Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

6. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, (1) whether

n

prophecy, let us prophefie miniftry,

according to the proportion of faith: 7. Or

n

Let

received the Gift, even fo minifter the fame one to another, as good Stewards of the manifold Grace of God. If any Man fpeak, let him fpeak as the Oracles of God; if a5 ny Man minifter, let him do it as of the Ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jefus Chrift.o Ver. 3.

6.1. Cor. 12. 4, 7, 11. Now there are diverfities of Gifts, but the fame Spirit. But the Manifeftation of the Spirit, is given to every Man to profit withal. But all these worketh that one and the felffame Spirit, dividing to every Man feverally as he will. Eph. 4 7. Unto every one of us is given Grace according to the Meafure of the 10 Gift of Chrift. Heb. 2. 4. God alfo bearing them witnefs, both with Signs and Wonders, and divers Miracles, and Gifts of the holy Ghoft, according to his own Will. † 115 Pet. 4. 10, II. As every Man hath

Pt Cor. 12. 10, 28. ti Cor. 13. 2. 1 Cor. 14. 1, 29, 31. See on Acts 11. 27.

7. 91 Cor. 12. 5. There are differences of Adminiftrations, but the fame Lord.

(1) By Prophecy, feems here to be meant, the Gift of Expounding the Revelations made by infpired Perfons to others, and particularly the Prophecies of the Old-Teftament. Some think that the Measure of Faith, Ver. 3. and the Proportion of Faith here, are Expreffions of the fame Import, and fignifie the Proportion or Measure of Spiritual Gifts bestowed in the Apoftles Times upon Men, upon their Faith, or believing the Gospel, which were more or fewer, according as they fitted and prepared themfelves for the receiving of them. There is another Senfe of this Place, which though it might not be intended by the Apoftle, yet because it is in it felf an excellent Rule for interpreting the Scriptures, I think it may be of Ufe to mention it. It is that of thofe, who by the Proportion of Faith, understand the Analogy of Faith; by which they mean, the conftant Scope and Tenour of the Scriptures, in the plain and neceffary Points of Faith and Practice. For we may be affured, that no Senfe of Scripture can be a true or good Senfe, which is contrary to the general Design and tenour of the whole. To give an Inftance or two. We may conclude that the Senfe put upon thefe Words, This is my Body, by the Church of Rome, cannot be true, it being evident from the Hiftory of the New-Teftament, that our Lord is afcended into Heaven, where he is to continue, Acts 3. 21, till the Time of the Reftitution of all Things, that is, till his fecond Coming to Judgment. How then can his Body be in ten Thousand feve ral Places on Earth at one and the fame Time? I will add, if the Do&rine of Tranfubftantiation is true, it will follow, that our Lord, when he inftituted the holy Sacrament, did eat his own Flefh, and drink his own Blood, which those who maintain this Do&trine would do well to confider. Once more, We may conclude that God did not, by an eternal Decree, reprobate any Man, or create him on purpose to glorifie his Juftice in his everlafting Destruction; becaufe, fuch a Notion is contrary to the conftant. Tenour of Scripture, which affures us, That every one's Mifery is from himself; That God defires the Salvation and Happi

[ocr errors]

let us wait on our miniftring; or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8. Or he that s exhorteth, on exhortation he that "giveth [Or, imparteth], let him do it with fimplicity [Or, liberally]; he that ruleth, with di ligence; he that fheweth mercy, with 9. Let love be without diffimulation.

a

5

a

cheerfulness. Abhor that which

22 Cor. 8. 2. Their deep Poverty abounded unto the Rich es of their liberality.

b

A&ts 13. 1. There were in the Church that was at Antioch certain Prophets and Teachers; as Barnabas.- Acts 20. 28. Take I Thef. 5. 12: We beseech heed unto your felves, and to all you, Brethren, to know them the Flock over whom the holy which labour among you, and are over Ghoft hath made you Overfeers, you in the Lord, and admonish to feed the Church of God.- +Eph. you. Tim. 5. 17. Let the 4. 11, 12. He gave fome Paftors Elders which rule well be counted and Teachers: for the perfecting of 10 worthy of double Honour, efpecithe Saints, for the Work of the Mi- ally they who labour in the Word wiftry, for the Edifying of the Body and Doctrine. Heb. 13.17, 24. Oof Chrift. Tim. 5. 17. Let the bey them that have the Rule over Elders that rule well be counted you, and fubmit your felves.→ worthy of double Honour, efpeci-15 Salute all them that have the rule ally they who labour in the Word and Doctrine. 1 Pet. 5. 2. Feed the Flock of God which is among you

S

I

8. • A&s 15. 32. See on 20 A&ts 13. 43.

25

"Mat. 6. 1, 2, 3 Take heed that ye do not your Alms before Men to be feen of them: otherwife ye have no Reward of your Father which is in Heaven. Therefore when thon doft an Alms, do not found a Trumpet before thee.But when thou doft Alms, let not thy left Hand know what thy 30 right Hand doth.

over you.

t2 Cor. 9. 7. God loveth a cheerful Giver.

d

I

I

9. t1 Tim. 1. 5. t Pet. 1. 22. See on Joh. 13. 34, 35.

e Pfal. 34. 14. Depart from Evil, and do good. † Pfal. 36. 4. He devifeth Mischief upon his Bed, he fetteth himself in a Way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil. Pfal 37. 27. Depart from Evil, and do good, and dwell for evermore. † Pfal. 97. 10. Ye that love the Lord, hate evil. Pfal. 101. 3. I will fet no wicked thing before mine Eyes:

nefs of all Men; That he is not willing that any fhould perish, but that all fhould come to Repentance; That Jefus Chrift tafted Death for every Man. A Man may be at a lofs about the Meaning of a difficult Text of Scripture, but he can be certain, that that cannot be the Senfe thereof which contradicts the general Scope of the holy Scriptures. I will farther add, That to fuppofe that God, without any regard to the good or evil Actions of Men and Women, has by an eternal and unalterable Decree appointed fome to everlasting Happiness, and the much greater Part to everlafing Mifery, is to fuppofe him to be in the moft proper Senfe, a respecter of Perfins, which the Scriptures are fo careful to guard againft, that it is afhir'd feveral times in the Old and New-Teftament, That God has no reflect to any Man's Perfon. See the References on A&s TD. 34.

[ocr errors]

which is evil, cleave to that which is good. 10. f Be kindly affectioned one to another; with brotherly love [Or, in the love of the brethren], in honour preferring one another 11. h Not flothful in business: : Not flothful in bufinefs: i fervent in fpirit; ferving the Lord: 12. Rejoicing in hope; ' pa

k

tient

Mind, Meeknefs, Long-fuffering. 1 Pet. 2. 17. Honour all Men. I Pet. 5. s. Likewife ye Younger, fubmit your felves to the Elder; yea, all of you be subject one to a nother, and be clothed with Humili519

Eyes: I hate the Work of them
that turn afide, it fhall not cleave
to me. Pfal. 119. 128. I efteem
all thy Precepts concerning all
things to be right, and I hate eve-
ry falfe Way. Prov. 8. 13. The
Fear of the Lord is to hate Evil;
Pride and Arrogancy, and the evil
Way, and the froward Mouth, do I
hate. Ifa. 1. 16, 17. Wash ye,
make you clean, put away the Evil
of your doings from before mine 10
Eyes, ceafe to do Evil, learn to do

well

h

II. Eccl. 9. 10. Whatsoever thy Hand findeth to do, do it with thy Might; for there is no Work, nor Device, nor Knowledge, nor Wisdom in the Grave whither thou goeft.

i See on Acts 18. 25.

† Amos 5. 14, 15. Seek Good and not Evil,that ye may live. 12. k Luk. 10. 20. In this reHate the Evil, and love the Good, joice not, that the Spirits are suband establish Judgment in the 15 ject unto you: but rather rejoice, Gate1 Pet. 3. 10, 11. He that because your Names are written will love Life, and fee good Days, in Heaven. Rom. 15. 13. Now let him refrain his Tongue from the God of Hope fill you with all Evil, and his Lips that they speak Joy and Peace in believing, that ye no guile. Let him efchem Evil, 20 may abound in Hope through the and do Good.3 Joh. ver. 11. Power of the holy Ghoft. 2 Cor. Beloved, follow not that which is 13. 11. Be of good Comfort.evil, but that which is good.- Phil. 3. 1. Finally, my Brethren, rejoice in the Lord. † Phil. 4. 4. 25 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again. I fay, rejoice. Thef. 5. 16. Rejoice evermore. Heb. 3. 6. Whofe House are we, if we hold faft the Confidence, and the rejoic30ing of the Hope firm unto the end.

10.

[ocr errors]

f + Heb. 13. 1. + Pet. 2. 17. See on Joh. 13. 34, 35.

1

Job 2. 1o. What fhall we receive Good at the Hand of God, and fhall we not receive Evil?Rom. 5. 3,4. Knowing that Tri35 bulation worketh Patience; and

Ecclefiafticus 3. 18. The greater thou art, the more humble thy felf, and thou fhalt find Favour be fore the Lord Mat. 20. 26. Whofoever will be great among you, let him be your Servant. Luk. 14. 10. When thou art bidden, go and fit down in the loweft Room. Rom. 13. 7.Render to all their dues, tribute to whom tribute is due, cu ftom to whom cuftom, fear to whom fear, honour to whom bonour. Eph. 5. 21. Submitting your felves one to another in the fear of God. Phil. 2. 3. Let nothing be done 40 through Strife and Vain-glory, but in lowlinefs of Mind let each efreem other better than themfelves. Col. 3. 12. Put on therefore (as the Elect of God, holy and beloved) 45 bowels of Mercies, humbleness of

[blocks in formation]
[ocr errors]

given to hof

tient in tribulation; m continuing inftant in prayer: 13: n Diftributing to the neceffity of faints: pitality. 14. P Blefs them which perfecute you: blefs, and curfe not. 15. 9 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16. Be of the fame mind one towards another. • Mind not high things, but * condefcend to men of low eftate [Or, be contented with mean things]. "Be not wife in your own conceits. 17. Recompence to no man evil for evil. Provide things honeft in the

is fet before us. Jam. 1. 3, 4.
Knowing this, that the trying of
your Faith worketh Patience. But
Jet Patience have her perfect Work,
that ye may be perfect and entire, s
wanting nothing. Jam. 5. 7. Be
patient therefore, Brethren, unto
the Coming of the Lord. Behold,
the Husbandman waiteth for the
precious Fruit of the Earth, and to
hath long Patience for it, until he
receive the former and the latter
Rain.

[blocks in formation]

ti Thef. 5. 17. See on Luk. 18. 1. 13. ti Cor. 16. I. See on A&ts 11.29.

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

fight

15. 9 Ecclefiaft. 7. 34. Fail not to be with them that weep, and mourn with them that mourn. Mat. 25. 35, 36. I was an hungred, and ye gave me Meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me Drink: I was a Stran ger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was Sick,and ye vifited me: I was in Prison, and ye came unto me. Luk. 1. 58. Her Neighbours, and her Cous fins heard how the Lord had fhewed great Mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. 1 Cor. 15 12. 26. Whether one Member fuffer, all the Members suffer with its or one Member be honoured, all the Members rejoice with it. Gal. 6. 2. Bear ye one anothers Burdens, and fo fulfil the Law of Chrift. Heb. 13. 3. Remember them that are in Bonds, as bound with them; and them which fuffer Adverfity, as being your felves alfo in the Body.

Gen. 18. 3, 4. [Abraham] faid, My Lord, if now I have found Favour in thy Sight, pafs not away I pray thee from thy Servant. Let a little Water, I pray thee, be fetched, and wash your Feet, and reft your felves under the Tree. Gen. 19. 2. [Lot] faid, Behold now, 25 my Lords, turn in, I pray you, into jour Servants House, and tatry all A&ts Night, and wash your Feet.

16. 15-[Lydia] befought us, faying, If ye have judged me faithful unto the Lord, come into my House, and abide there.- 1 Tim. 3. 2. A Bishop then must be blameless, -given to Hofpitality. Tit. 1. 8.

r

16. † Rom. 15. §. † 1 Pet. 3. 8. See on Joh. 17. 11.

S

t Pfal. 131. 1. Lord, my Heart is not haughty, nor mine Eyes lof3ety: neither do I exercife my felf in great Matters, or in things too high for me. tJer. 45. 5. Seekeft thou great things for thy felf? Seek

Heb. 35

A lover of Hofpitality. 13. 2. Be not forgetful to entertain Strangers: for thereby fome have entertained Angels unawares. ti Pet. 4. 9. Ufe Hofpitality one to another without grudging.

14. See on Mat, 5.44.

40

them not.

[blocks in formation]

in

с

e

fight of all men. 18. If it be poffible, as much as lieth you, live peaceably with all men. 19. Dearly beloved, avenge not your felves, but rather give place unto wrath for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay faith the Lord. 20. Therefore if thine f enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in fo doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

honeft things, not only in the fight of the Lord, but alfo in the Sight of Men. Phil. 4. 8. Whatfoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, think on these things. I Thef. 4. 12. That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without. Tit. 2. 8. Sound Speech that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary Part may be afhamed, having no evil thing to Say of you.

CHAP.

fore thus faith the Lord God, I will alfo ftretch out my Hand upon Edom. Nah. 1. 2. God is jealous, and the Lord revengeth; the Lord 5revengeth and is furious, the Lord. will take Vengeance on his Adverfaries; and he referveth Wrath for his Enemies. † Heb. 10. 30. We know him that hath faid, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompence, faith the Lord.—

[ocr errors]

1 Pet. 2. 12. Having 20. * Exod. 23.4. If thou meet your Converfation honest among the thine Enemies Ox or his Afs going Gentiles. Pet. 3. 16. Having aftray, thou shalt furely bring it a good Confcience; that whereas 15 back to him again. Prov. 25. 21, they fpeak evil of you, as of evil 22. If thine Enemy be hungry, give doers, they may be ashamed that him Bread to eat: and if he be falfly accufe your good Converfation thirsty, give him Water to drink : in Chrift. for thou fhalt heap Coals of Fire upSee on 20 on his Head, and the Lord fhall reward thee.

18. Heb. 12. 14. c † Mar. 9. 50.

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

19. t Lev. 19. 18. † Ecclefiafticus 28. 1, &c. See on Mat. 5. 39.

Deut. 32. 35. To me belong-25 eth Vengeance and Recompence. Pfal. 94.1. O Lord God, to whom Vengeance belongeth: O God, to whom Vengeance belongeth, fhew thy felf. Ezek. 25. 12, 13. Thus 30 faith the Lord God, Becaufe that Edom hath dealt against the House of Judah by taking Vengeance, and hath greatly offended, and revenged himself upon them: there-35

00 1 Sam. 24: 16, 17. Saul faid, Is this thy Voice my Son David? and Saul lift up his Voice and wept. And he faid to David, Thou art more righteous than I for thou haft rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil. 2 Efdr. 16. 53. Let not the Sinner fay that he hath not finned: for God fhall burn Coals of Fire upon his Head, which faith before the Lord God and his Glory, I have not finned.

« AnteriorContinuar »