Where we learn, that the Lord many times overthroweth the counsels of his Saints, that he might humble them, and by such humbling, teach them to have respect unto his providence, that they might depend upon it, although the Saints, who deliberate nothing without the will of God, are not properly driven from their counsels. For that is wicked boldness without regard of God to determine upon things to come, as who should say, they were in our power: which boldness, James reproveth sharply.1 Whereas he saith he was letted, thou mayest not otherwise take it, then that the Lord did lay before him more urgent business of the Church,2 which he could not leave without great damage to the Church. Thus yt impediments of the godly and faithless differ: that these think them selves then at length to be letted, when by the violent hand of the Lord they are so hemmed in, that they can not stir them selves: the other are content to take some lawful reason for an impediment: neither do they permit them selves to attempt any thing, either besides their office or contrary to edification. That I might have some fruit. Undoubtedly he speaketh of that fruit, to the gathering whereof the Apostles were sent of the Lord:3 I have chosen you, that ye might go, and bring forth fruit, and your fruit might remain. Which fruit albeit he gathered it not for himself,4 but for the Lord, yet he calleth it his: because there is nothing more proper unto the godly, then that which advanceth the glory of the Lord, whereunto all their felicity is coupled. And he saith he had received fruit amongst other nations, to the end the Romans might be in hope, his coming ⟨p. 9⟩unto them should not be unprofitable,5 which so many nations had proved to be fruitful.
Where we learne, that the Lorde many times ouerthroweth the counsailes of his Saintes, that he might humble them, and by such humbling, teache them to haue respecte vnto his prouidence, that they might depende vpon it, although the Saintes, who deliberate nothing without the will of God, are not properly driuen from their counsailes. For that is wicked boldnesse without regarde of God to determine vpon thinges to come, as who shoulde say, they were in our power: whiche boldenesse, Iames reproueth sharpely.1 Whereas he saith he was letted, thou mayest not otherwise take it, then that the Lorde did lay before him more vrgent busines of the Church,2 which he coulde not leaue without great dāmage to the Churche. Thus yt impedimentes of the godly and faithles differ: that these thinke them selues then at length to be letted, when by the violent hande of the Lorde they are so hemmed in, that they can not sturre them selues: the other are content to take some lawefull reason for an impediment: neither doe they permit them selues to attempt any thing, eyther besides their office or contrary to edification. That I might haue some fruite. Vndoubtedly he speaketh of that fruite, to the gathering whereof the Apostles were sent of the Lorde:3 I haue chosen you, that ye might go, and bring foorth fruite, and your fruite might remaine. Which fruite albeit hee gathered it not for himselfe,4 but for the Lord, yet he calleth it his: because there is nothing more proper vnto the godly, then that which aduaunceth the glory of the Lorde, wherevnto all their felicitie is coupled. And he saith hee had receiued fruite amongst other nations, to the ende the Romanes might be in hope, his comming ⟨p. 9⟩vnto them should not be vnprofitable,5 which so many nations had proued to be fruitfull.
- 1Jacob. 4.13.Iacob. 4.13.
- 2The godly esteem not impediments as the godless do.The godly esteeme not impediments as the godles doe.
- 3Jo. 15.16.Io. 15.16.
- 4Gods glory & the felicity of the godly are joined togetherGods glorie & the felicitie of the godly are ioyned together
- 5Gods glory & the felicity of the godly are joined together.Gods glorie & the felicitie of the godly are ioyned together.
