A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle general of St.…A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle generall of St.…

God answers divers ways. For at some times extraordinarily he hath given men their answers in dreams, Mal. 2.12. sometimes by his Angels to men awake, Act. 10.22. sometimes by the extraordinary revelation of the holy Ghost, as Luke 2.26. Ordinarily also, God answers more ways then one, as sometimes by his works, by giving what we desire of him: sometimes by his word, directing or comforting us: sometimes by his Spirit, especially in time of private prayer: The first is by operation, the second by information, the third by consolation, but here it is by revelation.

God answers divers waies. For at some times extraordinarily hee hath given men their answers in dreames, Mal. 2.12. sometimes by his Angels to men awake, Act. 10.22. sometimes by the extraordinary revelation of the holy Ghost, as Luke 2.26. Ordinarily also, God answers more waies then one, as sometimes by his works, by giving what we desire of him: sometimes by his word, directing or comforting us: sometimes by his Spirit, especially in time of private prayer: The first is by operation, the second by information, the third by consolation, but here it is by revelation.

¹Again, Revelation is either uncreated, or created.

¹Againe, Revelation is either uncreated, or created.

1. 1Distinctions ab […].Distinctions ab 〈…〉.

There is an uncreated Revelation which is infinite, and such is that which the Father reveals to the Son from all eternity.

There is an uncreated Revelation which is infinite, and such is that which the Father reveales to the Son from all eternity.

The revelation vouchsafed to men on earth, is either ineffectual, or effectual.

The revelation vouchsafed to men on earth, is either ineffectuall, or effectuall.

The ineffectual is a revelation not available to salvation, such is that revelation which may befall wicked men. For they may prophesy, as is granted Mat. 7. But I call this revelation ineffectual, because they may be Castaways for all this.

The ineffectuall is a revelation not availeable to salvation, such is that revelation which may befall wicked men. For they may prophesie, as is granted Mat. 7. But I call this revelation ineffectuall, because they may be Castawaies for all this.

But properly, Revelation is the heritage of the Saints. For in them only it is effectual, and thus the Lord doth grant revelation in two degrees: 1. Sometimes it is such an illumination as works a full assurance: sometimes it is an illumination that works only a persuasion. In weak Christians, the work of the spirit of revelation is persuasion, but in strong Christians it is full assurance.

But properly, Revelation is the heritage of the Saints. For in them onely it is effectuall, and thus the Lord doth grant revelation in two degrees: 1. Sometimes it is such an illumination as works a full assurance: sometimes it is an illumination that works onely a perswasion. In weak Christians, the work of the spirit of revelation is perswasion, but in strong Christians it is full assurance.

Unto the revelation of full assurance I refer also these revelations of the Prophets, and I place all under the head of imperfect revelation, because though the things revealed to the Prophets were perfectly revealed, in respect of certainty and evidence, yet it was but a revelation in part, that is of some things only. There were many things known to Christ and the Angels, which the Prophets never knew.

Unto the revelation of full assurance I refer also these revelations of the Prophets, and I place all under the head of imperfect revelation, because though the things revealed to the Prophets were perfectly revealed, in respect of certainty and evidence, yet it was but a revelation in part, that is of some things onely. There were many things knowne to Christ and the Angels, which the Prophets never knew.

There is also difference between Visions and Revelations; Visions are external in some things showed to the sight: Revelations are internal showed only •o the understanding.

There is also difference betweene Visions and Revelations; Visions are external in some things shewed to the sight: Revelations are internall shewed •nely •o the understanding.

¹But what is the difference between Revelation, and Knowledge, and Prophecy, and Doctrine mentioned 2 Cor. 14.6?

¹But what is the difference betweene Revelation, and Knowledge, and Prophesie, and Doctrine mentioned 2 Cor. 14.6?

1. 1Quest.

¹There are two ways by which men come to the understanding of Gods will. The one extraordinary, and that is by revelation; and the other ordinary, viz. by knowledge, attained by labour and industry in the use of means, this the Apostle calls knowledge: now prophecy and doctrine depend upon these two.² For men did vent, and utter their revelation by prophecy, that is, by foretelling things to come,³ and men do vent their knowledge by doctrine, and teaching others.

¹There are two waies by which men come to the understanding of Gods will. The one extraordinary, and that is by revelation; and the other ordinary, viz. by knowledge, attained by labour and industry in the use of meanes, this the Apostle calls knowledge: now prophesie and doctrine depend upon these two.² For men did vent, and utter their revelation by prophesie, that is, by foretelling things to come,³ and men doe vent their knowledge by doctrine, and teaching others.

1. 1Answ.
2. 2Quest.
3. 3Answ. Though we want revelations, yet we are not in wosse case then they in the Old Testament.

Are not we more miserable now then they were in the times of the Prophets, seeing they had revelations, and we have none?

We are not: for these reasons;

1. Because we have the substance of all their revelations. For their most ⟨p. 87⟩glorious revelations were concerning Christ to come, whom we possess, as the riches of the Gentiles, whom they had not in the flesh, but saw him a far off.

1. Because we have the substance of all their revelations. For their most ⟨p. 87⟩glorious revelations were concerning Christ to come, whom we possesse, as the riches of the Gentiles, whom they had not in the flesh, but saw him a farre off.

2. Because the Lord hath now fully revealed his will in the Scriptures of the old and new Testament to be a perfect guide unto eternal life.

2. Because the Lord hath now fully revealed his will in the Scriptures of the old and new Testament to be a perfect guide unto eternall life.

3. Because we have all their revelations that could profit us in any special measure, we have them I say left upon record, & written for our learning.

3. Because we have all their revelations that could profit us in any speciall measure, we have them I say left upon record, & written for our learning.