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.…

First, that God seeth the secret thoughts of mens hearts, he seeth all the §1risings of their thoughts and affections, and the inclinations to object any thing any way whatsoever: which should make us careful to look to our selves, for the very thoughts and risings of our hearts, especially if there be in men a wicked rebellion against the truth: let them not deceive themselves: For certainly God will judge them for their very inward boilings and indignations against the truth, even those, which they do not or dare not utter: For contrary thoughts aswell as contradictions.

First, that God seeth the secret thoughts of mens hearts, he seeth all the §1risings of their thoughts and affections, and the inclinations to object any thing any way whatsoever: which should make us carefull to looke to our selves, for the very thoughts and risings of our hearts, especially if there be in men a wicked rebellion against the truth: let them not deceive themselves: For certainly God will judge them for their very inward boilings and indignations against the truth, even those, which they doe not or dare not utter: For contrary thoughts aswell as contradictions.

Secondly, not only God seeth, but the word of God meeteth with the §2very secret thoughts in the heart, or life of man, though they were never known or uttered: it ransacketh the spirit of man, and will search strangely into the secrets of mens courses.¹ There can hardly be an objection in a mans mind, but if he constantly attend the Word, it will meet with it; which may encourage humble Christians to rest upon the Word, for it will heal them of all sorts of spiritual diseases. The Lord can strangely be their Physician, when no creature knows it: and withal it confutes their stomach, that being met withal in the word, think the Preacher aims at them, and that it comes of very spleen against them, wilfully being ignorant of this, that the Word would search them, though the Preacher never knew their faces. For it is the Word of him that knows all the hearts of men, and was framed of purpose by the all-seeing Spirit of God, that it might discover what was hid, and converse secretly in the very bosoms of men.

Secondly, not onely God seeth, but the word of God meeteth with the §2very secret thoughts in the heart, or life of man, though they were never knowne or uttered: it ransacketh the spirit of man, and will search strangely into the secrets of mens courses.¹ There can hardly be an objection in a mans minde, but if hee constantly attend the Word, it will meet with it; which may encourage humble Christians to rest upon the Word, for it will heale them of all sorts of spirituall diseases. The Lord can strangely be their Physitian, when no creature knowes it: and withall it confutes their stomack, that being met withall in the word, think the Preacher aimes at them, and that it comes of very spleene against them, wilfully being ignorant of this, that the Word would search them, though the Preacher never knew their faces. For it is the Word of him that knows all the hearts of men, and was framed of purpose by the all-seeing Spirit of God, that it might discover what was hid, and converse secretly in the very bosomes of men.

1. 1Heb. 4.12.

Thirdly, we see here, that there may be objections in the minds of the very Elect, even of such as have true grace: we may not imagine that they §3are absolutely freed from all doubts and fears.

Thirdly, wee see here, that there may be objections in the minds of the very Elect, even of such as have true grace: we may not imagine that they §3are absolutely freed from all doubts and feares.

Fifthly, A question may be here demanded, and that is, why the Lord here §5and in many places of Scripture else doth express the answer,¹ and suppress the objection?

Fiftly, A question may be here demanded, and that is, why the Lord here §5and in many places of Scripture else doth expresse the answer,¹ and suppresse the objection?

1. 1Quest.

For answer hereunto, divers things may profitably be supposed. 1. First the Lord hereby shows unto men in their own experience,¹ what a divine light is in the Scriptures, that can thus discern the hidden things of man. 2. Secondly, it may be, the objections are suppressed, lest men hearing the objections should learn to object. 3. Thirdly, the Lord hereby shows mans nature, who usually will not say so much, yet the Lord saith, they do think so. 4. Lastly, I think for the most part the Lord doth it out of his compassion and tenderness towards his people, these things arising out of ⟨p. 54⟩mens frailty, he is willing many times to lay to the plaster, and yet not uncover the sore: and for fear of discouraging them, he rather implies their weaknesses then expresseth them, that they might be assured, that he is inclined rather to pity them, than to hate them; rather to succour them, than to reprove them.

For answer hereunto, divers things may profitably be supposed. 1. First the Lord hereby shews unto men in their owne experience,¹ what a divine light is in the Scpiptures, that can thus discerne the hidden things of man. 2. Secondly, it may be, the objections are suppressed, lest men hearing the objections should learn to object. 3. Thirdly, the Lord hereby shews mans nature, who usually will not say so much, yet the Lord saith, they doe thinkeso. 4. Lastly, I thinke for the most part the Lord doth it out of his compassion and tendernesse towards his people, these things arising out of ⟨p. 54⟩mens frail•y, he is willing many times to lay to the plaister, and yet not uncover the soare: and for feare of discouraging them, hee rather implies their weaknesses then expresseth them, that they might be assured, that he is inclined rather to pitty them, than to hate them; rather to succour them, than to reprove them.

1. 1Answ. Why many times in Scripture the answer is, expressed & the objection concealed.

And thus of the general.

And thus of the generall.

Wherein ye greatly rejoice.

Wherein yee greatly rejoyce.

The main thing that I observe out of these words, is, that converted Christians, though they have many afflictions, yet they are greatly solaced and find great joy even in this world. Now because this point is not believed by the most, who are loath to acknowledge so much gain in godliness, and because also many Christians are not wise either to discern, or to make use of their own felicity herein, I would (before I come to the use of this doctrine) for explication propound three things. 1. How it can be made manifest out of Scripture, that a Christian life is such a joyful life? 2. What are the particular ways, whereby Christians can meet with such a joyful life and comfort, as by Scripture is proved they might have? 3. And in the third place I answer an objection or two.

The maine thing that I observe out of these words, is, that converted Christians, though they have many afflictions, yet they are greatly solaced and finde great joy even in this world. Now because this point is not believed by the most, who are loath to acknowledge so much gaine in godlinesse, and because also many Christians are not wise either to discerne, or to make use of their owne felicity herein, I would (before I come to the use of this doctrine) for explication propound three things. 1. How it can be made manifest out of Scripture, that a Christian life is such a joyfull life? 2. What are the particular waies, whereby Christians can meet with such a joyfull life and comfort, as by Scripture is proved they might have? 3. And in the third place I answer an objection or two.

¹For the first, The Scripture instanceth in nine things, all which do manifestly import, that such as fear God, may have exceeding much joy. 1. For first ^aGod commandeth his servants to rejoice, yea ^bhe commandeth his Ambassadors to comfort them. 2, God is bound by promise to give them joy. For besides that the Gospel in general is a doctrine of glad tidings there are particular promises for joy, ^cas the places in the margin show. 3. Thirdly, joy is one of the express ^dfruits of the Spirit. 4. Fourthly, it is ^ea main part of the Kingdom of God. 5. Fifthly, God threateneth his, when he finds them without it, as is manifest in Deut. 28. this was one cause of his displeasure, that they did not ^fserve him with joyfulness and a glad heart. 6. The Scripture is plentiful in the examples of men, that have found exceeding much joy in the ways of God, ^gsome few places I instance in the margin. 7. If a temporary faith find such joy in the word, how much more a justifying faith. 8. The nature of God is such, as he is as willing to communicate joy, ^has well as other graces. 9. Lastly, this is most apparent by this, that the Scriptures show, that God hath provided joys for his servants in such things as might seem most to cross them or their contentment, as in ⁱtribulation, yea and ^k

But some one may say, Which way can they find such great joy? what means is there for their consolation?¹

But some one may say, Which way can they finde such great joy? what meanes is there for their consolation?¹

1. 1Quest.

¹I answer: They find joy nine ways. 1. They have in them the ^lSpirit, even him that is called a Comforter, which no wicked man hath, and this Spirit of God is an everlasting spring of joy. 2. Gods ordinances are unto them as ^mwells of joy: the word is a well, so is prayer, reading, the Sacraments, and conference. 3. They have their right to all Gods ⁿpromises to comfort them, and certainly the Gospel is a deep well. 4. They have the presence of God ••ke the ^osun to refresh them. 5. They find secret joy in the communion of Saints, both to hear of them absent, and to have fellowship with them present, and that both public and private: For if this be a great part of the joy of heaven, then may it be some part of a Christians joy on earth. 6. There is joy in the graces of the Spirit, to see the buds of the Lord grow in the garden of their hearts, and the weeds of sin to be rooted out; yea great is the content of grace and well-doing. 7. There is joy in the meditation of the misery they are delivered from. 8. They are not barred from ⟨p. 55⟩the joy in outward things, which is all the joy wicked men have, and in these the worst Christian hath more right to rejoice, then the best carnal man. 9. Lastly, they find much joy even of the ^phope of the joy they shall have in heaven.

¹I answer: They finde joy nine waies. 1. They have in them the ^lSpirit, even him that is called a Comforter, which no wicked man hath, and this Spirit of God is an everlasting spring of joy. 2. Gods ordinances are unto them as

Ob. But might some ungodly person say, We see no such matter in them.

Ob. But might some ungodly person say, Wee see no such matter in them.

Sol. The stranger shall not meddle with their joy.

Ob. But might some scorner say, If any have found such joy in following the word and godliness, it hath been such, as have had nothing else to rejoice in.^q

Ob. But might some scorner say, If any have found such joy in following the word and godlinesse, it hath beene such, as have had nothing else to rejoyce in.^q

1. qProv. 14.10.

Sol. That is false: The Psalmist shows by prophesying, that even Kings that have abounded in outward things, yet coming to taste the excellency of the comforts of godliness, and to feel the power of Gods word, should ^rsing for joy of heart, and greatly acknowledge the exceeding glory of God and godliness.

Sol. That is false: The Psalmist shewes by prophesying, that even Kings that have abounded in outward things, yet comming to taste the excellency of the comforts of godlinesse, and to feele the power of Gods word, should ^rsing for joy of heart, and greatly acknowledge the exceeding glory of God and godlinesse.

1. rPs. 138 4, 5.119.72.