Mr. Bolton's last and learned work of the four last things death, judgement, hell,…Mr. Boltons last and learned worke of the foure last things death, iudgement, hell,…

THE blessed Apostle Saint Paul perceiving, that his preaching, and plantation of the Gospel of CHRIST received strong and mighty opposition in the City of Corinth, a famous Mart Town, seated between two Seas, the Aegean and Ionian, and so fit ⟨p. 170⟩for commerce with other Nations, full of wealth, knowledge, glory, and the rest of earthly excellencies, labours in this Chapter to abase, and dishonour the pride, and vanity of all humane greatness, and to advance the neglected Mystery of his heavenly Doctrine, and the glorious power of down-right preaching, which the great men amongst them esteemed foolishness, yet indeed such as by which the LORD of Heaven and Earth saveth those that believe. And he so far acquaints them with the counsel of GOD in the point: that he gives them to understand that upon the matter, whereas the noble, the mighty, and wise after the flesh, with all the bravery and self-confidence vanish and perish: Meaner men of lower rank, and more contemptible are converted. In the words I read unto you he appeals to their own experience in the point, and bids them look about, and view well, the work of the Ministry amongst them, survey, and search throughly that goodly flourishing body of the Church, which he had there created, and collected by his eighteen months presence, and pains: And they shall find, that not many wise after the flesh, nor mighty, nor noble, gave their names unto CHRIST, or became Professors of the Gospel. But the foolish, and weak things of the world carry all away in matter of salvation, and entertainment of CHRIST. He renders two Reasons in the Verses following: 1. That the wise men of the world may be confounded: 2. And that GOD himself blessed for ever may have all the glory. ⟨p. 171⟩The words then being plain: Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called, I build directly, and naturally this point upon them: Few great men go to Heaven: Or¹ thus, Great men are seldom good. I here understand greatness according to the world: In respect 1. Of excellent learning. 2. Worldly wealth and height of place. Both make mighty, nay many times gold is the more powerful commander. 3. Worldly honour and nobility. 4. Worldly wisdom.

THE blessed Apostle Saint Paul perceiving, that his preaching, and plantation of the Gospell of CHRIST received strong and mighty opposition in the City of Corinth, a famous Mart Towne, seated betweene two Seas, the Aegaan and Iönian, and so fit