An Exposition Upon Colossians, Biblical commentary 1 · Chapter 1 · Verse 23
Verse 23.
If ye continue grounded, and stablished in the faith, and be not mooued away from the hope of the Gospell, whereof yee hauehave heard.
THe second part of the Epistle,The diuision of the third part of the Epistle. viz. the proposition of Doctrine, hath beene handled hitherto, from the twelfth verse vntounto these words. In these words, and those that follow, to the end of the second Chapter, is contained the third part of the Epistle, viz. matter of exhortation: wherein hee both perswades and disswades. The perswasion is contained in this verse, and the rest, vntounto the eight verse of the next Chapter. The disswasion is from verse 8. of Chapter 2. to the end of the Chapter.
In the perswasion, the Apostle exhorts them to perseuerance, both in Faith and Hope: where is to be obserued: 1. the exhortation it selfe, in the beginning of this verse, and the reason to inforce the exhortation, in all the verses following. The exhortation is two-fold: first, to perseuerance in Faith, in these words, if yee continue grounded and stablished in the faith: secondly, to perseuerance in hope, in the next words: and be not mooued from the hope of the Gospell, whereof yee hauehave heard. From the Coherence, and generall words of the Exhortation,Consideration of the doctrine from the Coherence. we must obserue, that Gods Children after they hauehave gotten true grace, & were comforted in their reconciliation, must looke to their Faith and Hope. It is not enough once to get Faith & Hope, but after they are conceiued in vsus, they must be daily looked to: for the iust must liue by his faith: Hebr. 7.5. Hebr. 11. Ephes. 3.16. Acts 15.9. 2 Tim. 3.15. 1 Iohn 5.4.It must be to him according to his faith, not according to his friends, money, labour, meanes, &c. By faith hee must draw vertue out of all Gods ordinances: by faith hee must purge his heart of his daily sinnes: by Faith and Hope, he walkes with God, and ouercomes the world. This may greatly reproue mans carelesnesse; men looke to their Grounds, Cattell, Shops, &c. but who lookes to their Faith and Hope?
If you continue grounded and stablished in the faith.] Heere are two things: first, the manner of the propounding of the exhortation, viz. with an If: secondly, the exhortation it selfe: where note; 1. the dutie, continue: 2. the manner, of the dutie, grounded and stablished: 3. the obiect, in Faith.
Why propounded with an If.If.] The Apostle propounds this Exhortation with an If, because hee speaketh to a mixt multitude, among whom were many that would not continue; and thereby shew they were not truely reconciled. Yea, it was needfull that the godly amongst them, should hauehave it thus doubtfully set downe, that so they might be more carefull to settle, and establish themselues in the Faith, that they might hold out in it.
As this (If) lookes vponupon the wicked, it shewes, that in places where the Gospell gathers soules to God,Men will fall away: looke for it. many that for a time were forward, and greatly affected, will afterwards fall away. And therefore Gods seruants, both Ministers and People, should looke for Apostacy, and not be ouermuch troubled when they see any fall away.
What makes many fall away.It is not amisse to consider by what meanes, or motiues, men are plucked away from the louelove of the truth. Some fal away for hard sayingsaIohn 6.30.42.52.60.61. &c., some cannot follow Christ long, because of their carnall friends: others are corrupted with lewd company: others cannot beare the reproofes of their faults; and if they be reprooued, either they will lift Amos away from Bethel, or they get themselues away from hearing Amos. Some heare this Sect eueryevery where so ill spoken of, that they will be better aduised ere they settle vponupon such courses. And the rather, because they doe not see the multitude set out with them, or great men yeeld any countenance to such strict courses. Others are seduced by time-seruing flattering, false, or corrupt teachers, who (labouring to hinder the efficacy of the doctrine of paineful Ministers) hope to accomplish either the stopping of their mouthes, or the increase of their bonds, or at least their disgrace with the people bEzek. 13.19.20.22. 2 Tim. 3.12.13.14. Heb. 3.12.13.. Others are insnared with the earthly things, and forsake the sinceritie of the truth, to embrace this world with Demas. Many fall away for the Crosse, and all are catcht with the deceitfulnesse of some sinne.
Quest. But may the faithfull fall away and not continue? Answ. The faithfull may loose,The faithfull may fall away, in some respects. and fall from 1. some degrees of innocency of life. 2. Some degrees of the working, and efficacie of Gods Spirit. 3. Some degrees of Communion with Christ. Their Communion may be lessened, though their vnion can not be dissolued. 4. from Faith, of which he makes mention heere.Quoad sensum. Quoad gradum. Quoad actum. Quoad doctrinam. Quoad media doctrinae. And thus they may fall; in respect of sence: in respect of some degree: in respect of some acts of faith: in respect of some doctrine of faith: and lastly, in respect of the meanes of the doctrine of faith: But there are seauen things from which the Elect can neuer fall: first, they can not lose eternall life, Iohn 10.29. secondly, confirming grace in some measure, Psal 14.5. thirdly,Seauen things from which the Elect can neuer fall. Psal. 94.14.145.14. Mo…ues to continuance. remission of sinnes past, Esa. 43.25. fourthly, the seed, eyther of doctrine, or grace, 1 Iohn 3.9. Fiftly, the spirit of sanctification. Sixtly, the habite of Faith, Luke 22.32. Seauenthly, vnion with CHRIST, Iohn 17.22.23.26.
Continue.] Three things I propound concerning perseuerance. First, some reasons to moue vsus, to labour, to hold out, and continue. Secondly, rules to be obserued, that we might continue. Thirdly, the helpes the faithfull hauehave to further their perseuerance.
For the first: Vnlesse we continue, wee shall neuer hauehave the full truth of God, nor be made free by it: nor hauehave found comfort, that wee are the Disciples of Christ cIohn 8.31.32. Neither is any man fit for the kingdome of God, that puts his hand to the plow, and lookes backe dLuke 9.62.. The branch cannot beare fruit, except it abide in the Vine eIohn 15.4.. And, if they continue not with vsus, it is because they were not of vsus f1 Iohn 2.19.. It had beene better (for men) neuer to hauehave knowen the way of righteousnesse, then after they hauehave knowne it, to turne from the holy Commandements, deliuered vntounto them. For if after they hauehave escaped the pollutions of the world, through the knowledge of Iesus Christ, they be againe entangled, and ouercome; the latter end will be worse then the beginning g2 Pet. 2.19.20.. Yea, the very children of God by backesliding, may fall into a miserable condition; the powers of Hell may assault them hPsal. 77.11.. They may goe to the graue with vnrecouerable affliction: yea, they may lose some graces, without all restitution in this world: as the ioy of their saluation plerophorie, or full assurance, &c.
For the second:Eyght rules for continuance. If thou wouldest continue, thou must obserue eyght rules. First, thou must get a continuing faith: get thee an infallible assurance of Gods fauour, arising from the wise Application of Gods promises, and the sure witnesse of Gods spirit iIohn 6.40.. Secondly, thou must at first be throughly cleansed of all thy filthines; making conscience to repent of all sinne, and hauehave respect to all Gods Commandements. And thou must be sure thou get a new heart: for the olde heart is deceitfull, and will not hold out in any thing that is good kEzek. 36.26.27.. Thirdly, thou must continue to vse the meanes of preseruation: thou must still heare, pray, read, conferre, meditate, and receiue the Sacraments; for the spirituall life is preserued by meanes, as well as the naturall. Fourthly, thou must ioyne thy selfe to such as feare God, in the societie and fellowship of the Gospell. The affections, and desires of many, are blasted, and soone vanish, like a morning cloud, for want of communion with such as are able to direct, comfort, admonish, or encourage them lIer. 32 39.40. Phil. 1.5.6.. Fiftly, thou must see to it, that thou get knowledge, as well as affection mHos. 2.19.20 Psal. 145.20.14.; and affection as well as knowledge n. Sixtly, thou must so receiue the truth of the doctrine of Christ, as thou be also ready and willing, to confesse it, and professe it, amidst the different opinions, and humours of men oMath. 16.16.. Thou must be a sheepe; meeke, tractable, profitable, sociable, innocent: for boisterous, conceited, peruerse, vnteachable natures will neuer hold long pIohn 10.28..
Lastly, thou must be euer wary, and take heede of crosse teachings, and the puffs of contrary doctrine: and withall; take heed of coldnesse, in following the truth, and of discord, with such as feare God. Many times personall discords worke through mens singular corruptions, apostacy from the truth once receiued qEphes. 4.13.14.
The summe of all is; that, if wee get a iustifying faith, and be once assured of Gods fauour; if wee at first make a through reformation; if wee daily sticke to, and wait vponupon the meanes; if we conuerse with Gods children; if wee hauehave wise affections, that are warmed with pietie, and shewed with discretion; if we make a sound profession of the sinceritie of the truth; if we be meeke, and teachable, and follow the truth without coldnesse, or contention, wee shall neuer fall, but continue as Mount Sion, that cannot be moued. And out of all this wee may discerne the cause of the backe-sliding of many, eyther they were deceiued by a temporary faith; or neglected the constant vse of Gods ordinances, or were sleightly in mortification; or they forsooke the fellowship of the Saints; or they were tost with contrary doctrine; or they were people of vnruly affections; or were seduced by secret lusts.
Helpes for continuance.For the third: though it be a hard worke to continue, by reason of the infirmities within vsus, and the impediments from without vsus; yet a Christian hath great helpes to further him in perseuerance: hee hath helpes, first, from the Saints, and is furthered by their example, by their exhortations, and by their prayers rHebr. 12.1. & 10.24. 1 Tim 2.1.: secondly▪ from the immortall seed which is within them, which hath as great aptnesse to grow as any seed in Nature: and is a seed that is sowen for continuance, euen for Eternitie it selfe s1 Iohn 3.9.. Thirdly, from the easinesse and grace of the Couenant, in which they stand in fauour with God. And here it would be obserued how the words of the Couenant runne: for when God saith, Hee will make his euerlasting Couenant, his promise is, that hee will not turne away from them, to doe them good: and his feare he will put in their hearts, that they shall not depart from him tIer. 32.4.. And in another place he sayth, hee will not onelyonly clense them, but hee will giuegive them a new heart, and take away the stony heart out of their bodies, and put his spirit within them and cause them to walke in his statutes, and to doe them uEphes. 36.26.27.. Fourthly, from the spirit of God, which is in them; for the spirit sets the soule at liberty x2 Cor. 3.17.: and furnisheth it with graces yGal. 5.22.: sealeth vp vntounto the day of redemption zEphes. 1.14.: strengtheneth the inward man aEphes. 3.16.: shewes the things giuen of God b1 Cor. 2.12.: is a perpetuall comforter cIohn 14.16.: leadeth into all truth dIohn 15.13.: frees from condemnation, and the rigour of the LaweRom. 8.1.3.10 Zach. 12.12., Rom. 8.1.3. is life for righteousnesse sake, ver. 10. mortifies the deeds of the flesh, verse 13. beares witnesse that they are the children of God, verse 16. is a spirit of prayer, to cause them to cry Abba Father, verse 15. helpes their infirmities, and makes request for them, verse 26. Fiftly, from CHRIST: for from Christ they hauehave protection, Iohn 10.18. Influence, Iohn 15.1.4.5. Intercession, by which hee couers their sinnes and infirmities, presents their workes in his merits, and moueth the Father to keepe them from euill, &c. Iohn 17.9.11.15.17.22. Sixtly, they hauehave helpes from his Ordinances; for by Prayer, when they aske according to Gods Will; they may be sure to hauehave any thing, 1 Iohn 5.14. And by the Sacraments, Faith is confirmed, and sealed, and Grace nourished.
How many wayes the word furthers continuance.And by the Word they are many wayes furthered. I take but onelyonly the 119. Psalme, to shew how our continuance is helped by the Word. It redresseth our wayes, verse 9. It keepes from sinne, verse 11. It strengthens against shame and contempt, verse 22.23.143. It quickens, and comforts, verse 25.28.50.54.93.111. It makes free, verse 45. It makes wise, verse 98.100. It is a Lanthorne to our feet, verse 105.130. It keepes from declining, verse 102.104.118.155.160.165. Lastly, they are helped by the promises that concerne perseuerance, and preseruation, and falling away: such as are contained in such Scriptures as these, Iohn 13.1. 1 Cor. 10.13. Rom. 8.29. Psal. 84.12. 1 Tim. 4.18. Reuel. 2.25.26.
Grounded, and stablished in the faith.] It is not enough to get Faith, and continue in it; but wee must be grounded and stablished: and when he saith, stablished in the Faith, wee must vnderstand, the Doctrine, profession, exercise, assurance, and effects of Faith. And this establishing, and grounding of our hearts, hath in it foure things, to wit, particular Knowledge, Certaintie, Resolution, and Contentment.
To be thus established,The priuiledges of an established and grounded heart. would fortifie vsus against all the changes, and alterations of estate, or Religion in after-times: and as the Coherence imports, it would much further vsus, in the attainement of an vnstained and vnrebukeable life: whereas of doubting can come nothing but the shunning of God, the libertie of sinne, and desperation, and the like. Besides, this grounded establishment in Faith, would free our profession from the dishonours, which an vnsetled or discontented Faith, or life, doth cast vponupon vsus. Atheists, Papists, Epicures, and Belly-gods, if this were in vsus, would be astonished to see the power of Religion, in our resolued contentment, and to consider how vnmoueable wee were; so as the gates of Hell could not preuaile against vsus. Besides the vnsearchable solace that a peaceable and restfull conscience would breed in vsus.
That we might be thus grounded,What we must doe, that wee might be grounded and stablished. and stablished, diuers things are carefully to be obserued. 1. Wee must be founded on the Prophets, and Apostles fEphes. 2.20.; we must be daily conuersant in the Scriptures. 2. We must be much in prayer, but in practise of prayer; wee must nourish the hatred of eueryevery sinne; and daily labour to encrease in the reformation of euill. And it is a great helpe to be much with such as feare God, and call vponupon God with a pure heart. It would much establish vsus, to see the faith, affections, feruency, and power of Gods spirit in others, in prayer g2 Tim. 2.19.22.. 3. There is a secret blessing of God, in setling a mans heart, followes vponupon well doing: so as to be abundant in Gods worke, is a great meanes of stedfastnesse; whereas a fruitlesse and barraine life, is both vncomfortable, and vnsetled h1 Cor. 15.58. 1 Tim. 6.19.. 4. We must pray God to giuegive vsus a free and ingenious spirit iPsal. 51.12. What a free spirit is.: wee must pray to God to giuegive vsus a minde, cheerefull, speedy, full of incitations to good, glad of all occasions to doe good: free from the staine of the sinnes of the Time, Nation, or Calling, and from the raigne of former lusts, inclineable to serue God, and our Brethren by LoueLove: fearing the Gospell more then the Law, and Gods goodnesse more then his iustice. 5. Wee must set an order▪ in Faith and Life. It is exceeding behoouefull in matter of opinions, to deliuer vp our soules to some sound frame of Doctrine, in which wee will euer quietly rest; and in matters of life, to gather out of the Commandements a platforme of liuing, that might fit our owne cause kPro. 4.26.. 6 Wee are not vsually setled, and soundly stablished, till we hauehave beene shaken with affliction, and hauehave gotten the experience which the Crosse learnes vsus l1 Pet. 5.10.. Lastly, wee must consecrate our selues to God, endeauouring daily to practise what wee daily heare: for hee that commeth to Christ, and heareth his sayings, and doth them, is like a man which hath built a House, and digged deepe, and layed the foundation on a Rocke; and when the flood arose, and the streame beat vehemently vponupon that house, it could not shake it, because it was founded on a Rocke mLuke 6.48.49..
Quest. What should be the reason why many after long profession, and much hearing,Quest. Ans. and some comfortable signes of assurance, at sundry times conceiued, should yet be vnsetled, and distracted, and shew so much perplexitie and want of firmenesse,The causes why many after long profession, and some signes of hope, are still so vnsetled. eyther in contentment or practise?
Answ. This is occasioned diuersly. First, sometime for want of a distinct direction, or carefull examination, about the Application of the signes of Gods fauor: some Christians hauehave not the signes cleerly & distinctly collected: others that hauehave them, & know the vse of them, grow sloathfull and negligent, and are iustly scourged with the want of the glory of this establishment.
Secondly, sometimes it comes to passe, for want of vsing priuate meanes more conscionably; as Reading, Prayer, or Conference.
Thirdly, it is so sometimes with Christians, because of some sinne they lye in, without repentance; there may be some sinne, which they too much fauour, and are loath to forsake, whether it be secret, or more open.
Fourthly, Vnfruitfulnesse, and barrennesse in good workes may cause it: for if Faith did beare fruit vpwards, it would take roote downewards.
Fiftly, many are grieuously pressed, vnderunder legall perfection, being not able distinctly to discerne the benefit of the Couenant of grace, in freeing them from the curse, and rigour of the Law. The ignorance of this one point, hath, and doth couer the faces and hearts of millions of Gods Seruants, with a perplexed confusion, and feare without cause.
Sixtly, many professors liue in much vnrest, for want of discerning things that differ, and the right vse of Christian liberty.
Seauenthly, there is a kinde of luke-warmenesse in practise, after hearing, which is in many scourged with the withholding of this rich grace of spirituall stedfastnesse. I say, luke-warmenesse in practise: for it may be obserued, that many heare with great affection, and continue to be stirring, in expressing their liking of the Word, and yet are exceedingly negligent in the conscionable and daily practise of such rules, as in the ministery of the Word they seeme to receiue with admiration, and great liking.
Eyghtly, this comes by reason of the want of patience, and a meeke spirit: some Christians are froward, passionate, transported with violent affections, eyther of anger, or wordly griefe: and these seldome or neuer, gaine any long rest, or continuall contentment: troubled affections, greatly hinder setlednesse, euen in the best things.
To conclude, many professors reuolt to the world, and giuegive themselues to an vniustifiable libertie, in following eyther their profits, or their pleasures. And therefore no maruell, though Grace and true Religion, thriue so slowly in them, when they eate vp their hearts and liues with these cares and delights of life.
Hitherto of Faith. Now of Hope.
Be not moued away from the hope of the Gospell, whereof yee hauehave heard.]
Though by Faith wee are interressed in GODS fauour, and our soules garnished on earth with diuers graces, as the fruits of Faith, and our liues protected with caelestiall priuiledges; yet the glory of our kingdome is neither of this world, nor in this world. Hope must guide vsus to future things, as well as Faith to present: and therefore the Apostle Peter doth with great reason teach vsus to blesse God, for begetting vsus againe to a liuely hope n1 Pet. 1.3.: our whole happinesse may be branched out into these two parts. First, what we hauehave already on earth; and secondly, what wee looke to hauehave hereafter in Heauen. The one, Faith procures, the other, Hope assures. Now in that wee hauehave not all our happinesse here, but hope for it else where, it should teach vsus diuers things.
First, wee should effectually pray vntounto GOD to giuegive such sound wisedome, and reuelation, by his word and spirit, that wee may indeed know this hope of our calling oEphes. 1.18..
Secondly, in all troubles, wee should be the more patient, seeing wee holde our full and finall deliuerance, when wee shall feele no more troubles or crosses, by Hope. Perfect saluation is had here onelyonly by Hope pRom. 8..
Thirdly, when our friends goe out of the world, such as were deare vntounto vsus in the bonds of grace, we should not mourne immoderately for them; for that were to proclaime our want of knowledge, or want of sence and feeling, in the thoughts of the happinesse of another world q1 Thes 4.13.. Yea, fourthly, seeing the greatest part of our happinesse is yet to come, we should learne to place our ioyes in the contemplation of Heauen, according to the Apostles direction; who biddeth vsus reioyce in hope rRom. 12.12.. And lastly, we should prepare for death, and wait when the time of our changing should come, that wee might enioy the glorious libertie of the sonnes of God.
Not moued away.] Doct. It is not enough to hauehave hope, but we must get to be vnmoueable in it: for as the Authour to the Hebrewes shewes, wee should be diligent to get and hauehave a Plerophorie, or full assurance of Hope to the end sHeb. 6.11.. Wee must holde fast the confidence, and reioycing of hope tHeb. 3.6.. This is our sure and stedfast Anchor, to which wee should in all stormes hauehave our refuge, to hold fast by it vHeb. 6.18.19.
The Vse is two-fold: first, it may reproue that vnsetlednesse, and discontentment is found in men,Note. in the times of their affliction, when eueryevery crosse can moue them away from their confidence. Wee would thinke him a strange man, that in time of peace, would walke vp and downe with a Helmet on him, and when hee were to goe into any battell, or fray, in the middest of the fight, when it was at the hottest, would take his Helmet, and throw it off him. And yet so strange are wee. In prosperitie, wee out-brag all men with our hope in God, and our strong confidence; but when the Deuill, or the World, begin to deale their blowes, and to molest vsus with sharpest assaults, then we grow hartlesse, or impatient, and throw away our hope, when wee hauehave most need of it. Secondly, it should teach vsus to labour after this vnmoueablenesse of hope; which, that it may the better be done, two things are to be looked to. 1. that our hope be a true hope: 2. that wee vse the meanes to make this hope vnmoueable.
And for the first, wee must consider three things. First, what hope is not true hope. Secondly, what persons hauehave no hope. Thirdly, what are the effects or properties of true hope. Some things of many, in each of these, shall be instanced in.
First,What hope is not true hope. there is a hope, of which men shall one day be ashamed: such is, mens hope in their riches xPsal. 52.7.; in the arme of flesh yIer. 17.5.; in oppression, vanitie, and sinne zPsal. 62.10.: in the instruments of deliuerance, as the Bow, or Sword, &c *Psal. 44.6.: in the d…ceitfull conceits of their owne braines aEsa. 28.15., or in their ciuilitie of life. This is to trust in Moses bIohn 5.45.. All these, and other such like hopes, are egregiously vaine.
Secondly, there are many sorts of men in the world, concerning whom it is plaine in Scriptures,Who hauehave not true hope. they hauehave not hope. For in the generall, there is no hope in any vnregenerate man c1 Pet. 1.3. Ephes. 2.12.; and in particular it is cleere, there is no true hope. First, in the ignorant, Psal. 9▪10. Secondly, in prophane men, that make not conscience of sinne, Psal. 115.11. Thirdly, in the presumptuous, that blesse their hearts against the curses of the Law, Deuter. 29.19. Fourthly, in the hypocrite; for though he hauehave wouen to himselfe, out of the bowels of his poysonous breast, a faire webbe of hope, yet it shall be as the house of the Spider, one swope of Gods Beesome shall easily lay him and his hope in the dust of miserie dIob 8.13.. Lastly, it is not in workers of iniquitie, that make a Trade of sinne, and eueryevery day plodde about mischiefe.
Thirdly, true hope is most stirring in affliction, and then it shewes it selfe by foure things.Which are the effects or properties of true hope.
First, By Profession: it will not onelyonly know, but acknowledge that truth, which is according to godlines eTit. 1.1.2.. It will confesse, & professe; wheras the common hope, seldome, or neuer at any time, holds it conuenient to be so forward. Secondly, by Abnegation; for it will endure scornes, losses, temptations, oppositions, &c. It is not moued away by the carnall reasons of the flesh; the disdaine of carnall friends; the violence of vnreasonable aduersaries, or the like: the chaine will not feare it, nor the reproach shame it f1 Tim. 4.10.. It will be busie, though it hauehave no thanke for his labour gAct. 28.20.: And secretly, it will not haste to ill meanes, to get out of distresse hEsa. 28.15.16: Whereas the common hope is frighted with the noyse of a chaine, and put out of countenance with a scoffe of disgrace: it will speake CHRIST faire, but loose nothing for his sake: it likes preaching well, but it will neuer beleeue it is so as the Preacher sayes: it loues GOD aboue all, but yet it must hauehave a care to see to it, at any hand, that such and such friends be not displeased: it will be better aduised then to be in danger of such and such troubles. And if it be hard be stead, it will venture to send to a Wizard, to vse now and then a lye, or an oath, or a little fraud, and false dealing, &c.
Thirdly, by Mortification: Hee that hath this hope, purgeth himselfe, that he may be pure, as Christ is pure i1 John 3.3.. It stirreth vp to much prayer, confession, sorrow, fasting, and spirituall reuenge. Hee that hath most hope, is most in the humiliation of his soule. It is not as the world conceiues, that Mortification is the way to desperation: but the common hope hath no hands to doe good workes; nor eyes to shedde these teares; nor stomacke to abide this fasting; nor flesh to endure this reuenge; nor tongue to speake this language.
Fourthly, by Perseuerance: It will not cease from yeelding fruit kIer. 17.8.. Iob guided by this hope, resolues to trust still in God, though he kill him lIob 13.15.: but the common hope will be sure then to fayle when there is most need of helpe.
What wee must doe, that we might be vnmoueable.Now that wee might be vnmoueable in this Hope, we should wait patiently vponupon Gods ordinances, that wee might abound in the comforts of the Scriptures, increasing in Knowledge and Wisedome mRom. 15.4. Prou 24.14.: but especially, wee must sticke to the Word preached, and neuer giuegive it ouer nEphes. 1.1.4.: nourishing eueryevery grace of CHRIST o2 Thes. 2.16.: and we must be much in prayerpPsal. 62.8. & 61.2.3., and soundly carefull to deny all vngodlinesse, and worldly lusts qTit. 2.12.13. Iob 11.14.15..
Thus of the Duty, and the Obiect [Grace.] Now of the Meanes, by which it was wrought, which was the Gospell preached.
Of the Gospell.] Doct. The Gospell is the ordinary meanes to breed hope in a mans heart r2 Tim 2.10. Rom. 1.16., and therefore it is called the Gospell of the Kingdome; and the Gospell of Saluation sMath. 4.13. Ephes. 1.13.. And the Gospell breedes hope, as it shewes vsus the Doctrine of our reconciliation with God; and as it containes the promises of the Couenant of Grace; and as it shewes our deliuerance from the rigour and curse of the Law: and lastly, as it shewes Christ crucified, with all his merits.
Of which yee hauehave heard.] Doct. The Gospell is then most effectuall when it is preached: and more particularly, what efficacie is in preaching, may appeare by these Scriptures following: Psal. 51.8. Esa. 55.4. Luke 4.18. Rom. 10.14. 1 Cor. 1.21. &c. Acts 10.36.42 & 15.21. 2 Cor. 1.19.20. Gal. 3.1 1 Tim. 3.16. Tit. 1.3.
Againe, in that the Apostle alleadgeth the efficacie of the Doctrine they heard▪ to proue that they ought not to be moued away from it: wee may note, that that Doctrine which conuerts soules to God, is true; and men ought to continue in it. The Apostle, 2 Cor. 3.2. proues his Doctrine to be true, by this seale of it: and this must comfort faithfull Teachers, against all the scornes of men, if they gather soules to GOD, and breed hope in Gods people. And the people must hence confirme themselues in their resolution, to sticke to their Teachers, when God hath giuen this Testimony to their ministeries. Thus of the Exhortation.
The Reasons follow:
1 From consent of the Elect, Vers. 23.
2 From the testimony of Paul, Vers. 23.24.
3 From the testimony of God, Vers. 25.
4 From the excellency of the Doctrine of the Gospell, Vers. 26.
5 From the excellency of the subiect of the Gospell, Vers. 27.
6 From the end or profitable effect of the Gospell, Vers. 28.
7 From the endeauour of Paul, Vers. 29.
Which was preached vntounto eueryevery Creature vnderunder Heauen.] These words containe the first reason, and it stands thus: In as much as the doctrine taught you, is the same Doctrine that hath beene taught to, and receiued by, all the Elect; therefore yee ought to continue in it, and neuer be moued from the Grace wrought by it.
Quest. Quest.But was the Gospell preached to eueryevery Creature vnderunder heauen? Ans. Ans.Some vnderstand the meaning to be this: that the Apostle intends to note,How the Gospell was preached to eueryevery creature. by the preaching of the Gospell to eueryevery Creature, onelyonly thus much; That it was now no more confined in Iudea, but was published to Gentiles as well as Iewes: and so it was preached to eueryevery Creature, in as much as all mankinde had as much interest as the Iewish Nation. Others thinke the speech imports no more, but that the fame of the Gospell was spread by the Merchants and other that lay at Rome, Ierusalem, and other great Cities, vntounto all knowne Countries of the world. Others thinke it is no more then if hee had said, it was published farre and wide: as in Iohn they say, the whole world goeth after him; but they meane a great multitude; an vsuall Hyperbolicall speech. Lastly, others thinke, that when he saith, it was preached, he meaneth it should be preached to eueryevery creature; the time past being put for the time to come, to import, that it shall as certainely be done, as if it had beene done already. But I take, it is meant of the preaching of the Gospell by the Apostles and Euangelists, in the conuersion of so many Nations to the Faith of Christ.
There may be seauen Obseruations gathered out of this speech of the Apostle. First, that Doctrine onelyonly is true which is agreeable to the Doctrine of the Apostles, by which the world was conuerted to God. Secondly, we may see that no power is like the power of the Word of GOD: here it conuerts a world in a short time: And our eyes hauehave beheld that it hath almost in as short time restored a world of men, from the power of Antichrist. Thirdly, we may by this phrase be informed, that the words, all, and eueryevery one, are not alwaies in Scripture to be vnderstood vniuersally, of all the singular persons in the world, as the vniuersalists conceiue. Fourthly, they were but a few Fisher-men that did this great worke, and they were much opposed and persecuted, and in some lesse matters they iarred sometime among themselues. Whence wee may obserue, that Doctrine may be exceeding effectuall, though 1. but few teach it; 2. though they be but of meane estate and condition; 3. though it be opposed by crosse and contrary teaching; 4. though it be persecuted; 5. though the people be indisposed and m…zled in sinne and superstition, as these Gentiles were; 6. though the Preacher be often restrayned; 7. though there be some dissention in lesse matters. The fift thing that may be gathered hence, is, that in the conuersion of sinners, God is no respecter of persons; men of any age, nation, sexe, condition, life or qualitie, may be conuerted by the Gospell. And sixtly, it is plaine here, that preaching is the ordinary meanes to conuert eueryevery creature: so as ordinarily there is none conuerted but by preaching. Lastly, if any one aske what shall become of those nations, or particular persons, that neuer yet heard of the Gospell; I answere, the way of God in diuers things is not reuealed; and his Iudgements are like a great deepe: It belongs to vsus to looke to our selues, to whom the Gospell is come.
Thus of the first Reason.
The second Reason is taken from the testimony of Paul, and hee giues a double testimonie; 1. By his Ministery; 2. By his Sufferings.
Whereof I Paul am a minister.] Out of these words many things may be noted:
First, in that the Apostle, notwithstanding all the disgraces and troubles that befell him for the Gospell, doth yet lift vp the mention of his Ministerie therein, as an inducement to the Ephesians: It may teach vsus, that the glory of Gods truth is such, as no man neede to be ashamed to teach or professe it; nay, there can be no man or woman, to whom it may not be their chiefest glory, whatsoeuer carnall Worldlings or timerous Nicodemites conceiue of it.
Secondly, in that so great an Apostle doth not disdayne to yeeld his testimonie, of purpose to shew that Epaphras their Preacher had taught nothing but what hee had likewise taught: it sheweth that it is the property of faithfull and humble Ministers to strengthen the harts and hands of their Brethren; though they be their inferiours, and then it will follow, that they are proud, and enuious, and malicious persons, that by crosse teaching labour to increase their bonds, whom God hath honoured with successe in their labours in the Gospell: such are they, that in many places striue to pull downe as fast as others build, making hauocke in the Church, and bending their whole might in their ministery to hinder the sinceritie of the Gospell, and the conuersion of sinners.
Thirdly, in that the Apostle vrgeth his owne testimonie, [I Paul,] it sheweth that the testimony of one Apostle is better then a thousand others; One Paul opposed to many false Teachers: which should teach vsus to conuerse much in the Doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets (which are of like authoritie.) And the rather, because the best of other men may erre; nay, hauehave erred: and therefore a heape of humane testimonies should be of no value against one Scripture. And as the people should try the Spirit by this witnesse, so should Preachers make conscience of it, to take more paines to informe the consciences of the people, by the testimony of the Word, then by humane authoritie, of what sort soeuer.
Fourthly, in that here is but one Paul, that comes in, to confirme the truth of the Gospell, it shewes that many times the soundest Teachers are the fewest in number. Here it is so in the best times of the Church: so it was before; there was but one Michaiah for foure hundred false Prophets: so in Christs time there was a swarme of Pharisaicall, proud, vaine-glorious, hypocriticall, silken Doctors, that loued the chiefe roome, and sought preheminence, teachers of libertie and strife, defenders of traditions, and their owne glory and greatnesse, when Christ and his Disciples were by their enuy scorned, as a few precise singular fellowes.
Fiftly, in that the Apostle stileth himselfe by the name of Paul, and not of Saul it may intimate that men truely regenerate hate the vaine name of their vnregeneracie: it is a foule signe when men can glory in the titles and names of their lewdnesse and sinne past.
Lastly, in that the Apostle tearmeth himselfe a Deacon, (for so the word translated Minister, is in the originall) it notes his great humilitie: it was a happy time in the Church, when the Apostles called themselues Deacons: and then began the Church to decay in true glory, when Deacons would needes be Apostles: great titles hauehave euer beene dangerous in the Church.
Thus of the second Reason, and the 23. Verse.