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.…

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. 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 sensuall, man in honor understands not, but they live and die many times as the beasts that perish, Psal. 49. ult.

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:

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.

But the main doctrine is, that faithful and patient Christians shall have a ⟨p. 70⟩great deal of praise, and honour, and glory in the day of Christ. Christ will be made marvellous in them, 2 Thes. 1.11. they shall shine as the stars of heaven, and as the sun in the firmament, Dan. 12. Mat. 13. they shall appear in singular glory when Christ appears, Col. 3.4.

But the maine doctrine is, that faithfull and patient Christians shall have a ⟨p. 70⟩great deale of praise, and honor, and glory in the day of Christ. Christ will be made marveilous in them, 2 Thes. 1.11. they shall shine as the stars of heaven, and as the sun in the firmament, Dan. 12. Mat. 13. they shall appeare in singular glory when Christ appeares, Col. 3.4.

¹But shall Christians have no glory till that day?

1. 1Quest.

¹Yes: For first there is a natural glory stamped upon their very persons, Col. 2. ult. Secondly, they are already vessels of glory in Gods decree, Rom. 9. Thirdly, true honour is restored them in the kingdom of gra•e: for God acknowledgeth them: so do the Angels of God, and they have honourable privileges, and such graces as will bring to glory. And lastly, God many times doth honour them with special Honour before men, Hest. 8.16. Psal. 64. 3. to the end. Act. 28.10.

¹Yes: For first there is a naturall glory stamped upon their very persons, Col. 2. ult. Secondly, they are already vessels of glory in Gods decree, Rom. 9. Thirdly, true honor is restored them in the kingdome of gra•e: for God acknowledgeth them: so doe the Angels of God, and they have honorable priviledges, and such graces as will bring to glory. And lastly, God many times doth honor them with speciall Honor before men, Hest. 8.16. Psal. 64. 3. to the end. Act. 28.10.

1. 1Answ.