A practical commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and uses upon the first…

2 He denied himself in his own profit. He laid down his own soul, 2 Cor. 8.9. He laid down both earthly and heavenly profits, that we through him might be rich.

2 He denyed himself in his owne profit. He laid downe his owne soule, 2 Cor. 8.9. He laid down both earthly and heavenly profits, that we through him might be rich.

3 He denied his own honour. He being in the form of God, yet made himself of no reputation, to save us from reproach.

3 He denyed his own honour. He being in the form of God, yet made himself of no reputation, to save us from reproach.

4 As if all this had been too little, he denied his own life, and laid it down for us, John 3.16.

4 As if all this had been too little, he denyed his own life, and laid it downe for us, John 3.16.

1 Because there was no cause of denying our selves in innocency, but now man is fallen, he cannot raise up another, but he must stoop. If two men go together, if they go both upright, they may go hand in hand: but if one be fallen, and not able to rise, the other if he will raise him, must stoop down, and toil to get him up. God hath raised up some sooner then others, therefore we must take up our fallen Brethren.

1 Because there was no cause of denying our selves in innocency, but now man is fallen, he cannot raise up another, but he must stoop. If two men go together, if they go both upright, they may go hand in hand: but if one be faln, and not able to rise, the other if he will raise him, must stoop down, and toyl to get him up. God hath raised up some sooner then others, therefore we must take up our faln Brethren.

2 God requires love in a more exact manner and measure, because he hath now given an higher and more exact pattern. We have the pattern of Christ, that forgave us ten thousand talents, therefore we ought to forgive our Brethren an hundred pence, Mat. 18.

Use 1. This should stir up all Christians to walk now in an higher frame of love then formerly they were wont in times past. We walked then in a lower way, to love our Brother as our selves. But we must now say, I will do so for my Brother, as I may not prejudice my self, my estate, credit, or life. But now, we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weaker, Rom. 15.1, 2. Now we must have the same mind in us which was in Christ Jesus, Heb. 2.4. to 16. 2 Cor. 11.7, 8. Paul abased himself that they might be exalted, and denied himself of many comforts, that he might help them. As Christ laid down his life for us, so must we for our Brethren in sundry cases, 1 John 3.16.

Ʋse 1. This should stir up all Christians to walk now in an higher frame of love then formerly they were wont in times past. We walked then in a lower way, to love our Brother as our selves. But we must now say, I will do so for my Brother, as I may not prejudice my self, my estate, credit, or life. But now, we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weaker, Rom. 15.1, 2. Now we must have the same minde in us which was in Christ Jesus, Heb. 2.4. to 16. 2 Cor. 11.7, 8. Paul abased himself that they might be exalted, and denyed himself of many comforts, that he might help them. As Christ laid down his life for us, so must we for our Brethren in sundry cases, 1 John 3.16.

For more particular direction.

1 A man ought to deny his own expediences for his Brothers necessity, Neh. 5.18.

2 He ought to deny himself in outward things, to supply his Brethren in spiritual things. Thus Paul.

3 If a man be of a private condition, and his Brother of public use to the Church, he ought to deny himself to maintain and succour him, as they said to David, Thou art worth ten thousand of us. Rom. 16.4, 5. Aquila and Priscilla.

3 If a man be of a private condition, and his Brother of publique use to the Church, he ought to deny himself to maintain and succour him, as they said to David, Thou art worth ten thousand of us. Rom. 16.4, 5. Aquila and Priscilla.

2 This should teach you that are of higher estate, to help your poor neighbours that are fallen into straights, not through prodigality or riot, but through Gods hand, or charge of children. You must not say, I must look ⟨p. 276⟩to my self, and to my children, that they be maintained. This was the old rule, now we must deny our selves and our own experiences, and be continually doing good in obedience to this commandment. It was a royal speech of David, 2 Sam. 24. Shall I offer a sacrifice of that that cost me nothing? Heb. 13 15, 16. When God blesseth thee with many a pound, wilt thou offer a sacrifice to God that cost a penny, or a thing that cost thee nothing? It's for you to bless God that hath enriched you with such abundance, and say with David, What shall I render to the Lord for all these goods? Your goods reach not to God, but to the Saints that are on the earth; and if you begin to straighten your hands and hearts, you will find God straitening himself to you. What a blessed thing were it, to be laying aside something for good uses? Our Saviour that lived in so mean a condition, yet had care to provide for the poor, John 13.28.

2 This should teach you that are of higher estate, to help your poor neighbours that are fallen into straights, not through prodigality or ryot, but through Gods hand, or charge of children. You must not say, I must look ⟨p. 276⟩to my self, and to my children, that they be maintained. This was the old rule, now we must deny our selves and our own experiences, and be continually doing good in obedience to this commandement. It was a royal speech of David, 2 Sam. 24. Shall I offer a sacrifice of that that cost me nothing? Heb. 13 15, 16. When God blesseth thee with many a pound, wilt thou offer a sacrifice to God that cost a penny, or a thing that cost thee nothing? It's for you to blesse God that hath enriched you with such abundance, and say with David, What shall I render to the Lord for all these goods? Your goods reach not to God, but to the Saints that are on the earth; and if you begin to straighten your hands and hearts, you will finde God straightning himselfe to you. What a blessed thing were it, to be laying aside something for good uses? Our Saviour that lived in so mean a condition, yet had care to provide for the poor,

Doct. There is not a more effectual means to the obtaining our petitions, then by growing up in practice of these two commandments, in believing on the Name of Christ, and love to our Brethren.

Doct. There is not a more effectual means to the obtaining our petitions, then by growing up in practice of these two commandements, in believing on the Name of Christ, and love to our Brethren.

Mark 11.22. to 26. There you have both joined together; Jam. 1.8 Let a man pray in faith, and waver not. When a Christian is tossed with doubtings and distractions, he shall rather drown his prayers, then bring them to the bosom of Christ Jesus. Job's friends were godly men; but because they dealt not in love with Job, God professeth he would not hear them. Want of love to our Brethren, it damps our prayers before God. So that though our persons be accepted, yet our prayers shall not.

Mark 11.22. to 26. There you have both joyned together; Jam. 1.8 Let a man pray in faith, and waver not. When a Christian is tossed with doubtings and distractions, he shall rather drown his prayers, then bring them to the bosome of Christ Jesus. Job's friends were godly men; but because they dealt not in love with Job, God professeth he would not hear them. Want of love to our Brethren, it damps our prayers before God. So that though our persons be accepted, yet our prayers shall not.

Why is faith so necessary?

1. Faith makes our persons acceptable to God. God hears the young ravens and lions when they call upon him, he rather hears their misery, then their prayer, but faith makes the person acceptable. Thus, By faith Abel, &c. Heb. 11.

1. Faith makes our persons acceptable to God. God heares the young ravens and lyons when they call upon him, he rather hears their misery, then their prayer, but faith makes the person acceptable. Thus, By faith Abel, &c. Heb. 11.