. 1. By Faith 2. By Charity 3. By Patience in afflictions which were the lot of all Religious men v. 12. 3. What Timothy should be viz. a Maintainer of that doctrine which he had taught him v. 14. 4. What benefit is to be got by reading the Bible which is 1. Reproofe of false doctrines 2. Correction of bad manners 3. Direction in good courses v. 16 17. CHAP. IV. 1. The Duty of preaching 2. The Diligence in preaching pressed upon Timothy 1. With vehemency as he will answer for it at the day of judgement v. 1 2. 2. By shewing the great necessity of it 1. By reason of the inconstancy of the people who were alltogether For Novelty v. 3. And Vaine opinions v. 4. 2. By reason of the shortnesse of his life which he by Revelation foresaw v. 6. 3. The strength of the Apostles faith in his confidence of enjoying 1. Eternall happinesse after this life v. 8. 2. A joyfull deliverance from all miseries in this life v. 18. 4. His earnest defire to speake with Timothy in whose absence he would send Tychicus to supply his place at Ephesus v. 9.12 to whom he relates 1. The triall of himselfe before Nero. v. 16. 2. His triall of his friends in the time of his triall whereof 1. Some out of base feare and for worldly ends forsooke him as Demas v. 10. 2. Others he sent to take care of other Churches as Crescens and Titus ibid. 3. Saint Luke stucke close to him v. 11. But 4. Especially God who was above all friends