Here we see the exceeding love of the Apostle, that seeing he was absent and had never seen them, nor they him, yet his care was so great he commendeth his exceeding love. For the sight of misery ⟨p. 108⟩doth greatly increase the affection & care, the eye, & the ear being the doors by which pity enters in. The cause wherefore he cared was that they might be comforted in spirit. Now in so much as his care and love appeared by his writing, which consisted of the Gospel: Doctrine It showeth that there is nothing in the world, that ministereth sound comfort, but the Gospel. For as for pleasures, wealth, good-cheer, &c. they bring no sound comfort, but are like to a flame, that is soon out▪ or smoke in the top of the chimney, that soon vanisheth away, or like the fat of lambs, that when a little heat of affliction cometh, melteth. But the comfort by the Gospel standeth by one in all affliction; yea in death it self, it is a continual feast. And therefore in Mat. 22. 2. the Kingdom of heaven is compared to a Feast; yea to a Kings feast at the marriage of his son, where no delicate fare can be wanting, but by his commandment will be brought. So S. John saith:1 This we write that your joy may be full. In the Acts we read, that those that were called, though they were hated of all yet met together, & participated in eating of meat, and did eat their common meat with great joy. This is usual in the Acts, that where the Gospel came, was great joy and comfort: and therefore when Philip came to Samaria, they receiving the Gospel, were2 comforted. So that that comfort which is in sin, as adultery, &c. is wretched, & the beginning of sorrow, & that which is in lawful outward things, is but momentany, But this peace which Christ giveth, is constant. My peace (saith he) shall never be taken away.
Heere wee see the exceeding loue of the Apostle, that seeing he was absent and had neuer seene them, nor they him, yet his care was so great he commend•th his exceeding loue. For the sight of misery ⟨p. 108⟩doth greatly increase the affection & care, the eye, & the eare beingthe dores by which pitty enters in. The cause wherefore he cared was that they might be cō forted in spirit. Now in so much as his care and loue apeared by his writing, which cōsisted of the Gospel: Doctrine It sheweth that there is nothing in the world, that ministreth sound comfort, but the Gospell. For as for pleasures, wealth, good-cheare, &c. they bring no sound cōfort, but are like to a flame, that is soone out▪ or smoake in the top of the chimny, that soone vanisheth away, or like the fat of lambs, that when a little heate of affliction cōmeth, melteth. But the cōfort by the Gospell standeth by one in all affliction; yea in death it selfe, it is a continuall feast. And therefore in Mat. 22. 2. the Kingdome of heauen is compared to a Feast; yea to a Kings feast at the mariage of his son, where no delicate fare can bee wanting, but by his commandement will bee brought. So S. Iohn saith:1 This we write that your ioye may be full. In the Acts we reade, that those that were called, though they were hated of all yet met together, & participated in eating of meate, and did eate their cōmon meate with great ioy. This is vsual in the Acts, that where the Gospel came, was great ioy and comfort: and therefore when Philip came to Samaria, they receiuing the Gospel, were2 comforted. So that that comfort which is in sin, as adultery, &c. is wretched, & the beginning of sorrow, & that which is in lawfull outward things, is but momentany, But this peace which Christ giueth, is constant. My peace (saith he) shall neuer be taken away.
- 11. Joh. 1. 4. Acts 2. 46.1. Ioh. 1. 4. Acts 2. 46.
- 2Acts 8.
