A godly and learned exposition or commentary upon the three first chapters of the…A godly and learned exposition or commentarie vpon the three first chapters of the…

This practise of Christ discovereth the common sin of this age: which is,¹ to set out in their colours mens faults and infirmities, to their greatest disgrace: and yet by silence and oblivion to bury all their virtues, which are praise worthy. This ought not to be so; we must follow Christs example, who with just reproof adjoineth due deserved praise. If our friend or our foe have a fault, when we are called thereunto, we may speak of it, and we must reprove them: but yet withal we must commend the good things that be in them. Secondly, Christ here teacheth us, That it is not sufficient to any man's good estate before God, that he have good things in him: for that a man may have, and yet be in danger to be cut off from Christ. Saul had good things in him at the first entrance into his kingdom, but what was he afterward? John was very zealous for Gods glory, in killing all the idolatrous priests,^(a) but he would not depart from the sins of Jeroboam. And Judas no doubt had many good gifts while he was with Christ, but his end was most fearful▪ And this church had many good things in her; yet i• she in danger of being cut off from Christ: And so many among us have excell••t gifts: some for knowledge, some for […] and conceiving of prayer: & yet for all these they may be cut off from Christ. Therefore we must not content our selves with these, but labour for the principal which is true, hearty, and unfeigned ⟨p. 94⟩repentance, which we must daily renew for our continual falls. And this will keep us in Gods favour, and from his judgements.

This practise of Christ discouereth the common sinne of this age: which is,¹ to set out in their colours mens faults and infirmities, to their greatest disgrace: and yet by silence and obliuion to burie all their vertues, which are prayse worthie. This ought not to bee so; wee must follow Christs example, who with iust reproofe adioyneth due deserued praise. If our friend or our foe haue a fault, when we are called thereunto, wee may speake of it, and wee must reprooue them: but yet withall we must commend the good things that be in them. Secondly, Christ here teacheth vs, That it is not sufficient to anymans good estate before God, that hee haue good things in him: for that a man may haue, and yet bee in danger to bee cut off from Christ. Saule had good things in him at the first entrance into his kingdome, but what was hee afterward? Iohn was verie zealous for Gods glorie, in killing all the idolatrous priests,