3.13,) Allegorically shadowing out all sorts of superstructive doctrine, by Gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble, saith, If any man build upon this foundation (that is, Christ) Gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble, every mans work shall be made manifest, for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire, 1and the fire shall try every mans work of what sort it is. If any mans work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward; if any mans work shall be burnt, he shall suffer loss, &c. The wood, hay, stubble, shall be burnt, but the gold, silver, precious stones, will abide the trial of fire. Whether it be the fire of persecution, tribulation, and temptation (nothing but holy truth can abide these fires) or the fire of the holy Spirit (who in Scripture is often compared to fire, and) who together with the light of the Word revealeth the soundness or falseness of all doctrines delivered by men, and like fire consumes what is false, but gives a further brightness and lustre to the truth. Even truth untried may be counted dross, but being tried it comes forth like gold. Now, as the truth of doctrines, so the truth of persons, in their works and graces will abide when they come to the Test or trial; God who puts away all the wicked of the earth as dross, will gather up all the godly of the earth as Gold, when he hath tried them, and try them he will. We read (Dan. 7.9, 10.) how dreadfully God comes to Judgement; I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the ancient of days did sit; his Throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire; a fiery stream issued and came forth from before him, the judgement was set, and the books were opened. Which whether it be meant of the last Judgement, or of some special Judgement upon a particular state or oppressing ⟨p. 385⟩power, comes all to one as to the point in hand; while it shows that God in the trial of men will examine their persons, and their actions, as by fire. Of every such trial it may be said (as Mala. 3.2, 3.) Who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? (The Prophet speaks of the coming of Christ in the flesh, at which time he was also mighty in Spirit) for he is like a refiners fire, and like fullers soap, and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.
3.13,) Allegorically shadowing out all sorts of superstructive doctrine, by Gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble, saith, If any man build upon this foundation (that is, Christ) Gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble, every mans worke shall be made manifest, for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire, 1and the fire shall try every mans worke of what sort it is. If any mans worke abide which he hath built thereupon, hee shall receive a reward; if any mans worke shall be burnt, he shall suffer loss, &c. The wood, hay, stubble, shall be burnt, but the gold, silver, precious stones, will abide the tryall of fire. Whether it be the fire of persecution, tribulation, and temptation (nothing but holy truth can abide these fires) or the fire of the holy Spirit (who in Scripture is often compared to fire, and) who together with the light of the Word revealeth the soundnes or falsenes of all doctrines delivered by men, and like fire consumes what is false, but gives a further brightnes and lustre to the truth. Even truth untryed may be counted drosse, but being tryed it comes forth like gold. Now, as the truth of doctrines, so the truth of persons, in their workes and graces will abide when they come to the Test or tryall; God who puts away all the wicked of the earth as drosse, will gather up all the godly of the earth as Gold, when he hath tryed them, and try them he will. We read (Dan. 7.9, 10.) how dreadfully God comes to Judgement; I beheld till the thrones were cast downe, and the ancient of dayes did sit; his Throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheeles as burning fire; a fiery streame issued and came forth from before him, the judgement was set, and the bookes were opened. Which whether it be meant of the last Judgement, or of some speciall Judgement upon a particular state or oppressing ⟨p. 385⟩power, comes all to one as to the poynt in hand; while it shewes that God in the tryal of men will examine their persons, and their actions, as by fire. Of every such tryall it may be sayd (as Mala. 3.2, 3.) Who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? (The Prophet speakes of the coming of Christ in the flesh, at which time he was also mighty in Spirit) for he is like a refiners fire, and like fullers soape, and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.
- 1Dumb p•obantur toti in fumum abeunt.Dum p•obantur toti in fumum abeunt.