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.…

Secondly, for the people.

1. For instruction.

1. To pray for their teachers, that God would open their mouths, and ⟨p. 93⟩make their hearts fat with his goodness herein, Eph. 6.19. and to esteem them, as Rom. 1•.15. 2. To receive it with all gladness and power, yea and affliction too, 1 Thes. 1.4, 5.

1. To pray for their teachers, that God would open their mouthes, and ⟨p. 93⟩make their hearts fat with his goodnesse herein, Eph. 6.19. and to esteeme them, as Rom. 1•.15. 2. To receive it with all gladnesse and power, yea and affliction too, 1 Thes. 1.4, 5.

Thus of the less principal: The most principal cause is the holy Ghost sent down from heaven.

Thus of the lesse principall: The most principall cause is the holy Ghost sent downe from heaven.

By the holy Ghost sent down from heaven.

By the holy Ghost sent downe from heaven.

The meaning is, to affirm that the things propounded in the Gospel are the more eminent, because they were effected by the very holy Ghost.

The meaning is, to affirme that the things propounded in the Gospell are the more eminent, because they were effected by the very holy Ghost.

This that is here ••id, that the holy Ghost was sent from heaven, was first and principally fulfilled in the days of the Apostles, and chiefly then also in the day of Pentecost, as is showed in the second of the Acts.

This that is here ••id, that the holy Ghost was sent from heaven, was first and principally fulfilled in the dayes of the Apostles, and chiefly then also in the day of Pentecost, as is shewed in the second of the Acts.

But secondarily, it is true of all faithful Ministers, that the holy Ghost works wonderfully from heaven in the power of the Gospel.

But secondarily, it is true of all faithfull Ministers, that the holy Ghost works wonderfully from heaven in the power of the Gospell.

Ghost.] It is an old English word, and signifieth a spirit: and the Spirit of God is called an holy Ghost, or spirit, 1. for distinction sake, and 2. by effect. For Gods Spirit is holy, that is, it hath all holiness; and it hath it in it self, not by illumination from any other higher cause, and so are not the spirits of men and Angels: holy mens spirits have sin in them on earth: and the Angels, and blessed souls in heaven have no holiness but what they received. 2. Gods Spirit is holy by effect. For it his proper work to sanctify the elect, and so to work holiness upon the spirits of men by spiritual regeneration.

Ghost.] It is an old English word, and signifieth a spirit: and the Spirit of God is called an holy Ghost, or spirit, 1. for distinction sake, and 2. by effect. For Gods Spirit is holy, that is, it hath all holinesse; and it hath it in it selfe, not by illumination from any other higher cause, and so are not the spirits of men and Angels: holy mens spirits have sinne in them on earth: and the Angels, and blessed soules in heaven have no holinesse but what they received. 2. Gods Spirit is holy by effect. For it his proper work to sanctifie the elect, and so to work holinesse upon the spirits of men by spirituall regeneration.

But why is Gods Spirit called a holy Spirit, rather •hen wise,¹ or merciful, &c?

But why is Gods Spirit called a holy Spirit, rather •hen wise,¹ or mercifull, &c?

1. 1Quest.

First, when we call him holy, we comprehend all that in it:¹ for wisdom and mercy are but parts of holiness. Secondly, in respect of us, and his working in us, it is a most proper word: for it notes his working in the Elect above all reprobates. F•r a man may be a wise man and yet perish, Mat. 11.2•. 1 Cor. 1.19. and a man may give all his goods to the poor, and yet it is nothing, 1 Cor. 13.3. but now if a man be made a holy man, he is sure to be saved.

First, when we call him holy, we comprehend all that in it:¹ for wisdome and mercy are but parts of holinesse. Secondly, in respect of us, and his working in us, it is a most proper word: for it notes his working in the Elect above all reprobates. F•r a man may be a wise man and yet per•sh, Mat. 11.2•. 1 Cor. 1.19. and a man may give all his goods to the poore, and yet it is nothing, 1 Cor. 13.3. but now if a man be made a holy man, hee is sure to be saved.

1. 1Answ.

Well then the first doctrine is, that Gods Spirit is a holy Spirit;¹ which may serve for divers uses. 1. To exalt in us a further sense of Gods goodness, that is pleased to put his Spirit within us, seeing our hearts are so unclean, and his Spirit so holy. 2. It may humble u• ▪ and fear us from sin: if we belong to Christ, we carry about with us the Spirit of Christ, Rom. 8.9. Now think of it then, thou canst not sin, but thou hast a witness and a Judge within thee. Besides, the very respect of the holy Ghost should move thee to fear sin: for sin grieves the holy Ghost, and hinders his work of sealing thee up to the day of redemption, Eph. 4.30. 3. It should encourage u• in the works of mortification: for Gods Spirit hath his name of holiness, and though it be never so hard, yet by the Spirit we shall be made able in some measure to mortify the deeds of the flesh, Rom. 8.10. and to walk in Gods statutes, Ezech. 36.27.

Well then the first doctrine is, that Gods Spirit is a holy Spirit;¹ which may serve for divers uses. 1. To exalt in us a further sense of Gods goodnesse, that is pleased to put his Spirit within us, seeing our hearts are so uncleane, and his Spirit so holy. 2. It may humble u• ▪ and feare us from sinne: if we belong to Christ, we carry about with us the Spirit of Christ, Rom. 8.9. Now think of it then, thou canst not sin, but thou hast a witnesse and a Judge within thee. Besides, the very respect of the holy Ghost should move thee to feare sinne: for sinne grieves the holy Ghost, and hinders his work of sealing thee up to the day of redemption,

Secondly, if we consider why the holy Ghost is h•re named,¹ we may learn, that the holy Spirit of God is the first and chief cause of all that grace, which either Ministers, or people enjoy in the gospel.

Secondly, if we consider why the holy Ghost is h•re named,¹ wee may learn, that the holy Spirit of God is the first and chiefe cause of all that grace, which either Ministers, or people enjoy in the gospell.

1. 1Doct. 2.

¹Which may first comforts us against all the impediments of the gospel. Oh might some men have thought a 100. years ago; how is it possible to bring down the power of Antichrist? why by the Spirit of Christs mouth he will consume him, 2 Thes. 2. In the mouth of Christ, in the preaching of the Gospel there is a Spirit, even the Spirit of God, which will do more then 10000. armed men to pull him down. Oh might some one think, I shall never understand, or never remember so many holy comforts and instructions: why the Spirit of God will teach us to profit, and lead us into all truth, and help our infirmities, when we deal with God and his ordinances, and pull down those strong holds which Satan hath to hinder the obedience of Christ. Oh might some Minister think, I shall never rule such a people, or persuade with them: yet you see God will put his Spirit in their mouth, and men shall not be able to withstand the Spirit by which they speak; he will give a door of utterance, and secretly bow mens hearts unto the obedience of the truth.

¹Which may first comforts us against all the impediments of the gospell. Oh might some men have thought a 100. yeares agoe; how is it possible to bring downe the power of Antichrist? why by the Spirit of Christs mouth he will consume him, 2 Thes. 2. In the mouth of Christ, in the preaching of the Gospell there is a Spirit, even the Spirit of God, which will doe more then 10000. armed men to pull him downe. Oh might some one think, I shall never understand, or never remember so many holy comforts and instructions: why the Spirit of God will teach us to profit, and leade us into all truth, and help our infirmities, when wee deale with God and his ordinances, and pull downe those strong holds which Sathan hath to hinder the obedience of Christ. Oh might some Minister think, I shall never rule such a people, or perswade with them: yet you see God will put his Spirit in their mouth, and men shall not be able to withstand the Spirit by which they speak; he will give a doore of utterance, and secretly bow mens hearts unto the obedience of the truth.

1. 1

Secondly, the consideration of this second doctrine may instruct us how to order our selves towards the means of salvation; and so it may teach us, 1. not to rest in the act done: we m•y hear the best Sermons, and receive the Sacraments, &c. yet if we beg not the assistance of the Spirit, all may be in vain: if we heard Christ himself, yet it may not profit us. 2. To believe in God, when we carefully use the means, how unlikely soever the success seem to be; God can work by the means as pleaseth him, notwithstanding infi•mit•e• either of the teacher or hearer. 3. To render all the praise to God, and his h•ly Spirit in the mediation of his Son, seeing thence flows all blessing and good success, as being the only original fountain of all holiness, and knowledge.

Secondly, the consideration of this second doctrine may instruct us how to order our selves towards the meanes of salvation; and so it may teach us, 1. not to rest in the act done: we m•y heare the best Sermons, and receive the Sacraments, &c. yet if wee beg not the assistance of the Spirit, all may be in vaine: if we heard Christ himselfe, yet it may not profit us. 2. To beleeve in God, when wee carefully use the meanes, how unlikely soever the successe seeme to be; God can work by the meanes as pleaseth him, notwithstanding infi•mit•e• either of the teacher or hearer. 3. To render all the praise to God, and his h•ly Spirit in the mediation of his Son, seeing thence flowes all blessing and good successe, as being the onely originall fountaine of all holinesse, and knowledge.