From the last discourse about the judgement of God, the Apostle takes occasion to press his exhortation to the duties of piety, by that very argument. First therefore he lays down that third argument for a ground, that the last judgement, the end of all things, is at hand; and thereupon concludes that we must seriously and diligently apply our selves to the duties of piety. And these duties he sets down by an induction of the principal parts, 1 Prayer, with the adjuncts and helping causes thereof, to wit, temperance and sobriety, verse 7. 2. Mutual charity, verse 8. which he sets forth, 1. By the singular care, wherewith we should labour for it above other virtues, in these words: above all things, and then by the degree, wherein we should have it, and exercise it in this word, fervent: of which exhortation he gives a reason also from the effect, for charity covers a multitude of sins. 3. To charity he joins hospitality, verse 9. as it were a special act of charity, whereof he shows the due manner how it should be used, that it should be without grudging, that is, voluntary, not by constraint. 4. A mutual communication of all the gifts of God, verse 10. And the reason of this duty is taken partly from the nature of the gift in respect of the author ⟨p. 96⟩thereof, that it is the grace of God, and partly from that relation, which they that have received the gift, have unto such a grace, to wit, that they are not masters, but stewards of it. And of this communication he propounds two chief kinds, which he describes and persuades them unto, verse 11. The first is communication in speech, or in the word of God, the description and rule whereof is, that it should be conformable to the nature of Gods word. The second is communication in our abilities and wealth, the description and rule whereof is common to both, together with all the foregoing exhortations, taken from the end and benefit of them, that God in all things may be glorified; which glorification of God is set forth by a present declaration of it; to whom be praise for ever and ever, Amen.
FRom the last discourse about the judgement of God, the Apostle takes occasion to presse his exhortation to the duties of piety, by that very argument. First therefore he layes downe that third argument for a ground, that the last judgement, the end of all things, is at hand; and thereupon concludes that we must seriously and diligently apply our selves to the duties of piety. And these duties he sets downe by an induction of the principall parts, 1 Prayer, with the adjuncts and helping causes thereof, to wit, temperance and fobriety, verse 7. 2. Mutuall charity, verse 8. which he sets forth, 1. By the singular care, wherewith we should labour for it above other vertues, in these words: above all things, and then by the degree, wherein we should have it, and exercise it in this word, fervent: of which exhortation he gives a reason also from the effect, for charity covers a multitude of sinnes. 3. To charity he joynes hospitality, verse 9. as it were a speciall act of charity, whereof he shewes the due manner how it should be used, that it should be without grudging, that is, voluntary, not by constraint. 4. A mutuall communication of all the gifts of God, verse 10. And the reason of this duty is taken partly from the nature of the gift in respect of the author ⟨p. 96⟩thereof, that it is the grace of God, and partly from that relation, which they that have received the gift, have unto such a grace, to wit, that they are not masters, but stewards of it. And of this communication he propounds two chiefe kinds, which he describes and perswades them unto, verse 11. The first is communication in speech, or in the word of God, the description and rule whereof is, that it should be conformable to the nature of Gods word. The second is communication in our abilities and wealth, the description and rule whereof is common to both, together with all the foregoing exhortations, taken from the end and benefit of them, that God in all things may be glorified; which glorification of God is set forth by a present declaration of it; to whom be praise for ever and ever, Amen.
