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, 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. 1Uses.Vses.

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.

Sent down.] It is to be noted further, that he saith, that the holy Ghost was sent. For from thence,

Sent downe.] It is to be noted further, that he saith, that the holy Ghost was sent. For from thence,

1. I observe an evident proof, that the holy Ghost is a person distinct from the Father and the Son.

1. I observe an evident proofe, that the holy Ghost is a person distin•t from the Father and the Son.

2. Hence ariseth the consideration of the nature of this mission. Mission is a• attribute given here to the holy Ghost. Now divine attribute▪ are either essential, or personal. Essential are such proprieties as equally belong to all the persons in respect of the essence, as to be wise, just, merciful, holy, &c. Personal attributes are such proprieties as are given only to the persons ⟨p. 95⟩apart, the one from the other, & do note a difference of the persons, as to beget, to be begotten, to send forth, to be sent forth, to proceed, to conceive, &c. Now these personal attributes may be distinguished also thus: Some are proper to each person alone; so in one, as not in any other: as to beget (in the Father,) to be begotten (in the Son), to proceed (in the holy Ghost:) some of these attributes are common to two of the persons, but not to the third, as proceeding in the holy Ghost is both from the Father and the Son, so to send forth is the attribute both of the Father and Son: so likewise to receive is common to the Son and to the holy Ghost: so that we see whither mission must be referred. Yet to make it more clear, we must understand, that there is a double sending forth: the one internal, the other external. Internal, when the Father and the Son cause the holy Ghost to proceed: External, when the Father and Son send forth the holy Ghost for outward operations amongst the Creatures, especially in the Church; and thus the holy Ghost is sent forth by the Father, Joh. 14.16. and by the Son, Joh. 15.16, of this mission is that speech, Gal 4.7.

2. Hence ariseth the consideration of the nature of this mission. Mission is a• att••bute given here to the holy Ghost. Now divine att••bute▪ are either essentiall, or personall. Essentiall are such proprieties as equally belong to all the persons in respect of the essence, as to be wise, just, mercifull, holy, &c. Personall attributes are such proprieties as are given onely to the persons

3. Here may be a doubt: might some one say,¹ Doth not this mission of the holy Ghost express an inequality with the Father and the Son?

3. Here may be a doubt: might some one say,¹ Doth not this mission of the holy Ghost expresse an inequality with the Father and the Son?

1. 1Quest.

It doth not. For 1. it is not always true,¹ that he that is sent forth is inferior to him that sent him. For Jonathan may send David, and David send Jonathan, and yet be both equal. Commission may import inferiority, not mission: or if it did hold amongst men, yet it is not true in the Trinity. 2. This word is used for want of words, metaphorically, to shadow out something above our reach. For it doth not note either a servile subjection, or a local motion; but it is used to express either some effect of his working, or some sign of his presence: so that the meaning is, the holy Ghost was sent: that is, he wrought some notable effect on earth, or showed that he was present by some sign.

It doth not. For 1. it is not alwaies true,¹ that he that is sent forth is inferiour to him that sent him. For Ionathan may send David, and David send Ionathan, and yet be both equall. Commission may import inferiority, not mission: or if it did hold amongst men, yet it is not true in the Trinity. 2. This word is used for want of words, metaphorically, to shadow out something above our reach. For it doth not note either a servile subjection, or a locall motion; but it is used to expresse either some effect of his working, or some signe of his presence: so that the meaning is, the holy Ghost was sent: that is, he wrought some notable effect on earth, or shewed that he was present by some signe.

1. 1Answ.

Now for some use of this sending of the holy Ghost,¹ we may in this doctrine observe, 1. That to be sent of God is no disparagement unto us, he sent his own Spirit. 2. We may here note some things, wherein we may resemble and express the image of the holiness of the Trinity in us. Would we live together as the three persons in the Trinity do? Then 1. we must live without envy one at another. 2. We must not think much to be employed one by another, or to be advised and appointed in well doing. 3. The salvation of the elect should be dearer to us, then any respect of our selves, or our own estate, we must not seek our own things. The holy Ghost repines not at his mission, and the Father thinks not his Son and Spirit too good to be sent unto us. As we grow in these things, so we more express a likeness to the Trinity.

Now for some use of this sending of the holy Ghost,¹ we may in this doctrine observe, 1. That to be sent of God is no disparagement unto us, hee sent his owne Spirit. 2. We may here note some things, wherein wee may resemble and expresse the image of the holinesse of the Trinity in us. Would we live together as the three persons in the Trinity doe? Then 1. we must live without envie one at another. 2. Wee must not think much to be imployed one by another, or to be advised and appointed in well doing. 3. The salvation of the elect should be dearer to us, then any respect of our selves, or our owne estate, we must not seek our owne things. The holy Ghost repines not at his mission, and the Father thinks not his Son and Spirit too good to be sent unto us. As we grow in these things, so we more expresse a likenesse to the Trinity.

1. 1Uses.Vses.

Down from heaven.

Downe from heaven.

Something may be noted in that the holy Apostle addeth, that he was sent from heaven. 1. It imports what this world is, it is but a place of misery, and to come into it, is to come down. 2. It expresseth what heaven is; it is the place of Gods residence, the place where God dwells, the Palace of the great King, as Princes have their Palaces, so hath God, and as a Princes palace differs from a cottage, so doth heaven from earth.

Something may be noted in that the holy Apostle addeth, that hee was sent from heaven. 1. It imports what this world is, it is but a place of misery, and to come into it, is to come downe. 2. It expresseth what heaven is; it is the place of Gods residence, the place where God dwels, the Palace of the great King, as Princes have their Palaces, so hath God, and as a Princes palace differs from a cottage, so doth heaven from earth.

The Use should be to inflame our affections towards this holy place:¹ oh how should we lo•g to see where God dwells? what natures have we to long to see the courts of Princes, and yet cannot long after the courts of our God? and yet in Princes courts, 1. Not entertained,• ut many times repulsed. 2. Not known many times of any body. 3. Not dwell there. ⟨p. 96⟩4. Not favoured of the King, or his son. 5. The Lords will not attend us to carry us to the King, or show us all, &c. 6. Soon are we cloyed with the glory of it, if we had all we would. 7. In the Kings court we see the glory of others, not •ur own. But contrary to all these, it is in heaven, as it shall be with the righteous.

The Use should be to inflame our affections towards this holy place:¹ oh how should wee lo•g to see where God dwels? what natures have wee to long to see the courts of Princes, and yet cannot long after the courts of our God? and yet in Princes courts, 1. Not entertained,• ut many times repulsed. 2. Not knowne many times of any body. 3. Not dwell there. ⟨p. 96⟩4. Not favoured of the King, or his sonne. 5. The Lords will not attend us to carry us to the King, or shew us all, &c. 6. Soone are we cloyed with the glory of it, if we had all we would. 7. In the Kings court we see the glory of others, not •ur owne. But contrary to all these, it is in heaven, as it shall be with the righteous.

1. 1Use.Vse.

Which things the Angels desire to look into.

Which things the Angels desire to looke into.

In these words, the grace brought unto us in the Gospel is commended by the adjunct desire the Angels have to look into it: if such glorious creatures see such worth in these things, then they are certainly to be highly accounted of and rejoiced in: but the Angels do so as saith the holy Ghost, who is acquainted with the desires of Angels as well as with the thoughts of men. Therefore &c.

In these words, the grace brought unto us in the Gospell is commended by the adjunct desire the Angels have to looke into it: if such glorious creatures see such worth in these things, then they are certainly to be highly accounted of and rejoyced in: but the Angels doe so as saith the holy Ghost, who is acquainted with the desires of Angels as wel as with the thoughts of men. Therefore &c.

¹Before I enter upon the particular consideration of these words, I must in general observe one doctrine from the coherence, viz. that as any are more holy and happy, so they do more admire the grace brought unto us in the Gospel: it is much that the Prophets give such testimony: so is it that the Apostles and Ministers of the Gospel spake such glorious things of it: but if that may not confirm us, the holy Spirit of God and the Angels of God shall be brought in to deliver not their opinions only, but their desires also.

¹Before I enter upon the particular consideration of these words, I must in generall observe one doctrine from the coherence, viz. that as any are more holy and happy, so they doe more admire the grace brought unto us in the Gospell: it is much that the Prophets give such testimony: so is it that the Apostles and Ministers of the Gospell spake such glorious things of it: but if that may not confirme us, the holy Spirit of God and the Angels of God shal be brought in to deliver not their opinions onely, but their desires also.

1. 1Doct.