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, gold is precious: He granteth that, when he saith, faith is more precious. For these outward things are Gods creatures, and he retaineth his title §1to them still: It is his gold, and his silver still; which may teach men to be careful, how to dispose of these outward things. For they must give an account §2of their stewardship even in these.¹

First, gold is precious: He granteth that, when he saith, faith is more precious. For these outward things are Gods creatures, and he retaineth his title §1to them still: It is his gold, and his silver still; which may teach men to be carefull, how to dispose of these outward things. For they must give an account §2of their stewardship even in these.¹

1. 1Gold perisheth both actively and passively.

Secondly, gold is here said to perish, which is true, both actively and ⟨p. 68⟩passively: Actively, it makes many a man to perish, and therefore it is called riches of iniquity, and is said to drown men in perdition: and passively it perisheth, because it vanisheth, and will not continue; Riches have wings, and either vanity will rust them, or violence take them away; and many times they are lost to the unexpressible grief of the owner, Nahum 2.9, 10.

Secondly, gold is here said to perish, which is true, both actively and ⟨p. 68⟩passively: Actively, it makes many a man to perish, and therefore it is called riches of iniquity, and is said to drowne men in perdition: and passively it perisheth, because it vanisheth, and will not continue; Riches have w•ngs, and either vanity will rust them, or violence take them away; and many times they are lost to the unexpressible griefe of the owner, Nabum 2.9, 10.

¹But it seems, Faith doth perish too, 1 Cor. 13.

¹But it seemes, Faith doth perish too, 1 Cor. 13.

1. 1Object.

1. 1Solut.

Though it be tried in the fire.

Though it be tryed in the fire.

Fire is sometimes taken properly, and so it may be referred to gold, and then the sense is, that faith is better than gold tried in the fire: Fire is sometimes taken metaphorically; and so there is the fire of mortification, 1 Cor. 3.13. and the fire of renovation, Mat. 3.11. and the fire of tribulation, and the fire of condemnation, &c. It is the fire of tribulation which is meant here. Sometimes by this fire is meant any tribulation; and sometimes a special, fierce, and unresistible cross is meant by it: and so I think the fiery trial, 1 Pet. 4.12. is to be taken, and so it may be understood here. It is sure, that God doth sometimes try his best servants with strange afflictions: yet here is comfort, that all this shall be for their good, which should teach us in the greatest troubles to live by faith, 1 Pet. 4.12, 13. and in lesser affliction• not to be moved, seeing we have n•t resisted unto so high a degree of affliction as many of Gods dear servants have. Again, we may hence note, that Christians are not Stoics, they have sense of their afflictions: Crosses are fire, and fire will be felt, no affliction for the present seems joyous.

Fire is sometimes taken properly, and so it may be referred to gold, and then the sense is, that faith is better than gold tryed in the fire: Fire is sometimes taken metaphorically; and so there is the fire of mortification, 1 Cor. 3.13. and the fire of renovation, Mat. 3.11. and the fire of tribulation, and the fire of condemnation, &c. It is the fire of tribulation which is meant here. Sometimes by this fire is meant any tribulation; and sometimes a speciall, fierce, and unresistible crosse is meant by it: and so I think the fiery triall, 1 Pet. 4.12. is to be taken, and so it may be understood here. It is sure, that God doth sometimes try his best servants with strange afflictions: yet here is comfort, that all this shall be for their good, which should teach us in the greatest troubles to live by faith,

Thu• of the first way of amplification: the second follows, which is by the consideration of the event.

Thu• of the first way of amplification: the second followes, which is by the consideration of the event.

Might be found unto praise, and honour, and glory, in the revelation, or at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

Might be found unto praise, and honor, and glory, in the revelation, or at the appearing of Iesus Christ.

For the sen•e of these words: The words praise and honour, and glory may be referred to God, and so it is true, •hat trial of the faith of Christian• in their manifold tentations shall bring a great deal of glory and honour to God in the day of Christ.

For the sen•e of these words: The words praise and honor, and glory may be referred to God, and so it is true, •hat tryall of the faith of Christian• in their manifold tentations shall bring a great deale of glory and honor to God in the day of Christ.

But I rather choose to understand it of the Christian.

Some think the three words should note the three ways of exalting Christians; and so they should have praise in words, honour in gesture, and glory in deeds: but I think they are but several words to express jointly one and the same thing.

Some think the three words should note the three waies of exalting Christians; and so they should have praise in words, honor in gesture, and glory in deeds: but I think they are but severall words to expresse joyntly one and the same thing.

Before I come to the main doctrine, here are divers things to be noted, which are implied both concerning Honour, and the appearance of Christ.

Before I come to the maine doctrine, here are divers things to be noted, which are implyed both concerning Honor, and the appearance of Christ.

Concerning Honour these thing• may be noted.

Concerning Honor these thing• may be noted.

First, that faith and sincerity in this world for the most part want praise, and honour, and glory from men, and therefore he promiseth them, that howsoever it go, yet in the day of Christ saith shall not want praise, &c. It is here no wonder to be made as a sign or wonder even in Israel, Isaiah 8. If men refrain from evil one beast or other will prey upon them, Isaiah 9 15. To be reviled with all man•r of evil sayings is supposed by our Saviour, M•t 5.11. They that are after the flesh have done it, and ever will persecute those that are after the spirit, Gal. 4.29.

First, that faith and sincerity in this world for the most part want praise, and honor, and glory from men, and therefore he promiseth them, that howsoever it goe, yet in the day of Christ saith shall not want praise, &c. It is here no wonder to be made as a signe or wonder even in Israel, Esay 8. If men refraine from evill one beast or other will prey upon them, Esay 9 15. To be reviled with all man•r of evill sayings is •upposed by our Saviour, M•t 5.11. They that are after the flesh have done it, and ever will persecute those that are after the spirit, Gal. 4.29.

Secondly, it seems the Lord taketh a power unto himself and his word, even to judge and determine the cases of Honour. It is a fond conceit that our ⟨p. 69⟩great Gallants have, that they think that in defence of their Honour they are not bound to the word: but they are deceived;¹ and they do well (perhaps) to shun the sentence of Scripture in the case of their monomachies or single fights; for it yields them but small comfort to embolden their great spirits. For these are the words of the holy Ghost, It is a mans honour to cease from strife, but every fool will be meddling, Prov. 20.3.

Secondly, it seemes the Lord taketh a power unto himselfe and his word, even to judge and determine the cases of Honor. It is a fond conceit that our ⟨p. 69⟩great Gallants have, that they think that in defence of their Honor they are not bound to the word: but they are deceived;¹ and they doe well (perhaps) to shun the sentence of Scripture in the case of their monomachies or single fights; for it yeelds them but small comfort to embolden their great spirits. For these are the words of the holy Ghost, It is a mans honor to cease from strife, but every foole will be medling, Prov. 20.3.

1. 1Note.

Thirdly, perfect Honour will never be had till the day of Judgement, which §3should the more confirm us in a contempt of the honour of this world: In this world they are many times praised, whom God abhorreth, and men say to the wicked, thou art righteous. It is an usual thing, that they that forsake the law themselves, praise the wicked, Psal. 10.3. Prov. 24.24. Secondly, earthly honour is wonderful deceitful, many get it by ill means, and men may be praised by them that curse them in their hearts: and besides, earthly Honour will not abide, nor can man continue here to enjoy it long, Eccl. 8.10. Psal. 49. 13. neither will it content the mind of man if it be had, Eccles. 6.2. and for the most part it makes men sensual, man in honour understands not, but they live and die many times as the beasts that perish, Psal. 49. ult.

Thirdly, perfect Honor will never be had till the day of Judgement, which §3should the more confirme us in a contempt of the honor of this world: In this world they are many times praised, whom God abhorreth, and men say to the wicked, thou art righteous. It is an usuall thing, that they that forsake the law themselves, praise the wicked, Psal. 10.3. Prov. 24.24. Secondly, earthly honor is wonderfull deceitfull, many get it by ill meanes, and men may be praised by them that curse them in their hearts: and besides, earthly Honor will not abide, nor can man continue here to enjoy it long, Eccl. 8.10.