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.…

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.

Now concerning the revelation of Jesus Christ, we must know, that it is taken sometimes actively, and sometimes passively. Actively, and so for that work of Christ, by which he reveals his Father and his will to his members, so Mat. 11.23. Gal. 1.12. Now passively, there is a threefold revelation of Christ: 1. In his flesh: 2. In his spirit: 3. In his glory. In his flesh: for so godliness is a great mystery, in that God was revealed in the flesh, 1 Tim. 3.16. In the spirit, so Christ was revealed in Paul; in that by the spirit the grace of Christ was revealed in him, Gal. 1.16. Thirdly, Christ shall be revealed at the last day in his glory from heaven, and this revelation is meant here, as it is also 1 Cor. 1.7.2 Thes. 1.7.

Now concerning the revelation of Jesus Christ, we must know, that it is taken sometimes actively, and sometimes passively. Actively, and so for that work of Christ, by which hee reveales his Father and his will to his members, so Mat. 11.23. Gal. 1.12. Now passively, there is a threefold revelation of Christ: 1. In his flesh: 2. In his spirit: 3. In his glory. In his flesh: for so godlinesse is a great mysterie, in that God was revealed in the flesh, 1 Tim. 3.16. In the spirit, so Christ was revealed in Paul; in that by the spirit the grace of Christ was revealed in him, Gal. 1.16. Thirdly, Christ shall be revealed at the last day in his glory from heaven, and this revelation is meant here, as it is also 1 Cor. 1.7

The doctrines implied are three:

The doctrines implyed are three:

First, that Christ shall come again, and be revealed from heaven, and therefore woe to those mockers that walk after their lusts, and ask when his coming shall be.

First, that Christ shall come againe, and be revealed from heaven, and therefore woe to those mockers that walk after their lusts, and aske when his comming shall be.

¹Secondly, that Christ is as it were hid till his second coming, and so he is in six respects.

¹Secondly, that Christ is as it were hid till his second comming, and so he is in sixe respects.

1. 1Christ hid till his second coming in six respects.Christ hid till his second comming in six respects.

1. First, in respect of the sense of our mortal eyes, the heavens like a curtain hide him from us, Act. 1.

1. First, in respect of the sense of our mortall eyes, the heavens like a curtaine hide him from us, Act. 1.

2. Secondly, in respect of the admirable glory of his person. For at that day his glory shall be revealed, which now is as it were hidden.

3. Thirdly, in respect of the estate of his members, our life is hid with Christ. He is not glorious in the outward glory of his members, Col. 3.3.

4. In respect of the manifestation of his love; he hath not showed himself to wicked men, Joh. 14.22. nor fully revealed himself to the faithful; it doth not yet appear what they shall be, 1 Joh. 2.3.

4. In respect of the manifestation of his love; he hath not shewed himselfe to wicked men, Ioh. 14.22. nor fully revealed himself to the faithfull; it doth not yet appeare what they shall be, 1 Ioh. 2.3.

5. Fifthly, in respect of the secrets he shall then break open: little do we know, or hear of, what he will then discover, when he shall break open the everlasting counsels of God, and discover the depths of Gods providence, and the deeds of all both good and bad, and the glory of the Elect, and the eternal misery of the damned.

5. Fiftly, in respect of the secrets he shall then break open: little doe we know, or heare of, what he will then discover, when hee shall break open the everlasting counsels of God, and discover the depths of Gods providence, and the deeds of all both good and bad, and the glory of the Elect, and the eternall misery of the damned.

6. Sixthly, in respect of the suddenness of his coming, Luk. 17.30.

6. Sixtly, in respect of the suddennesse of his comming, Luk. 17.30.

All which should make us the more to long for his appearing: for that shall be such a time as never was.

The third thing implied is, that the thought of the day of Judgement is §3a sure refuge to a Christian mind, when many other comforts for the present fail.

The third thing implyed is, that the thought of the day of Judgement is §3a sure refuge to a Christian minde, when many other comforts for the present faile.