Exposition Upon 1 Peter, Table of contents
THE CONTENTS OF THIS EXPOSITION.
Page
THe scope of this Epistle both general and particular, with the several parts thereof, and matter contained therein, 1
CHAP. I.
Verse 1, 2.
1. THe sum and parts of the Preface; 2
2. The several names of this Apostle, and why so named, ibid.
3. What names Parents are to give to their Children, ibid.
4. Such as set forth Books, ought to set their names thereto, ibid.
5 Why some worthy men have not done thus, 3
6. Wherein the Apostles differed from all other Ministers, ibid.
7. A Minister must have an inward calling and an outward, ibid.
8. Why our Apostle nameth his Apostleship, 4
9. Repentance wipeth away our sins, 5
10. Why the Jews were called strangers, ibid.
11. Among them there were sundry believers, ibid.
12. Gods Church here on earth is under persecution, 6
13. Lawful to fly in the time of persecution, 7
14. The large extent of the Church under the New Testament, ibid.
15. The Apostles diligence and care in his charge, ibid.
16. God hath chosen some to salvation,
8
17. How we may know the election of others, ibid.
18. Christians must so live, as that even others may be perswaded they belong to God, 9
19. Why God decreed to save some, ibid.
20. The ends why we were elected, 10
21. Sanctification the end of our Redemption, ibid.
22. Christs obedience and sufferings the meritorious cause of our Salvation, 11
23. Christs death is to be particularly apprehended by faith, 12
24. A proof of the holy Trinity, 13
25. Election the work thereof, ibid.
26. Why Gods favor is to be sought, ibid.
27. Ministers must labor that their people may be brought into Gods favor, ibid.
And may grow in grace, 14
Verse 3.
1. THe sum and substance of the whole Epistle, 14
2. Gods blessing man, mans blessing man, and mans blessing God, 15
3. Gods mercies to be thought on, and spoken of with admiration, ibid.
4. We must not think or speak of God, but with reverence, 16
5. Why God is termed the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ibid.
6. Gods Son, why termed Jesus Christ our Lord, ibid.
7. What meant here by Hope, 17
8. Assurance of Salvation comes not by nature, 18
9. The means whereby God works Faith, ibid.
10. Why termed a lively hope, 19
11. Gods free favor the cause of all our good, 20
12. Man could not be saved without abundant mercy, ibid.
13. The means whereby we are begotten to this hope, 22
14. Benefits arising from Christs Resurrection, ibid.
Verse 4.
1. THe Kingdom of Heaven why termed an inheritance, 23
2. The happiness of Gods people in heaven abideth for ever, 24
3. Why termed undefiled, ibid.
4. The Kingdom of Heaven always one and the same, ibid.
5. God hath appointed to glorifie his Saints in Heaven, 27
6. The prevention of a conceit of the Jews, and of an Objection, 28
7. Gods Children shall not miss of Heaven, 29
8. To be particularly assured of Heaven, a special comfort, ibid.
Verse 5.
1. THe prevention of another doubt, 30
2. Gods Children have many Enemies to hinder their salvation, 31
3. Christians cannot stand of themselves, 31
4. Gods almighty power is sufficient to uphold us against all our enemies, 32
5. Gods people are kept through Faith, 33
6. How Faith bringeth us to Salvation, ibid.
7. Christians must not look here for outward prosperity, 34
8. The fulness of our happiness not to be had here, 35
9. The confutation of an Error, 36
Verse 6.
1. VVE must rejoyce in the assurance of our Salvation,
37
2. Religion reforms mirth, ibid.
And moderates lawful mirth, ibid.
3. Being assured of Heaven, we must rejoyce even in our troubles, 38
4. Gods children must here undergo many troubles, 39
5. Afflictions are tryals, 41
6. Here on earth heaviness and rejoycing may stand together, 42
7. The godlies afflictions are short, ibid.
8. Afflictions come by the wise disposing of Almighty God, 43
Verse 7.
1. A Qualification of their troubles, 43
2. Affliction tryeth whether we have Faith, 44
3. How we may try our Faith, ibid.
4. Affliction tryeth whether our Faith be more or less then we take it, 45
5. Affliction serveth to purifie and encrease Faith, ibid.
6. Faith more precious then gold, 46
7. Faith will be crowned at the last day, 47
8 Christ will come on the last day to judge the world, 48
9. The godly shall be publiquely rewarded, 49
Verse 8.
1. VVHereat Ministers should aim in commending their people, 49
2. Through Faith we believe even things above the reach of our reason, 50
3. True love the fruit of Faith, 51
4. How to try both our Faith and Love, 52
5. Faith must directly fasten it self on Christ Jesus, 52
6. A proof of the Divinity of Christ, 53
7. Joy a fruit of Faith, ibid.
8. Why no true joy can proceed from our selves, 54
9. The joy of believers is unspeakable and glorious, ibid.
Verse 9.
1. EVery man is in danger of utter destruction, 55
2. The godly by Faith do even here enjoy Salvation, ibid.
3. No pains too much to get Faith, 56
4. Salvation not the end or reward of our works, ibid.
5. We cannot merit Heaven, 57
6. Believers shall have also the salvation of their bodies, ibid.
7. What those are to look for that follow Christ, 58
Verse 10.
1. NO point touching Salvation is to be taught or received, but what's grounded on the Word, 59
2. The Prophets took great pains to know the mystery of our Salvation by Christ, ibid.
3. The Prophets and old Fathers were saved by Christ as well as we, 60
4. The Doctrine of the Gospel not new, 61
5. The Prophets foretold of Christ, 62
6. The Harmony between the Old and New Testament, 62
7. Salvation why called Grace, 63
8. The Prophets did partake of Salvation, though they saw not Christ in the flesh, ibid.
Verse 11.
1. VVE must endeavor to know what's profitable to be known, ibid.
2. The Prophets searched into this great mystery, through the direction of the Spirit, ibid.
3. Gods Spirit the Author of the Old Testament, 64
4. A proof of the Divinity of the Holy Ghost, ibid.
5. The sufferings of Christ foretold in the Old Testament, ibid.
6. Why it was needful that Christ should suffer for us, 65
7. Three degrees of our Saviors Victory, ibid.
8. Through afflictions we must come into glory, 66
Verse 12.
1. THe Anabaptists confuted, ibid.
2. The Covenant of Grace one and the same throughout all ages, 67
3. The Author, Matter, Form and End thereof, ibid.
4. The difference about the measure given, and persons to whom, ibid.
5. Why God sent his Son no sooner, ibid.
6. Why theirs was called the time of the Law, and ours of the Gospel, 68
7. God not to be charged with inconstancy, 68
8. The same Gospel which was preached by the Prophets, was also preached by the Apostles, 69
9. The Apostles have left a perfect direction for all things needful for our Salvation, 70
10. Why the Angels desire to see the perfection of the Salvation of Gods Church, ibid.
Verse 13.
1. DOctrine and Exhortation must be joyned together, ibid.
2. The corrupt conceits of the Jews about Salvation, 72
3. The corrupt conceits of Christians about it, 73
4. The best prize it not as they should, ibid.
5. What sobriety is, and of sobriety about meat and drink, ibid.
6. Sobriety about Apparel, Recreation and Profits, 74
7. What Faith is, with the parts thereof, 76
8. What it is to trust perfectly, ibid.
9. Salvation a most special grace, 78
10. What we are to expect by Christ, 79
11. Salvation is not of our own procuring or seeking, ibid.
12. The Gospel lays open Christ Jesus unto us, 80
Verse 14.
1. THe two parts of Sanctification, 81
2. Obedience and Sanctification follow faith, ibid.
3. God calls for obedience, 82
4. We must obey in all things that are commanded, be the Commandment never so strange or unpleasing, 83
5. The strict obedience of the Jesuits to their Superiors, ibid.
6. We must obey without consulting with flesh and blood, whosoever or whatsoever be against it, voluntarily and constantly, 84
7. What may stir us up unto obedience, 86
8. Two parts of obedience, ibid.
9. We must forsake evil before we can do good, 87
10. Ignorance is the cause and root of a bad life, ibid.
11. Why being so well instructed, they were termed ignorant, 88
12. All knowledge without the knowledge of Christ, is nothing, ibid.
13. Knowledge without Reformation, is but ignorance, ibid.
14. Such as have attained knowledge, must not live as they did before, 89
Verse 15, 16.
1. HOliness must be added to abstinence from sin, 90
2. This duty needful to be urged, ibid.
3. Christians must be holy, 91
Holy in all maner of conversation, 92
4. God is holy, 93
5. A twofold calling, 94
6. The parts of the inward calling, ibid.
7. The fruits thereof, with the marks negative and affirmative, 95
8. Why the Apostle doth so earnestly exhort unto Holiness, 96
9. Ministers must prove their Doctrine by Gods Word, 97
10. Obedience is to be yielded to those Doctrines which are proved by the Word, 98
11. Gods word the rule of all truth, 99
12. The use of the Apocrypha Books, with the respect which is to be given thereto, 100
13. Christians must be ready in the Scriptures, ibid.
14. The more the Lord bestows on any, the more he expects from them, 102
15. The Popish Doctrine of Freewill hath no ground from this place, 103
16. Nor is it against the married estate, ibid.
Verse 17.
1. VVHy we ought here to pass our time in fear, 104
2. Three kindes of fear, Natural, Slavish, Filial; of which the last is often enjoyned, 105
3. Whence it proceedeth, with the benefits and marks thereof, and opposites thereunto, 106
4. Means to attain unto the fear of God, 107
5. God requires our whole time for his service, 108
6. Christians here in this world are but sojourners, 111
7. The first reason of the fore-going Exhortation, 113
8. Such as call God Father, must walk in fear and obedience as Sons, 114
9. What the name Father implyeth, ibid.
10. The second reason of the foregoing Exhortation, 115
11. How God doth and will judge of mens actions in this life, at death, and on the day of Judgement, 116
12. The person of man how taken, ibid.
13. Four things required to the being of a good work, 117
Verse 18, 19.
1. THe third reason of the foregoing Exhortation, 118
2. A man may know himselfe redeemed, 119
3. Redemption presupposeth bondage and slavery, ibid.
4. There's a way whereby to come out of our bondage, 120
5. The whole life of an unregenerate man is vain, 121
6. Children readily follow the evil example of their Parents, ibid.
7. Whom we are here to understand by fathers, ibid.
8. Popish Religion stands in patches, 122
9. Parents must give their children good example, ibid.
10. To follow the example of our Ancestors is no sure rule, 123
11. The things of this world are insufficient to redeem any out of his spiritual bondage, ibid.
12. The things of this world are corruptible, vain and uncertain, 125
13. Christs blood the true price of mans redemption, 126
14. In what respects Christ is compared to a Lamb, 129
15. We are not to listen to, either believe all we hear, 131
Verse 20, 21.
1. THe prevention of an Objection, 132
2. Christ was ordained before the world, 133
3. The world shall not always continue, 135
4. Christ how manifested, ibid.
5. God is constant and unchangeable, ibid.
6. Gods promises are unchangeable, 136
7. Christ was then exhibited, when God decreed he should so be, ibid.
8. What God hath decreed, shall be in dwe time accomplished, 136
9. Three differences of times, and why this called the last, 137
10. God will no otherwise reveal his will then he hath already done, ibid.
11. We now live in the latter end of the last times, ibid.
12. Why Christ came towards the latter end of the world, 138
13. What we are to do, that others may think well of us, ibid.
14. We cannot believe in God but by the Son, ibid.
15. In Christs Resurrection the whole Trinity had a hand, 139
16. The benefits which they reap that believe in Christ, ibid.
Verse 22.
1. VVHere there's no love nor fear of God, there can be no true brotherly love, 140
2. Where there's the true fear or love of God, there's also brotherly love, ibid.
3. There's uncleanness in us both in soul and body, 142
4. Where there is sanctification of the soul, there is also sanctification of the body, 143
5. The Word of God is the outward instrument of our cleansing, ibid.
6. Why the Word is called Truth, ibid.
7. The Spirit is the inward worker of Sanctification, 144
8. Till we be cleansed by the Spirit, we are unfit for any duty, ibid.
9. The end of our Sanctification is to be fruitful in good works, ibid.
10. What love is, ibid.
11. The properties of love, 146
12. Two caveats to be observed of them that for redressing of wrongs make use of the Magigrate, 147
13. There's little love in the world. 148
14. The causes of the want of love, 150
15. The effects of the want of love, 151
16. Reasons inciting to the duty of love, 152
19. The fruits of love must accompany the profession thereof, 153
20. Brotherly offices must proceed from brotherly affections, ibid.
21. Love must reach to all, ibid.
22. How we ought to love the wicked, 155
23. Love must be without faining, ibid.
24. Love must be mutual, 156
25. The properties of pure love, 157
26. A Christians love must be earnest, 158
27. Love must be constant, ibid.
Verse 23.
1. NO unregenerate person can truly love, 159
2. Such as are born again must needs love, ibid.
3. What Regeneration is, ibid.
4. The Lord the Author thereof, 160
5. The Lords will the cause thereof, 161
6. Without Regeneration, all things else we have are nothing, ibid.
7. Regeneration of absolute necessity, 162
8. The effects of Regeneration, 163
9. A regenerate man is not the same he was before, ibid.
10. A regenerate man groweth by degrees, 164
11. Why men grow no faster in goodness, ibid.
12. A caveat for such as complain they do not grow, 165
13. There's no perfection here in this life, ibid.
14. Regeneration cometh not by nature, 167
15. Gods Spirit by the Word changeth mans heart, ibid.
16. Gods Word is the instrumental cause of our conversion, 168
17. God doth not always tye himself thereunto, ibid.
18. The Ministers of the Word are appointed of God the instruments to convert souls, 169
19. Whence it cometh to pass that the Word worketh Regeneration, 170
Verse 24, 25.
1. VVHerein mans life may be compared to grass, 171
2. How to be prepared for death, 172
3. The glory of a carnal man but a vain thing, 174
4. Nothing in an unregenerate man can abide the Lords examination, 175
5. Gods Word the means whereby to live for ever, ibid.
6. The Word by preaching made the instrument of Regeneration, 176
7. The Word ought to be preached in every Congregation, 177
8. The Word must be so preached, as that it may be avouched to be indeed the Word of God, ibid.
CHAP. II.
THe Coherence of this Chapter with the former, with the sum thereof, and of the first three Verses, 179
Verse 1, 2, 3.
1. REgeneration and the love of sin cannot stand together, 180
2. There's no perfection to be attained unto here, ibid.
3. To be is a Christian, a work of great difficulty, 181
4. Under those here named, all other corruptions are included, ibid.
5. Most of the corruptions here named are inward. 182
6. That's nought which is forbidden in Gods Word, ibid.
7. What malice is, with the difference between it and anger, 183
8. What we are to understand by guile, ibid.
9. Guile is to be avoided as well in smal as great matters, 184
10. What Hypocrisie is, 185
11. What Envy, ibid.
12. What evil speaking, ibid.
13. The Word of God cannot thrive in an unsanctified heart, 186
14. Our desire toward the Word must be earnest, ibid.
15. Our desire toward the Word must be constant, 187
16. Our desire toward the Word must be impartial, 188
17. Ministers must have store of milk for their spiritual children, and store of love, and much patience, ibid.
18. The Word why compared to milk, 189
19. Nothing sweeter to Gods children then the Word, 189
20. The Word is the common food of all Christians, ibid.
21. The Word why called sincere, ibid.
22. Why Christians are to desire after the Word, 191
23. Christians must daily grow in grace, ibid.
24. Such as finde the Word powerful for their Salvation, do the more desire it and affect it, 192
25. Christ is sweet to a Christian; and sweetens all that he hath, 193
26. Christ is every way bountiful to his, ibid.
Verse 4, 5.
1. VVHerein Christs bounty doth appear, 194
2. A comparison between the Temple of Jerusalem, and that which Christ maketh of all that believe in him, ibid.
3. Christ why compared to a stone, ibid.
4. To believe in Christ (which is to come to him) is a great priviledge, ibid.
5. Christians must come to Christ, 195
6. Christ the foundation that bears up his Church, 198
7. Christ is a living foundation, 200
8. The prevention of an Objection, 201
9. Christ disallowed, of whom, and why, ibid.
10. Such things are often disallowed of men, which are allowed of God, 202
11. There's an union between Christ and believers, ibid.
12. How to come to be stones of this building, 204
13. The whole Church makes but one Spiritual House, 205
14. Every particular believer is a Spiritual House. ibid.
15. Such as are united to Christ, ore made holy, 206
16. Believers are Priests to God, ibid.
17. The prevention of an Objection, 207
18. Christians are not now without Sacrifices, and what they are, ibid.
19. Why called Spiritual Sacrifices, 208
20. Our service of God must be dòne in a Spiritual maner, 209
21. The prevention of an Objection, ibid.
22. Spiritual Sacrifices are not regarded of carnal men, ibid.
23. Through Christ our Sacrifices are acceptable to God, 210
24. Our works, though imperfect, accepted through Christ, ibid.
Verse 6.
1. THe Testimony of Gods Word is that which settles us in any point of Doctrine, 211
2. The Old Testament of the same authority with the New. ibid.
3. Of old, people were more ready in the Scripture then they are now, 212
4. What the Lord saith he doth, ibid.
5. God lays the foundation of his Churches Salvation, ibid.
6. The Papists take from Christ his Kingly, Prophetical and Priestly Office, 213
7. Believers do always finde enough in Christ, ibid.
8. The miserable condition of them that believe not in Christ, and who they are, 214
9. Believers can never fall away wholly nor finally, ibid.
Verse 7, 8.
1. GOds promises are to be particularly applyed, 215
2. Christ is precious unto all those that believe, 216
3. Such are unbelievers which are disobedient, 217
4. Why the Jews did reject Christ, 218
5. Succession is of Doctrine or Person, 219
6. Such as do least good, challenge the goodliest titles, 220
7. Such as would be reputed builders, are usually enemies to true builders, ibid.
8. Ministers must be builders, ibid.
9. Every man must be a builder, 221
10. The impiety of these times, ib.
11. The carelesness of these times, 222
12. The enemies of the Church unable to hinder the building thereof, 223
13. Ministers must divide the Word aright, and give every man his portion, 224
14. How Christ and his Word become stumbling blocks to unbelievers, 225
15. Nothing so good, whereat corrupt nature will not take occasion to stumble, ibid.
16. The world hath ever stumbled at Christ, ibid.
17. The Papists stumble at him, also the ignorant, civil, prophane, and such as will not part with some beloved sin, 226
18. Such as stumble at the Word, stumble at Christ, 227
19. Offences taken against the Word, removed, 228
20. Scandals of the Papists against it, 230
21. Why and wherein they charge our Doctrine, 230
22. About auricular confession, fasting days, marriage, ibid.
23. Offences at preaching the Word, 231
24. Which the true Church, 237
25. Offences against the Preachers of the Word, 239
26. Offences against Professors of the Word, 241
27. Offences arising from mens selves, hindring their zealous profession of Religion, 244
28. No end of the Devils devices, 248
29. Why so few be saved, ibid.
30. Why people have no minde to Religion, ibid.
31. Gods word is therefore bestowed on as, that we may be guided thereby, 249
32. How we are to obey the same, ibid.
33. Four sorts of disobedient persons, the prophane, 251
The meerly civil, the ignorant and hypocrites, 252
34. Why Christ proves a Rock of offence unto most, 253
35. Whether it be lawful and meet to handle the Doctrine of Gods Decree, 254
36. God hath ordained some to destruction, 255
37. This was of his own will, and for no cause out of himself, 257
38. The Lord hath done this most justly, 258
39. The Lord hath done this unchangeably, 259
40. Marks of such as are reprobates, 260
Verse 9.
1. MInisters must speak comfortably to the good, contrarily to the bad, 262
2. And warily deliver the Word, that each may take his due portion, 262
3. What election is, ibid.
4. God before the world hath ordained some men to salvation, ibid.
5. The cause hereof was because he would, 263
6. The number of the elect small, ibid.
7. They that be elect cannot but be saved, 264
8. A man may know, and be assured of his election, 265
9. Notes of election, 266
10. Whether we may be certain of anothers election, 267
11. Christians through Christ are made Kings, Priests, Prophets, 268
12. Christ and his Gospel preached in time of the Law, ibid.
13. The promises and priviledges laid down in the Scriptures, belong onelyonly to Gods elect, ibid.
14. Election is the foundation of all the good comes to us, ibid.
15. Christ how our King, Priest and Prophet, 269
16. Believers are others then the world thinks for, ibid.
17. The Jews why termed an holy Nation, 270
18. All that be the Lords company are holy persons, ibid.
19. Comfort and counsel for sanctified persons, 271
20. The misery of those that are unsanctified, with advice to them to come out of this condition, ibid.
21. The Church Gods peculiar people, ibid.
22. No marvel though he set much by it, 272.
23. Gods glory the end of all the priviledges bestowed on us, 273
24. We were elected of God, that we might shew forth his praises, and not to be idle, &c. 273
25. Gods glory the furthest end of our election, ibid.
26. Effectual calling a certain argument of election, ibid.
27. Two sorts of calling, outward and inward, ibid.
28. The Word the outward instrument hereof, 274
29. The parts of effectual calling, ibid.
30. Gods free mercy the cause hereof, ibid.
31. Every one must endeavor to prove his calling, ibid.
32. What to understand by darkness and light, 275
33. Every unregenerate person is in darkness, 276
34. Every true believer is brought to the saving knowledge of Christ, ibid.
Verse 10.
1. FOr a people or particular persons to look to their beginnings, is of good use, 278
2. No priviledges can exempt the contemners of the Word from Gods wrath, 279
3. Gods mercy, power and truth in making the Jews a people again, 280
4. Impenitent persons not worthy the name of people, ibid.
5. No outward affliction doth nullifie Gods Church, 281
6. To be the people of God a choice blessing, ibid.
7. Sin unrepented of lets Gods mercy, 282
8. What God did for the Jews was of mercy, and so all we have, ibid.
Verse 11.
1. HOliness in heart and conversation must go together, 283
2. Ministers must love and affect their people, ibid.
3. The Saints are to be the objects of our love, 284
4. Wisdom requisit in the Preachers of the Word, 285
5. What meant by fleshly lusts, ibid.
6. There are remnants of sin in the very best, ibid.
7. Two sorts of sinners, 287
8. Evil thoughts cast in by Satan, or from our selves, 288
9. The causes of evil thoughts from Satan, ibid.
10. How to be rid of them, 289
11. How to discern them from those which arise from our own nature, ibid.
12. How to prevent evil thoughts, 290
13. How fleshly lusts fight against the soul, 292
14. Believers are here strangers and pilgrims, 293
15. Several properties of pilgrims applied, 294
Verse 12.
1. REformation must begin at the heart, 299
2. Christians are to have a good conversation, 300
3. Our whole conversation must be good, 301
4. Christians are to live godly, even among the wicked, 303
5. In the worst places God will have his, and why, ibid.
6. How to live holy among the wicked, 304
7. Reasons to provoke to a godly life, 305
8. The wicked speak ill of the truth of Religion, and the professors thereof, 305
9. This sin rife in these days, 306
10. Good works the best way to put our adversaries to silence, 307
11. The wicked have an eye on the godlies actions, 308
12. What good works are, ibid.
13. How necessary they are, 309
14. A Christians perseverance in well-doing, procures glory to God from others, ibid.
15. To visit, taken two ways, 310
16. Conversion is the work of God, ibid.
17. Its of Gods great mercy, ibid.
18. No man can truly glorifie God till he be converted, 311
19. So soon as a man is converted he will glorifie God, ibid.
20. Even the slanderers of the truth may become converts, ibid.
Verse 13, 14.
1. AN Exhortation, with three Reasons to enforce the same, 312, 313.
2. Every man must shew forth his godliness in his particular calling, ibid.
3. Ministers must labor to remove false conceits out of mens mindes, and apply themselves to the state of their people, 315
4. The duties of subjects to their superiors, ibid.
5. God requires the same, which is a reason for it, 316
6. How the laws of Magistrates binde us, ibid.
7. A distribution of Magistrates, ibid.
8. A King is Supreme Governor over all in his own Dominion, ibid.
9. Subordinate Magistrates are also so to be obeyed, 318
10. Both the Supreme and Subordinate are sent of God, 319
11. The end why Magistrates were ordained, ibid.
12. Magistrates must punish evil doers, ibid.
13. Magistrates should stand for well-doers, 320
Verse 15.
1. ITs God will that we should obey, 321
2. The godly by well-doing stop the mouthes of the wicked, ibid.
3. They are ignorant and foolish which speak ill of the Gospel, and the professors thereof, 321
4. Every natural man is a fool,
322
Verse 16.
1. THe prevention of an Objection, 323
2. Naturally we are in bondage, 324
3. Believers are made free by Christ, 325
4. Wherein Christian liberty consists, ibid.
5. Through mans corrupt nature, even the most holy ordinances of God and best things, are subject to be abused, 328
6. Three restrainers of things indifferent, 329
7. A Christian though free, yet is still a servant, 330
Verse 17.
1. THey are good Subjects which not onelyonly obey their Magistrates, but live well one with another, ibid.
2. We are to honor our Superiors in six particulars, 331
3. We are to honor our equals in two particulars, ibid.
4. We are to honor our inferiors, and why, 332
5. We are to honor our selves, 332
6. We are to honor both good and bad according to their places, 333
7. Even in them that are most bad, there's something to be regarded, ibid.
8. We are to love the persons of Gods children, ibid.
9. We are not to love the fellowship of the ungodly, 335
10. We are to love the fellowship of the godly, 337
11. Rules to be observed by Christians in their private meetings, 339
12. How God is to be feared, 340
13. Commendation and signs of Gods fear, 341
14. The duties of the first and second Table go together, ibid.
15. The knowledge and fear of God is the fountain of all the duties we perform towards men, 342
16. Differences between Religions and Civil honor, 343
17. What honor comprehendeth, and if due to the bad, much more to religious Kings, ibid.
Verse 18.
1. GOds Word teacheth us in all things how to carry our selves, 344
2. Ministers must stoop to the meanest of their charge, ibid.
3. Even particular families are to be well looked to, 345
4. The prevention… of Objection, 346
5. Who meant by good, gentle, and who by froward Masters, ibid.
6. Servants must be subject even to their bad and froward Masters, ibid.
Vere 19.
1. TO be incited to the performance of any duty, its necessary to know that its pleasing to God, 349
2. The actions of Gods children when pleasing to him, 350
3. Why servants must do their duties to unconscionable Masters, 351
4. How we may know whether we do our duties in conscience, ibid.
Verse 20.
1. ALl suffering is not commendable nor comfortable, 353
2. On June 16. 1611. being the Lords Day, there was such a grievous tempest of wind, as cast away many Vessels at sea, amongst others, one passage Boat toward Ipswich, with almost twenty persons; and on the 18 day, were two and thirty persons troden to death and bruised at a Play in Norwich, 354
3. Patience in suffering for faults hath no reward with God, ibid.
4. What it is to suffer wrongfully, 356
5. What those must do that suffer wrongfully, 357
6. Its commendable for Gods people to suffer for well-doing, ibid.
7. How fearful their condition that hate others for their goodness, ibid.
8. Such as are hated for well-doing, must bear the same patiently, 358
Verse 21.
1. GOd hath ordained his to undergo troubles in this world, 359
2. In this world the godly suffer for well-doing, 360
3. Christs sufferings an incitement for us to suffer, 361
4. Christ suffered even for the meanest, 362
5. Christ a patern for our imitation, ibid.
Verse 22.
1. AN illustration of Christs sufferings, 362
2. Christ was free from sin, ibid.
3. How the godly stand righteous before God, 363
Verse 23.
1. CHrists admirable patience in his sufferings, 364
2. Why we must not revenge, ibid.
3. They that revenge themselves, call into question Gods wisdom and justice, 366
4. God is a righteous Judge, ibid.
Verse 24.
1. CHrists passion set out by the ends thereof, 367
2. We must not be weary in meditating on Christs passion, and hearing thereof, 368
3. A Brief of the sufferings of Christ, set down at large by the Evangelists, ibid.
4. For whomsoever Christ dyed, he dyed to kill sin in them, 372
5. The two parts of Repentance, 374
6. Christians must endeavor to mortifie their lusts, 375
7. As we must be dead unto sin, so must we be alive unto God, ibid.
8. All that Christ suffered was for our profit, 376
9. Christ dyed even for poor servants, ibid.
10. Sin is a disease, 377
11. Our bodies are subject to many sicknesses, ibid.
12. Christ is our Physitian, ibid.
13. Sin hateful to God, ibid.
14. How we may speed in our suits to Christ, ibid.
Verse 25.
1. EVery natural man is like a beast, 378
2. Every unregenerate man is out of his way, 379
3. How they come to be misled, 379
4. No natural man can of himself come home to God, 380
5. The natural man is in continual danger, ibid.
6. All believers are in a safe condition, 381
7. The Ministers of the Word are Shepherds under Christ, 382
CHAP. III.
THe contents of this Chapter, 385
Verse 1.
1. MArriage in Gods account an high and honorable state, 385
2. Both husbands and wives must learn to know their duty, ibid.
3. The duties of wives, ibid.
4. Why the Apostle insisteth so largely about the same, 386
5. Gods Ministers have been at all times liable to be slandered, ibid.
6. The prevention of an Objection, ibid.
7. Wives must be subject to their husbands, ibid.
8. Wherein their subjection consisteth, 387
9. Wives must be subject even unto bad husbands, 388
10. Wives are not to marry irreligious husbands, 389
11. Such as live in disobedience are unbelievers, ibid.
12. Good examples excellent preparatives to conversion, ibid.
13. Wives professing Religion, must shew it by their behavior towards their husbands for their conversion, ibid.
Verse 2.
1. HOw bad husbands may be won, 390
2. Chastity and reverence why required of wives, ibid.
3. What chastity is, and by whom it is to be observed, 391
4. How wives ought to fear their husbands, ibid.
Verse 3, 4.
1. A Preservative of subjection and chastity, 392
2. What apparelling it is that the Apostle forbids, ibid.
3. How far costly apparel is forbid, and to whom, and when, 393
4. Rules about wearing of apparel, ibid.
5. The matter and maner thereof considered, 394
6. Reasons against access in apparel, 395
7. Objections answered, 397
8. An useful meditation upon the putting on and off of our apparel, 398
9. A remedy for excess of apparel, ibid.
10. Inward purity required, ibid.
11. Our principal care should be to adorn the soul, ibid.
12. The covetous and curious reproved, 399
13. Grace is of an incomparable nature, 400
14. A meek and quiet spirit the proper ornament of a good wife, 401
15. The worth of grace, ibid.
16. Its of great price in the sight of God, ibid.
Verse 5, 6.
1. REasons of the forementioned Exhortation, 401
2. The amplification of either reason, ibid.
3. The examples of Gods servants are to be followed in all their vertues, 402
4. Antiquity joyned with verity is to be esteemed, ibid.
5. There have been always holy women as well as men, 403
6. Why women are as forward as men, ibid.
7. Its needful there should be good women, 404
8. Holiness is that which commends one, ibid.
9. Marriage no hinderance to holiness, ibid.
10. Holiness cometh by faith in Christ, 405
11. Holiness may be where there are weaknesses, ibid.
12. Wives cannot perform their duty aright, unless they be holy, ibid.
13. Why more good men then women are mentioned in Scripture, ibid.
14. Why wives must imitate Sarahs obedience and reverence. 406
15. Its not enough to do duties, unless done in a right maner, ibid.
Verse 7.
1. SUperiority exempts not from duty, 407
2. Wherein the husbands duty consisteth, ibid.
3. Husbands stand in no less need of instruction then wives, ibid.
4. Husbands are to dwell with their wives, ibid.
5. In what cases they may be absent, 408
6. Husbands must be men of understanding, 409
7. In what particulars the same will appear, ibid.
8. What honor the husband is to give to his wife, 410
9. The particulars implyed therein, 410
10. The Reasons thereof, 411
11. Sundry sorts of husbands reproved, ibid.
12. Objections answered, 412
13. Wives are the weaker vessels,
14. Wives are no less heirs of the grace of life then their husbands,
414
15. Husbands should pray with their wives, ibid.
16. Whatsoever may interrupt our prayers is to be avoided, 415
Verse 8, 9.
1. THere must be between Christians unity in Religion, ibid.
2. Who disagree from the truth in the foundation, 416
3. Who holding the foundation, do yet erre from the truth, ibid.
4. Differences for matters of ceremony, 417
5. The evils which ensue hereupon, ibid.
6. Differences about private Opinions, ibid.
7. There must be unity in our conversation, ibid.
8. Christians must be of like affection each to other, 418
9. That Christians may love one another, what they are to do, and what to avoid, 420
10. What pity is, and that we must pity our selves, ibid.
11. We must pity the souls of others, 421
The Reasons, 422
12. Why we must pity the bodies of others, 423
13. Means conducing hereunto, 424
14. We must be pitiful to our beasts, ibid.
15. What courtesie is, and that Christians are to be courteous, 425
And how it shews it self, ibid.
16. Christians must not revenge themselves on their Enemies, 426
17. Lawful revenge on our selves and others, 427
18. Gods children must even outwardly differ from the wicked, ibid.
19. We must requite evil with good, ibid.
20. An Objection Answered, ibid.
21. Another Objection Answered, 428
22. Reasons why we are to requite evil with good, ibid.
23. The effectually called are willing to do any thing for God, 429
24. The excellency and worth of effectual calling, ibid.
25. How to discern hereof, ibid.
26. Why many Christians are unsetled herein, ibid.
27. The word always perswades us to our good, 430
28. Christians are a blessed people, ibid.
Verse 10, 11.
1. VVHy we ought to be patient, and requite evil with good, 431
2. A peaceable and patient man shall live the longer and the quieter, ibid.
3. Life and long blessings of God, which his children may desire, 432
4. Why the godly are at sometimes taken away by death, ibid.
5. Long life proveth not a blessing to the wicked, and yet might, ibid.
6. In what respects it may be lawful to desire to live, 433
7. Whence it is that most are desirous to live long, 433
8. In what respects days may be said to be good here, and in what evil, 434
9. Mens days be usually evil, ibid.
10. Mans life short, ibid.
11. Good days are a blessing of God, ibid.
12. The wicked may live long, yet have not good days, 435
13. Prosperity why denyed for the most part to Gods children, ibid.
14. Whether we may pray for prosperity, ibid.
15. Whether we may pray for afafliction, 436
16. Whoso would be happy must refrain from evil speaking, 437
17. Means whereby to bridle the tongue, ibid.
18. Reasons inducing thereunto, ibid.
19. We must abstain from the close and covert evils of the tongue, 438
20. Guile to be avoided in Religion towards God, ibid.
21. Guile to be avoided in carriage towards men, 439
22. What the evil of sin is, and that we must avoid it, 440
23. The evil of sin worse then the evil of punishment, ibid.
24. All sins are to be eschewed, ibid.
25. They are to be eschewed at all times, in all places, with all the kindes thereof, under what colour soever it comes, with the appearance thereof, and occasions leading thereunto, 441
26. Means whereby to eschew evil, 442
27. Whoso avoids not evil cannot do good, 443
28. Christians must be doers of good, 444
29. We must do all the good we can, ibid.
30. We must do all the good we can at all times, in all places, in all companies, to all persons, in our general and particular calling, though it be hard and difficult, and in a good maner, 445
31. Christians must seek after peace, 447
32. Covetousness, pride, frowardness, tale-bearers, the enemies of peace to be avoided, 450
Verse 12.
1. THe prevention of an Objection, 451
2. Why eyes, ears, &c. are attributed to God, ibid.
3. Whom we are to understand by righteous, and why so called, and whom by them that do ill, 452
4. The Lord careth for the righteous, ibid.
5. God hears the prayers of his Saints readily, 453
6. What prayers prevail with God, 454
7. How the same may appear, ibid.
8. Why the Lord at some times hears not, grants not the prayers of his children, 455
9. Gods wrath and the fruits thereof always bent against the wicked, 457
10. Why the wicked are not always plagued here, ibid.
Verse 13.
PAtience and innocency of life, are the way to escape harms from men, 458
Verse 14.
1. SOme are so bad, that they wrong the innocent, 460
2. Some hate the godly meerly for their goodness, ibid.
3. Such as suffer wrongfully, or for Religion and conscience sake are happy, 461
4. We must tarry till God call us to suffer, ibid.
5. Whether we may flee from persecution, ibid.
6. A godly man is happy in what condition soever, 463
7. Fear is an Enemy to constant suffering. ibid.
Verse 15.
1. VVHat it is to Sanctifie the Lord God, 464
2. Faith the mother of constancy in sufferings, 464
3. As we must believe Gods truth with our hearts, so must we profess it with our tongues, 465
4. We must believe with our hearts, before we can confess with our mouthes, 467
5. Our speeches must be accompanyed with meekness and fear, ibid.
Verse 16.
1 VVHat conscience is, 468
2. The offices of conscience, to bear witness, 470
3. To give judgement before our actions, 472
4. To give judgement after our actions, 473
5. An erroneous conscience what it is, and a doubtful, 475
6. Whether a man sinneth, that doth according to his conscience, ibid.
7. Whether a man may do any thing against his conscience, being erroneous, ibid.
8. Whether it be lawful to do a thing with a doubtful conscience, 476
9. The several kindes of conscience, ibid.
10. The kindes of a still, quiet conscience, drowsie, secure, seared, 476, 477
11. Means whereby the conscience may be awakened, 478
12. The stirring ill conscience, excusing, accusing, 479
13. A good quiet conscience, wherein it differs from a bad quiet conscience, 481
14. What a good troubled conscience is, ibid.
15. Signs declaring the goodness thereof, 482
16. The great benefits of a good conscience, 483
17. How it is kept, ibid.
18. A godly conversation is to accompany the zealous profession of our faith, 484
19. A godly man will stand by the truth, 486
20. The wicked are apt to speak ill of Gods servants, ibid.
21. A godly conversation stoppeth the ungodlies mouthes, 487
Verse 17.
1. VVHy we ought willingly to suffer for righteousness, 488
2. It is better to suffer for well, then evil doing, ibid.
3. No afflictions comes to us but by Gods will, 489
4. How far God hath an hand therein, ibid.
Verse 18.
1. CHrists sufferings an encouragement for Christians to suffer, 491
2. How Christ was just, and how we, ibid.
3. Christ suffered for our good, ibid.
4. The godly sow in tears, but shall reap in joy, ibid.
5. Several particulars laid down about Christs sufferings, 492
6. Profit arising from the meditation thereof, ibid.
7. All Christs sufferings make up one perfect suffering, 493
8. The quality of the person that suffered, and for whom he suffered, ibid.
9. Why our Savior suffered, and to what end, 494
10. That Christ must have dyed, and so did, 495
11. The benefits ensuing by Christs death, ibid.
12. Christ rose again from the dead, 496
13. Why he rose again, the maner of his resurrection, the place, the time, 497
14. Why the Jews Sabbath was changed, ibid.
15. The benefits hereof, and duties to be performed, 498
Verse 19, 20.
1. A Further comfort to them that suffer for righteousness sake, 498
2. Reasons against the Papists exposition of these words, 499
3. That there are no such places as Limbus patrum and puerorum, 500
4. Reasons against Purgatory, ibid.
5. Why purgatory was devised, 501
6. That Christ went not down to hel to preach to the reprobates, 502
7. Gods Spirit preacheth in faithful Ministers, ibid.
8. God will finde a time to right things when they are disordered, 503
9. The woful condition of the wicked, ibid.
10. Disobedience the cause of Gods judgement on the old world, 504
11. Whether all those which were drowned were damned, 504
12. Two necessary considerations, 505
13. Disobedience the fore-runner of destruction, 506
14. The sins of our times, like those of the old world, ibid.
15. Gods patience towards the disobedient, aggravates their sin, ibid.
16. The names of the godly mentioned to their honor, 507
17. The old world then most disobedient, when they should have been furthest from disobedience, 508
18. Christians must use the means whereby to be freed from hell and destruction, ibid.
19. Faith and Repentance an ark for the soul, ibid.
20. How useful examples and ocular sermons are, 509
21. Wicked men fear not Gods judgements, 510
22. Weak means are sufficient through Gods blessing for our preservation, 511
23. Righteousness shall not want its reward, ibid.
24. Its good to be near the godly, ibid.
25. No man can be saved by the goodness of another, ibid.
26. The wicked, though they escape bodily danger, shall meet with everlasting judgements, ibid.
27. There are but a few which shall be saved, ibid.
28. The speech of an Arian at his death, 512
29. Men and women be more excellent then other creatures, ibid.
30. Noah and the old world a right picture of the good and bad in our age, 513
Verse 21.
1. THe godly throughout all ages are saved by the same means, 514
2. The uses of Baptism, 515
3. Who is to baptize, and who to be baptized, ibid.
Verse 22.
1. VVHat our Saviors ascension was, that he did ascend, why, before whom, and when, 516
2. They that have charge over others, must be careful to leave them in good plight, ibid.
3. The place from which our Savior ascended, with the benefits of his ascension, 517
4. Three general Observations, ibid.
5. The good Angels are subject to Christ, who watch and guard us, ibid.
6. The bad Angels are also subject to Christ, 518
CHAP. IV.
THe Contents thereof, 519
Verse 1, 2.
1. THe parts and meaning of these Verses, ibid.
2. The passion of Christ an especial means to stir up unto mortification, 520
3. Observations from the necessity of Christs sufferings, ibid.
4. Christians are to labor for mortification, and who do not, 521
5. Christians must furnish themselves as Soldiers, that they may prevail, ibid.
6. To mortifie our corrupt nature, why called suffering in the flesh, 522
7. The whole time of our life after our conversion must be spent holily, ibid.
8. Gods will must be the rule for all our actions, 523
9. Gods will and mens lusts be opposite each to other, 524
10. No man at one time can live unto both, 525
11. Till we renounce our lusts, we cannot be holy, ibid.
12. Having renounced our lusts, we must yield obedience to Gods will, ibid.
13. A mans constant course of walking discovers what he is, ibid.
Verse 3.
1. MOre reasons to perswade unto holiness,
526
2. The necessity of frequent Exhortations hereunto, ibid.
3. The consideration of our former mis-spent time, an especial furtherance unto repentance, 527
4. Where God bestows means of salvation, he expects answerable fruits, 528
5. Bad company is very dangerous, 529
6. Lasciviousness and lusts, what they are, and how common, ibid.
7. Drunkenness an abominable sin,
530, &c.
8. Gluttony how committed, with the odiousness thereof, 535
9. Means stirring up to Sobriety, 537
10. What Idolatry is, and Idolatry in worshipping false Gods, ibid.
11. Idolatry in worshipping the true God after a false maner, whether inward or outward, 538
12. Several sorts of Idolaters among the Jews, 540
Verse 4.
1. THe prevention of an Objection, 541
2. Such as live holily, shall meet with opposition, ibid.
3. Mans proneness to evil exceeding great, 543
4. The ungodly follow after sin eagerly, ibid.
5. Its the nature of the ungodly to speak evil of Gods servants, ibid.
Verse 5.
THe enemies of Gods children shall not scape unpunished, 544
Verse 6.
1. THe Gospel was preached before Christs time, 545
2. The Gospel calls for Sanctification, 546
3. Differences between the Law and the Gospel, ibid.
Verse 7.
1. THere shall be an end of all things, 547
2. Riches good in themselves, 549
3. How riches are good, 550
4. Wherein sobriety in riches consists, 551
5. A comparison between drunkenness and immoderate seeking of riches, 553
6. We must not set our mindes too much on riches, 555
7. We must imploy them as God requires, ibid.
8. Watchfulness why set after sobriety, 557
9. Watchfulness what it is, ibid.
10. Why we ought to be watchful, 558
11. Benefits of watchfulness, 559
12. Prayer must be added unto watchfulness, 560
Verse 8.
1. LOve is a most excellent and necessary duty, 561
2. Why love must be fervent, ibid.
3. What sins love covers, 562
4. On what respects we may seek redress by the Magistrate, ibid.
5. How we may cover faults committed against God, and against our selves, 563
Verse 9.
1. VVE must be kinde to strangers, ibid.
2. The regard we are to have of our own poor, 565
3. Whence it is that the poor are so much neglected, ibid.
4. Inviting one another how useful, 566
5. Ministers must use hospitality, ibid.
6. God looks no less on the maner of doing, then on the duty, ibid.
7. Works of mercy must be done without grudging, and how we may that do, ibid.
Verse 10.
1. EVery man hath some gift or other wherewith to do good, 567
2. Every one hath (as it were) a several or diverse gift, 568
3. God bestows gifts on us freely, 568
4. Christians must communicate their gifts for the good of others, 569
5. Every man must minister according to the measure received, 571
6. We are but stewards of the gifts we have, ibid.
7. We must be faithful in our places, ibid.
8. Gods gifts manifold, ibid.
Verse 11.
1. THe calling of the Ministry is of all others the most needful, 572
2. Whoso is in the Ministry ought to preach, 573
3. Ministers must preach the Word of God, 574
4. Ministers must so preach as becomes the Word of God, 575
5. All that bear office in the Church must do the same faithfully, 576
6. Ability to discharge ones calling is of God, 577
7. The conscionable performance of our duties tend to Gods glory, 578
8. We must aim in our places at Gods glory, ibid.
9. All glory comes to God by Jesus Christ, ibid.
Verse 12, 13.
1. THere must be intire love between Ministers and people, 579
2. Christians are not to be the less, but more loved for their troubles; 580
3. The want of preparation for troubles before they come, make make them haader to be born when come, 580
4. Afflictions are tryals about the truth of grace, 582
5. They are tryals about the measure of grace, 583
6. They serve to refine what measure we have, ibid.
7. We must rejoyce in afflictions, ibid.
8. Why the sufferings of Christians are called Christs sufferings, 584
9. Christians suffer with Christ, 585
10. The godlies afflictions end in joy, 586
Verse 14.
1. A Good name is a tender thing, 587
2. Slanderers of Gods servants are persecutors, ibid.
3. To slander Gods children for their goodness is usual, ibid.
4. Such as are reproached for the name of Christ are happy, 588
5. The judgement of the world is contrary to Gods, 589
6. To suffer for Christ an evidence of Gods Spirit in us, ibid.
7. Such as are endued with Gods Spirit are blessed, 590
8. Such as are endued with Gods Spirit are glorious, ibid.
9. The gifts of the Spirit which the godly have cannot be lost, 591
10. They that speak ill of Gods servants for their well-doing, speak evil of Gods Spirit, ibid.
11. By our suffering of persecution God is glorified, ibid.
Verse 15, 16.
1. TWo kindes of sufferings, 592
2. Suffering for ill-doing is shameful, ibid.
3. Sufferings for godliness are glorious, 594
4. To suffer for well-doing affords matters of thanksgiving, 595
Verse 17.
1. THe Churches troubles are more now then heretofore, 596
2. Afflictions must begin with Gods servants, 597
3. Why Gods children must here suffer afflictions, 598
4. Gods Church is his House, ibid.
5. Assurance of salvation possible, 599
6. The state of the godly and ungodly much different, 600
7. The afflictions of the godly not comparable to the miseries of the ungodly, 602
8. The ungodlies misery cannot be expressed, ibid.
9. Disobedience to the Gospel a grievous sin, 603
Verse 18.
1. VVHom we are here to understand by righteous, 604
2. Its an hard thing for a man to get to heaven, 605
3. He that is not righteous, is ungodly, and a sinner, 609
4. The fearfulness of the ungodlies condition on the Day of Judgement cannot be expressed, ibid.
Verse 19.
1. THe troubles of the godly are by the appointment of God, 611
2. God is careful of his children in the time of their troubles, ibid.
3. Such as continue in well-doing, may comfortly commend themselves unto God, 612
4. Such may comfortably commend themselves to God, which labor for the good of their persecutors, ibid.
CHAP. V.
THe Contents of this Chapter, 613
Verse 1.
1. THe duties of Ministers, with reasons to enforce the same, ibid.
2. The Scriptures inform every one of their duty, 614
3. The calling of the Ministry, a painful calling, 615
4. Ministers are fittest to teach one another, and judge of one anothers actions, 617
5. To practice the duties we teach, procures obedience thereunto, ibid.
6. Peter was no Pope, neither challenged any Supremacy, ibid.
7. How Peter was a witness of Christs sufferings, 618
8. All that we have must be improved for the Churches good, ibid.
9. Spiritual wisdom to be used to procure Obedience, ibid.
10. The troubles of Gods Ministers procure them more respect, ibid.
11. Such as are heirs of glory should be much respected, ibid.
12. They that suffer with Christ shall reign with him, ibid.
13. Glory is laid up for the Saints in Heaven, ibid.
14. How we may know whether we shall be heirs of glory, ibid.
15. Through faith we are even here possessed of heaven, ibid.
Verse 2.
1. MInisters must preach the Word, 619
2. Differences between reading and preaching, 620
3. Ministers must preach the Word soundly, 621
4. Ministers must preach diligently, ibid.
5. Christians are Gods flock, 622
6. Ministers are to regard all their people, 623
7. Every Congregation is to have a several Pastor, ibid.
8. Every Pastor is to look to his own charge, ibid.
9. Ministers must oversee and look into their flocks, 624
10. Ministers are not by constraint, but willingly to perform their duties towards their people, 626
11. Ministers must not perform their duties for filthy lucre, but of a ready minde, 627
12. Duties are to be done with a willing heart, 628
13. No man is to follow any calling, meerly for gain, ibid.
14. Most of the gain of the world is filthy gain, 628
15. Whats to be accounted filthy lucre, 629
16. Usually the Scriptures mention not riches but with some check, ibid.
17. Means to help against covetousness, 630
Verse 3.
1. MInisters must not exercise any temporal power over their people, ibid.
2. Ministers must not carry themselves proudly and disdainfully, 632
3. Ministers must not use rigor toward their people, ibid.
4. Christians are Gods heritage, 633
5. Ministers must not onelyonly preach well, but live well, 634
Verse 4.
1. CHrist the chief Shepherd, 637
2. The great reward of faithful Ministers, 638
3. At what time they shall receive their reward, 639
Verse 5.
1. VVHat we are to understand by the yonger and the elder, 640
2. Wherein the duty of Ministers towards their people consists, ibid.
3. People must submit themselves to the Ministery of the Word, ibid.
4. Gods Ministers must particularly inform every one of their duty, 642
5. Wherein the duties of the yonger towards their elders consists, ibid.
6. How Superiors must be subject to their Inferiors, 647
7. How equals must be subject one to another, 648
8. Humility the fountain of submission, ibid.
9. Whatsoever submission proceeds not from humility, is hypocrisie, ibid.
10. What humility is, with the fruits in respect of God, 649
11. The fruits of humility in respect of men, 650
12. Examples of Humility, 651
13. Humility an excellent vertue, 652
14. The fruits of pride in respect of God, ibid.
15. The fruits of pride in respect of men, 654
16. Examples of pride, ibid.
17. How abominable it is, and whence it comes, 655
18. The very best not free therefrom, ibid.
19. God sets himself against the proud, 656
20. How God resists them, ibid.
21. How God giveth grace to the humble, 657
Verse 6.
1. HOw Ministers ought to preach, and people to hear, 658
2. Two other reasons perswading to humility, ibid.
3. The consideration of Gods power, a good means to perswade to humility, ibid.
4. Humility is the way to glory, 659
5. God doth all things in due time, ibid.
Verse 7.
1. THe prevention of an Objection, 660
2. Christians must not be careless, ibid.
3. They must not be too careful about their souls, 661
4. They must not be too careful about their bodies, 662
5. They must not be too careful about worldly things, 663
6. God cares for his own children, 664
Verse 8.
1. VVHat Sobriety is, 665
2. What Spiritual watchfulness is, ibid.
3. A man must be awakened before he can watch, ibid.
4. By nature we are asleep in sin, ibid.
5. Reasons for Watchfulnesse, 666
6. Satans malice exceeding great, 667
7. Satans strength and subtilty, 668
8. Satans diligence, 669
Verse 9.
1. SAtan is to be resisted, and why, 673
2. Faith gives Satan the foil, 675
3. True faith rare, 675
4. What faith it is that prevails over Satan, ibid.
5. All Gods children are liable to Satans Temptations, 676
6. God enables his children to overcome Satans Temptations, ibid.
7. Ministers must endeavor as to inform the understanding, so to work on the affections of their people, 677
8. People must joyn practice to their knowledge, ibid.
9. There's a near conjunction between believers, ibid.
10. Gods Church is dispersed through the world, 678
11. The Saints in Heaven are free from temptations, ibid.
Verse 10.
1. GOds Ministers must further their peoples Salvation by all means, 679
2. God is the author and giver of all grace, 681
3. Whom God will save, those he does effectually call, 683
4. Such as are effectually called, shall partake of glory, ibid.
5. God will not forsake them whom he hath called, ibid.
6. All good comes to us by Christ, 684
7. Gods children must here suffer before they can partake of heaven, ibid.
8. The afflictions of Gods children are small, 685
9. Gods people must labor for perfection, ibid.
10. Children must hold out to the end, 686
Verse 11.
OUr Election and Vocation should move us to praise God, 687
Verse 12.
1. HOly things should be handled by holy persons, 688
2. A good name is to be labored for, ibid.
3. Such as are faithful in the Ministry, draw their peoples hearts to them, 689
4. We ought to speak and think so well of others as we have ground for, ibid.
5. We ought to be wary in our commendations, ibid.
6. The profitableness of writing Epistles, ibid.
7. Gods wisdom in providing for us his Word, and goodness in ordaining Ministers to reveal unto us his will therein, 690
8. People must particularly know that the Religion they profess is the Truth of God, ibid.
9. Christians must persevere in the truth, ibid.
10. Constancy in well-doing difficult, 691
11. Doctrine and Application must go together, ibid.
Verse 13.
1. CHristians must be mindeful one of another, how far distant soever, 691
2. God hath some even in the worst places, 692
3. Hereticks wrest Scripture, ibid.
4. Election diversly taken, 692
5. Its not enough to live in an elect Church, but we must finde that we are Elect, 693
6. Why the Apostle calls them an Elect company, ibid.
7. The sending of commendations how useful it is, ibid.
8. The preaching of the Word the instrument of Regeneration, 694
9. Ministers must love their People as their Children, ibid.
10. People must love their Ministers as their Fathers, 695
Verse 14.
1. ITs needful that where love is, it should be continued, 696
2. Christians should salute one another, ibid.
3. The ancient maner of saluting among the Jews, 697
4. Our saluting one another must be in love, ibid.
5. Hinderances of Love, 698
6. What meant by Peace, ibid.
7. Outward blessings may lawfully be desired, and how, 698
8. Christ is the fountain of all peace, 699
9. Respect is to be had of all Gods people, 701
10. The near union between Christ and true Christians, ibid.
11. Fervency of Affection and Faith requisite in Prayer, ibid.