An Exposition Upon Colossians, Biblical commentary 1 · Chapter 1 · Verse 11
Verse 11.
Strengthened in all might, according to the power of his glory.
IN the words I note, 1. The thing it selfe, Strengthened: 2. The manner of it, in all might: 3. The ground of it, according to the power of his glory, or glorious power.
From the Coherence I obserue that we must be strengthened in Grace,Doct. 1. before wee can be filled with Knowledge: till Grace preuayle, euill motions and temptations grow many times too hard for the seedes of Knowledge: and the Diuell steales away much of the seede.
Strengthened. Doctr. 2.] There are two sorts of Christians fearing God: some are strengthened with all might;Two sorts of Christians. some are feeble in the Knowledge and Grace of God. There are strong Christians and weake; infants, and men of riper age. It is profitable more exactly to consider of both: and in the weake Christian I consider, 1. Who are weake. 2. What helpes to make them strong in the might of God.
For the better vnderstanding of the first, I propound three things. 1▪ What the Infant or weake Christian wanteth, by which hee discouers his weakenesse. 2. What he hath, notwithstanding his wants. 3. The happinesse of his estate, though he be weake.
They are but Babes and Infants in Grace:Who are Infants in grace. 1. That know not the louelove of Christ, with particular, distinct, and full assurance sEphes. 3.19.20.17.. 2. That are not able to practise the more strong & purging duties of mortification tMat 9 15. &c.. 3. That serue any passion and vnruly affection u1 Cor. 3 1.2.3.. 4. That are vnsetled in the way of life xIohn 14.5., and tost with the winde of contrary doctrine yEphes. 14.. 5. That sticke at acknowledgement, and dare not stand out to the profession of the truth yEphes. 14.. 6. That cannot digest some truths of God,zEphes. 4.13. as being strong meate, and in their account hard sayings.*Iohn 6.60. & 16.22. 7. That are inexpert and vnskilfull in the word of righteousnesse aHeb. 5.12.13.(especially, if they be ignorant in the principles,) other signes may be gathered from the contrary estate of the strong Christian afterwards.
What the weak Christian hath.2 Yet the weakest Christian (whatsoeuer hee wants) hath these things: 1. Hee discernes the season of Grace, and the day of his peace and redemption, which the wise-men of the world doe not bMat. 16.3.. 2. Though in his owne account hee can doe but little for the truth, yet hee will be sure to doe nothing against the truth, if hee may know it c2 Cor. 13.8.. 3. Hee is not in the flesh, hee is more then a naturall man, hee is borne againe d1 Cor. 15.50. Iohn 3.5. Rom. 8.8.. 4. Hee hath an earnest appetite and constant desire after the sincere milke of the Word e1 Pet. 2.2.. 5. He beleeues whiles hee struggles with vnbeliefe. 6. The strong man armed, which is the Diuell, is so cast out by Christ, that hee preuayles not as he was wont. 7 He can deny his reason, pleasures, profits, and beloued sinnes, and take vp his crosse in s…me measure fLuke 14.26.27.33.. Lastly, such a dore may be opened to them that hauehave little strength, as no man can shut, and such courage they may hauehave, that they will sticke to the word, and keepe it as their best treasure, whatsoeuer they lose, and by no meanes be induced to deny Christ and his Name gReuel. 2 8.9..
His happinesse though hee be weake.3 His case is happy though weake, for hee hath such a High Priest, and Sauiour, as knowes how to hauehave compassion on the ignorant hHeb. 5.2., and is touched with a feeling of his in…irmities iHeb. 4.15., and hath wrought the reconciliation of all his brethren, and was tempted himselfe: and therefore will succour the weake when hee is tempted kHeb ….18.: and will see to it, that more shall not be laid vponupon him then he is able to beare l1 Cor. 10.; it being his charge and office to prouide, that the bruised Reede be not broken, or the smoaking Flaxe quenched, till iudgement be brought forth vntounto victory. And at all times the weakest Christian may goe bol…ly to the throne of Grace, and obtaine mercy to helpe in time of neede mHeb 4. vlt..
Helpes for the weake Christian.The helpes for stren…ening of the weake, are of two sorts: some without vsus, some to be vsus…d by vsus.
Without vsus▪ there are many things that may strengthen, and incourage, and animate the weake: 1. There is proposed a glorious inheritance to them that ouercome▪ 2. We hauehave the example of all the Saints. 3. We hauehave a strong and sure foundationn2 Tim. 2.19.. 4. We hauehave a strong God, and his power is engaged to exercise it selfe in our weaknesse, and to keepe vsus vntounto saluation, without falling till hee present vsus faultlesse before the presence of his glory oIud. 24. 1 Pet 1 5 2 Cor 12.9.. 5. Wee hauehave a strong word of God, able to build vsus vp, and make vsus wise▪ and saue our soules pActs 20.33. 2 Tim. 3.16. Iames 1.21., as being Gods Arme, and mightie instrument, of his power q1 Cor. 1.18. Rom 1.1….. 6. The spirit of God is a Spirit as of Grace, so of Power r2 Tim 1 7., and helpeth the weake, as in Prayer sRom 8 …6., so in eueryevery Dutie and grace. 7. Wee hauehave a strong Sauiour: Christ doth strengthen and incourage the Christian three wayes: first, by his owne example, becomming a patterne to vsus to follow: secondly, by application; for vntounto all that lay hold on him by Faith, …ee is a Priest after the power of endlesse life tHeb. 7.16.; the Wi…edome of God, and the Power of God u1 Cor. 1.24.: thirdly, by operation, for hee hath borne our infirmities, by his owne offering hee hath and doth consecrate and make perfect our persons and workes, in Gods sightxHeb. 2.10.; he doth vnite vsus to the Father yIoh. 17.21.23; hee giues vsus his Fathers glory, both in that he giues vsus such Graces as will bring to glory, and in that he giues vsus credit where himselfe and the Father are in credit. Thus of the helpes without vsus.
If any aske in the second place, what we must doe, that wee may be strengthened. I answere: 1. Wee must pray for Knowledge and Faith, to discerne and beleeue Gods power and promise: Ephes. 1. … 8. &c. A…d in the fourth of that Epistle there are fiue things more to be done, …hat wee may attayne to a ripe age in Christ, first, wee must subiect our selues to be taught, and wrought vponupon, by such Teachers as are set ouer vsus by Christ. 2. We must resolue and settle our selues in the doctrine of the foundation and the Principles of truth, that wee be not tossed to and fro with eueryevery winde. 3. Wee must so be satisfied with the voyce of Christ in our Teachers, that wee cast aside all respects of the voyce of strangers, not opening our eares willingly to the sleights of cunning men, that will lie in waite to deceiue vsus. 4. We must take heede of personall discords with any that feare God, following the truth in louelove. 5. We must mutually striue to yeeld and seeke helpe to and of one another, that eueryevery ioynt in this mysticall body, according to the measure of the part may supply and make vp the increase of the body by vertue of vnion with the Head, and communion with the Members zEphes. 4.11. to 17.. Besides, if we would increase in strength, wee must let Patience hauehave his perfect worke, making conscience to mortifie corrupt passions, as worldly griefe, anger, fretting aIames 1.4., &c. And lastly, wee must be carefull to keepe what God hath giuen vsus, that no man take away our crowne. Neglect of grace receiued is a great hinderance of strength and increase.
Thus of the weake Christian.
A strong Christian discouers himselfe by diuers things.Of the strong Christian: and how he may be knowne. First, hee is spirituall, that is, such a one as not onelyonly hath a taste and desire after spirituall things, but is also ruled by the Word and Spirit of God, that hee restraines the euils of the flesh both in heart and life, so as hee giues not occasion eyther of scandall to the weake, or of scorne to them that are without b1 Cor. 3.1.. Secondly, hee is able to be baptised with the baptisme that Christ was baptised with, and to drinke of the cup that Christ dranke of: he is not onelyonly willing to beare ordinary wrongs and crosses, but is prepared for the worst the world or Sathan may doe to him cMat. 20.22.23. 3. Hee can beare the infirmities of the weake, and in conuersing, deny himselfe, and please his Brother in that that is good to edification dRom. 15.1.2.. 4. Hee is full of goodnesse and knowledge, and is able to admonish eRom …5.14., and comfort others, with the comforts hee hath found himselfe f2 Cor. 1.4.. 5. Hee sinnes not in word gIames 3.1., that is, hee is able to gouerne his tongue with Wisedome, Meekenesse, Grace and Truth; the ordinary faults of speech are not found in his Tongue. 6. He is not carefull for life, to take thought for what hee shall eate, or what hee shall drinke; nor doth hee disquiet his heart about his body, what hee shall put on: for these outward things hee can easily trust his heauenly Father hMat. 6.25.30.. 7. He can louelove his enemies, endure wrongs without resistance or reuenge; or if hee vse the helpe of the Magistrate, he can seeke it without malice or crueltie: hee can blesse them that curse him, and pray for them that despight him, and doe good to them that hate him iMat 5.38. to the end.. Lastly, in Faith he is strong, like Abraham, Rom. 4.16. to the end. Hee can beleeue things to come as well as if they were present, Vers. 17: hee can beleeue aboue hope and vnderunder hope▪ Vers. 18. hee looketh, not to the meanes, but to the promise: Vers. 19. he vanquisheth doubts: Vers. 20. hee is as thankefull for promises, as others would be for performances: Vers. 20.21. for these things were not onelyonly true of Abraham but may be true in vsus also, Vers. 23.24. who may hauehave as great helpe from Christ as euer hee had, Vers. 25.
Thus of the strong Christian.
In all might. Why all might.] Note how the Apostle presseth to perfection: before, in all knowledge, all pleasing, all good workes; now, in all might. And wee had neede to be strengthened with all might, because not one part of the soule onelyonly is to be looked to, but the whole soule, spirit and life throughout: nor hauehave we one Grace to tend, but all sorts of Graces from God: nor doth there abide vsus one trouble, but calamities, indignities, and temptations of all sorts. We hauehave not one aduersary to encounter, but many, and of many sorts; inward, outward, visible, invisible, publike, priuate, at home and abroad. Neyther doe wee stand vponupon our guard at one time, but must looke to our selues in all these respects at all times.
It must be all might that we should labour after in foure respects:All might in foure respects.
First, it must be a Might that extends to the strengthening of all the faculties of the soule, powers of the body, and duties of the life: our Mindes must be strengthened in the approuing of truth and goodnesse, and in reprobating of euill and falshood l1 Cor. 14.20.: our Memories must be strengthened in retayning and recording the secrets and hid things of GOD, which are committed to it: the Will must be strengthened in the Election of good, and reiection of euill: and our Affections neede strength also: thus wee were to be strengthened in PatiencemIam. 1.4., Ioyn1 Thes. 5.16., LoueLove o1 Iohn 4.18., Mercy pCol. 3.12., Hope and Confidence q1 Pet. 1.13., Desires rPsal. 27.4., in Reuerence sHeb. 12.28., in Hatred of Sinne tPsal. 139.21.22., Contempt of the World vPhil. 3.8. Esay 30.22.. So doe wee neede strength to eueryevery dutie of holy life.
Secondly, it must be a Might that is gotten from the vse of all the meanes, wee must be strengthened in the power of eueryevery ordinance of God, and supported with the vse of eueryevery helpe to make vsus strong.
Thirdly, it must be a Might shewed in the vse of all the Armour of God. Wee must strengthen our selues with eueryevery piece of Armour, whether it be Armour of Defence, as the Girdle of Truth, the Brest-plate of Righteousnesse, the Shooes of the Gospell of Peace, the Shield of Faith, the Helmet of Hope: or Armour of Offence, as the Sword of the Spirit, Gods Word, and the Darts of Prayers xEphes. 6.12..
Fourthly, it should be a Might extended to all possible degrees and power of eueryevery Grace and Dutie: thus in mercy wee should communicate in all good things yGal. 6.6.: our seruice should be an heartie Seruice zEphes. 6.6., we must louelove the Lord with all our hearts, with all our soules, with all our might *Deut. 6.5..
According to the power of his glory.] In the handling of these words, I consider them, first, apart: secondly, as they are ioyned together: and thirdly, the Doctrines out of them.
Here are two things laid to pawne for the strengthening of the weake Christian, Gods Power, and Gods Glory.
The extent of Gods power.Power is one of the Attributes they call in Schooles relate: the Power of God is infinite, both in respect of Essence (for it is as large as the Essence; yea, it is the Essence it selfe) and in respect of Obiects, hee hath not done so much, but farre beyond our capacities, hee could doe infinitely more: and so is it infinite in respect of continuance. Yet to speake of it according to our capacities;What God cannot doe. it is restrayned, 1. By his Will; hee cannot doe what his Will is against: 2. By his Glory; hee can doe nothing against his owne Glory: 3. By his Nature, hee cannot lye, &c. because it is against his Nature: 4. In some respects by the nature of the Creature; so as whatsoeuer destroyes the essentiall definition of the Creature, God cannot doe: as God cannot make a man vnreasonable, and yet hee remaine a man; hee cannot make a body infinite, and it remayne a body still: 5. Sometimes by the condition and qualities of the Creature; as, Be it vntounto thee according to thy Faith: 6. By impossibilitie; I say, by that which is simply impossible, for there are many things vnpossible in respect of vsus, which are not onelyonly possible but easie to God. And therefore the common-people reason foolishly; God can saue me, therefore hee will doe it: and the Papists as willfully; Christ can be present in the Sacrament, therefore hee will. For besides that they will neuer proue his body can lie in all places, at one time, truely and locally present, remayning a true body; they also reason but absurdly, till they finde his will to be there in their manner.
What the glory of God is.The Glory of God is taken somtimes for the signe of his presence, Exod. 16.10. for the meanes of his worship: 1 Sam. 4.22. for prayse and honour: 2 Chron. 29.11. But here it is taken for the excellencie of God aboue all creatures, as it may be reuealed.Wherein God excels the creature. God is more excellent then all Creatures, in Trinitie of Persons; in our essence, in perfection of Nature, in infinitenesse of beeing, in eternitie, in puritie and singlenesse, in immutabilitie of Nature, Will, and Qualities; in vnderstanding, in prescience, which absolutely falleth to no creature; in the Idaea of Vertue, and in omnipotencie. By reason of mans Fall and custome in sinne, Gods glory is much darkened: so as now man of himselfe cannot so conceiue of the wonderfull excellencie of his Creator.
Gods Glory is reuealed vntounto man,How many wayes Gods glory is reuealed. 1. By his Workes aPsal. 104 31.: especially his dreadfull and great workes bEsay 24.16.. 2. By the Signes of his presence cExod. 16.10. 3. By the meanes of his worship d1 Sam. 4.22. Psal. 89.7.▪ 4. By the Confession of guiltie persons eIosh. 7. 1 Sam. 6.5. Mal. 2.2.. 5. By the Prayses of his Seruants: and therefore to giuegive glory, is translated, to giuegive thankes fLuke 17.18.. 6. By Christ, who is the Lord of glory g2 Cor. 2.8., the King of glory hPsal. 24., hee maketh the Glory of God, as it were visible in his flesh. 7. By Man k1 Cor 11.7.. 8. By the Spirit of Reuelation lEphes. 1.17.. 9. By the Gospell m1 Tim. 1.11..
But if you aske who of all men see Gods glory, I answere; onelyonly the Saints, in the brightnesse of it nPsal. 89.7. Esay 26.10.11.; to wit, such as hauehave the Gospell shining in their hearts, o2 Cor. 4.3. &c. Esay 61.1 2.3.&c. such as acknowledging Gods threatnings, turne vntounto him by true repentance pIer. 13.16.: such as leade an holy and innocent life qPsal. 138.5. &c Esay 58.7.8.9.: such as hauehave a true and liuely Faith rIohn 11.40. Esay 46.12.13..
Thus of the words apart.iIohn 1.14
Power of his Glory.] There are foure Reasons why the Power of God should be said to be the Power of his Glory, or glorious. 1. Because it will neuer leaue strengthening,Who see Gods glory. till it bring to Glory. 2. Because the power of all the meanes of saluation is from heauen, and therefore a glorious power. 3. Because Gods Glory sets his Power aworke, in as much as by promise it lyes ingaged to his people. 4. It is a glorious Power, because of the persons and things that are vsed in Gods worke, as God himselfe, the Sonne of God, the Spirit of God, ordinances that are of God, and men specially consecrated by God.
Doctrines. First, the perseuerance of Gods Children is most certaine: so long as there is Power in God or Glory, they cannot fall away by losing their happinesse.
This poynt hath abundant and apparant confirmation out of the old Testament in these places,Foure Reasons why the power of God is said to be the power of his glory. About falling from grace and perseuerance. Proofes that Gods elect cannot fall away. This Doctrine doth not tend to securitie. Psal. 145.10.13.14 Esay 42.3. Ezech. 36.24.25.26.27. Ierem. 32.40. Hos. 2.19. Out of the Gospels, Mat. 16.18. and 24.25. Iohn 4.14. and 5.24. and 6.39. and 10.28.29. and 13.1. Out of the Epistles also, Rom. 6.8.9.10.11. and 8.30. and 11.29. Ephes. 4.12.17. Phil. 1.6. 2 Tim. 2.19. Heb. 7.16. 1 Iohn 2.19. and 3.9. 1 Pet. 1.5.13.18.20.23.
Secondly, there is little reason of presumption in this Doctrine: for, as Power will preserue, so Glory will reuenge: if such as are in couenant with God returne to sinne, woe vntounto them, Gods Glory will not beare it; and he hath many wayes to scourge them: for by their sinnes they may bring vponupon themselues crosses of all sorts sPsal. 89.22. Esay 30.20. Zach. 13.7.8.9. Mich. 7.9.18., terrours of Conscience tPsal. 51., losse of many gifts, and want of sence of all grace, Gods presence, and the ioyes of his promises, and Saluation uPsal. 51. Cant. 3., Church-censures x1 Cor. 5., the want of many blessings yIer. 5.24.25., sore trauell and terrours vponupon their returne againe zPsal. 51., terrible buffets, both of the Word and Spirit, &c. And therefore wee should worke out our saluation with feare and trembling. It is a fearefull thing to fall into Gods angry and scourging hand.
Hitherto of the Obiect, Parts, Ends and Causes of Knowledge: the Effects follow, which in the end of the Verse are noted to be three, viz. Patience, Long-suffering, and Ioyfulnesse.
Patience. Motiues to Patience.] This is a vertue that well becomes a Christian, and a blessed fruit of the tree of life, much to be desired of man: though it may seeme troublesome to the flesh to endure crosses and afflictions, yet if all things be considered, it is a vertue of great prayse. God himselfe is magnified of Men and Angels for his patience and forbearance aRem. 2.4.. It is the admirable glory of the Sonne of God, that in the great worke of his Father, about the gathering of the Churches, in the middest of the oppositions of the world and euill Angels, hee should not cry, nor lift vp, nor cause his voyce to be heard, and yet hold out without failing or discouragement bEsay 42.2.4.: yea, as the Captaine of our saluation, he was made perfect by suffering cHeb. 2.10.. This is the praise of the Saints, (which they may remember with comfort) that they hauehave endured many and great fights of afflictions dHeb. 10.32.. The Souldiour cannot please his Captaine, vnlesse he endure hardnesse; nor hee that striueth for Masteries be crowned, vnlesse he toyle in the Combat; nor the Husbandman reape, vnlesse hee patiently endure the labour of sowing, and wayte till haruest e2 Tim. 2.3.5.6. All that will liue godly must suffer f2 Tim. 3.12.: the holy exercise of Christian Patience is a good signe that men are good hearers of the Word, and that they practise what they heare gLuke 8.15.. Men are not therefore miserable because they suffer much hMat. 5.10.: Christians neede not to be ashamed to suffer i2 Tim. 1.22.: they may be troubled on eueryevery side, yet not distressed: they may be perplexed, and yet not dispayre: they may be persecuted, and yet not forsaken: they may be cast downe, and yet not destroyed k2 Cor. 4.8.9.. Patience is a vertue full of good fruits: it appeaseth strife lProu. 15.18. & 25.: it helps away the crosse: it is impatience and stubbornnesse that makes the father continue to beate his childe: it fits vsus for perseuerance with comfort, as the Coherence shewes, The patient abiding of the poore shall not perish for euer mPsal. 9.: but they shall receiue, at the length, a crowne of life nIames 1.12.. The worth of this grace appeares by the hurt of impatiencie: for Impatiencie exalts folly oProu 14.17., depriues a man of the possession of his owne soule pLuke 22.19., dishonours all a mans gifts and graces, and all the good things hee hath before done qIob 4.6. &c., &c. Let vsus therefore runne with patience the race that is set before vsus. Thus did Christ endure the Crosse, and now weares the Crowne rHeb. 12.1.2.3.. The things wee commonly beare are nothing to that Christ and the Martyrs hauehave borne: wee hauehave not yet resisted vntounto bloud sVers. 4.: by suffering wee may reape the comfort that we are Sonnes and not Bastards tVers. 5.6.7.8.; besides the profit of our sufferings, which God euer intends to the patient, viz. the holinesse of the heart, and fruitfulnesse of the life uVers. 9.10.11..
That wee may be patient,What we must doe that wee may be patient. first, wee must get Wisedome, and if we want it, aske it of God. It is Ignorance makes men passionate: a great vnderstanding is slow to wrath xProu. 14.29. Iames 1.3.4.6.. Secondly, wee must get Faith to beleeue our owne reconciliation with God: our hearts neede not be troubled, if we beleeue in God the Father, in Iesus Christ yIohn 14.1.. When the heart is possessed with peace in the assurance of Iustification by Faith, then it is easie to be patient in tribulation; yea, to reioyce in affliction zRom 5.1.2.4. Iohn. 14.27.. Thirdly, we must be much in the meditation of the comforts of another life. Fourthly, wee must be often and constant in prayer*Rom. 12.12.. Fiftly, the hearing of the word faithfully and conscionably breedes a patient minde: and therefore is the Word called a Word of patience aReuel. 3.9.; the Comforts of the Scripture beget both Patience and Hope bRom. 15.4.. Sixtly, wee must be temperate in the desires after, and vse of, outward things; therefore are men vnquiet vnderunder the losse, absence, want, or desire of earthly things about their bodies or estates, because they hauehave not sobrietie and temperance in their hearts and carriage c2 Pet. 1.6.. Seauenthly, if wee would hauehave patience we must be carefull by godly Sorrow and Confession to cast off the sinne that hangeth on so fast: it is our wretched corruption of Nature that makes vsus so vnquiet, it is nothing without vsus dHeb. 12.1.. Lastly, we must be diligent in our callings, and trust vponupon God, and cast all our care on him. Idlenesse and vnbeleefe are the great nurses of impaciencie.
Thirdly,We must shew Patience in seauen things. wee must exercise Patience in seauen things. 1. In bearing the common crosses that accompany our mortall estate of life, and therein to put on, as neare as wee can, Iobs minde, and in all losses or wants to giuegive glory to God, acknowledging that hee hath as much right to take away, as reason to giuegive. 2. In bearing with the infirmities of such as are about vsus, with whom we conuerse, that shew themselues to be so, out of weakenesse, Rom. 15.1.3.4. 3. In enduring persecution of all kindes for the truths sake, 2 Tim. 3.12. 2 Thes. 1.5. Reu. 2.8. 1 Pet. 4.12. &c. 4. In tentations there is vse of Patience, both in wayting vponupon God for succour, and issue, and in keeping the soule at as much rest and quietnesse as may be: it is the Diuels desire to set vsus on a hurry, hee knowes his tentations will then worke best, Iames 1.4. 5. In the expectation of the performance of Gods promises, and our spirituall happinesse in Christ, Heb. 6.12. and 10.35.36.37.38. 6. In the troubles of the minde and conscience, beleeuing Gods truth, and wayting for the appearing of his face, and the healing of the soule. 7. In perseuerance in well doing vntounto the end, Mat. 24.13. Rom. 2.7. Reu. 2.2. Gal. 5.9. 1 Iohn 3.2.
Long-suffering. Motiues to Long-suffering.] This vertue, in case of wrongs, must order vsus aright in our selues and towards others: in our selues it must restraine Anger and desire of reuenge;eExod. 34.6. 1 Pet. 2.22. and great reason, for God himselfe suffers wrong, and that long too, and it is Gods commandement wee should suffer long fMat. 5.21.22 45. Rom. 12.21.: besides, iniuries befals vsus by Gods prouidence g2 Sam. 16.10.; and reuenge is Gods right hRom. 12.19.. Moreouer, these raging and reuengefull affections are great hinderances both to Prayer i1 Tim. 2.8., and to the profit of the World kIames 1.21.. And lastly, anger lets the Diuell into a mans heart lEphes. 4.21..
Quest. 1. But how should I preuent it being wronged? Ans. First, carry some of thine owne sinnes alwayes in thy minde, that being prouoked thou maist turne the course of thine anger thither.Quest. Ans. Secondly, auoyd the occasions, which are both contentions mPhil. 2.3.and contentious persons nProu. 22.26.. Thirdly, be daily iealous ouer thine affections,How to preuent anger and desire of reuenge being wronged. and keepe them downe by prayer.
Quest. 2. What if passion doe sodainely surprise me? Ans. 1. Conceale it oProu. 12.16.. 2. Depart from them with whom thou art angry p1 Sam. 20.34. Gen. 27.43.44.. 3. Appoynt at the least that bound vntounto thine anger, that the Sunne goe not downe vponupon thy wrath qEphes. 4 26..
Towards others we must shew the practise of this vertue thus.
In things that might displease vsus,Quest. Ans. but not hur vsus, endure them without any notice at all: and in things that doe hurt, if they be lesser iniuries, see them and forgiue them; and in the greater wrongs, thou must seeke the helpes of the Magistrate, and the Law: after thou hast sought all priuate meanes, by intreatie, offers of peace, desire of Arbitration, &c. follow the Law with louelove to thy aduersary, without passion or rage, and in the issues be moderate, without shewing extremitie rMath. 5.25. & 18.15. Rom. 12.18. 1 Cor. 6.5..
Ioyfulnesse.] A Christian estate is a ioyfull and comfortable estate. Sauing Knowledge makes a man liue ioyfully and comfortably, true ioy is one of the fruits Gods Spirit beareth in the heart of a Christian;Gods people hauehave cause to be ioyfull. yea, it is a chiefe part of that kingdome that God bestoweth on his people on earth. None hauehave cause of ioy but the Children of Sion, and none of them but hauehave great reason to shout for ioy, to reioyce and be glad with all their hearts sZeph. 3.14., Zeph. 3.14. Is it not a great Mercy to hauehave all the iudgements due vntounto vsus for sinne taken away? and the great enemie of our soules cast out? Is it not a great honour that Iehouah, the King of Israell, should be in the middest of vsus? and that our eyes should not see euill any more? What sweeter encouragement then that the Lord should cause it to be said vntounto vsus, feare not? and againe, Let not your hands be slacke? If wee hauehave great crosses, enemies, dangers, wants, temptations, &c. wee hauehave a mightie God; if there be none to helpe vsus, hee will saue; yea, hee will reioyce to doe vsus good; yea, he will reioyce ouer vsus with ioy; yea, hee so loues vsus, that he will rest in his louelove and seeke no further. Shall man be sorrowfull when God reioyceth? Shall the Lord reioyce in vsus, and shall not wee reioyce in God tZeph. 2.14. &c., &c. And if these reasons of ioy be contayned in one place of Scripture, how great would the number of reasons grow, if all the Booke of God were searched? such a ioy and contentment is the ioy of Christians that crosses cannot hinder. Life is not deare to a childe of God, so that hee may finish his course with ioy uActs 20.24.. They suffer the spoyling of their goods with ioy, knowing that in heauen they hauehave a more enduring substance xHeb. 10.34.. Yea, in many crosses they account it all ioy to fall into tentation yIames 1.2.. They seeme as sorrowfull, when indeede they are alwayes reioycing z2 Cor. 6.10..
Quest.Quest. What might wee doe to get this constant ioyfulnesse and vnmoueable firmenesse and contentment of heart?Ans. Ans. In generall thou must be sure to be Gods Seruant aEsay 65.13.14, a man iustified and sanctified bIer. 33.8. Esay 61.10. & 12.5.: thou must know that thy name is written in the Booke of life dLuke 10.20.,What we must doe that wee might get constant ioyfulnesse of heart. which cannot be without Faith d1 Pet. 1.8. Phil. 1.25. Rom. 15.13. & 12..
In particular, there are many things which hauehave a sure promise of ioy and comfort annexed to them.
First, thou must lay the foundation of all eternall ioyes, in godly sorrow for thy sinnes, Iohn 16.20. Mat. 5.4. Psal. 126.5.6.
Secondly, thou must hang vponupon the breasts of the Church (viz. the Word and Sacraments) continually, with trembling and tender affection, wayting vponupon the word of God: the Law must be in thy heart, thou must buy thy libertie herein at the highest value, Esay 66.2.5.11. and 51.7. Mat. 13.44.
Thirdly, in thy carriage thou must be a counsellor of peace, Prou. 12.20. and liue in peace as neare as may be, 2 Cor. 13.11.
Fourthly, take heede thou be not insnared with grosse sinne, Prou. 29.6.
Fiftly, wouldest thou reape ioy? sow good seede: to be much in well-doing, procures (as a blessing) a secret and sweet gladnesse vponupon the heart of man: a barren life is an vncomfortable life. Many would reape, that will not be at the payne to sow, Iohn 4.36. Gal. 6.7.8. Hee that vseth his Talents to aduantage, enters into his Masters ioy, a ioy liker the ioy of God then man, meeter for the Master then for the Seruant, yet such a Master we serue, as will crowne vsus with this ioy, Mat. 15.21.
Sixtly, be constant, beare fruit, and get the knowledge of the louelove of Christ, and abide in it, Iohn 15.10.
Lastly, in the 2 Thes. 5.16. to 24. there are seauen things required in our practise, if wee would alwayes reioyce. 1. We must pray alwayes: if wee be much in prayer wee shall be much in ioy. 2. Wee must in all things giuegive thankes: a heart kept tender with the sence of Gods mercies, is easily inflamed with ioyes in the holy Ghost. 3. We must take heede of quenching the Spirit: when a man puts out the holy motions of the Spirit, hee quencheth his owne ioyes. 4. We must, by all meanes, preserue an honourable respect of the word publikely preached: despise not prophecying. 5. And whereas there be some things wee heare, doe specially affect vsus, and concerne vsus, we must be carefull with all heedfulnesse to keepe those things whatsoeuer we forget: try all things, but keepe that which is good. 6. In our practise wee must not onelyonly auoyd euill, but all appearance of euill, else if wee disquiet others with griefe or offence of our carriage, it will be iust with God we should finde little rest, or contentment in our selues. Lastly, wee must endeauour to be sanctified throughout, inwardly and outwardly, in soule, body and spirit, hauing respect of all Gods Commandements, and retayning the louelove of no sinne, so shall we reape the blessing of all righteousnesse, and procure to our hearts the ioyes that are euerlasting.
Hitherto of the Preface.