The Autumn Part from the Twelfth Sunday after Trinity, Letter 8
The Epistle.
1. COR. 1. 4.
I thanke my God alwaies on your behalfe, &c.
THis Text is a cunning tAretius, Martyr. Piscat. & alij.insinuation of our Apostle, for intending to chide the Corinthians, he begins his Epistle with a commemoration of their vertues, that afterward he might more freely without any suspition of malice reprehend their vices: it consists
uAquin.In
Commending them for the present:
xCaluin.Generally, For the grace of God which is giuen you, &c.
Particularly, rich in all vtterance and in all knowledge.
Comforting them against the time to come, which also shall strengthen you to the end, &c.
An example worthy to be yGualter.followed of eueryevery Preacher, lest by concealing the commendable gifts of his auditors, and inculcating only their faults and follies, he breed hate to himselfe and despaire to them.
I thanke] By this all men, in more particular all zSaercerius.Ministers are taught not to repine, but to reioyce for the good things in other, especially for the successe of the aHeming.Gospell, out of a fellow feeling not only to weepe with such as weepe, but also to be bRom. 12. 15.glad with such as are glad. The Sectaries of our daies heerein are very defectiue, for whereas our c2. Cor. 11. 29.Apostle said, Who is weake and I am not weak? They like busie Flies are buzzing alwaies on the soares and gaulds of the Church, and as for the manifold gifts of God by which our Pastors are made rich in al vtterance and in all knowledge: what doe their inuectiue Libels against our Clergy, but vnworthily disgrace these graces, in stead of giuing thanks vntounto God alwaies in our behalfe. For as some dHostus lib. 3. contra Brent. prologomen.Papists affirme that Scripture cited by vsus is no Scripture: so some Schismatikes hauehave giuen out, that our preaching is no preaching, that our learning is not sanctified, and that our vtterance doth not edifie.
My God] Hereby eMusculus, Heming.not denying that hee was God to them and all other, for fRom. 10. 12.he that is Lord ouer all, is rich vntounto all that call on him: gTheophylact. Martyr.but out of a singular faith in God, and vnfained louelove to them, esteeming that his owne good which hapned well vntounto the Church: I thanke my God on your behalfe: as the God of all is my God, so the good of all is my good; and I thanke the giuer of all grace for it, and that not coldly, but with such an earnest deuotion hAretius in loc.as if he were my God only; nor seldome, but alwaies. A little louelove will be mindfull at sometime, but mine affection is so great vntounto you, that I thanke God alwaies on your behalfe. Paul surely did somewhat else then praise God for his Corinthians: alwaies therefore must not be construed iIdem. Ibidem.absolutly, but restrained and referred vntounto the present occasion of his speech, as if he should hauehave said, as often as I thinke of you, I thanke God for you, alwaies in all my praiers, as it is Philip. 1. 4.
For the grace of God which is giuen you] kCaluin. Gualter.Lest he might heere seeme to flatter them in his commendation of their gifts, he puts them in minde who gaue them, and for what end. God is the giuer of eueryevery grace; lOecumen Pomeran. Aretwhy then doe you boast of your gifts, as if you receiued them not? 1. Cor. 4. 7. And he gaue them vntounto you, not to make m1. Cor. 1. 10.dissention in the Church and Schisme, that some may n1. Cor. 3. 4.side with Paul and other with Apollos: but for oPiscator.this end, that the testimonie of Iesus Christ may be confirmed in you.
By Iesus Christ] Or as other translate according to the Greeke, in Iesu Christ: hereby signifying pSarcerius.that the graces of God are giuen in Christ, and for Christ only, such as are Christs are made rich by him in all things, according to that of our Apostle, 1. Cor. 3. 22. All are yours, and ye Christs, and Christ Gods. qCaluin. Marlorat. Aret.Interpreters obserue that Paul speaking heere metonimically, doth vnderstand by this one word grace, not only the gifts of vtterance and knowledge mentioned in this Scripture, but all the benefits of Christ reuealed in the whole Gospell. And therefore Saint rCom. in loc.Ambrose and sE…arrat. in loc.Anselme excellently glosse the Text, Hoc constitutum est à Deo, vt qui credit in Christum, saluus sit sine opere, sola fide gratis accipiens remissionem peccatorum: It is ordained by God himselfe, that whosoeuer beleeueth in Christ, should be saued not by any worke, but by faith alone, receiuing freely pardon of all his sinnes.
In all vtterance, and in all knowledge] tSarcerius.That is, in all doctrine, and in all vnderstanding, whereby men are able to discerne betweene sound and false doctrine, uAretius.the one concerning teachers, and the other hearers. Or by speech is meant the gift of xAquin.tongues, or the gift of yBeza.elocution, or the gift of preaching in zAnselme.eueryevery kind, giuing aHebr▪ 5.milke to babes, and strong meat to them of age; and by knowledge, a right exposition of the Scripture. Now these two must goe bAquin.together, in as much as neither vtterance without knowledge, nor knowledge without vtterance can edifie: for hee that aboundeth in his study with vnderstanding but wants a cColoss. 4▪ 3.doore of vtterance to vent it, is like the man that had the rheume and could not spet: on the contrary, he that hath a world of words void of matter (as dLib. 1. de Orat.Tully speaks, Nulla subiecta sententia & scientia) is like the child who bloweth in a little shell a great buble, which is so vain that it is marde as soone as made.
These gifts of speech and vnderstanding are named only, eMartyr.because the Corinthians abused them in their dissentions especially, prophaning the graces of God giuen (as our Apostle speakes f1. Cor. 12. 7.elsewhere) to edifie withall, vntounto the destruction and vtter vndoing of the Church. If any shall obiect that all the faithfull in Corinth had not these gifts? gMarlorat.Answer is made that there was among them, as among vsus, and euer shall be such a communion of saints; as that the praise which is indeed proper to some particular men and members, is ascribed to the whole body of the Church in generall. And therefore hCom. in loc.Caietane notes accurately, that as foreign may be construed adiectiuely, yee are made rich in all things: so likewise substantiuely, ye are made rich in all. Applying Gods grace rather to the whole congregation in grosse, then to singular persons in seuerall.
By the which things the testimonie of Iesus Christ was confirmed in you] iPiscator.The witnesse of Christ is nothing else but the witnes of the blessed Apostles concerning Christ Act. 1. 8. euen the kMusculus. Calutn. Gualter.preaching of the Gospell, the summe whereof is to reueale Christ, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisedome and knowledge, Coloss. 2. 3. So that the meaning of Paul is plaine, by these manifold graces as lMartyr.effects and fruites of the spirit, you may know that you hauehave receiued the true Gospell: or by these two gifts, vtterance and knowledge, as instrumentall causes the testimony of Christ is confirmed in you. Learne from hence to reuerence those men which are indued with these meanes of thy saluation, euermore thanke thy God in the behalfe of Schooles and Vniuersities, as the common nurseries of all vtterance and knowleege. mDr. Couel pref. before des. of M. HookerIt is said of reuerend Hooker, truely, that hee was borne for the good of many; but few borne for the good of him. In this vnthankfull age some rich in the graces of God are neglected, and other rich in the gifts of the world are preferred. But nPsal. 37. 1.fret not thy selfe because of the vngodly, for learned men forgotten in States and not liuing in eminent places, are oAduancement of learning, lib. 1. pag. 13.like the Images of Cassius and Brutus in the Funerall of Iunia: of which not being represented as other were, Tacitus saith, eo ipso praefulgebant quòd non visebantur. If thou well employ Gods talent of vtterance and knowledg, that the testimonie of Christ may be confirmed in other, assuredly (noble yoke-fellow) thy credit is honour enough, and thy worke it selfe a sufficient reward vntounto thy selfe. Remember that the profitable seruant said not in the pMatth. 25.Gospell, Ecce mihi lucrifeci: sed ecce tibi lucrifeci domine.
So that ye are behind in no gift] qCaluin. Heming. Gualter.That is, in no necessarie gift whereby yee might attaine sauing knowledge, wanting no grace competent vntounto such as rArdens.are in via, s1. Pet. 2. 11.strangers and pilgrimes on earth. Or as Paul expoundeth himselfe, behind in no gift incident to such as waite for the appearing of our Lord Iesus Christ. It is true that now we know but in t1. Cor. 13. 9.part, and prophecie but in part: our greatest perfections hauehave their imperfections, our gifts are giuen by measure, though happily uLuke 6. 38.shaken together and pressed downe, yet not running ouer as long as wee waite for Christ: but when he shall appeare, when that which is perfect is come, then that which is imperfect shall bee abolished.
Appearing of our Lord Iesus Christ] The second comming of Christ is called a reuelation, or an appearing in respect of vsus, and inrespect of himselfe. In respect of vsus, for at his comming x1. Cor. 4. 5.hee will lighten things that are hid in darknesse, and make the counsels of our hearts manifest. At that time it shall bee knowen who bee Gods ele…t, and who reprobrate; then our Lord shall vnfold the yDan. 7. 10. Apoc. 20. 12. Cuncta que cunctorum cunctis arcana patebun….bookes of conscience, which all the time of this life were shut vp closely, that all the world may read what is written in the consciences of all men, and according to the contents of these records iudgement shall bee made. Many puissant Princes and sage Philosophers hauehave their honourable memorie magnified in this world, whose soules in hell are terribly tortured, in which respect one said of Aristotle; Woe to thee Aristotle that art praised where thou art not, and art tormented where thou art. On the contrarie, blessed art thou Queene Elizabeth, O thrice happy, for albeit treacherous Papists, enemies of Gods grace, dishonour thee where thou art not, assuredly thou art comforted where thou art. z1 Iohn. 3. 2.Now are we the sons of God, but yet it doth not appeare what we shall be: for aColoss. 3. 4.whensoeuer Christ (which is our life) shall shew himselfe, we shall appeare with him in glory.
Secondly, the comming of Christ is a reuelation in respect of himselfe: for whereas he came first in humilitie, being bIohn 1. 10.in the world, but not knowen of the world, hee shall now come with cloudes in such a maiestie, cApoc. 1. 7.that eueryevery eye shall see him. dMatth. 24. 27.As the lightning commeth out of the East, and shineth into the West: so shall also the comming of the sonne of man be, that he may not onelyonly discouer himselfe in heauen to the good; but also that on earth where his ignominie was most apparent hee may manifest himselfe to the wicked. And for this cause the place of iudgement (as eVide Riber. in Ioel, cap. 3. Num. 2. Lorin. in Act. 1. 11. Lombar. 4. sent. distinct. 48. Aquin. & Altissiodor. ibid.some coniecture) shall be the valley of Iosaphat, neere to Ierusalem and the Mount of Oliues, that in the very same place where he was iudged, condemned, crucified; all may see him with great honour to bee the Iudge both of the quicke and of the dead, Acts 10. 42. and that hee who did ascend to heauen in the sight of a few Disciples, shall descend (as it is foretold by the glorious fActs 1. 11.Angels) in the sight of the whole world to iudge them all in righteousnesse. All which is exceeding necessarie for the credit of his gouernment in this life, that all may see that he was both wise and holy in all whatsoeuer he permitted or ordained, and that neither the gPsalme 83. Ieremy 32. 1.good may complaine any more that vertue was oppressed, nor the hHabac. 1. 6.wicked glory that vice was exalted. Hee shall in that day separate the iMatth. 3. 12. & 13. 30.wheate from the cockle, the graine from the chaffe, the kMatth 13. 48good fish from the bad, and the lMatth. 25. 32sheepe from the goates: and the good hee shall place at the right hand, taken vp (as m1. Thess. 4. 17.Paul saith) into the aire that all the world may know them, and honour them as Saints: and the wicked hee shall place at his left hand, leauing them vponupon the earth that all may behold and despise them as sinners.
Which also shall strengthen you to the end] nHeming.We are not so perfect, but that we may be more perfect vntill Christ appeare. Yee must aske therefore this confirmation of God, that ye may bee strengthned eueryevery day more and more to the end. oPhilip 1. 6.Hee that hath begun this good worke in you, will performe it vntill the day of Iesus Christ. p1 Th…ss 5 23He will sanctifie you throughout in soule and bodie, qPhi…ip 2. 1….working in you both the will and the deed, euen of his owne good pleasure. r1. Cor 1. 9.God is faithfull, euer dealing with his seruants according to his word. As then hee sMatth. 28. 20promised, euen so will hee be with vsus vntill the worlds end, that wee may be blamelesse at the day of his comming, not absolutely without sinne: for t1. Iohn 1. 8.if wee say wee hauehave no sinne, wee deceiue our selues, and truth is not in vsus. But he shall so preuent vsus in all our doings with his holy grace, that we may li… uAnselm.sine criminali crimine, xArdens.that we fall not into such hainous sinnes as may shu… vsus out of his fauour; yCaietan.or if at any time we fall into those sinnes, hee shall so zEphes. 3. 16.strengthen vsus with power by his spirit in the inner man, as that we shall againe recouer our selues, and so be blamelesse at the day of his comming: or aEng. Gloss. Martyr. Marlorat.blamelesse, because there is no condemnation vntounto such as are in Christ, Rom. 8. 1. He is our righteousnesse, and sanctification, …. Cor. 1. …0. euen the propiti… tion for our sinnes, 1. Iohn 2. 2. couering our iniquities and forgiuing our vnrighteousnesse, Psal. 32. 1. and therefore wee shall be blamelesse in the day of the Lord, because nothing shall bee laid vntounto the charge of Gods elect, Rom. 8. 33. In that houre we shall heare this happy doome deliuered by Christ our Sauiour, C…me yee blessed of my father, &c. He saith not, Come ye blessed of Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob; nor ye blessed of Moses, or of the Patriarchs and Prophets, or yee blessed of God: but yee blessed of my father. Insinuating that all these blessings proceeded onelyonly from the fatherly louelove that God beareth vsus in respect of his sonne. Come yee blessed therefore, possesse you the kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world: as for the wicked, earth shall open vnderunder their feet, and the diuell laying hold on them they shall all together goe downe bPsal. 55. 16.quicke into …ell, and there being couered with huge mountaines of earth, shall be bolted vp with eternall bolts, and bound hand and foot with chaines of perpetuall damnation. O Father of mercy, which hast placed vsus in this world as in the middle between heauen and hell, cBernard. ser. 31. ex paruu.euen as Nouices are in a house of probation: assist and strengthen vsus with thy Spirit to the end, that we may be found blamelesse in the end. Lord make vsus heere thy subiects in the kingdome of grace, that hereafter we may be thy Saints in the kingdom of glory.
Amen.