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.…

2. Secondly that they live without care, having such a heavenly father to provide for them, Mat. 6.25. &c.

3. Thirdly that they live out of the society with wicked men cleaving only to the household of God, 2 Cor. 6.18. they should love their fathers house, Psal. 27.4. and deny utterly the love of this world, John 2.15, 16.

3. Thirdly that they live out of the society with wicked men cleaving only to the houshold of God, 2 Cor. 6.18. they should love their fathers house, Psal. 27.4. and deny utterly the love of this world, Iohn 2.15, 16.

2. Carnal men should hence take notice, if it may be, to be better advised, and not meddle with the godly, no not to despise the least of these little ones: Their Angels always behold the face of God for them, and their heavenly father will requite their wrongs, Mat. 18.10. &c.

2. Carnall men should hence take notice, if it may be, to be better advised, and not meddle with the godly, no not to despise the least of these little ones: Their Angels alwayes behold the face of God for them, and their heavenly father will requite their wrongs, Mat. 18.10. &c.

Lastly, this may serve for reproof both of some of the godly,¹ and also of the wicked, that live in the Church of God: some of the godly do greatly forget themselves about this point, that is such, as stir not up themselves to take hold of God, and to call upon his name in their distresses, but sit down dismayed and dead hearted, as if there were not the compassion, care, or help of a father, in God: this is reproved, Isaiah 64.8. Those sons of Belial also, that live in the Church, and call God father, but live like the ⟨p. 14⟩Devil, who indeed is their father, whose works they do: those I say are most bitterly reproved in these, and such like Scriptures even from their daring to call God father, Mal. 1.6. & 3. ult. Jer. 3.4. &c. Mat. 3.9. & 7.21. John 4.23. & 8.38.41.44. 1 John 3.15. 2 John 9.

Lastly, this may serve for reproofe both of some of the godly,¹ and also of the wicked, that live in the Church of God: some of the godly doe greatly forget themselves about this point, that is such, as stirre not up themselves to take hold of God, and to call upon his name in their distresses, but sit downe dismaide and dead hearted, as if there were not the compassion, care, or help of a father, in God: this is reproved, Esay 64.8. Those sons of Belial also, that live in the Church, and call God father, but live like the ⟨p. 14⟩

Through sanctification of the spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.]

Through sanctification of the spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Iesus Christ.]

There is difference of senses about the understanding and dependency of these words amongst Interpreters.

There is difference of senses about the understanding and dependancy of these words amongst Interpreters.

Some take sanctification in a large sense for mans righteousness in general, and obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Christ, as the two parts or kinds of it: by obedience understanding mans righteousness, or holiness in himself, and by sprinkling of Christ• blood, that righteousness of Christ, that righteousness (I say) made ours by imputation, both which are applied or wrought by the spirit of God.

Some take sanctification in a large sense for mans righteousnesse in generall, and obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Christ, as the two parts or kindes of it: by obedience understanding mans righteousnesse, or holinesse in himselfe, and by sprinkling of Christ• blood, that righteousnesse of Christ, that righteousnesse (I say) made ours by imputation, both which are applyed or wrought by the spirit of God.

Some others make sanctification the end, and obedience, and sprinkling the means, and so conceive, that before mans sanctification there goes two things in God: Election, and fore-knowledge: and two things in Christ, obedience and sufferings, and all this in both, that we might be sanctified.

Some others make sanctification the end, and obedience, and sprinkling the meanes, and so conceive, that before mans sanctification there goes two things in God: Election, and fore-knowledge: and two things in Christ, obedience and sufferings, and all this in both, that we might be sanctified.

Others understand sanctification of the heart, or spirit of man, as a means intended in Gods Election for the fitting of us unto obedience of life, and the fruition of the benefits purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ; and thus, I take it, it is meant here.

Others understand sanctification of the heart, or spirit of man, as a means intended in Gods Election for the fitting of us unto obedience of life, and the fruition of the benefits purchased by the blood of Iesus Christ; and thus, I take it, it is meant here.

The sum seems then to be this, that our lives may be obedient to Gods will, and that we may enjoy the benefit of Christs death, we must be sanctified within in our spirits.

The summe seemes then to be this, that our lives may bee obedient to Gods will, and that we may enjoy the benefit of Christs death, we must be sanctified within in our spirits.

Sanctification of the spirit.]

Man is said to be sanctified, or made holy three ways:

Man is said to be sanctified, or made holy three wayes:

¹1. Of not holy privatively, and so man, that was once without holiness, is made holy by regeneration, and justification.

¹1. Of not holy privatively, and so man, that was once without holinesse, is made holy by regeneration, and justification.

1. 1Ex non sancto privative.

²2. Of less holy, and so Gods children are daily sanctified by proceeding from grace to grace.

²2. Of lesse holy, and so Gods children are daily sanctified by proceeding from grace to grace.

1. 2Ex minus sancto.

³3. Of […] holy negatively, and so Christ as he was man was sanctified. For there was a time, when Christ had not this holiness in his humane nature,² viz. when his humane nature was not.

³3. Of 〈…〉 holy negatively, and so Christ as hee was man was sanctified. For there was a time, when Christ had not this holinesse in his humane nature,² viz. when his humane nature was not.

1. 3Ex non sancto negative.
2. 2Thomas Aquinas.