A09383:144
A commentary or exposition, upon the five first chapters of the Epistle to the…A commentarie or exposition, vpon the fiue first chapters of the Epistle to the…
A commentary or exposition, upon the five first chapters of the Epistle to the Galatians: penned by the godly, learned, and judicial divine, Mr. W. Perkins. Now published for the benefit of the Church, and continued with a supplement upon the sixth chapter, by Rafe Cudworth Bachelor of DivinityA commentarie or exposition, vpon the fiue first chapters of the Epistle to the Galatians: penned by the godly, learned, and iudiciall diuine, Mr. W. Perkins. Now published for the benefit of the Church, and continued with a supplement vpon the sixt chapter, by Rafe Cudworth Bachelour of Diuinitie
Cambridge: printed by John Legat, 1604Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legat, 1604
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
In the example of Paul, two points are generally to be considered. §25The first, that the distinction of man and man, ariseth not of the will, or natural disposition of man, but of the grace and mercy of God. For Paul an Elect vessel for nature and disposition, before his conversion, is as wicked as any other. And he saith, Rom. 9. 11. that the difference between man and man §30before God, is not in him that willeth, nor in him that runneth, but in God that showeth mercy. Therefore it is a Pelagian error, to think that men, doing that which they can, do by nature occasion God to give them supernatural grace. The second point is, that Paul here makes an open, and ingenious confession of §35his wicked life past. And hence I gather that this Apostle, and consequently the rest, writ the scriptures of the new Testament by the instinct of Gods spirit, and not by humane policy, which (no doubt) would have moved them to have covered ⟨p. 41⟩and concealed their own faults, and not to have blazed their own shame to the world. And therefore the books of scripture, are not books of policy (as Atheists suppose) to keep men in awe, but they are the very word of God. Again, the end of this plain confession is, that Paul might thereby confirm, §5and justify, his own calling, to the office of an Apostle. This serves to give a check to such persons, as use to sit and rehearse their wicked lives past, in boasting and rejoicing manner.
In the example of Paul, two points are generally to be considered. §25The first, that the distinction of man and man, ariseth not of the will, or naturall disposition of man, but of the grace and mercie of God. For Paul an Elect vessell for nature and disposition, before his conuersion, is as wicked as any other. And he saith, Rom. 9. 11. that the difference betweene man and man §30