An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

1. To bless and praise God, that the lying Spirit in the Minister hath not prevailed on thee; that he hath not led thee into the ditch, that his poison hath not fallen on thee: Oh admire Gods goodness herein! And withal

1. To bless and praise God, that the lying Spirit in the Minister hath not prevailed on thee; that he hath not led thee into the ditch, that his poison hath not fallen on thee: Oh admire Gods goodness herein! And withall

In the second place, Humble thy self under Gods hand. It is his will it should be so, as yet the providence of God doth manifest him offended with such a people.

3. The will of God doth imply, that Paul was not an Apostle by chance or mere hap, but that there was a directing hand of God in it. And certainly such a consideration ¹would much embolden Paul; for as he was by the will of God made an Apostle, so by the same will he should continue, and be preserved in the same, notwithstanding all oppositions whatsoever. And thus all the godly Ministers of the Gospel find the good will of God towards them, that they were at first set apart for that function, or by some providence of God brought to desire it. They may find many times a peculiar will of God, that sometimes when their friends would have it otherwise, yet God would have them Ministers. And thus ⟨p. 36⟩also for their designation to such a people. How many times are great discoveries of Gods will, that where there was no likelihood, yet God would have him Pastor to such a people? It is of great use both for Minister and people to observe the special will of God. For as in civil relations of husband and wife, there God many times discovers a peculiar will of his bringing them together, which made the Wise man say, Riches were an inheritance, but a wife was the gift of God. Riches and an inheritance are also the gift of God; but those relations are in a more peculiar manner of him. And it is good for those that are in such relations to quicken themselves by meditation on the will of God, that brought such things about, beyond all expectation, or humane providence. Thus also it ought to be in spiritual relations: Oh it is good to lay to heart, how the will of God hath been, that thou shouldst live under a powerful Ministry, it may be all thy life time, and it hath been denied to others, who often have sought to God for such a mercy.