Of this Divine 1Hope Paul doth not here speak, he doth not say, Our hope in you is steadfast, but of you, [Greek or Hebrew] for [Greek or Hebrew] (as those Prepositions are often changed.) Therefore it is a Moral Hope which is grounded upon principles of prudence and charity, by which Paul was bound to judge thus favourably of them. Paul could not tell the hearts of those he wrote to; he could not infallibly discern, whether they were hypocrites, or sincere, only he judgeth the tree by the fruits. Yet you must not understand this, as spoken o• every particular and individual, but collectively; for he writeth to them as a body, and a Church, and so it must be understood indefinitely, not determinately of this or that person. It is true indeed, there was in the primitive times, among other extraordinary gifts, that of the discerning of spirits (if by Spirit we are not rather to mean Doctrines pretended to be of the Spirit, as 1 John 4. 1. rather than the hearts and frames of mens spirits.) For although absolutely, originally and independently it be Gods only prerogative to know the hearts of men; yet in some cases, as in Elisha with Gehezi, God may reveal the thoughts and secret motions of heart to others; but this is extraordinary, not constant, no more than working of miracles. So that it is a very absurd opinion of those that are called Quakers, who say, That light within them discovers what is in other mens hearts, abusing that place, The spiritual man judgeth all things, whereas the Apostle there informeth us, 1 Cor. 2. 11. That no man knoweth the things of a man, save the Spirit of man, which is within him. The persuasion then or hope, Paul had of these Corinthians, was not divine and infallible, in which he could not be deceived, but of an inferior nature, yet not light and foolish neither: for he saith, It was [Greek or Hebrew], firm and steadfast. Hesychius renders that word [Greek or Hebrew], unshaken, that is, not like the waves of the Sea. So that Pauls hope did not fluctuate about him, and [Greek or Hebrew], abiding, continuing. It was not hope at sometimes, and fear at another, but it did abide and dwell in him. Observe,2
Of this Divine 1Hope Paul doth not here speak, he doth not say, Our hope in you is stedfast, but of you, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 for 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 (as those Prepositions are often changed.) Therefore it is a Moral Hope which is grounded upon principles of prudence and charity, by which Paul was bound to judge thus favourably of them. Paul could not tell the hearts of those he wrote to; he could not infallibly discern, whether they were hypocrites, or sincere, onely he judgeth the tree by the fruits. Yet you must not understand this, as spoken o• every particular and individual, but collectively; for he writeth to them as a body, and a Church, and so it must be understood indefinitely, not determinately of this or that person. It is true indeed, there was in the primitive times, among other extraordinary gifts, that of the discerning of spirits (if by Spirit we are not rather to mean Doctrines pretended to be of the Spirit, as 1 John 4. 1. rather than the hearts and frames of mens spirits.) For although absolutely, originally and independently it be Gods only prerogative to know the hearts of men; yet in some cases, as in Elisha with Gehezi, God may reveal the thoughts and secret motions of heart to others; but this is extraordinary, not constant, no more than working of miracles. So that it is a very absurd opinion of those that are called Quakers, who say, That light within them discovers what is in other mens hearts, abusing that place, The spiritual man judgeth all things, whereas the Apostle there informeth us, 1 Cor. 2. 11. That no man knoweth the things of a man, save the Spirit of man, which is within him. The perswasion then or hope, Paul had of these Corinthians, was not divine and infallible, in which he could not be deceived, but of an inferiour nature, yet not light and foolish neither: for he saith, It was 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, firme and stedfast. Hesychius renders that word 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, unshaken, that is, not like the waves of the Sea. So that Pauls hope did not fluctuate about him, and 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, abiding, continuing. It was not hope at sometimes, and fear at another, but it did abide and dwell in him. Observe,2
- 1What is the Divine hope. What Moral hope is.
- 2'Tis a great encouragement to the Ministers of God, to have good grounds for the hope of grace and steadfastness in their people.'Tis a great encouragement to the Ministers of God, to have good grounds for the hope of grace and stedfastnesse in their people.
