PARAP 
 
 ACTS 
 
 ^-Te cY^ ^^^^fjC^ 
 
 EPISTLES OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 
 
 A Complete Supplement to Dp. Clarke s Paraphrase on the 
 Four Gospels. 
 
 with" notes, and a short preface to each epistle; 
 
 SHOWING 
 
 The Occafion and Defign of it ; with the feveral Arguments fet at 
 the Head of each Chapter. 
 
 AND 
 
 A General Index to all the Principal Matters, Words, and Phrases of 
 the New Testament, excepting the Revelation. 
 
 * 
 
 FOR THE USE OF FAMILIES, ^yC C^ 
 
 IN TWO VOLUMES. 
 
 B T THO MAS P TLE, M. A. 
 
 MINISTER OF LYN-REGIS IN NORFOLK, AND PREBENDARY OF TJJ* 
 CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF SARUM, 
 
 A NEW EDITION 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 ted for G. G. & J. Robinson, London; W. H. Lunn, Cambridge ; 
 J, Cooke, Oxford; J. Mundell & Co. Edinburgh; 
 
 AND THE OTHER PROPRIETORS, 
 
 »79 £ 
 
t 
 V 
 
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 ■** **.. 
 
TO 
 
 THE RIGHT REVEREND FATHER IN GOD, 
 
 CHARLES, LORD BISHOP OF NORWICH, 
 
 CLERK OF THE CLOSET TO HIS MAJESTY. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 NOT only the relation I have the happinefs 
 to bear to you, as my Reverend Diocefan, 
 but the juft fenfe I ever had of that truly reli- 
 gious wifdom you have exerted as a biihop of 
 this church ; and the difficult and conrtant 
 part you have acred in Parliament, under the 
 molt critical juncture of affairs, may, I hope, 
 warrant my addrefs of the following papers to 
 you. 
 
 Your Lordfhip's great abilities, and ' known 
 difpoiition for advancing of whatever tends to 
 good learning, real piety, and the true interefts 
 of our reformed religion, is what gives heart 
 to any Imcere (though but mean) contributor to 
 fue for your favourable protection. 
 
 My 
 
A Paraphrase on the Chap. I, 
 
 the Jeivijh law •, but to others that knew him better, 
 they reprefented the apoftle as one not immediately 
 commiilioned by Chrift, as Peter, James, and John, 
 &c. were; but to be an apoftle at fecond-hand : thus 
 derogating from the authority of his commijfion, and 
 the certainty of his doBrine. This will give the reader 
 the true fpirit of the feveral expreffions which tend to 
 vindicate both his apojllefijip, and the fmcerity and con- 
 fiftency of St. Paul's behaviour in the controverfy 
 handled in this epiftle ; as of Chap. i. i, 8, 9, 10, &c. 
 to the end ; the whole y^W, and the twelve firft verfes 
 of the fifth chapters, with the 1 3th and 1 7th ver. of 
 thtfi:*ih chapter : in the two latter of which chapters 
 are fome pratlical exhortations, defigned chiefly agamft 
 the animofities and great partialities that this difpute 
 had bred and ripened among them. 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 • This E- The Title * the Apoftle gives himfelj ] levelled again/? the fug" 
 written in g e fii 6TJS °f their Fa/fe Teachers of the Judaizing TaElion, 
 <br about He ivoffdereth at their relapfe from the true Chrijlian Doc- 
 
 of our * n ' ne of Mens being justified and faved by the Chriftian 
 
 Lord 58. Religion alone, into the Jewifh Principle of the Neceflity 
 of the Ceremonial Law : To cure them of which Preju- 
 dice is the main purpnfe of this Epiftle. His Anfwer to 
 ■\ See tire the Infinuations againft the Authority of his Commiftion f , 
 Preface. ana > t f J£ sincerity of its Preaching, 
 
 A. D. 58. 1 pAUL an apoftle, I. T Paul who am a Chriftian a- 
 
 '-"— "v— - ' ' not of men, nei- -*■ poftle, nor by any favour or 
 
 ther by man, but by authority of men, nor receiving 
 
 * Jefns Chrift, and mv commiflion by the choice of 
 
 God tjie t Father, t h e ot ^ er a p J}/ eS} as Matthias 
 
 who raifed hun from did; but having it from the ex- 
 
 the dead, 
 
 tracr- 
 
Chap. I. 
 
 Epistle to the Galatians* 
 
 dead ; 
 
 traordinary * and exprefs revelation of Jefus Chrift A. D. 58. 
 
 himfelf, and God the f Father who raifed him from the ' v-"~^ 
 
 * A<5ts ix» 
 xxii. & 
 
 2. & 3. Send this cpiftle to tte ^fSu 
 churches of Galatia, wifhing you i 4> 15. 
 all favours and bleffings from God 
 the Father, and our Lord Jefus 
 Chrift ; as do alfo the Chriftian 
 brethren that are with me here 
 at Rome. 
 
 2 And all the bre- 
 thren which are with 
 me, unto the churches 
 of Galatia : 
 
 3 Grace be to you 
 and peace, from God 
 the Father, and from 
 our Lord Jefus Chrift. 
 
 4 Who gave him- 
 felf for our (ins, that 
 he might deliver us 
 from this prefent evil 
 world, according to 
 the will of God and 
 our Father : 
 
 4. Wifhing you, I fay, the blef- 
 fings of Jefus Chrift, who, accord- 
 ing to the merciful and gracious 
 purpofe of God, and the predic- 
 tions of his prophets, gave himfelf 
 a facrifice for our fins, to redeem 
 us from the punifhment and con- 
 demnation that is juftly to fall upon the vicious and ob- 
 ftinate unbelievers j[ of the prefent age. 
 
 5. For which mercy be he 
 praifed and glorified for ever and 
 ever ! Amen. 
 
 6. He therefore being the only 
 Saviour by whom we obtain par- 
 don and redemption, I am ama- 
 zed to hear you mould, fo foon 
 after your converfion, be thus 
 changed in your belief of this 
 
 grand article , and be brought to embrace the neceffity 
 of obferving the Jewi/h ceremonies, as a Chriftian doc- 
 trine ; whereas there is no fuch matter. The Chriftian 
 religion is the only fufficient foundation of your jufti- 
 fication and happinefs. 
 
 B 2 7. There 
 
 5 To whom be glo- 
 ry for ever and ever. 
 Amen. 
 
 6 I marvel, that ye 
 are fo foon removed 
 from him that called 
 you into the grace of 
 Chrift, unto another 
 gofpel. 
 
 || Ver. 4. From this prefent evil world, or rather (tiw@- f 
 the prefent age. The fenfe being the fame with that of 
 Acls'ii. 47. this untoward gentrttion. 
 
A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. ! 
 
 7 Which is not ano- 
 ther *, but there be 
 fome that trouble you, 
 and would pervert the 
 gofpel of Chriit. 
 
 nefs is to pervert the 
 
 8 But though we, 
 or an angel from hea- 
 ven, preach any other 
 gofpel unto you, than 
 that which we have 
 preached unto you, let 
 him be accurfed. 
 
 A. D. j8. 7 Which is not ano- 7. There can be no other: nor 
 
 could you have been perfuaded 
 there was, unlefsby the ily infiiiu- 
 ations and falfe fuggeftions of de- 
 fining men j whole art and bufi- 
 gofpel doctrine, and model your 
 principles to their own private interefts and ambitious 
 purpofes. 
 
 8. The better to gain their ends 
 
 upon you, thotejudaizing teachers 
 
 would have you believe, that not 
 
 only Peter and the other apoftles> 
 
 but I myfelf alfo do fometimes 
 
 preach up the c fewijh law, as ab- 
 
 folutely neceffary along with the 
 
 GhrijYian faith. So far from it, that I now folemnly 
 
 pronounce, were any one apojlle, nay, or (were it po£- 
 
 fible) mould an angel from heaven be fuppofed to preach 
 
 a thing fo contradictory to the doctrine I at firfl deliver- 
 
 ■j'J'cd to you, he ought to be rejected and called * accurfed* 
 
 1 Cor. xvi. 9 As W e faid be- 9. And, to mow you I fpeak it 
 
 not haftily, but with all delibera- 
 tion and fincerity,I repeat it again, 
 Should an apojlle, or even an angel 9 
 preach any thing fo derogatory to, 
 and wide of, the true gofpel doc- 
 trine, let him be * accurfed. 
 
 10. As to myfelf, mould I do it, 
 I know it w r ould gain me the fa- 
 vour of a fet of men, the Jeivi/Jy 
 zealots •, but I hope you have no 
 reafon to think the defign of my 
 miniftry is to curry favour with 
 men, but to difcharge my duty to 
 God, as his faithful apojlle ; which I could never do by 
 that method •, and were that my principle, I need never 
 
 to 
 
 * Ver. 8 
 
 fore, fo fay I now a- 
 gain. If any man 
 preach any other gof- 
 pel unto you, % tnan 
 that ye have received, 
 let him be* accurfed, 
 
 10 For do I now 
 perfuade men, or 
 God ? or do I feek to 
 pleafe men ? for if I 
 yet pleafed men, I 
 iliould not be the fer- 
 vant of Chrift. 
 
 % Ver. 9f. Any other gofpel than that ye have received. zret£ 
 o 3j-*£sA*£eTo, any thing befide or more than ye have received 
 from the opoflk ; viz. any thing as neceffary tofahation* 
 
Chap. I. 
 
 Epistle to the Galatians 
 
 to have turned Chriflian *, and fuffered fo much as IA.D.5S. 
 have done for the fake of that profeflion. v 7T? r ^ J 
 
 x * Chap. v. 
 
 11. & 12. And as to their dif- i*-&vi. 
 paragement of my apoftolical com- 
 miJfion y or my do&rine, becaufe it 
 may not fuit with their prejudices 
 or defigns *, be you fully afliired, 
 I received my commimon from no 
 ;>Zc7/?, from no other apoJtles y but had 
 both that andthe doctrine I preach- 
 ed to you, from the immediate re- 
 velation of Jefus Chrift himfelf. 
 
 11 But I certify 
 you, brethren, that 
 the gofpel which was 
 preached of me, is not 
 after man. 
 
 12 For I neither 
 received it of man, 
 neither was I taught 
 it, but by the revela- 
 tion of Jefus Chrift. 
 
 J 3 
 heard 
 
 have 
 
 13. Nor indeed can you well 
 think fuch a bigot as I mould be 
 converted at all, much lefs turn an 
 apoflle of his religion, by any but 
 qptraorditiary means. For you muft 
 have heard what a raging zealot 
 for the Jewijh religion I formerly 
 was ; and how I perfecuted the 
 Chnfian faith with uncommon fury and cruelty. 
 
 For ye 
 
 of my conver- 
 sion in time paft, in 
 the Jews religion, 
 how that beyond mea- 
 sure I perfecuted the 
 church of God, and 
 wafted it. 
 
 14 And profited in 
 the Jews religion, a- 
 bove many my equals 
 in mine own nation, 
 being more exceeding- 
 ly zealous of the tra- 
 ditions of my fathers. 
 
 15 But when it 
 pleafed God, who fe- 
 parated -j- me from my 
 mother's womb, and 
 called me by his 
 grace, 
 
 16 To reveal his 
 Son in me, that I 
 might preach him a- 
 
 mong 
 
 14. I was, you know, noted a- 
 bove any men of my age and 
 {landing, for learning in, and zeal 
 for, the Jewijh traditions and 
 doctrines. 
 
 15. & 16. My converfion, there- 
 fore, is wholly attributed to a divine 
 and extraordinary favour origi- 
 nally intended to me by God. And, 
 accordingly, when it pleafed God 
 thus miraculoufly to convert and 
 commimon me to be a preacher of 
 his gofpel to the Q entile world, I 
 B 3 made 
 
 f Ver. 15. Who feparaied me from my mothers womb, Se$ 
 Jerera, i. 5. 
 
> A Paraphrase on the Chap. L 
 
 A. D.58. mong the heathen, made my application to no ?«^«, 
 
 1 1. y ... 'immediately I con- to none of the apojlles for their 
 
 {erred not with flcfh warrant or inftrucTions how to 
 
 and blood : perform my office. 
 
 17 Neither went 17. I addrefled myfelf to none 
 I up to Jerufalem, to of the apoftles at Jerufalem, who 
 them which ivere apo- we re ordained to that office before 
 files before me, but I me; but from Damafcus,the place 
 went into Arabia, and f my convegrfion, I retired into 
 returned again unto Arabia, and returned thither a- 
 Damaicus. g a j nj an j p reac hed the gofpel, 
 without any order or authority from any of their college. 
 
 18 Then after three 18. Indeed, about three years 
 years I went up to after my converfion, I went to Je- 
 Jerufalem, to fee Pe- rufalem, where Barnabas brought 
 ter, and abide with me to Peter, who readily owned 
 him fifteen days. me f or his fellow apofle, upon 
 the account I give him of the manner and circumftances 
 of my call to that office ; and with him I flayed, not to 
 receive any authority from him, but only to convcrfe 
 with him for about fifteen days. 
 
 19 But other of the 19. The only perfon of note I 
 apoftles faw I none, faw, befides Peter, was James the 
 fave James the Lord's J„J y our Lord's kinfman, and 
 brother - bifhop of Jerufalem. So that I 
 could not be fuppofed to derive my commiffion from the 
 apojlohcal college. 
 
 20 Now the things 20. (And for the truth of thefe 
 which I write unto f a as I appeal to God, the Author 
 you, behold, before of truth itfelf.) 
 
 God, I lie not. 
 
 2T Afterwards I 2I . After this fhort ftay at Je- 
 came into the regions rufalem, I went upon the exercke 
 of Syria and Cilicia. of myoffice into Syria, and preach- 
 ed at Cfcfarea (Ads xxii. 17. 18.), and at Troas in Ci- 
 licia (Acts ix. 30. xxii. 3.) 
 
 22 And was un- 22. All which time, neither the 
 known by face unto churches of Jerufalem, or of the 
 ? C chu L r . cI [ es of J u " reflofjudea, they nor their apo- 
 rll':/ Were ln ftolicaI »'#«» had ever feen, or 
 
 had anyperibnal knowledge of me, 
 23 But 23. All 
 
 Chritt. 
 
Chap. I. 
 
 •Epistle to the Galatians. 
 
 23 But they had 
 heard only, That he 
 which perfecuted us 
 in times paft, now 
 preacheth the faith 
 which once he deftroy- 
 ed. 
 
 24 And they glori- 
 fied God in me. 
 
 23. All they knew of me was A - D - 58. 
 by accounts they had from abroad, <— — >r— -^ 
 that the great perfecutor Paul was 
 turned a preacher of the very go- 
 fpel he had fo perfecuted. 
 
 24. For which marvellous con- 
 verfion in me, they rejoiced, and 
 blefled God. 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 He proceeds further to clear hlmfelf of the Imputation of ever 
 having preached up the necejjity q/Circumcifion and the 
 Ceremonial Law. And to vindicate his Apoftolical Com- 
 tnijjion. Proving both thefe Points * from his next Journey * See the 
 to Jerufalem, his Management of Titus, his Reception from 
 the Apofles, his Behaviour there, and at Antioch, with Pe~ 
 A?r, and from the Inconjifiency offuppojing He Jhould preach 
 fuch a Doclrine. 
 
 Preface. 
 
 I 'T'HEN fourteen 
 years after I 
 went up again to Je- 
 rufalem with Barna- 
 bas, f and took Titus 
 with me alfo. 
 
 I. T^O (how you ftill further the 4. cha 
 •*■ falfity of their f fuggelti- '6. 18. 
 
 ons, and the immediate authority A< ^ 
 of my apoftlefhip, let me remem- 
 ber you, that eleven years after 
 my former journey to ferufalem % 
 which is fourteen years after my firft converfjon, 1 went 
 thither f again, and took Barnabas and Titus along with 
 me. 
 
 2 And I went up by 
 xevelation, and com- 
 municated unto fhem 
 that gofpel which I 
 preach among the 
 Gentiles, but private- 
 ly to them which 
 were 
 
 2. I then went by the fpecial 
 appointment cf God, and gave the 
 apoflles that were there a full ac- 
 count of the doctrines % I had been j ^#< 
 preaching to the idolatrous as well 4. 1- 
 as profelyte Gentiles y as I received 
 B 4 them 
 
A Paraphrase on the Chap. IL 
 
 AD - 58. were f reputation, them from JefusChrift, and of the 
 — "^ left by any means I fucceis ofmymmiftry among their . 
 fhould run, or had run I gave this account only to fomc 
 511 va i»- of the chief apojiles and governors 
 
 of that church, and to them too in private^ not out of 
 diftruft of my doctrine and behaviour >r want of their 
 information j but only to pre lah us reports 
 
 the Judaizing faction might raife upon me, to the dis- 
 paragement and hindrance of the further fuccefs of my 
 miniitry : For thefe zealots, even of the converted Jews, 
 were not as yet in any temper to hear of Chriftianity be- 
 mg preached to the idolatrous Gentiles. 
 
 3 But neither Titus^ 3. And in this whole affair I 
 
 who was with me, be- was fo confident with myfeif, and 
 ing a Greek, was j u ft to my own principle, that 
 compelled to be cir- though Titus that went with me 
 cumcifed : was a Q en til e born, yet at his con- 
 
 version to Clvifliani/y, and his ordination to the minijlry, 
 I never infifted on his being cir cumcifed ; nor did the 
 apo/ileSy to whom I carried him, require any fuch thing *, 
 which, it is plain, both they and I fhould have done, had 
 we thought the obfervation of the ceremonial law necef- 
 fary to the j unification of a converted idolatrous Gentile. 
 
 4 And that becaufe 4 I kept Titus uncircumcifedy 
 of falfp brethren una- and carried him fo to the apofiles, 
 wares brought in, who n purpoie to Ihbw my fentim.ents 
 came in privily to fpy were qulte oppofite to thofe falfe 
 out our liberty, which Jg^JO, zealots that came to Anti- 
 
 >Aft6 X v.wehave in Chrift Je- fa * j and : n fi nuatc d themfclves 
 ius, that_ they might intQ our afremblies there . with a 
 bring us into oondage. Mlgn to catch at, and oppofe the 
 doctrine I preached, and to bring all youG^////7<?Chrin L ians 
 to embrace the unneceffary flaveryof ihejewi/h ceremonies. 
 
 5 To whom we 5. For though I am willing to 
 gave place by fubjec- yield to any indifferent thing for 
 tion, no not for an the prefent, in compliance witji the 
 hour, that the truth weaknefs and prejudices of men ; 
 of the gofpel might i n hopes the fooner to draw them 
 continue with you. off from them*; yet, to thefe falfe 
 zealots, that fo furioufly infifted upon the abfolute ne- 
 
 ty of the Jewifh law, I never yielded an inch, 
 
 but 
 
Chap. II. 
 
 Epistle to the Galatians. 
 
 but maintained the Chrijlian religion to be the fttfficient A.D. 58. 
 and only condition of a Chrijlian' s jujlificaiion and happi- ( ~*~*~**~ > 
 
 fiefs. 
 
 6 But of thefe : who 
 feemed to be fome- 
 what, (whatfoever 
 they were maketh no 
 matter to me, God 
 accepteth no man's 
 perfon), for they who 
 Teemed to be fome- 
 what, in conference 
 added nothing to me. 
 
 6. Thus I behaved myfelf to 
 thofe zealots. And as to the dis- 
 paragement your falfe teachers are 
 pleated to call upon me, and their 
 letting up Peter *, James, or John, 
 as apoltles far greater than /; be 
 they as great as they will, their 
 eminency makes me neither great- 
 er nor lets. God, who made us 
 all equally his apoftles, looks not 
 upon prefent and external reputation in the church. In 
 the mean time, when I gave thofe eminent men the re- 
 count of my doctrine, and proceedings in my miniitry 
 with the Gentile Chriftians ; they could find no fault, 
 pretended to correct nothing, nor to inftrucfc me in any 
 point that I did not know as well as themfelves. 
 
 7 But contrariwife, 7. But, on the contrary, upon 
 
 when they faw that the teftimonies I gave them of as 
 fufficient a call to preach the gof- 
 pel to the Gentile world, as Peter 
 in particular, or any of them had 
 to preach it to the Jewifh nation, 
 they highly approved of what I 
 had done. 
 
 8. (And indeed well they might; 
 for God had endowed me with as 
 miraculous powers and evidences 
 for the one, as he had them for 
 the other). 
 
 the gofpel of the un- 
 circumcifion was com- 
 mitted unto me, as 
 the gofpel of the cir- 
 cumcilion was unto 
 Peter: 
 
 8 (For he that 
 wrought effectually in 
 Peter to the apoftle- 
 ihip of the circumci- 
 iion, the fame was 
 mighty in me to- 
 wards the Gentiles). 
 9 x\ndwhen James, 
 Cephas, and John, who 
 feemed to be pillars, 
 perceived the grace 
 that was given unto 
 me, 
 
 9. Accordingly thofe three lead- 
 ing apoltles, being fully fatisfied 
 both of my office? and the method 
 and fucceis of my preaching, did, 
 
 with 
 
 rat refpeel, own me and 
 
 See Ver 9. and fee the Paraphrafe on 1 Cor. ix, 20, 
 
\V 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. II. 
 
 A. D. js. m c, they gave to me 
 <— — v— and Barnabas the 
 right hands of fellow- 
 ship, that wtjhould go 
 unto the heathen, and 
 they unto the circum- 
 cilion. 
 
 10 Only they would 
 that we mould re- 
 member the * poor the 
 fame which 1 alfo was 
 forward to do. 
 
 * Sec Ails Chriitians of fudea * 
 xix. ai. j i But when Peter 
 
 xxi. 4. 10, was C ome to Antioch, 
 j 1 1 a. &c. j ^ithftood him to the 
 j Cor. xv).,. , r , 
 
 a Cor. viw. face, becaufe he was 
 
 bLiX. 
 
 to be blamed. 
 
 \ £cbxv. 
 
 my fellow traveller Barnabas for 
 apojllcs as fully commilTioned to 
 convert the Gentiles, as they were 
 to convert the Jews; and conclud- 
 ed, we ought to go on in that mi- 
 niitry, in the fame manner as wc 
 had begun. 
 
 10. They prefcribed no rules 
 to me at parting ; they only re- 
 quefted of me to collccl: fome 
 charities among the converts I 
 made, for the relief of the poor 
 
 a thing I was very ready to do. 
 
 11. Thus far Peter and / en- 
 tirely agreed : And fo conftant and 
 fteady was / to this doctrine of 
 the tiecejfity of the ceremonial law y 
 to the Chriftian converts, that when 
 
 he would once have diffembled, and flinched from it at 
 Antioch) I flood my ground, and freely and boldly up- 
 braided him with his infmcerity. 
 
 12 For before that 12. For before thofe JewiJh 
 certain came from zealots came to Antioch f with a 
 pretended authority from James 
 and the apoitles at Jerufalem, and 
 cried up the neceflity of the Jew- 
 ijh law; Peter was as free and 
 familiar with the Gentile Chrifti- 
 ans (who were profelytes to the 
 fenvijh worfhip of the true God, 
 though not circumcifcd) as I myfelf was. But when 
 they had fpread their notions, and pofTeiTed the minds of 
 fome people, he grew fliy, and avoided the conversation 
 of the uncircumcifed ChriJlians, for fear of difgufting 
 the Jews, and thefe zealots of the Jewi/h converts. 
 
 13. And by his example, fevc- 
 ral other of thofe converts did the 
 fame ; and even Barnabas himfelf 
 began to give in to that way of 
 diiiimulation,.to the great discou- 
 ragement of the Gentile Chriftians. 
 
 14. Such 
 
 James, he did eat with 
 the Gentiles ; but 
 when they were come, 
 he withdrew, and Se- 
 parated himfelf, fear- 
 ing them which were 
 
 I a And the other 
 diffembled like- 
 wife with him, info- 
 lp.uch that Barnabas 
 alfo was carried away 
 with their tlifllmula- 
 tiom 
 
 14 But 
 
Chap. II. 
 
 Epistle to the Galatians, 
 
 14 But when I faw 
 that they walked not 
 uprightly, according 
 to the truth of the 
 gofpel, I faid unto 
 Peter, before them 
 all, If thou being a 
 Jew, livefi after the 
 manner of Gentiles, 
 and not as do the 
 Jews, why compelleft 
 thou the Gentiles to 
 live as do the Jews ? 
 
 15 We who are 
 Jews by nature, and 
 not finners of the 
 Gentiles, 
 
 16 Knowing that a 
 man is not juftified by 
 the works of the law, 
 but by the faith of 
 Jefus Chrift, even we 
 have believed in Je- 
 fus Chrift, that we 
 might be juftified by 
 the faith of Chrift, 
 and not by the works 
 of the law : for by the 
 works of the law (hall 
 no flefti be juftified. 
 
 17 But if while we 
 feek to be juftified by 
 Chrift, we ourfelves 
 alfo are found finners, 
 is therefore Chrift the. 
 minifter of (in > God 
 forbid *• 
 
 14. Such a prevarication with 
 the main defign of the gofpel re-^ 
 ligion I could not bear ; but de- 
 manded of Peter in plain terms, 
 before all the fudaizers, how he, 
 that was originally a Jew, but 
 now turned Chrijlian^ and had 
 forfaken the ceremonial Jaw him- 
 felf, could ever anfwer it, to en- 
 courage the Gentile Christians to 
 believe it was obligatory upori 
 them, that were never Jews at all j 
 directly contrary to his own prin- 
 ciple and practice ? 
 
 15. & 16. For furely, faid I, if 
 we that were born and brought up 
 in the JewiJJj religion, being now 
 convinced of its infufficicncy to 
 juftify us, have left it, and em- 
 braced the Chrijlian religion, as 
 the only fufhcient means of pardon 
 and falvation ; it mult be mod 
 abfurd for us to imagine that the 
 Gentiles, that were never brought 
 up in it at all, mould be now ob- 
 liged to it, after their conversion 
 to Chriflianity. It is plain, you 
 countenance this for no real ad- 
 vantage to them ; for you and we 
 all own, the law can juftify no 
 man, now after the revelation of 
 the gcfpel ; but the gofpel alone 
 can fully do it. 
 
 17. On the other fide, do but 
 coniider die confequence of this 
 principle : A Chrijlian that relies 
 {till upon the Jcwifi law for 
 his juitification, mult allow him- 
 felf to be itill in a itate of guilt 
 and fin (for the law leaves uJ 
 all fo). Which is as much as to 
 i fay, 
 
 it 
 
 A.D. 5 S. 
 
 u - W 
 
j % A Paraphrase ok the Chap. II, 
 
 A. D. 58. fay, that Chrift, our Redeemer, has given us a difpenfa- 
 V*""**^ tion that leaves us but where we were, viz. in an unpar- 
 doned and unjujiified condition : which God forbid any 
 Chrijlian fliould hold * ! 
 
 18 For if I build a- 18. For it is evident beyond ex- 
 gain the things which ception, if after having taken up- 
 I deftroyed, I make on me the Chri/lian profefhon, as 
 myfelfatranfgreffort. the means of this jultification, I 
 run back again for it to the Jewjh law, I am but where 
 I was, an iinjufufied /inner ; and aft jult like a foolifh 
 man that pulls down his houfe to make it better, and 
 then builds it up again with the very fame materials, 
 juft as it was, upon its old foundation \ . 
 
 19. For 1 through 19. Let others think and a£l as 
 
 the law am dead to they will. I know that by the 
 
 the law, that I might V ery tenor and defign of the Jew- 
 
 live unto God. ijh law itfelf, a Chrijlian is now 
 
 as perfectly free from its obligation, as a woman is from 
 
 $ See Rom. her marriage contracl: at her hufband's death \ ; fo that 
 
 vii.tover. even a Jewi/h Chriftian, much more a Gentile one, 
 
 ■L vi" l * s hound to nothing but the obfervance of the Chrijlian 
 
 * ' religion, as the true fervice of God. 
 
 20 I am crucified 20. By this new difpenfation of 
 with Chrift. Never- Chrift, I am dead to the-ceremoni- 
 thelefs I live, yet not a J law, and the law to me. The 
 I, but Chrift liveth in life \ now H ve } s no longer the 
 me: and the life which ftfe of a y eWj but the obedience 
 I now live m the flefh of a Chri/liatt, to that Saviour and 
 I live by the faith of Rcdcemerj who fo loved me as to 
 the Son of God, who • himfdf for a fuU fatisfaaiou 
 loved me, and gave f ^ , 
 himfelf for me. 
 
 2i I do fii. For* 
 
 * Is Chrijl the minijler ojjin ? Or elfe thus with Oecume- 
 nius, If the law be obligatory Jlilh then weChriJlians are tranj- 
 greffbrsy in not adhering to it; and do we think that Chrijl would 
 enjoin us to Jin againjl a divine law? Godjorbid! But I choofe 
 the paraphrafe as the mod natural fenle. Or laflly, It may 
 be read without an interrogation, thus, If we bejinners m 
 Jecking to be jujlified by Chrijl, then Chrijl, is the minijler ojjin* 
 
 t / make myfelj a tranfgreJfor y i. e. fays Chryfoftom, by 
 fetting up that law which I allow God has abolifhed. 
 
Chap. ft. Epistle to the Galatians,' i$ 
 
 21 Idonotfruftrate 21. For my part I fhall never -A. D. 5$ 
 the grace of God : countenance a doctrine that fruf- ( 
 for it righteoufnefs trates the main and merciful de- 
 come by the law, then f lgn f the Chriftian covenant. 
 Chrift is dead in vain, jor it is clear, could the Jewifh 
 law have juftified and faved us, 
 there had been no need of Chrift's death ; nay, and if 
 that law has any part in our j unification, then his death 
 was inefficient of itfelf for it. 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 The Apojlle having ahfolutely cleared himfelf of having ever 
 preached up the NeceJJtty of the Ceremonial Law to Chriftian 
 Believers, comes now to argue dire&ly againjl that Prin- 
 ciple of the Jewifh Zealots. His frft argument taken from 
 the miraculous Gifts ef the Holy Spirit conferred upon Chri- 
 Jlians. His next, from the Cafe of Abraham's Juftif ca- 
 tion 5 proving all true Chriftians, whether circumcifcd or not, 
 are accepted and pardoned upon the fame Faith and from 
 the fame Promife that jufified that eminent Patriarch . 
 and not at all from the Ohfervance of the Jewifh Law. The 
 Jewifh Zealots object, To what purpofe then was the 
 Law given ? He anfwers it : Shows the Law to have been 
 only preparatory to the Gofpel, and that all Believers, Gen- 
 tile and Jewifh, are to he faved by the Chriftian Religion 
 alone. 
 
 iQFOOLISH i.r\ FOOLISH Galatians, who 
 
 Galatians, who ^* is it, or by what magical 
 
 hath bewitched you, arts have they deluded you from 
 
 that you fhould not t hi s fundamental article of the 
 
 obey the truth, be- Chriftian faith, viz. That the gofpel 
 
 fore whofe eyes Jefus re/ighn ^ f^^t f or faction 
 
 Chrift without 
 
t^ A Pahaphrase on the Chap. III. 
 
 A. D. 58. (Thrift * hath been e- without the Mcfaical law ? Ton 
 K*~v^) vidently fet forth, cru- that have had the crucified Jefus 
 cified among you ? reprefented * to you as the only 
 
 Redeemer of mankind, with as much earneftnefs and 
 clearness, as if you had feen him hanging on the crofs 
 before your eyes ? 
 
 1 This only would 2. Nor have you only heard his 
 I learn of you, Re- true doctrine, but had it con- 
 ceived ye the Spirit firmed to you by fuch powers and 
 by the works of the gifts f the Holy Spirit conferred 
 law, or by the hearing, on V0U) as we re never before feen 
 of faith ? in the church of God. Now let 
 
 me argue with your Jewilh zealots, from thefe very en- 
 dowfuents, in the firjl place. Were they conferred on 
 you upon any confederation of your obfervance of the 
 Mofaical law, or as you were Jews ? Was it not 
 abiblutely on account of your becoming Chriitian dif- 
 
 cipl 
 
 ca 
 
 3 Are ye fo foolifh ? 3. How weak and foolifh a pro- 
 having begun in the ceeding is this, for men to lay the 
 Spirit, are ye now foundation of their pardon and 
 made perfect, by the happinefs in the Chriftian reli- 
 flefh ? gion, as demonftrated by fuch e- 
 videuccs of the Holy Spirit, and then run back and 
 build upon the ceremonial law, which they before al- 
 lowed to be fo external and carnal a dilpenfation, as to 
 be infufticient for it. 
 
 4 Have ye fullered 4. And then, to what purpofe 
 fo many things in have you endured fo many per- 
 vain ; if it be yet in fecutions for the fake of your 
 vain. gofpel profefiion, if you now lofe 
 all its happy privileges, by relinquishing the main ar- 
 ticles of it ? But I hope you will prevent that by con- 
 fidering better. 
 
 5. I fay 
 
 * Ver. 1. Hath been evidently fet forth. ■&?ciypuQv was 
 before defcribed and reprefented to you : Viz. Before ever 
 thefe Jewifh notions, of the ncceflity of their law, were 
 heard of amongfl them. 
 
Chap. III. Epistle to the Galatians. 
 
 If 
 
 5 He therefore that 
 miniftreth to you the 
 Spirit, and worketh 
 miracles among you t 
 doth he it by the 
 the law, or 
 hearing of 
 
 5. I fay then, when I wrought A. D. 58. 
 fuch miracles for your converfion, { *^ m>r * lm J 
 and conferred the power of work- 
 ing them upon fevcral members 
 of your church ; did I do it as a 
 Jewifh teacher, or had the leall 
 regard to the ceremonial law ? No, 
 it was purely as a go/pel minifter, 
 and as you were Chriftian profeflbrs. Wherefore, as 
 this earnefl and pledge of your juftification was not in 
 the leaft owing to that law, neither can the thing it- 
 
 works of 
 by the > 
 faith ? 
 
 6 Even as Abra- 
 ham % believed God, 
 and it was accounted 
 to him for righteouf- 
 nefs; 
 
 7 Know ye there- 
 fore, that they which 
 are of faith, the fame 
 are the children of 
 Abraham. 
 
 6. &. 7. In the next place, Can 
 any of thofe who are fo zealous 
 for the Jewifh rites, defire to be 
 juftified and accepted of God, up- 
 on a better foot than Abraham, 
 the very father % of the Jewifh 
 nation was ? Now, it is certain 
 the Chriftian faith is that very 
 principle of believing God's reve- 
 lation and obeying his willy that 
 obtained him his juftification ; and whoever he be, 
 whether Jew or Gentile, that fo believes in God through 
 Chrifh the Mefliah, is the fpiritual fon of Abraham, 
 and has a right to the promife made to that great pa- 
 triarch. 
 
 8 Andthefcripture 
 foreseeing that God 
 would jultify the hea- 
 then through faith, 
 preached before the 
 gofpel 
 
 8. For it being the original and 
 gracious defign of God to fave 
 the Gentiles, as well as the Jews, 
 by bringing them all, one day, un- 
 der the Chriftian covenant ; you 
 
 are 
 
 * Ver, 5. The hearing of faith. The word hearing fignl- 
 fies either the doclrine of faiths i. e,of the gofpel, or elfe obe- 
 dience to the faith. In this former fenfe, it is the fame as 
 in Ifa. liii. 1. Lord who hath believed our report, (Heb. our 
 hearing, i. e. the doclrine heard.) From whence St. Paul 
 probably took it. 
 
 X S©e the fame argument in Rom. ir. 
 
\<i 
 
 A Paraphrase on th.c 
 
 Chap. IJ1V 
 
 with 
 
 ham. 
 
 faithful Abra- 
 
 I>. 5§- gcfpel unto Abraham, are to under (land that fpecial blef- 
 
 *V"^ faying, In thee Ihall fing promifed to Abraham (Gen. 
 
 all nations be bleffed. x ii. 3.) to be meant of Chrift, 
 
 who was to be born of his family, and become the Saviour 
 
 e/ all nations that would embrace his religion. 
 
 9 So then they which 9. As therefore it was faith in 
 
 be of faith, are bleffed God that juitified Abraham, fo is 
 it faith in Chrill, and obedience 
 to his religion, that faves all 
 ChriflianS) and the ceremonial law has no hand at all 
 in it. 
 
 10. For indeed, that law is of 
 quite a different nature from one 
 that is to juflify and fave man- 
 kind. It is a mod fever e difpen- 
 fation, abounding in duties and 
 injunctions, and laying all under 
 guilt that breaks || any one of 
 them 5 but provides no fuflieient 
 atonement to clear their confei- 
 ences of that guilt. 
 
 10 For as many as 
 are of the works of 
 the law, are under the 
 curfe : for it is writ- 
 ten, Curfed is every 
 ene that continueth 
 not in all things 
 S°eDeut.wd" cn are written in 
 xxvii. 26.the book of the law 
 
 Rom. iii. 
 20. viii. 3 
 Heb. x. 
 
 to do them. 
 
 11. Sc 12. And accordingly, 
 the prophet Habakkuk afcribes 
 the juftification of all good men 
 to religious faith in God. Where- 
 as the ceremonial law puts it not 
 upon that principle , but infifts on 
 an exact: and rigid obfervance of 
 all its numerous rites and pre* 
 cepts ; propofing the promifed 
 land of Canaan for its reward ; but fn and guilt was the 
 effect of the tranfgrelhon of any one of them. 
 
 13 Chrift hath re- 13* Now from this fevere dif- 
 
 deemed us from the penuition, and from the guilt of 
 our numberlefs violations of its 
 injunctions, has Chrift our Mefh- 
 ah redeemed J us by his death ; 
 whereby 
 
 1 1 But that no man 
 is juftified by the law 
 in the fight of God, it 
 is evident : for, The 
 juft fliall live by faith. 
 
 12 And the law is 
 not of faith : but, the 
 man that doth them 
 Ihall live in them. 
 
 us 
 
 curfe of the law, be- 
 ing made a curfe for 
 us : for it is written, 
 Curfed 
 
 J Redeemed us itctyi^xiriv ; Has brought us out — as from a 
 flavery. Or has delivered us from it as effectually, as if he 
 had paid down a price for us. Compare 2 Tim 
 1 Pet. i. 18, 19. with Deut. lii 
 xxxii. 6. 2. Sam. vii. 23. 
 
 8. Exod. vi. 
 
 ii. 26* 
 6. Deut, 
 
Chap. III. Epistle to the Galatians. 17 
 
 Curfed is every one whereby he fu fibred the curfe, in A. D. 58. 
 
 that hangeth on a our (lead, agreeably to the words' v— — ' 
 
 tree * : of the law (Deut. xxii. 23.) which 
 call hanging on the tree an * accurfed death. 
 
 14 That the blef- 14. And thus the grand promife 
 
 fing of Abraham made to Abraham, of his feed be- 
 
 might come on the ing a blejfmg to all nath)is> is ful- 
 
 Gentiles through Je- filled in Chrilt ; and makes it 
 
 las Chrilt, that we pj^. t h a t as his death was the 
 
 might receive || the fo^ an d fufficient expiation for 
 
 promiie of the fpint the fms of bot]l Gentiles and 
 
 through faith. j ews ■ fo ^ ig the embradng of 
 
 his religion alone that procures all Clinicians thefe gifts 
 and graces promifed to the church of the Mefliah ; and 
 the ceremonial law contributes nothing towards it. 
 
 15 Brethren, 1 fpeak 1 5. Thus the Chnjl'ian covenant 
 after the manner of is grounded on Abraham's pro- 
 men : though it be mile. Now common equity, even 
 but a mans covenant, m human affairs, makes it utterly 
 yet if it be confirmed, unlawful to any man to cancel or 
 no man difannulleth a j ter a covenant> will, or contrail, 
 or addeth thereto. that is once regu i ar i y madej and 
 
 duly ratified. How much lefs fhould any perfon dare 
 to break or change the iblemn covenant of God ! 
 
 16 Now to Abra- 16. But now your fewijh zea~ 
 ham and his feed were lots, by preaching up the abfolute 
 the promiies made, neceility of the ceremonial law to 
 He faith not, and to Chrijlian people, are evidently 
 
 Vol. H. C guilty 
 
 * [Made a curfe — Curfed.] Chrift was not accurfed of God, 
 in the proper fenl'e of that phrafe •, but by being crucified, 
 was in the efteem of the Jews, the fame polluted and abo- 
 minable thing that, by their law, all perfons were that were 
 hanged as malefazlors. As Le Clerc well obferves. 
 
 || [T>j> t7ray[i>iictv t* zrvtvputTt, The promife of the Spirit,] 
 L e. Either the fpiritual bleiTings promifed to Abraham in 
 general, or elfe the particular gifts and endowments of the 
 Holy Spirit on the apoltles and the primitive church, called 
 emphatically, the promife, Acts ii. 32. and xiii. 32. and the 
 promife of the Father, A&sii. ^. i. 4. 
 
IS 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. III. 
 
 ment, 
 Rom. ix. 
 
 A. D. jS. feeds, as of many ; guilty of this crime. For it is clear, 
 "■"■""v but as of one, and to the promife made to Abraham 
 thy ^ feed, which is wa s meant of one particular per- 
 Chrift. J 07li that was to be born of a par- 
 
 ticular branch of his family. Chrift was the Saviour pro- 
 mifed, of Ifaac's line; and it was not every one that mould 
 % s jj be merely * born of Abraham, but only fuch as fhould be 
 fame argu- members of the church of this Meffiah, that were entitled 
 to his bleflings ; and all that were his members, be they 
 Gentiles or Jews, were certainly to enjoy them. 
 
 17 And this I fay, 17. Whereas your zealots fay, 
 
 That the covenant that No; the blefling muft be by the 
 obfervation of the law. As if a 
 law of God could ever be fuppofed 
 to come, and difannul, and fet a- 
 fide a moft folemn and abfolute 
 promife ; a promife of infinite im- 
 portance made to the pious ances- 
 tors of the very people to whom 
 that law is given (and in him to 
 all the obedient part of mankind) four hundred and thir- 
 ty years before. 
 
 18. Either, therefore, this great 
 blefling of mens pardon and falva- 
 tion is wholly founded in the pro- 
 mife to Abraham, or not ; if it be 
 (it is moft evident from fcripture 
 it was) then it is faith in ChrijTs 
 religion alone that is the condition of a Chri/liarfs justi- 
 fication ; and for you to join the ceremonial law to it, 
 is to alter the promife and folemn covenant of God. 
 
 19 Wherefore then 19. To this argument I know 
 
 ferveth the law ? It the Jewijh zealots will make this 
 
 objection, viz. " If pardon and 
 
 " falvation were not to be had 
 
 " by virtue of the Mofaical law, 
 
 " why then was that law given, 
 
 " and what was it good for ?" I 
 
 anfwer, It was given to the jfew- 
 
 ifi people for very wife and good 
 
 purpofes, viz. To preferve and fence them, who were 
 
 the church of God, and of whofe nation Chrift was to 
 
 be born, from the idolatrous rites and practices of the 
 
 heathen 
 
 was confirmed before 
 of God in Chrift, the 
 law which was four 
 hundred and thirty 
 years after, cannot dif- 
 annul, that it fhould 
 make the promife of 
 none effect. 
 
 18 For if the in- 
 heritance be of the 
 law, it is no more of 
 promife : but God 
 gave it to Abraham 
 by promife. 
 
 was added becaufe of 
 tranfgreflions, till the 
 feed lhould come, to 
 whom the promife 
 was made, and it was 
 ordained by angels in 
 the hand of a mediator. 
 
Chap. III. Epistle to the Galatians. 19 
 
 heathen world, into which they were fo apt to fall > to A. D. 58. 
 fhow them the guilt of their own fins *, and the punifh- '-^^^ 
 ment due to them •, and by the figurative nature of its 
 ordinances, to train up that people to the hope and ex- 
 pectation of Chrift the Mefliah, the great Sacrifice and 
 , Saviour of mankind. And you mun: obferve, this law 
 was not, like the promife to Abraham, given abfolutely 
 and immediately from God to all mankind ; but conveyed, 
 by the miniftry of angels, to Mofes, the mediator be- ■ 
 tween God and that Jingle people. 
 
 20 Now a media- 20. (For a mediator fuppofes 
 
 tor is not a mediator of two parties concerned in any af- 
 one, but God is one. fair). It is falfe, therefore, that 
 j uftiflcation cannot be had but by the obfervance of that 
 law, whereof Mofes was the jiiediatar ,• when it is plain, 
 God was the only Jingle \ party that gave the great pro- 
 jnife abfolutely and immediately to Abraham \ and he was 
 juftined without any mediator at all. 
 
 21. Is the law then 21. So that the doctrine r of 
 againft the promifes thefe zealots fets the Mofaic law 
 of God ? God forbid ! quite contrary to, and makes it 
 for if there had been difannul the promife to Abraham, 
 a law given which and the Chriftian religion. For, 
 could have given life, if t h e obfervance of the ceremonial 
 verily righteouinefs law could J, ave put men int0 a 
 fhould have been by ftate of pardon and redemption, 
 the law. t k e p rom if e to Abraham was 
 
 needlefs, and the Chrijlian religion fignifies nothing *. • Seever> 
 Which God forbid any man mould imagine ! *2. 
 
 C 2 22. But 
 
 * [Tm TFx^oktxff-nav #«£<v, Becaufe of the tranfgreflion.] I 
 have given the two molt natural fenfes of the expreflion *, 
 which is not exaclly agreed upon by learned interpreters. 
 I will only remark, that if it be obferved that, after the 
 giving of the law of the ten commandments, Deut. v. 22. it 
 was faid, And he added no more; i. e. gave them no other 
 •tatutes at that time : and that after their pronenefs to idol- 
 atry, mown in the inftance of the golden calf the whole ce- 
 remonial law was impofed upon the Jews \ it will render it 
 very probable, That the words becaufe of tranfgrefjions, 
 mean, principally to keep them from idolatrous Iranfgreffimss 
 
2o 
 
 A Parafhrase on the 
 
 Chap, ill, 
 
 A. D. 58. 22 But the fcrip- 
 v ~"~v~~—''ture hath concluded 
 all under fin, that the 
 proraife by faith of 
 Jefus Chrift, might 
 be given to them that 
 believe. 
 
 Saviou 
 
 is to be obtained. 
 
 23 But before faith 
 came, we were kept 
 under the law, fhut 
 up unto the faith, 
 which fhould after- 
 wards be revealed. 
 
 22. But, directly contrary to 
 their notion, the fcriptures of the 
 Old Teftament reprefent all man- 
 kind, Jews and Gentiles, to be in 
 a ftate of fin and guilt ; and fet 
 forth Chrift the Meiliah promifed 
 to Abraham, as the only fufEcient 
 by w T hofe religion their pardon and falvation- 
 
 23. Now we of the JeiviJJj na- 
 tion had the promife of this Mef- 
 fiah to be born of our family ; and 
 were accordingly trained up to the 
 view and expectation of him, by 
 being kept ftrictly under the dis- 
 cipline and ceremonies of a law that pointed and repre- 
 sented to us what he was to do and fuffer for us, in or- 
 der to a more perfect and complete difpenfation. 
 
 24 Wherefore the 24. & 25. Wherefore the Mq- 
 law was our fchool- Ja'ical law was intended no further 
 than a fchoolmafter 13 to children, 
 to confine them to certain bounds, 
 to inftrucl: and prepare our nation 
 for the higher and more holy in- 
 ftitution of Jefus Chrift; and now 
 that we are actually under that 
 inftitution of Chrift, our confine- 
 ment is over, and we can have no further occafion for 
 thofe mean and lower degrees of inftruction. 
 
 26 For ye are all 26. & 27. The promife to Abra- 
 
 the children of God ham then, or the Chriftian reli- 
 gion, being the only thing that 
 juftifies and faves you, you muft 
 remember this bleifing extends to 
 men of all nations indifferently. 
 The Jews and Gentiles are no 
 longer kept feparate from each o- 
 ther. Every one that is baptized into Chrift's profeffion 
 is perfectly his, and has a claim to all the privileges of 
 his church, upon his due obedience to his religion. 
 
 •28, This 
 
 our 
 
 mafter, to bring us unto 
 Chrift, that we might 
 be ju (lined by faith. 
 
 25 But after that 
 faith is come, we are 
 no longer under a 
 fchoolmafter. 
 
 by faith in Chrift Je- 
 fus. 
 
 27 For as many of 
 you as have been bap- 
 tized into Chrift, have 
 put on Chrift. 
 
Chap. III. Epistle to the Galatians. 2t 
 
 28 There is nei- 28. This perfect difpenfation A. D. 58. 
 
 ther Jew nor Greek, of his makes no diitinttion be-' *"—"' 
 
 there is neither bond tween Jew or Gentile, c'irciimcifed 
 
 nor free, there is nei- or uncircumc'ifcd, majler or fflave, 
 ther male nor female 5 man j or woman . but they have 
 for ye are all one in all x privileges upon the fame 
 
 thrift Jefus. conditions. 
 
 29 And if ye be 29. And if you Gentile, as 
 Chriu's, then are ye well as the Jewj/b converts, be 
 Abraham's feed, and accepted into the Chrlftlan cove- 
 heirs according to the nantj you mu ft be acknowledged 
 P romlfe « the true fpiritual feed of Abraham 
 as well as they : and according to the very tenor and de- 
 fign of the great promife made to that holy patriarch and 
 his pofterity, ihall inherit the blefTing of pardon and 
 falvation 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 The fame Argument continued ; by flowing the LmperfeBion 
 of the Jewiffh, and the Perfection of the Chrijlian Religion i 
 from a Comparifon taken from an Heir to an Eflate. The 
 Apojlle then turns off to Expqflulating with them about the 
 folly of adhering to the Jewifh Law ; refctls on their falft 
 Teachers ; and entreats them to continue the fame Efleem 
 they formerly had of him as their true Apojlle ; expr effing 
 his tender Regard to their Church. Then he refumes the 
 Argument, illuf rating the Difference between the two Dif- 
 penfations of the Law and Gofpel, as figuratively reprefent- 
 ed by the two Branches of Abraham's Pqflerity, viz. Of 
 Ifaac from Sarah, and of Ifmael from Hagar. 
 
 C 3 1 & 2. To 
 
 t Ver. 28. Male nor female. Note, The apoftle alludes 
 to the Jewi/h cuflom in inheritances of eftates, which de- 
 fcended always by right in the father, and never by the 
 mother's fide. As Selden de Succeflion : and other learned 
 writers obferve out of Maimonides and the Talmudifls. 
 6 
 
2z A Paraphrase on the Chap. IV. 
 
 A. D. 58. 1 J^OW I fay, that 1. & 2. T^O illuftrate to* you 
 
 5 *■— J the heir as long -*- the imperfect natuie 
 
 as he is a child, dit- f the Mcfaical difpenfation, I 
 
 t Cap. iii. fereth nothing from a compared it to zfcbool, f wherein 
 
 *h ZS- fervant, though he be children are trained up for higher 
 
 lord of all. learning. Let me now further 
 
 2 But is under tu- {how it b a compar ifon tak- 
 tors and governors, en from ' a {on and Mr tQ a man > s 
 until the : time ap- ,^ Though you know, an el- 
 pointed of the father. £ ft ^ ^^ £ is father > sdeath> 
 
 an immediate legal right to inheritance, yet while he is 
 a minor, he is no more capable of entering upon, and 
 managing the eftate, than a fervant of the family can 
 do ; but is kept under the difcipline and allowance of 
 guardians and truftees, till he is of age of inheritance, 
 according to the tenor of his father's lafl will and tefta- 
 ment. 
 
 3 Even fo we, 'when 3. This is the cafe of the Jew- 
 we were children, ijh church and people ; they were 
 were in bondage un- indeed to inherit the great pro- 
 der the elements of m if e G f the Meffiah, made to A- 
 the world : braham : but not immediately after 
 it was made ; but, like minors, were nril to be kept and 
 educated under the difcipline of the figurative and intro- 
 ductory difpenfation of the Mcfaical law, the better to 
 prepare them to receive it. 
 
 4 But when the 4. & 5. The time that they and 
 fullnefs of the time the reft of the world were to come 
 was come, God fent to the full enjoyment of this pro- 
 forth his Son, made of m if e , was , at the appearance of 
 a woman, made under tn i s Chrifl ; whom, at the feafon 
 the law, foretold by the prophets, and when 
 
 5 To redeem them the Divine wifdom faw mankind 
 that were under the moft fitted t0 reC eive him, God 
 
 3aw '. that , W£ \ m, ? ht the Father fent into the world, 
 receive the adoption 1 c c «* -n r 
 
 £ £ r born 01 a virgin or a Jewifh fa- 
 
 mily j who himfelf lived in fub- 
 je£tion to the Jeivijh law, and delivered that nation, for- 
 ever after, from the burden of its rites and ceremonies ; 
 bringing them and all mankind, to the full age and ca- 
 pacity of inheriting the promife of pardon and falvation. 
 
 6. And 
 
Chap. IV. 
 
 Epistle to the Galatians. 
 
 n 
 
 6. And accordingly, as Chrijli- 
 an believers, God has given you 
 Gentile converts as well as Jewi/h 
 ones, the complete affurance and 
 pledge || of your being now ac- 
 
 Romam 
 
 but a fon 3 and if a fon 
 then an heir of God 
 through Chrift. 
 
 6 And becaufe ye 6. And accordincdv. as Chrifti- A. D. 58. 
 are fons, God hath 
 fent forth the Spirit 
 of his Son into your 
 hearts, crying, Abba, 
 
 fat her. cepted for his'true children, and ™ * 
 
 perfect inheritors of this promifed blefling, by the gifts 
 \\ and graces of his holy Spirit conferred on you •, fo that 
 you may afluredly addrefs and approach him, as to a 
 merciful and gracious Father. 
 
 7 Wherefore thou 7. As to you of the Jewijlj part, 
 art no more a fervant, your term of minority is now out. 
 
 Wherefore, inftead of adhering 
 any longer to the childifh and 
 imperfect, fervices of the law, con- 
 fider the dignity and full privilege you are arrived at by 
 the Chrijlian covenant. You are now entered, 2,% fons at 
 full age, on the inheritance of the promifes made to 
 Abraham and your forefathers. 
 
 8 Howbeit, then, 8. & 9. Thus it is with the Jeu<- 
 when ye knew not ijh converts. But it is yet more 
 
 foolim and unaccountable, that 
 you Gentile Chriftians, who, from 
 a perfectly falfe and idolatrous f 
 religion, are now converted to the 
 knowledge, wormip and favour of 
 the true God, mould ever be per- 
 fuaded to embrace a burdenfome 
 difpenfation, that you were never 
 at all obliged to ; and which, in 
 comparifon of that you are now- 
 baptized into, is a mean, low, and 
 C 4 imperfect 
 
 God, f ye did fervice 
 unto them which by 
 nature are no gods. 
 
 9 But now after 
 that ye have known 
 God, or rather are 
 known of God, how 
 turn ye again to the 
 weak and beggarly 
 elements, whereunto 
 ye defire again to be 
 in bondage ? 
 
 f Ver. 8. [Ye did fervice to them which by nature are 
 no gods,] i. e. which in reality [$>oV«] were not gods ; were 
 gods in no fenfe whatever. Or elfe by pointing and read" 
 ine it thus, ['fi^xtya-ari rtli Qvtei p.!) in, SmTs, ye were in bon- 
 dage to gods that in nature had no being,] or were not, had 
 no divinity in them : According to St. Paul's language in 
 another place, 1 Cor. viii. 4. [An idol is nothing.] Images 
 and demons there might be, but gods or lords they were 
 not, having neither Jupreme nor fubordinate power or 
 lities; mere fitfions, vanities, and nullities. 
 
14 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. IV. 
 
 A. D. 58. perfect way of religion ; and would reduce you again * : 
 L "~v— — ^ t0 a bondage, though not fo ill a one as your heathen {late 
 was. 
 
 10. & 11. I perceive you are 
 grown zealous ohfervers of the 
 Jivji/Jj Sabbaths, new-moons and 
 
 10 Ye obferve days, 
 and months, andtimes, 
 and years. 
 
 ii I am afraid of 
 you, left I have be- 
 itowed upon you la- 
 bour in vain. 
 
 12 Brethren, I be- 
 feech you, be as I am : 
 for I am as ye are, ye 
 have not injured me 
 at all. 
 
 ftfiiva/s. If this temper conti- 
 nues on you, I fear my labours 
 of converting you to the Chrjftian 
 religion are all loft. 
 
 12. Let me entreat you, dear 
 brethren, to be of my ientiment. 
 I was once as zealous a patriot for 
 the Mofakal law as any of you 
 can be. And though I am novo 
 otherwife, yet am willing to condefcend and conform 
 to your notions, as far as ever my Chr'ijlian office and 
 profeffion will permit me. Let no fufpicions or refent- 
 ments between us abate your love toward me : for my 
 part, I have none againft you. 
 
 13 Ye know how 13. & 14. Do not forget what 
 
 through infirmity of refpeel: you once paid both to my 
 pcrfon and doclrine y when I firik 
 preached to you and made you 
 Chri/Iians. None of the fufrer- 
 ings and infirmities I laboured 
 under, nor the meannefs of my 
 perfonal appearance, made you 
 then flight me in the lead ; but 
 ye received me with fuch refpect 
 as if I had been (Thrift himfelf, 
 the true Meffiah, the great Angel 
 of the covenant f . 
 
 15. You 
 
 the fledi, I preached 
 the £ofpel unto you at 
 the firft. 
 
 14 And my temp- 
 tation which was in 
 my flefli ye defpifed 
 not, nor rejected, but 
 received me as an an- 
 gel of God, even as 
 Chrift Jefus. 
 
 15 Where 
 
 Ti 
 
 id defi] 
 
 i. e. not that the Gala- 
 
 urn again, and dehre again 
 tlans were ever Jcwijh profelytes at all ; but that as their 
 former heathen religion was beggarly, weak, und flavifli, fo 
 by defiling to be circumcifed they would again be reduced 
 to a bondage, though not the fame they were under before, 
 f An angel of God, *yfiMt 0™. The MefTenger of God — 
 Emphatically, the angel of the covenant. 
 
Chap. IV. 
 
 Epistle to the Galatians. 
 
 15 Where is then 
 the b'eflednefs you 
 fpake of? for I bear 
 you record, that if it 
 had been poflTole, ye 
 would have plucked 
 out your own eyes, 
 and have given them 
 to me. 
 
 16 Am I therefore 
 become your enemy, 
 becaufe I tell you the 
 truth ? 
 
 17 They zealoufly 
 affedt you, but not 
 well : yea, they would 
 exclude you, * that 
 you might affeclthem. 
 
 18 But it is good 
 f to be zealoufly af- 
 fected always in a 
 good thing, and not 
 only when I am pre- 
 lent with you. 
 
 19 My little chil- 
 dren, of whom I tra- 
 vail in birth again un- 
 til Chrift be formed 
 in you, 
 
 20 I defire to be 
 prefent with you now, 
 and to change my 
 
 voice. 
 
 15. You then exprefTed fuch A - D - 5 1 
 fatisfa£rion and happinefs in rae, t "^v— 
 that I can teftify you would have 
 
 done or fuffered almoit any thing 
 for my fake. But what blefling 
 was i or my mini/try to you, if 
 you now leave me, and run to 
 the yeuui/Jj teachers ? 
 
 16. Or, what is that has 
 changed your fentiments of me ? 
 Is it that I tell you plainly, the 
 Mofaical law has no hand ip ywr 
 
 j unification and happinefs ? If that 
 be it, it is the very go/pel truth, 
 and I mull Hand to it. 
 
 17. Your falfe teachers, indeed, 
 pretend an extraordinary love and 
 refpeft for you ; they malicioufly 
 endeavour to draw you entirely 
 from me*, and engrofs all your 
 affections to themielves. 
 
 18. But pray remember, if ever 
 you had any juft reafon to eiieem 
 me f as a good and true apofik, 
 you ought to do iojlill in my ab- 
 sence, as well as when I was 
 preaching among you in perfon. 
 
 1 9. My dear Chriftian children ! 
 I am in the very pains of a mother 
 in travail, till I have renewed and 
 brought you forth again into better 
 and founder principles of Chrifti- 
 anity. 
 
 20. I could wifh myfelf with 
 
 you; 
 
 and that I had reafon to 
 
 change thefe complaints into com- 
 mendations. 
 
 * Ver. 7. 'Exclude you, i. e. from the Chriftian covenant, 
 unlefs you be circumcifed ; and thereby make you fond of 
 their principles. Or elfe, *,«£?, exclude me, as fome copies 
 read it, and as in the paraphrafe. 
 
 f To be zealoufly arfecled in a good thing ; or; h **A#, 
 
 toward a good perfc 
 
26 A Paraphrase ow the Chap. JDT, 
 
 A. D. j8. voice, for I (land in mendations. But indeed at the 
 *—~v— ^ doubt of you. prefent, I know not what to think 
 
 of you. 
 
 21 Tell me, ye 22. But let me argue the main 
 that defire to be un- point, with you again, from the 
 der the law, do ye not very words of the Old Tcjlament, 
 hear the law ? wherein both law and go/pel may 
 be reprefented. And I hope, you that are fo fond of 
 Mofes's law, will not refufe to believe his writings. 
 
 22 For it is writ- 22. You read there that Abra- 
 ten, that Abraham ham had two fons, from whom 
 had two fons, the one the two different branches of his 
 by a bond-maid, the pofterity fprung, the one by his 
 other by a free-wo- bond-maid Hagar, and the other 
 man * by his proper wife Sarah. 
 
 23 But he who 23. Ifmael that was born of 
 was of the bond-wo- Hagar (while Abraham was young 
 man, was born after enough to have children), was by 
 the flefh : but he of the common courfe of nature j but 
 the free-woman was Iiaac was begotten of Sarah, at an 
 by promife. a g e w b en they were naturally in- 
 capable of procreation. His birth was extraordinary, 
 and the pure, effecl: of a divine promife appropriated to 
 him and his pofterity. 
 
 24 Which things 24. You muft know then, that 
 are an * allegory j for this is not only a literal hiJory t 
 thefe and the two co- but may be taken as a figurative 
 venants, the one from reprefentationofthe two covenants 
 the mount Sinai which anc | religious difpenfations, viz. 
 genderethto bondage, yfe [ acw and the gQ j- pd . And at> 
 which is Agar. cordingly the prophet Ifaiah ufes 
 it in the way of figure or allegory. [Ver. 27.] 
 
 25 For thisf Agar is 25. f For Hagar (the mother of 
 
 mount Sinai in Arabia, the Ifmaelites) reprefents the flavifh 
 
 and and 
 
 * ' A^Myoyt (two. are allegorized, viz. by Ifaiah in Ver. 27* 
 f To y«£ 'Ay«£ 2<v£ «g@-, &c. This Hagar is Mount Sinat* 
 For the conftru&ion of this verfe,let the critical reader fee 
 Dr. Bentley's Epift. to Joan, Mai. Chron. and the note of 
 Dr. Mills on this place. And for a larger and molt excel- 
 lent explanation of this whole allegory, I refer him to Dr, 
 Jackfon, Tom. III. Bock XII. Cap. 10, 
 
Chap. IV. Epistle to the Galatjans. 27 
 
 and anfwereth to Je- and temporary difpenfation of the A. D. 58. 
 
 rufalem which now is, Jenv'fh law, that was given at 1 *—— J 
 
 and is in bondage with Mount Sinai in the defert of Ara- 
 her children. y m . a nd that people of the Jews, 
 
 that were to be kept under the fevere difcipline of it. 
 
 16 But Jerusalem 26. But Sarah (the mother of 
 which is above, is Ifaac) denotes the promifed feed 
 free, which is the of Abraham, thefpiritual Jerufa- 
 mother of us all t- km, i. e. the Chrifian church , 
 
 which is truly fpiritual and. free of all obligation to thofe 
 troublefome ceremonies ; and is not, like the fetui/lj re- 
 ligion, confined to one nation, but, as an univerfai f mo- 
 ther, receives all, both Jeivijh and Gentile believers, in- 
 to her bleffings and privileges. And you cannot deny 
 the juflnefs of this reprefentation : For how can you al- 
 low that it was of God's mere pleafure and will, that 
 Sarah, and not Hagar, Ifaac, and not Ifmael, were cho- 
 fen to be the parents of the covenanted people, and of 
 the promifed feed ; and yet deny, that by the fame will 
 and pleafure God cannot and will not choofe the Gentile 
 world to be his church in Chrift ? 
 
 27 For it is writ- 27. Of this church it is you are 
 ten, Rejoice thou bar- to underfland thofe triumphant 
 ren that beareft not ; words of Ifaiah (Ifai. liv. 1.), 
 break forth and cry, wherein he calls upon her (par- 
 thou that travaileft ticularly the Gentile part of her) 
 not ', for the defolate to rc j oice in t y va j} num ber of her 
 hath many more chil- members ^ that Jbould exceed thofe 
 dren than fhe which r th j ewi{h people who had been 
 hath an huihand. a ll along the only church and peo- 
 ple of God. 
 
 28 Now we, bre- 28. The application then of this 
 thren, as Ifaac was, allegory is plain, Chrijlians, whe- 
 are the children of ther Gentile or Jeivi/h, circiancifed 
 promife. or no t, are the members of this 
 blefled covenant intended in the promife of Abraham ; 
 and are thefpiritual offspring of Ifaac. 
 
 29. But 
 
 t The mother of us all. M»"/r>!£, the metropolis, fays Mr, 
 Podwel, Differ t. Cyp. 5, 
 
2« 
 
 | A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. IV, 
 
 A. D. 58. 29 But as then he 
 *^~***-' that was born after 
 the rleuS, periecuted 
 him that was born 
 after the Spirit, even 
 fp it is now. 
 
 30 Neverthelefs, 
 what faith the fcrip- 
 ture ? Caft out the 
 bond-woman and her 
 fon : for the fon of 
 the bond woman mall 
 not be heir with the 
 fon of the free-wo- 
 
 31 So then, bre- 
 thren, we are not 
 children of the bond- 
 woman, but of the 
 free. 
 
 29. And indeed the Jews, by 
 their obilinate behaviour, have 
 carried the refemblance flill fur- 
 ther. For, as Ifmael, who was a 
 mere * natural fon, did then mock 
 and infult Ifaac, that was to be 
 the inheritor of Abraham's pro- 
 mife ; fo now the word and moil 
 bitter perfecutors of the Chrijiian 
 church are the infidel part of the 
 Jeiuijh nation, and the zealous 
 adherents to their ceremonial law. 
 
 30. And God will complete the 
 parallel in a jufl recompence upon 
 them : For as Ifmael and his mo- 
 ther ivere turned out of Abra- 
 ham's family, fo fhall thefe obili- 
 nate patriots of the Jeiuifh law, 
 who depend upon it for their juf- 
 iification, have no fhare in the 
 bleffings of the Chrijiian cove- 
 nant. 
 
 3 1 . The fum of the argument 
 is this, then, that every Chriilian 
 is a member of the. free, gracious, 
 and fpiritual religion of the gofpel, 
 as Ifaac was the promifed feed of 
 Abraham^ and confequently, can- 
 not be obliged to the heavy bond- 
 age of the ceremonial law of Mo- 
 fes. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 * Ver. 29. Jifter the fiejh a natural fon, i. e. a fon by 
 zfecondary wife or concubine, and begotten without any fpe- 
 cial and extraordinary concurrence of Divine Power, or pre- 
 mife; incontradiftinclion to the cafe of Ifaac. 
 
Chap. V. Epistle to the GAlatians. zg 
 
 CHAP V. 
 
 The frjl Verfi is an Exhortation from the Difcourfes of the 
 two foregoing Chapters. Then the Apofile, in more exprefs 
 Terms, declares. He never preached up the Neceffity of the 
 Jewifh Law to Chriflians ; as their fa/fe Teachers injinu- 
 ated he had done. Clears himfelfofthat imputation federal 
 Ways. Pronounceth all Chriftians free fro?n the Jewifh 
 Ceremonies ; but exhorts them to avoid all violent Difputes, 
 and uncharitable Cen fares upon each other, in their Argu- 
 ments for, and Defence of that Freedom. Warns them 
 ogainfl the fever al Vices vf the Flefh, and prejfes them to the 
 Praclice of the Spiritual Graces and Virtues of the Gofpel 
 Religion. 
 
 iQTANDfafl there- 1. TF then the Chriflian religion A. D. 5$. 
 fore in the liber- A has thus freed you from all 1 — -y— — ' 
 
 ty wherewith Chrift obligation to the burdenfome ce- 
 hath made us free, and remonies of the Mofaical law 
 be not % entangled maintain that freedom, and never 
 again with the yoke j f u bmit yourfelves to that flavifh 
 of bondage. difpenfation. 
 
 2 Behold, I Paul 2. And, for an abfolute con- 
 fay unto you, that if futation of that falfe fuggeftion of 
 ye be circumcifed, fome of your new teachers ||, that 
 Chrift (hall profit you /have given any countenance to 
 nothing. tne neceffity of that law upon 
 
 Chriflian converts : Take notice, I now myfelf exprefT- 
 ly again tell you, That whatever Chriflian depends up- 
 on circumci/io/jy and the obfervance of the yewi/h ceremo- 
 mesy for his j unification, lofes all the benefits of his 
 Chrflian profeflion. 
 
 3. For 
 
 I Entangled again. See chap. iv. 9. the note there. 
 
 I 'TtfoKoirr,; \?iy %"k\tf£* Ttt^irfionv r.r,pitrtrwv aXXa^i it i. TheO- 
 
 ^lorot in Loc. 
 
3* 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. V. 
 
 A. D. 5$. 3 For I teftify a- 
 
 < ■ v — ■ 'g a i n * to every man 
 
 that is circumcifed, 
 
 that he is a debtor to 
 
 do the whole law. 
 
 4 Chrift is become 
 of no effect unto you, 
 ■whofoever of you are 
 juftified by the law 5 
 ye are fallen from 
 grace. 
 
 5 For we through 
 the Spirit X wait for 
 the hope of righteouf- 
 nefs by faith. 
 
 3. & 4. Nay to (how you how 
 much in earned I am, I repeat it 
 again * •, Whatever Chrijlian is 
 circumcifed becomes a perf eel: Jew, 
 and muft keep the whole ceremo- 
 nial law : and whoever does that 
 as necefTary means of his par- 
 don and falvation, renounces the 
 falvation of the go/pel, and for- 
 feits all claim to it. 
 
 Chriftiatfs hope of 
 
 5. For a 
 falvation is founded wholly in his 
 embracing the Chrijlian religion ; 
 which hope he has fully confirm- 
 ed to him by the extraordinary gifts and graces of the 
 Holy Spirit % beftowed upon the Chrijlian church. 
 
 6ForinJefusChrift 6. And in this go/pel difpenja- 
 neither circumcifion tion, circumcifion or uncircumcifion 
 fignify nothing : The only thing 
 that faves either Jew or Gentile, 
 now, is fuch a faith in Chrift's 
 religion as produces the true love 
 of God and our neighbour. 
 
 7. When you Galatians were 
 firft converted by me, you were 
 in a good way, and went on well ; 
 what people are they that ftopt {} 
 and drew you off from the true Chrijlian doctrine ? 
 
 8 This perfuafion 8." Be affured, this notion of 
 
 cometh not of him that the neceffity of the Jewijh law to 
 calleth you. Chrijlians comes not from God, 
 
 the Author of your religion, nor from me that firft 
 preached it to you. 
 
 9. Have 
 
 availethany thing, nor 
 uncircumcifion, but 
 faith which worketh 
 by love. 
 
 7 Ye did run well, 
 who did hinder you ||, 
 that you mould not 
 obey the truth ? 
 
 * Again. See chap. i. 8, 9, 10. 
 
 ■f We — through the Spirit-' See chap. iii. 2, 5. iv. 6. 
 
 X Who did hinder you ? *« •^hjttflled you out of the way. 
 It refers to \r^x lTt > and feems to me to be a term proper to 
 the games wherein the racers endeavoured XojuJIU and re- 
 tard one another. 
 
Chap. V. Epistle to the Galatians. 31 
 
 9 A little leaven 9. Have a care of it then. This A. IM 8. 
 leaveneth the whole one doctrine like leaven, will ' 
 lump. four and fpoil all your Chriftian 
 principles ; and a few fuch f teachers may foon corrupt 
 your whole church 
 
 10 I have confi- 10. But, I h«pe in Chrift, what 
 dence in you through I have faid to you will bring you 
 the Lord, that you off from it ; and that the preach- 
 will be none other- ers j. G f it fhall be cenfured and 
 wife minded ; but he condemned as they deferve. 
 that troubleth you, 
 ftiall bear bis judgment, whofoeverhe be. 
 
 1 1 And I, brethren, 1 1 . How irrational is it for them 
 
 if I yet preach cir- tofuggeft that /fhould favour their 
 cumcifion, why do I notions ? "Were / a favourer of 
 yet fuffer perfecution ? that doctrine, how came the Jews 
 then is the offence of to perfecute me as they ftill do, 
 the crofs ceafed. It \ s plain, would I but give up this 
 
 *ne principle, of mens being faved only by the death of a cru- 
 cified Jefus (the very principle that gives them fo much 
 diftafte), they would foon be friends with me. 
 
 12 I would they 12. Verily, I have fuch an a- 
 
 were even % cut off verfion to the teachers that fpread 
 which trouble you. this doctrine, that I would even 
 wiih they were expelled f the Chriftian church, for trou- 
 bling and perverting you with it. 
 
 13. For 
 
 f Ver.9, ic. A little leaven and he that troubleth you. 
 
 Note, Some learned men would conjecture, from the two 
 expreflions, that it was one fingle teacher, or fa Ij e apojlle, 
 that gave St. Paul this trouble and oppofition. It might 
 be fo ; yet, I think, the twelfth verfe renders it very uncer- 
 tain- There it is, They which trouble you. 
 
 $ Cut off. The apoftle's meaning in this phrafe may, per- 
 haps, run higher than bare excommunication, according to 
 the conjecture of the judicious Dr. Jackfon. Tom. III. 
 p. 182. who fuppofes him here to wifh the fame fentence 
 upon thofe that unreafonably preffed circumcifion, which 
 was denounced upon fuch as omitted it. Now that was 
 Gen. xvii. 14. To be cut off or dejlroyed from among the peo- 
 ple. "Which the Jewijh doctors, and many of our belt di- 
 vines underftand of immediate death, or at leaft flattening 
 tflife, by the Divine Hand. See Exod. iv. 24. 
 
3* 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. V« 
 
 A. D. j8. 13 For, brethren, 1 3. For it is evident beyond 
 
 contradiction, the Chriflian reli- 
 gion has freed all its members from 
 the burden of the Jewi/Jj law. 
 Only let me advife you that main- 
 tain this freedom, not to abufe it 
 into a liberty of uncharitable cen- 
 furcs, animofities, or reviling behaviour againft fuch as 
 differ from you -, for thefe are the effects of a carnal and 
 finful principle. But, on the contrary, be ready to ferve 
 them in any kind of good offices. 
 
 13 For, brethren, 
 'ye have been called 
 unto liberty ; only ufe 
 not liberty for an 00 
 cafion to the flefli, but 
 by love ferve one ano- 
 ther. 
 
 14 For all the law 
 is fulfilled in one 
 word, even in this ; 
 Thou (halt love thy 
 neighbour as thyfelf. 
 
 15 But if ye bite 
 and devour one ano- 
 ther, take heed that 
 ye be not confumed 
 one of another. 
 
 14. Remembering that a jufl 
 and kind treatment of all man- 
 kind is the fum and fubftance of 
 all the moral laws of the iecond 
 table. 
 
 15. Whereas if your differences 
 and difputes fly out into an out- 
 rageous and abufive carriage to 
 each other, it may hazard to end 
 in the ruin of you all, and the 
 
 difcredit and bane of your common profeffion. 
 
 16 This I fay then, 16. To prevent which direful 
 Walk in the Spirit, effects, live and converfe agreea- 
 and ye (hall not fulfil bly to the pure and fpiritual rcli- 
 the lull of the flefli. gi on f the gofpel, and worthy of 
 thofe extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit conferred oh 
 vour church. 
 
 17 For the flefh 
 lufteth againft the 
 Spirit, and the Spi- 
 rit againft the flelh: 
 and thefe are contrary 
 the one to the other j 
 fo that ye cannot do 
 the things that ye 
 would. 
 
 18 But if ye be led 
 by the Spirit, ye are 
 not under the law. 
 the Holv Ghoft ; wh 
 
 17. For the corrupt inclina- 
 tions, of which fuch vices are the 
 genuine effects, are directly oppo- 
 fite to the temper and fpirit of 
 Chrijiianity ; they are perfectly 
 deflructive of each other, and it 
 isimpoflible you can indulge them 
 both. 
 
 1 3. Thereligionof Chrifl is truly 
 
 fpiritual ; and ail its members are 
 
 under the conduct and influence of 
 
 ich both enables and obliges them to 
 
 a higher 
 
Chap. V. 
 
 Epistle to the Galatiaws, 
 
 33 
 
 a higher degree of purity and holinefs than could be ex- A ^ 
 
 peeled from a Jew under the Mofaical law ; and at the 
 fame time fhows them to be in no need of that la\ 
 
 
 19 Now the works 
 of the fleih are mani- 
 feft, which are thefe, 
 adultery, fornication, 
 uncleannefs, lafciviouf- 
 nefs, 
 
 20 Idolatry, J witch- 
 craft, hatred, variance, 
 emulation, wrath, ftrife, 
 feditions, herefies. 
 
 21 Envying-?, mur- 
 ders, drunkennefs, re- 
 vellings, and fuch like : 
 of the which I tell 
 you before, as I have 
 alfo told you in time 
 paft, that they which 
 do fuch things, (hall 
 not inherit the king- 
 dom of God. 
 
 19, 20. &t 21. And the better to 
 preferve you from the vices that 
 fpring from thefe indulged corrup- 
 tions of human nature, let me 
 point out to you fome of the chief 
 of them, as adultery, fornication, 
 impurity in thoughts or a&ions i- 
 dolatrous worship, with all theun« 
 clean practices attending it, % witch- 
 crafts, enmities, quarrels, an imoii- 
 ties, furious anger, fedition sgainft 
 the lawful government, divifions 
 and feparations in the church on 
 needlefs occafions, envyings, mur- 
 ders, drunkennefs, and night re- 
 veilings, £tc. Which 1 always told 
 you, and now again particularly 
 warn you, are fuch enormities^ 
 that no pra&ifer of them can ever 
 be a true Chriflian, or enjoy the happinefs of heaven. 
 
 22 But the fruit of 22. & 23. On the contrary, the 
 the Spirit is love, joy, graces and virtues required of us 
 by the fpir'itual religion of the 
 go/pel, are fuch as thefe, viz. Love 
 toail mankind, a cheerful and con- 
 tented mind, peaceableneis of be- 
 haviour, patience under injuries, 
 fweetnefs of difpofition, gentle- 
 nefs and beneficence, fidelity to our words, and pro- 
 mifes, meeknefs and temperance in the ufe of worldly 
 pleafures. Thefe are agreeable to the Divine Will, and 
 will fcreen us from all guilt and punimment. 
 
 24 And they that 24. And every true Chrifliari en- 
 gages by his profeffion to get fuch a 
 mattery over his corrupt and fielhly 
 inclinations, as to arrive at the ha- 
 bitual practice of all thefe virtues. 
 D 25. Where^-* 
 
 peace, long fuffering, 
 gentlenefs, goodnefs, 
 faith, 
 
 23 Meeknefs, tem- 
 perance : againit fuch 
 there is no law. 
 
 are Chrifl's, have cru- 
 cified the flefli, with 
 the affections andlufts. 
 
 Vol. II. 
 
 1 Witchcrafts. <Pxtf&*KU*, i. e, The art of poifoning. 
 
34 A Paraphrase on the Chap. V. 
 
 A.D.58. 25 If we live in the 25. Wherefore, if we pretend 
 ^nr^ Spirit, let us alfo walk ourfelves members of this pure 
 in the Spirit. and fpiritual religion of the go/pel, 
 
 that is attended with fuch affiftances of the Holy Gholt; 
 it infinitely concerns us to live fuitably to its holy dic- 
 tates and precepts. 
 
 26 Let us not be 26. And let me perfuade all 
 defirous of vain-glory, your contending parties to begin 
 provoking one another, t0 gi ve an inftance of this Chrif- 
 cnvying one another. t ; an tem p er , by particularly fup- 
 prefling that fpirit of ambition and vain-glory, that is fo 
 apt to make them envy, contemn, and exafperate one 
 another. 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 
 He continues his Exhortation to a tender and peaceahle Tem- 
 per. Admonijheth the Spiritual Governors of the Church 
 to endeavour the recovery of fuch as fall into Errors and 
 Irregularities, by hind and gentle Treatment. Refle&s up- 
 on the Pride of their falfe Teachers. Encourages the Ga- 
 Preface. latians to a liberal and * impartial Contribution for the 
 
 Maintainance of their Minifters : And to Charity towards 
 all Mankind, efpecially their Fellow Chriftians. Then funis 
 up the Argument of his whole Epiflle, and concludes with 
 his Blefjing. 
 
 I T> Rethren, if a man 1. T)Y the rule of Chiflian cha- 
 
 fChap.v, be overtaken in -*-* rity, then, f it is the indif- 
 
 22,23. a fault, ye which are penfible duty of your fpiritual and 
 
 fpiritual, reflore fuch infpired miniflers, to endeavour, 
 
 an one in the fpirit of b all tle and kind metho ds, 
 
 tTtlf 'left Tho^aTf 5 t0 red V Ce fllch members as are 
 , ^ e ' \ ou a o m j{] ed i n to bad principles or prac- 
 
 P * tices, to a juft fenfe of their du- 
 
 ty : Remembering that they themfelves are not abftlute- 
 ly exempted from falling into the like mifcarriages. 
 
 a. Inflead 
 
Chap. VI. Epistle to the Galatians. 
 
 35 
 
 2 Bear ye one ano- 2. Inftead therefore of impofing AiD - 
 thers burdens, and fo the drudgery of the Jelvijb law ' 
 fulfil the law of Chiiu\ upon one another; make it your 
 bulinefs fully to obey this noble Chriflian law, by bear- 
 ing with, and relieving the infirmities of each other. 
 
 3 For if a man 3. For whatever teacher exalts 
 think himfelf to be and values himfelf, fo as to be a- 
 
 bove a tender concern for the good 
 and fafety of others, or imperi- 
 oufly to impofe his own notions 
 
 upon them, makes himfelf a very little and foolifh per- 
 
 fon. 
 
 s 8. 
 
 fomething, when he is 
 nothing, he deceiveth 
 himfelf. 
 
 4 But let every man 
 prove his own work, 
 and then he % fhall 
 have rejoicing in him- 
 felf alone, and not in 
 another. 
 
 4. Let none infult the weak- 
 nefs of his inferiors, but let every 
 one look into and weigh his own 
 actions. In them alone a man can 
 truly X boaft, and not in a mere 
 comparifon of himfelf with other 
 
 ople, or in making them his profelytes. 
 
 5. For it is our own behaviour 
 we fhall all be accountable for ; 
 let others be of what opinion or 
 what party they will. 
 
 6. And, whereas I find feveral 
 of you very partial in contribut- 
 ing to the maintainance of your 
 mmijiers, by the difference and 
 difputes that prevail amongftyou; 
 
 I now exhort you to be juft and liberal in your collec- 
 tion for them all, 
 
 7. Let none of them lead yo* 1 
 into wrong prejudices againft the 
 rejl. They may deceive you, but 
 God they cannot ; who will be 
 fure to reward you in proportion 
 
 to the prudence and liberality of your diftributions. 
 
 D 2 8. He 
 
 pe 
 
 5 ror every man 
 fhall bear his own bur- 
 then. 
 
 6 Let him that is 
 taught in the word, 
 communicate unto him 
 that teacheth, in all 
 good things* 
 
 7 Be not deceived, 
 God is not mocked : 
 for whatfoever a man 
 foweth, that fhall be 
 alforeap. 
 
 t Ver. 4. 
 boafting. 
 
 Shall have rejoicing. K.*v;^#, Glorying *r 
 
A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. VI, 
 
 A. D. 58. g For he that fow- 
 
 — -V 'eth to his flefti, fhall 
 
 of the fle^h reap cor- 
 ruption : but he that 
 foweth to the fpirit, 
 (hall of the fpirit reap 
 life everlalling. 
 
 8. He that lays out his worldly 
 fubftance to felfifh and private 
 purpofes only, fhall reap the fruits 
 of fo worldly and corrupt a prin- 
 ciple. But he that fpends it a- 
 greeably to the charitable fpirit of 
 the go/pel, fhall find a full harveft 
 of etern" 1 ' life and happinefs. 
 
 9. Lt this encourage us all to 
 be conftant and cheerful in a&s 
 of bounty and beneficence, which 
 will not fail, in God's due * time, 
 of producing us a plentiful re- 
 compence. 
 
 io. As Providence, then, gives 
 us opportunities and abilities, let 
 us extend our charity to all man- 
 kind, but efpecially to our fellow 
 Chrijiians, efpecially to thofe of 
 them that are under affliction 
 (See v. 12.) and perfecution, without partiality and un- 
 reasonable diftinctions. 
 
 1 1 Ye fee how large 1 1. I have written this letter to 
 have writ- VOUj on this important occafion, 
 with my own f hand. Confider % 
 the contents of it ; the fum and 
 fubftance thereof is this, viz. 
 
 12. Thofe 
 
 9 And let us not 
 be weary in well do- 
 ing : for in due fea- 
 * Luke xiv. f° n we fhall reap, if 
 14. we faint not. 
 
 10 As we have 
 therefore opportunity, 
 let us do good unto all 
 men, efpecially unto 
 them who are of the 
 houfehold of faith. 
 
 ten you f 
 own hand. 
 
 rith 
 
 mine 
 
 12 As 
 
 His other epiflles being moft- 
 See Rom. xvi. 26. 1 Cor. xvi. 
 
 [Ye fee how large a letter :] 
 
 f [With mine own hand.] 
 ]y written by an amanuenjis, 
 21. 2 Thef. iii. 17. 
 
 Or rather, [in what words.] 
 
 By obferving the five following verfes to be a perfect re- 
 capitulation of the argument of this whole epiftle, I cannot 
 think auy/xwf denotes either the iargenefs of it, or the bad 
 hand in which it was written, (as Theophylacl fays, but 
 without any proof) but the matter and fubjlance of it. And 
 that thrs ought to be rendered imperatively, the fenfe being 
 thi$j viz. [Confider what I have written, the fum whereof is 
 jhis— ] as in the following verfes. 
 
Chap. VI, 
 
 Epistle to the Galatians.t 
 
 37 
 
 12 A nv as de- 12. Thofe zealots th t <t n^ipA.DjS. 
 
 ;1 mere external and ^~<*** 
 
 fire to rn?k a fair thus 
 (how in the flelh, v 
 conftrain yoa to be 
 circumcifed : enly leit 
 they fhould faffer per- 
 fecution for the crofs 
 of Chriii. 
 
 bring on them for their Chrijiian i 
 Roman power againli them. 
 
 carnal ordinances of t.ie jfeivi/h 
 
 law, would perfuade fou 6tan f& 
 
 r - into the necefjiiy of ob- 
 
 tt-rv d purely fpi fear of 
 
 the Jew. c- ■ ) vo : I the per- 
 fections 1 -/ would r ifc 
 -- 6 ^ le 
 
 13 For neither they 
 themfelves who are 
 circumcifed keep the 
 law, but defire to have 
 you circumcifed, that 
 they may glory in 
 your fleib. 
 
 13. It is not out of any real 
 and religious zeal for the law 
 (for they regard that as little as 
 other people), but from an itch 
 of vain- glory, to make you their 
 profelytes, and fave themfelves 
 harmlefs. 
 
 14 But God forbid 
 that I ihouid glory 
 fave in the crofs of 
 our Lord Jefus Chriii, 
 by whom the world 
 is crucified unto me, 
 ar>d I unto the world. 
 
 14. 1 on the contrary (notwith- 
 ftanding their falfe fuggeftions) 
 make a perfect confeience of aim- 
 ing at any credit or favour with 
 any fort of people, but what 
 comes from the fincere difcharge 
 of my office, in preaching Jefus 
 Chrift as a crucified Saviour ; by whofe religion alone 
 juftification and happinefs is to be attained. In confor- 
 mity to whofe death all worldly and felfhh defigns arp 
 dead to me, and I to them. 
 
 15. For, as I have abundantly 
 proved to you, it is of no con- 
 fequence under the go/pel cove- 
 nant, whether a man be circum- 
 cifed or not. All that Chrijlianity 
 requires is, the reformation of 
 his principles and practices. 
 
 15 For in Chrift 
 Jefus neither circum- 
 cifion availeth any 
 thing, nor uncircum- 
 cifion, but a new 
 creature. 
 
 16 And as many as l6> And therefore all Chrhiians, 
 walk according to q tileox j nvi fo tbat fti c k to tbh 
 this • • - 
 
 D3 
 
 principle. 
 
38 A Paraphrase on the, &c. Chap. VI. 
 
 A. D. 5S. this rule, * peace be principle,, may be fully allured 
 
 ^^'^on them, and mercy, of their pardon and falvation at 
 
 and upon the Ifrael God's hand, as his true church * 
 
 of God - and people. 
 
 17 From hence- , 1 7- Wherefore, for the future, 
 forth let no man trou- lec no more "lummes be raifed 
 ble me, for I bear in on m e upon this point, nor let 
 my body the marks of me have any further disturbance 
 the Lord fefus f . about it. Gircunicifion is the badge 
 of a Jew. But though I be circumeifed, I do not look on 
 that as my Chriftian badge. No, my marks are the 
 
 Jlripes and chaws I have borne for Chrift and his reli r 
 gion ; the prints whereof remain ftill upon my body, 
 and are fufficient tokens to whom I belong. 
 
 18 Brethren, the 18. Brethren the love and fa- 
 grace of " our Lord V our of our Lord Jefus Chrift be 
 Jefus Chrift, be with ^itfa you, and diredt your minds., 
 your fpirit. Amen. Amen. 
 
 5f Unto the Gala- 
 tians, written from 
 Rome. 
 
 * And upon the Ifrael of God. K«< «r« rov 'la-^xliX ts ©«?. 
 Pe^ce and mercy be unto them as the Ifrael of God. 
 
 f Ver. 17. The marks of the Lord Jefus. Note, The gene» 
 rj/fenfe of this phrafe is very clear : And, I think, \\itfive 
 foregoing verfes plainly fhow the Jewifh circumcifon to be 
 the thing here alluded to. They that would fee another 
 conjecture, may confult the author of The Sac. Clafjics de* 
 fended, Vol. II. pag. 67, 68. Edit. Oaav. 
 
 A PARA. 
 
PARAPHRASE 
 
 ON THE 
 
 EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL 
 
 TO THE 
 
 EPHESIJNS. 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 J I. '""PHIS and the two following epiftles to the Phi- a. D. 62. 
 ■*■ lippians and Colloffians, were written from the*— y— , 
 fame place, in the fame year, during St. Paul's impri- 
 fonment at Rome, and upon the fame occafion. From 
 whence the reader fees how the ftrain of their expref- 
 fions come to be fo much alike, and in a great meafure 
 the fame. 
 
 § 2. One cannot attend to the main drift of thefe 
 three writings, without obferving what it was that lay 
 neareft the apoftle's heart while he indited them ; 
 viz. The confirmation of thefe Chrjflians againft that 
 doftrine of the abfolute neceffity of the ceremonial 
 law in order to the falvation cf a Chrijiian convert j 
 the effect of that proud conceit the Jwj/b zealots had 
 
 D 4 of 
 
49 Preface to the Ephesiaks. 
 
 A. p. 62. f themfelves, as the ancient people of God, in dero- 
 * i *^ rN - ; gation to all the red of mankind, whom they would 
 hardly at all grant to have been defigned any ihare in 
 the bleffings of Chrift the Meffiah ; but efpecially not 
 without their firft. embracing the fewjh religion. A 
 principle that, more or lefs, runs through, and is at- 
 tacked in ^11 the apoftolical epiflles. 
 
 § 3. But there is this difference between the manner 
 of St. Paul's management of this point in thefe, and 
 that in his foregoing epiftles to the R.omans, Corinthians, 
 and Galatians. In thofe letters (efpecially the two 
 latter} he had to do with a people aclually perverted 
 by thofe fewijh principles ; and by the cunning and 
 bigotry of their leaders, wrought up into a contempt 
 of his p erf on, and apoftolical authority. Whereas, ia 
 thefe he had nothing to do but to back and encourage a 
 Heady and orthodox fet of Chriftians to final conllancy 
 and perfeverance, againft thofe prejudiced teachers who 
 had fpread themfelves into almoft every church. In the 
 one, therefore, his method is all reafoning and argumen- 
 tative, while in the other he runs in cheerful encourage- 
 ments and loving congratulations ; and as you fee thofe 
 to be full of cxpofluhtions and complaint, fo thefe abound 
 and even overflow in exprefiions of endearment and 
 love : of which exprefiions, though fome may, to a mo- 
 dern reader, feem to be but tautology, they are indeed 
 the efTecl: of an infpired mind, tranfported with joy, 
 itriving to vent its unutterable fatisfa&ion at the happy 
 fruits of its endeavours for the good of mankind and 
 the glory of God, 
 
 § 4. The Jewifh zealots had fo contemptuous a no- 
 tion of an uncircumcifed perfon, efpecially one not at all 
 profclyted to their Jevoifh religion, that they thought 
 the duties flowing from the neareft even of civil and 
 natural relations, too much to be obferved toward them. 
 This I take to be the proper key to thofe leiibns of 
 St. Paul concerning the relative duties in thefe and his 
 other epiftles. By comparing them with 1 Cor. vii. or 
 with his exhortations to love, unity, &c. which have 
 a plain relation to the furious difputes between the 
 yevuifj and Gentile converts ; thefe very admonitions 
 £0 hufbands, matters, wives, &c. appear to me to 
 
 have 
 
Preface to the Ephesians. 41 
 
 liave been perfectly occajional, and levelled at the fore- A - D - 6 «. 
 going principle. Thus the admonitions to hujlands^*~ rm * m ^ 
 and wives, Ephef. v. and Col. iii. may, by feveral 
 paffages of 1 Cor. vii. be underftood with reference to 
 fuch pairs, whereof one was a Heathen, the other a 
 Chriftian ; or perhaps the one a Gentile and vncirevm- 
 cifed convert, the other a fewijh convert ; the latter of 
 which, by a Jewi/h prejudice, might think themfelves 
 excufable from any further obedience or duty to the 
 former. In like manner, the earned caution to chil- 
 dren and parents to obferve a duty in itfelf fo natural, 
 and which indeed wanted no go/pel revelation to fhow 
 it to be a moral duty of the firft rank, feems clearly 
 to be underftood of fuch cafes where one of the parents 
 might be of the former, and the other of the latter of 
 thofe denominations : and that children mould pay an 
 equal reverence to both, was the fcope of the apoftle's 
 exhortation. Then as to majlers and fervants, St. Paul 
 is fo perfect an interpreter of himfelf in other places, 
 particularly in 1 Cor. vii. 20, 21, 22. that one cannot 
 but conclude his eye here to have been upon Chriflian 
 matters to Heathen (laves, and Chriftian (laves under 
 Heathen matters. And thus the obligation to thefe 
 relative duties, fo incumbent on a Chriftian toward 
 even infidel relations, mows itfelf much ilronger and 
 more engaging upon Chriftians toward one another, by 
 the plain confequence, though not the cxprefs defign of 
 the apoftle's admonitions. And this obfervation, which 
 I have not found duly cultivated by any interpreters, I 
 leave to the judicious and careful reader of thefe epifto- 
 lary writings. 
 
 § 5. The reft of thefe epiftles is fpent in exhortations 
 to fuch Chriftian virtues as are the reverfe of thofe un- 
 clean and vicious practices thefe Gentile Chriftians had 
 been formerly moft fubject to, in their idolatrous and 
 Heathenifli condition ; as alfo to prudence, conftancy, 
 and patience, under the dangers and oppclitious they 
 meet with from their fewi/h or Gentile infidels : bM 
 which (hall be methodically noted in the contents of 
 each chapter. Concerning this particular epiftle, fee the 
 learned Dr. Mell in his prolegom. j 72, 73, 74, &.c. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
4* 
 
 A. Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. L 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 Hefalutes the Ephejlans with the Title of Faithful Cbriflians, 
 for their Jleady adherence to the Chriftian Faith, without 
 any regard to the necefjity of the Ceremonial Law. Blef- 
 feth God for calling the Gentile World into the Chrijlian 
 Covenant, and bringing them and the Jews together into 
 one Church under Chrijl the Median. Declares this to have 
 been the original and gracious Dejign of God in the Gofpel 
 Difpenfation : and the Gifts and Endowments of the Holy 
 Spirit conferred on the Ephefian Church, are to them a 
 Pledge and Confirmation of this Truth. His fatisfaclion in 
 their adherence to it, and his Prayers for their Conflancy 
 and Improvement in the Knowledge of this meji wife and 
 comprehenfive Religion of the Gofpel. 
 
 Written I PAUL, an apoftle 
 A. D. 62. X of Jefus Chrift, 
 l^/«w by the will of God, 
 *A&six. ro the faints which 
 Gal.i.1. are at Ephefus, and to 
 
 the faithful in Chrift 
 
 Jefus : 
 
 our Father, and from 
 the Lord Jefus Chrift. 
 
 3 Bleffed be the 
 God and Father of 
 our Lord Jefus Chrift, 
 who hath bleffed us 
 with all fpiritual blef- 
 iings in heavenly pla- 
 ces in Chrift ; 
 
 4 Accord- 
 
 1. T)AUL, called to be a Chri- 
 A ftian apoftle, by the ex- 
 prefs * will and revelation of 
 God, fendeth this epiftle to the 
 church of Ephefus, and to all 
 the Chriflians of the Lefler Ana, 
 thofe faithful Chriftians that 
 firmly rely upon the Chrijlian religion for falvation, 
 without the obfervation of the Mofaical ceremonies. 
 
 2 Grace be to you, 2. Wifhing you all divine fa- 
 and peace from God vours and bleflings from God the 
 Father, and from our Lord Jefus 
 Chrift. 
 
 3. Exprefung my hearty praifes 
 to God the Father of our Lord Je- 
 fus Chrift, for beftowing * on you 
 Gentiles, as well as the Jews, all 
 the privileges of the fpiritual reli- 
 gion of the gofpel, a religion fo full 
 of eternal and heavenly bleflingSo 
 4. A mercy 
 
Chap. I. 
 
 Epistle to the Efhesians. 
 
 43 
 
 4 According as he 
 hath chofen us * in 
 him, before the foun- 
 dation of the world, 
 that we fnould be ho- 
 ly, and without blame 
 before him in love : 
 
 5 Having predefii- 
 nated us unto the a- 
 doption of children, 
 by Jefus Chrift, to 
 himfelf, according to 
 the good pleafure of 
 his will : 
 
 4. A mercy defigned of God to- A - D - to- 
 ward the Gentile world*, even be- t ~*~ m * J 
 foretheworld wascrtated,tomake 
 
 them alfo his true church and peo- 
 ple, by giving them the means of 
 a pure, peaceable, and holy life, 
 by Jefus Chrift the Meffiah. 
 
 5. For as it was by the free 
 bounty and favour of God that 
 the feiui/h nation fhould be, for 
 a long time, his peculiar church 
 and people, fo is it the fame Di- 
 vine will now to bring all the 
 
 Gentile world along with them 
 ipto this gracious privilege under Chrift Jefus, without 
 any farther obligation to the Jewi/h iaw. 
 
 6 To the praife of 
 the glory of his grace, 
 wherein he hath made 
 us accepted in the be- 
 loved. 
 
 7 In whom we have 
 redemption through his 
 blood, the forgivenefs 
 of fins ' y according to 
 the riches of his grace, 
 
 6. Wuich merciful acceptance 
 of us all, through his beloved bon, 
 is that which magnifies and exalts 
 the goodnefs and bounty of this 
 go/pel covenant. 
 
 7. By the exceeding great blct 
 fing of whole death and fufferings 
 for us, both Gentile and Jewifi 
 believers are put into a ftate of 
 pardon, and capacity of eternal 
 happinefs. 
 
 8. & 9. A difpenfation full of 
 
 divine wifdom, and that lets us 
 
 all f into the difcovery of the 
 
 great and wife purpofe of God 
 
 toward mankind ; 
 known unto us the 
 
 myftery of his will, according to his good pleafure, which 
 
 he hath purpofed in himfelf. 
 
 8 Wherein he hath 
 abounded toward us in 
 all wifdom \ and pru- 
 dence : 
 
 9 Having made 
 
 * Ver. 3. ck 4. ipm, BlefTed us, chofen us. He, in his 
 ufual way, makes himfelf 'as one of the Gentile converts, the 
 more to confirm and encourage them to rely upon the gofptl 
 without the ceremonial law. 
 
 f In all wifdom and prudence : Thefe words may either 
 be referred to God or to Chrijlians as endowed with them 
 yndcr the gofpel. I have expreffed both fenfes, 
 
44 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap I. 
 
 A.J). 
 
 62. 10 That in the dif- 
 penfation of the ful- 
 nefs of times, he might 
 gather together in one 
 all things in Chrift, 
 both which * are in 
 heaven, and which are 
 on earth, even in him: 
 
 11 In whom alfo 
 we have obtained an 
 inheritance, being pre- 
 deftinated according to 
 the purpofe of him, who 
 worketh all things af- 
 ter the counfel of his 
 own will : 
 
 12 That we mould 
 be to the praife of his 
 glory who firft trufted 
 in ChriQ. 
 
 13 In whom ye al- 
 fo trufted after that 
 ye heard the word of 
 truth, the gofpel of 
 your falvation : In 
 whom alfo, after that 
 ye believed, yc were 
 fealed with that holy 
 Spirit of promifc. 
 
 ment with thofe very 
 that were promifed to 
 
 10. Viz. This fpecial and par- 
 ticular purpofe of his gathering 
 people out of all nations, with- 
 out diftinction, into one church 
 under Chrift, in this laft and 
 great difpenfation of the gofpel, 
 and fo committing the whole 
 church of heaven * and earth to 
 his conduct and government. 
 
 11. &. 12. To whofe religion it 
 was indeed the privilege granted 
 to us of the Jeivifi nation, to have 
 the firft call : that as we had been 
 his ancient church, we mould be 
 the firft converts that mould praife 
 and magnify God under the reli- 
 gion of his Son Jefus Chrift, the 
 Meffiah promifed to us. It be- 
 ing the good pleafure of the Al- 
 mighty thus to have it. 
 
 13. But the blefling of being 
 made the church of Chrift being 
 not intended to be confined to our 
 nation, is now come to you Gen- 
 tiles alfo ; who, by your embrac- 
 ing the gofpel religion, are put 
 into the fame capacity of falva- 
 tion with us, and have it con- 
 firmed to you by your endow- 
 gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit^ 
 the church of the Meffiah. 
 
 14. For 
 
 * Both which are in heaven, and which are on earth. Hea- 
 ven and earth are fometimes a' Jewijh phrafe to exprefs the 
 whole world. But they feem in thei'e epiftles to the Ephe- 
 jians and ColoJJians, with relation to Chrift's government, to 
 include the angels and heavenly /pirits along with mankind. 
 The phrafes of viftble and invisible, in Colof. i. 16. being 
 hardly capable of any other fenle ; as likewife that of thrones, 
 Principalities, and powers. See alfo and compare chap. iii. 
 15. Col. i. 20. Phil. ii. 9. 
 
Chap, tt 
 
 Epistle to the Ephesians. 
 
 45 
 
 14 Which is the 
 earned of our inheri- 
 tance, until the re- 
 demption * of the pur- 
 chafed poiTeiTion, un- 
 to the praife of his glo- 
 ry. 
 
 14. For thofe endowments con- A - D - 6z. 
 ferred on your church, are a per- ( "~ — "V— — ' 
 feci earneit aryl pledge, that God 
 has now redeemed and purchafed 
 you Gentiles for his f peculiart. s . ee Ron3 * 
 people ; aud do allure you of the vm * ^* 
 prefent and future * bleflings of 
 i'o noble a privilege ; to the ho- 
 nour and praife of this his glori- 
 ous difpenfation. 
 
 15. & 16. Wherefore, being 
 thus aflured of the gracious intent 
 of God toward you as well as the 
 yewijh nation, 1 no fooner heard 
 of your (teadinefs to this Chrijlian 
 principle, ever fince my firfl 
 preaching to you, and that uni- 
 verfal charity you bear towards 
 all Chrijlian brethren, without 
 
 any partial regard to their being circumcifed or not ; but 
 I bleffed God for it, and am ever remembering you in. 
 all the prayers I offer up to him. 
 
 That the God 17. Befeeching him, the glorious 
 Lord Jefus God and Father of our Lord Jefus 
 Chrift, to continue and increafe 
 upon you the gifts of his fpirit, 
 for your ft ill more complete know- 
 ledge of Chrift's religion, and 
 your final adherence to the true 
 do&rines of it. 
 
 1 8. To enlarge your underftand- 
 ings, and give you a juft and pre-, 
 found fenie of the certainty and 
 glorious advantages of your Chrif- 
 tian profeffion. 
 
 15 Wherefore I al- 
 lo, after I heard of 
 your faith in the Lord 
 Jefus, and love unto 
 all the faints, 
 
 16 Ceafe not to give 
 thanks for you, making 
 mention of you in my 
 prayers. 
 
 17 
 of our 
 
 Chrift, the Father of 
 glory, may give unto 
 you the Spirit of wif- 
 dom and revelation, 
 in the knowledge of 
 him. 
 
 18 The eyes of your 
 understanding being 
 enlightened j that ye 
 may know what is the 
 hope of his calling, 
 and what the riches of 
 the glory of his inhe- 
 ritance in the faints. 
 
 19. 
 
 And 
 
 * Ver. 14. Until the redemption of the purchafed poffef- 
 iion, ft? *7ro\uT£UTu tk srifnicmffitt;. So as to make us [Gen- 
 tiles] a redeemed polTeflion. 
 
 6 
 
4<S 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. I, 
 
 A. D- 62. r p And what is 
 11 v ' the exceeding great- 
 nefs of his power to 
 us-ward, who believe 
 according to the 
 working of his migh- 
 ty power. 
 
 20 Which he 
 wrought in Chrift 
 when he raifed him 
 from the, dead, and fet 
 him at his cwn right 
 hand in the heavenly 
 places. 
 
 21 Far above all 
 principality and pow- 
 er, and might, and do- 
 minion, and every 
 name that is named, 
 not only in this world, 
 but alfo in that which 
 is to come ; 
 
 22 And hath put 
 all things under his 
 feet, and gave him to 
 be head over all things 
 to the church. 
 
 23 Which is his 
 body, the fulnefs of 
 him that filleth all in 
 all. 
 
 19. And of that great and Al- 
 mighty power, by the demo.tftra- 
 tions whereof he at flrfl converted 
 you to, and by which he will con- 
 itantly fupport you in your Chrif- 
 tian faith ; and will at laft raife 
 you up to the final and eternal 
 rewards of it. 
 
 20. That Divine Power, I fay, 
 whereof he gave fo wonderful and 
 molt evident an inftance, in raifing 
 up Chrift the head of his churchy 
 from the dead, and exalting him 
 to the higheft degree of majefty 
 and glory with him in heaven. 
 
 21. Inverting him there with a 
 dominion over all creatures, even 
 over all dignities, offices, and 
 powers, both of this and of the 
 future world. 
 
 22. & 23. Making him the 
 glorious head over the whole 
 church, as his body which is now 
 to be fully perfected and com- 
 pleted by the cleared difcoveries 
 and moll excellent privileges from 
 him in whom dwelleth all fulnefs 
 * and perfection. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 * The fulnefs of him that filleth all in all. Much the fame 
 expreffion with that of John i. 16. Of his fulnefs have we 
 all received (fulnefs) and grace for («Vn, in proportion to 
 his) grace. This is the fenfe, if ttXi^u^x refers to Chrinv but 
 if it refers to the church (the fubftantive laft mentioned) I 
 have exprefied that fenfe alfo. 
 
Chap. II; 'Epistle to the Ephesians. 47 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 Having fhown it to have been the original Purpofe of God to 
 unite the Gentiles to the Church of Chrijl ; he declares the 
 Ephejians to be aBually Members of it. Gives themfuch an 
 Account of the Gofp el Privileges and Bleffings, as exalts it 
 far above, and makes it Independant of the Rites of the Mo- 
 faical Law. He fhows that Law to be abolijhed by the 
 Death and Religion of Chrijl, and thereby both Jew and Gen- 
 tile united into one Church and Society. And all this for their 
 Encouragement to adhere to the Chriftian Faith, without lik- 
 ening to the Nece/Jity of the Mofaical Ceremonies, 
 
 i AND you hath he i.T^E affured, therefore, thatGod A. D.fo, 
 quickened * who -^ who raifed up* Jefus Chrift ^VW 
 were dead in trefpaffes f rom the dead, and made him the 
 and fins. head of his church, has, by your 
 
 converfion to Chriflianity, raifed * up you Ephejians 
 to the hopes of pardon and falvation, who were former- 
 ly in a ft ate of fin and death, under your vicious and 
 heathenifh life. 
 
 2 Wherein in time 2. While you lived in the ha- 
 
 pad « ye walked ac- bitual practice of enormities that 
 
 cording to the courfe were common and fafhionable in 
 
 of this world, accord- the heathen world; influenced by 
 
 ing to the prince of the temptations of the devil) that 
 
 the power of the air, rful and malicious fpirit ,that 
 
 the ipint that now F , . r , , r . ' 
 
 worketh in the chil- ^^ his refidence in the au about 
 
 dren of difobedience. us ' and ' llU ™S ns ^ hls ,nfluen " 
 ces on the wicked and unconvert- 
 ed heathens, 
 3 Among 3. Of 
 
 * I take the confiruclion of this verfe from the 20, 21, 
 &c. verfes of the foregoing chapter, and not from the 19th, 
 as fome, nor the 5th verfe of this chapter, as other inter- 
 preters do. This makes the connection much clearer and 
 lefs interrupted, and is confirmed by the iv %$*»> in the 5th 
 verfe. 
 
48 
 
 A Paraphrase ok the 
 
 Chap. II. 
 
 A. D. 62. 3 Among whom al- 
 *"^V^ fo we all had our con- 
 verfation in times part, 
 in the lufts of our flefh, 
 fulfilling the delires of 
 the rlefti, and of the 
 mind, and were by na- 
 ture the children of 
 wrath, even as others*. 
 
 4 
 lich 
 
 But God who is 
 in mercy, for his 
 great love wherewith 
 he loved us, 
 
 5 Even when we 
 were dead in fins, hath 
 quickened us together 
 with Chrift (by grace 
 ye are faved). 
 
 6 And hath raifed 
 us up together, and 
 hath made us fit toge- 
 ther in heavenly places 
 in Chrift Jefus. 
 
 7 That in the ages 
 to come he might 
 fhow the exceeding 
 riches of his grace, in 
 his kindnefs towards 
 us, through Chrift Je- 
 fus. 
 
 3. Of which number you all 
 were before your converfion ; in- 
 dulging your carnal and depraved 
 appetites, and actuated by the dic- 
 tates and paffions of a fenfual mind 5 
 being, like all other heathen peo- 
 ple, brought up from your birth 
 to the habits of fuch vile courfes 
 as could not but fubjeci you to 
 the wrath and difpleafure of God. 
 
 4. &■ 5. But God in abundant 
 mercy and companion to his fin- 
 ful creatures, has now, by the death 
 and refurre&ion of Chriit, and by 
 your embracing his religion, reco- 
 vered you f from this dark and 
 fad eftate, and raifed you to the 
 hope of pardon and falvation. It 
 is this religion that juftifies and 
 faves you ; the ceremonial law has 
 no hand at all in it. 
 
 6. For by railing him from the 
 dead, God has given you, and all 
 true Gentile believers, an afTurance 
 of all the noble privileges of his 
 heavenly religion, and of all the 
 bleflings of his kingdom. 
 
 7« It being the purpofe of God 
 thus to difplay the wonderful ex- 
 tent of divine love and mercy to 
 all mankind, under the difpenfa- 
 tion of Chrift the Mefiah. 
 
 8. & 9. And 
 
 * Ver. 3. By nature; <J>i/er«, either by cujloms and habits 
 (of K/ce); or elfe realty and indeed children of wrath ; as 
 this word is plainly ufed, GaL iv. 8. By nature no gods, u e. 
 riot gods at all. 
 
 f Wherewith he loved us, hath quickened us. See note 
 «n chap. i. fo a. 
 
Chap. IL 
 
 Epistle to the Ephesians. 
 
 49 
 
 8 For by grace are 
 ye faved, through 
 faith, and that not of 
 
 yourfelves : it 
 gift of God : 
 9 Not of 
 left any man 
 boaft. 
 
 is the 
 
 works, 
 fhould 
 
 8. & 9. And certainly this go/pel A; D. 6s. 
 falvation is the fruit of nothing' ' * ' 
 but the pure grace and bounty of 
 God, making our faith in Chrifl's 
 religion the merciful condition of 
 this happinefs. No man has done 
 any thing to deferve it ; it could 
 not be merited by the utmoft ob- 
 
 fervation of the ceremonial law, and fo * the Jew could 
 
 no more pretend to claim it than the vileft Gentile. 
 
 10 For we are his 10. Our regenerate ftate is 
 
 workmanftiip, created wholly owing to what God has 
 done for us in Chrift, and by his 
 religion. By this it was his de- 
 fign to prepare and enable us to 
 live that life of purity and virtue 
 that will qualify us for life eternal. 
 11, 12. & 13. Remember then, 
 and (land to it ; that though you 
 Gentiles were formerly quite out 
 of the pale of God's church, with- 
 out any knowledge of the Meffiah 
 promife'd to Abraham as the Sa- 
 viour of all mankind, having lit- 
 tle or no profpecr. of fpiritual and 
 future happinefs, eftranged from 
 the knowledge and worlhip of the 
 true God ; in fine, you whom the 
 Jewijh people, that boafted them- 
 fe. ; ves in their divine laws and 
 pu.ileges, were wont in derifion, 
 to call uncircumcifedy unclean and 
 no hope, and >fM are now > b 7 Chrift's religi- 
 
 without God in the on, taken into covenant with him, 
 and are his peculiar people as 
 much as they. 
 
 in Chrift Jefus unto 
 good works, which 
 God hath before or- 
 dained that we fhould 
 walk in them. 
 
 11 Wherefore re- 
 member that ye being 
 in times pail Gentiles 
 in the flefh. who are 
 called uncircumcifion 
 by that which is cal- 
 led the circumcifion 
 in the flefh, made by 
 hands. 
 
 12 That at that 
 time ye were without 
 Chrill, being aliens 
 from the common- 
 wealth of Ifrael, and 
 ftr angers from the co- 
 venants of promife, 
 
 world. 
 
 13 But now in 
 Chrift Jefus, ye who 
 fometimes were afar 
 off, are made nigh by 
 the blood of Chrift. 
 Vol II. 
 
 14. While 
 
 * Left any man fhould boaft, Im pn n't x*v#jeiT*<. 
 that none can boaft. 
 
 So 
 
s° 
 
 A Paraphrase os th« 
 
 Cfcap. It 
 
 A.D.6*. 14 For he is our 14. While they were liis enclof- 
 dc^^ej peace, who hath made ed church, you Gentiles were kept 
 both one, and hath at a diftanee ; and indeed were no 
 broken down the mid- way recdncileable to their ceremo- 
 dle wall of partition mes an d worfhip. But now that 
 between us, thrift by his death hath reconcil- 
 
 ed us all to God, the difference is at an end, and we are 
 all united into one church and fociety. 
 
 15 Having abolim- 15. & 16. Fof that part of ther 
 
 cd in his flefh the en- Jewijb law that confifted of fuch 
 ceremonies as were defigned to 
 keep up the diftinc~tion between? 
 thern and all other nations, is 
 now, by the death of Chrift upon; 
 the crofs, abolifhed and become of 
 no further obligation ; whereby 
 he has made the way open for be- 
 lievers of all nations to join with 
 them, and make up one Chriftiati 
 church under him, the common 
 head and Saviour of us all. 
 
 mity, even the law of 
 commandments, con- 
 tained in ordinances, 
 for to make in him- 
 felf, of twain, one new 
 man, fo making peace, 
 
 16 And that he 
 might reconcile both 
 unto God in one bo- 
 dy by the crofs, hav- 
 ing flain the enmity 
 thereby : 
 
 17 And came, and 
 preached peace to 
 you which were afar 
 off, and to them that 
 were nigh* 
 
 18 For through 
 him we both have an 
 accefs by one Spirit 
 unto the Father. 
 
 19 Now therefore 
 ye are no more Gran- 
 gers and foreigners, 
 but fellow-citizens 
 with the faints, and of 
 the houfehold of God : 
 
 17. And accordingly Chrift has 
 appointed his gofpel to be preach- 
 ed, as the condition of peace and 
 pardon, as well to the Gentiles 
 that were hitherto ftrangers to 
 his church, as to the yews that 
 had been his ancient people. 
 
 18. For by the facrifice of his 
 death, all true believers of every 
 nation are admitted into favour 
 with God the Father and become 
 his true people, all conducted by 
 the fame holy Spirit, without any 
 further regard to the jfewi/h law. 
 
 19. Wherefore look upon your-* 
 felves as no longer excluded from 
 the divine covenant, nor as only 
 in part profelytes to it, becaufe of 
 yoizr not being circumcifed ; but 
 efteem yourfelves as fully privi- 
 leged, and as much of God's fa- 
 mily as they can be. 
 
 20. Be- 
 
Chap. II. 
 
 EplSTlE TO tHE EpHESlAfoS. 
 
 5* 
 
 20 And are built 
 upon the foundation 
 of the apofllcs and 
 prophets, Jefus Chrift 
 himfelf being the 
 chief corner-ftone. 
 
 2 1 In whom all the 
 building fitly framed 
 together, groweth un- 
 to an holy temple in 
 the Lord. 
 
 22 In whom you 
 alfo are builded toge- 
 ther for an habitation 
 of God through the 
 Spirit. 
 
 20. Believe, for certain, you A. D. 62, 
 are members of that church of the*— — v~— 
 Meffiah which is built upon the 
 
 truth of all the prophecies of the 
 Old, and the apoftolical doctrines 
 of the New Teftametit ; Jefus 
 Chrift himfelf being the head of 
 this body, and as it were the chief 
 corner-flone of this fabric, hold- 
 ing and cementing the two fides 
 of Jewijh and Gentile believers 
 together. 
 
 21. Under whofe divine con- 
 duel: and influence, all the mem- 
 bers of this Chrijllan fociety, like 
 the ftones of a material building, 
 are fo to unite and increafe, as to 
 become the temple and habitation 
 of God. 
 
 22. You Gentile Chriflians o£ 
 Ephefus being now a part of this 
 glorious -fabric as well as the 
 Jews : And as God was former- 
 ly faid to dwejl in the Jewijh ta- 
 bernacle and temple, by the ma- 
 nifeftations of himfelf there to 
 that people •, fo may he now, in a 
 much higher and happier fenfe, 
 be faid to dwell in you, by the 
 gifts and graces of his holy Spirit 
 conferred on you. 
 
 E 2 
 
 CHAP, 
 
$* A Paraphrase on the Chap. IIf f 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 The fame Afjurances, viz. That the Gentiles are received intt 
 the Church of Chrijl, continued. He owns and prof effeth 
 himfelf the Gentile ApoiUe, coinmijjioned on purpofe to 
 preach the Gofpel to them. The calling of the Gentile 
 World, a Dt&rine not allowed of by the Jews, nor difcover- 
 ed to the Gentiles themfelves informer Ages, but now clear- 
 ly revealed to have been always the Purpofe of God ; and in 
 this refpecl is fly led a Myftery He exhorts them to re- 
 joice in, rather than be difcouragedat, his imprifonment and 
 fufferings for this Doclrine. Prays for their confirmation 
 and Progrefs in the Chriflian Faith, and bleffeth God for hi$ 
 extended Mercies to Mankind. 
 
 D. 6u i TOR this caufe, I. FOR preaching this very 
 • 1 Paul, the * doctrine, viz. That you 
 
 prifoner of JefusChrift Gentiles are now received into all 
 for you Gentiles. the privileges of the Chriflian 
 
 church, as well as the Jews, am * I Paul, now a pri- 
 foner at Rome, profecuted by the malice of that f peo- 
 ple, and to be tried for my life. 
 
 2 If ye have heard 2. & 3. Nor can you doubt but 
 of the difpenfation of I am a prifoner for your fakes, 
 the grace f God, fmce % you know my divine com- 
 which is given me to million by an exprefs revelation 
 you ward : from 
 
 3 How 
 
 • [I Paul, a prifoner Q i. e. either [am now a prifoner J, 
 (as T have ventured to connect it with the 2d and 3d verfes) - 7 
 or elfe [the prifoner}, and then mofl probably all the fol- 
 lowing verfes of this chapter are one continued parenthefis, 
 to the firft verfe of the 4th chapter, where the apoftle re- 
 fumes his exhortation again in the very fame words. 
 
 f See A&s xxii. 21, 22. xxvi. 19, 20, 21. xxviii. 17. 2C. 
 
 % If ye have heard ; lyi jxzraTi, Since ye have hearc\ 
 See Dr. Mill, Proiegom. $72, 73, &c. 
 
Chap. III. Epistle to the Epmesians; 
 
 53 
 
 3 How that by re- 
 velation he made 
 known unto me the 
 myftery (as I wrote 
 afore in few words, 
 
 4 Whereby when 
 ye read ye may un- 
 derftand my know- 
 ledge in the myftery 
 pfChriit), • 
 
 5 Which in other 
 ages was not made 
 known unto the fons 
 of men, as it is now 
 revealed unto his ho- 
 ly apoftles and pro- 
 phets by the Spirit ; 
 
 6 That the Gen- 
 tiles mould be fellow 
 heirs, and of the fame 
 body, and partakers 
 of his promife in 
 Chrift by the gofpel : 
 
 7 Whereof I was 
 made a minifter, ac- 
 cording to the gift of 
 the grace of God gi- 
 ven unto mf, by the 
 effectual working of 
 his power. 
 
 8 Unto me, who 
 am lefs than the leaft 
 of all faints, is this 
 grace given, that I 
 fhould preach among 
 the Gentiks the un- 
 fearchable riches of 
 Chrift. 
 
 9 And 
 
 from God, runs chiefly upon this A. D. 62. 
 very thing, to authorife me to^ 
 declare this unthought-of mercy 
 to you ; as I briefly explained it 
 to you before, (chap. i. 9, 10). 
 
 4. By reading and confidering 
 whereof, as I there did, and fhall 
 now give a further account of it ; 
 you may clearly underftand that 
 gracious and furprifing purpofe 
 of God fo little expected by the 
 world. 
 
 5. & 6. Viz. That though the 
 heathen nations had it not exprefs- 
 ly declared to them in former ages, 
 nor could the Jews be brought 
 to apprehend it from the predic- 
 tions of their prophets ; yet it 
 was now v clearly revealed and ab- 
 folutely declared to the infpired 
 
 apoftles of Jefus Chrift, that the 
 Gentiles fhould be taken into all 
 the bleffings of the Chriftian co- 
 venant, and be united to the Jews 
 to make up one church under the 
 Meffiah. 
 
 7. Of which great and merciful 
 difpenfation God has made me a 
 minifter, and qualified me for 
 preaching and demonftrating the 
 truth of it, by the powers of his 
 holy Spirit conferred on me. 
 
 8. I, who for my former im- 
 moderate and furious zeal againft 
 this very religion, can never fuf- 
 ficicntly humble myfelf,have now 
 the favour to be made an apc/lle, 
 to declare this amazing and exten- 
 five love of God by Jefus Chriil 
 toward the Gentile world. 
 
 E 3 9- Ts 
 
54 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. Ill, 
 
 A. D. 62. o And to make all 
 — -Y— — 'men fee what is the 
 fellowfhip of the my- 
 ftery, which from the 
 beginning of the world 
 hath been hid in God, 
 who created all things 
 by Jefus Chrift. 
 
 9. To fhow both Jew and Gen- 
 tile the exceeding great bleffings 
 they are now to enjoy, by being 
 united into one church under 
 Chrift : a thing that God, who 
 created and governs the world, 
 and all the difpenfations of it by 
 him, thought not fit fo manifeftly 
 to reveal to former ages, as he 
 has now done. 
 
 10. & 11. Now that he intends 
 not only to convince the governors 
 and magistrates of this world, who 
 have oppofed and perfecuted this 
 religion, but to difplay to all 
 ranks and degrees of creatures, 
 both in heaven * and earth, this 
 manifold wifdom in the wondrous 
 management of his church ; fo 
 agreeably to the former -j- difpen- 
 fations of it ; all which were al- 
 ways directed and difpofed, but now fully completed by 
 Jefus Chrift. 
 
 12 In vThom we 12. Through whofe mediation 
 
 have boldnefs and ac- for us, but Jeiu and Gentile, that 
 ceis with confidence embrace his religion, are accepted 
 by the faith of him. f Qod as his true church and 
 people ; and may addrefs to him with full afiurance of 
 being rewarded as his true worlhippers. 
 
 Wherefore I 13. Wherefore fince I am now 
 
 that ye faint under perfecution for delivering a 
 
 doctrine fo much to the benefit of 
 
 you Gentile Chriftians: Be not dif- 
 
 heartened or affrighted at/tf}> fufFer- 
 
 ings; 
 
 10 To the in- 
 tent that now unto 
 the * principalities 
 and powers in hea- 
 venly places, might 
 be known by the 
 church the manifold 
 wifdom of God, 
 
 11 According to 
 the eternal purpole 
 w T hich he purpofed in 
 Chrift Jefus our Lord : 
 
 J 3 
 
 defire 
 
 not at my tribulations 
 for you, which is 
 your glory. 
 
 14 For 
 
 * To the principalities and powers in heavenly places. 
 See the Note on chap. i. 10. 
 
 f [According to the eternal purpofe], K.xrd %^i<r,^ to* 
 tuaimv, [agreeably to the predifpofition of former ages, or 
 difpenfations of religion]. Thus the Saviour was promifed 
 to Adam, then to Abraham, afterwards typified and repre- 
 sented to the Jews, and at lair, fully and onenly preached 
 iq all the ivor /a*. 
 
Chap. III. 
 
 Epistle to the EphesUns. 
 
 SS 
 
 ings ; but rather rejoice at them, as an argument of the A. D. 62, 
 Sincerity and truth of this doctrine ; and let it raife *"" 
 your hearts and ftrengthen your refolutions. 
 
 14 For this caufe 
 I bow my knees unto 
 the Father of our 
 Lord Jefus Chrift. 
 
 15 Of whom the 
 whole family in hea- 
 ven and earth is na- 
 med y 
 
 16 That he would 
 grant you according 
 to the riches of his 
 glory, to be ftrength- 
 ened with might, by 
 
 his Spirit in the inner man : 
 
 14. & 15. To which end I hum- 
 bly and earnellly beg of God the 
 Father, the Supreme Lord and 
 Governor of the whole church in 
 heaven * and earth, uniting both 
 angels and men under his govern- 
 ment ; 
 
 16. That out of the infinite ful- 
 nefs of divine gopdnefs and mer- 
 cy, he would confirm your minds 
 by the influence of his Holy Spirit. 
 
 17 That Chrift may 
 dwell in your hearts 
 by faith ; that ye be- 
 ing rooted and groun- 
 ded in love, 
 
 18 May be able to 
 comprehend with all 
 faints what is the 
 breadth and length, 
 and depth and height : 
 
 19 And to know 
 the love of Chrift, 
 
 17. 18. & 19. That fo, by a 
 due and profound fenfe of the in- 
 exprefTible bounty of this difpeii- 
 fation of Chriil toward you Gen- 
 tiles, you and all Chriitian people 
 may render him all unfeigned re- 
 turns of love, gratitude and obe- 
 dience, by an unihaken and firm 
 adherence to his religion; abound- 
 ing in all the divine f gifts and 
 fpiritual graces belonging to it. 
 
 which pafleth know- 
 ledge, that ye might be filled t with all the fulnefs of God. 
 20 Now unto him 20. & 2 1 . Tohim therefore who 
 that is able to do ex- has already conferred fuch fpiritual 
 endowments on you, and is both 
 able and willing to encourage your 
 improvement of them, by giving 
 you (till more than you can wifh or 
 imagine for yourfelvesjbeafcribed, 
 byallfucceedingagesofthechurch, 
 all honour and glory, through Je- 
 fus Chrift, for evermore. Amen. 
 E 4 CHAP. 
 
 ceeding abundantly a- 
 bove all that we afk 
 or think, according to 
 the power that work- 
 eth in us, 
 
 21 Unto him be 
 glory inthe church by 
 Chrift Jefus, through- 
 out all ages, world 
 without end. Amen. 
 
 * [Family of heaven and earth.] Seethe Noteonchap.i. 10. 
 t [With all the fulnefs of God.]Seethe Note on 2Cor. viii.l. 
 
5^ A Paraphrase on the Chap. IV. 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 The dpoftie having thus given the Gentile Chriftians of Ephe- 
 fus all fail 'able encouragement to continue in. and Jinn ly to 
 rely upon, the Chriftian Faith, without the Obfervation of 
 the Jewifh Law ; comes now to exhort their whole Church 
 in general to the PraBice of fuch Duties as become their 
 holy Profeffton, efpecially that of Unity, Mutual Charity, and 
 Forbearance; advifeth both the Jewifh and Gentile con- 
 verts to conjider themfekes as all united into the fame Church 
 and Privileges in Chrift, without dijlintlion ; warning the 
 gifted Teachers of both parlies to afober and uniform Im- 
 provement of their gifts and offices ; by Jbowing them to be 
 all derived from the fame Spirit, and intended for the fame 
 religious purpofes. Then turns his Exhortation to the Gen- 
 tile Part, flowing them their Obligation to renounce all 
 their former Heath enifh Praclices, and live up to the Pu- 
 rity of the GoTpel Religion. Pointing out to themfeveral 
 of the mofl notorious Vices to which they had formerly been 
 fubjecl. 
 
 A. D. 62. 1 J Therefore the I. HTHUS have I that am now 
 ; v ' ' prifoner * of the •*- a * prifoner for Chrift's 
 
 Lord, beieech you, fake, and particularly for uphold- 
 that ye walk, worthy m g vou Gentile Chriftians to be 
 of the vocation where- his true church, without your 
 with ye are called, obfervance of the Mofaical cere- 
 monies, given you full encouragement to maintain that 
 privilege. And let me now by thefe chains I wear, 
 befeech all parties among you to live worthy the excel- 
 lency of their holy profeffton. 
 
 2. & 3. Taking 
 
 ■» [I therefore, the prifoner of the Lord :J Sec Note on 
 chap. iii. ver. j. 
 
Chap. IV. "Epistle to the ErriEsiANS. ^ 
 
 2 With all lowli- 2. & 3. Taking fpecial care to A. D. 62. 
 
 nefs and meeknefs, preferve the peace and unity of v^-^ 
 
 •with long-fufFering, the church by a gentle, meek, and 
 
 forbearing one ano- forbearing behaviour to each o- 
 
 thcr m love : ^ ther> agreeably to the fpirit of the 
 
 3 Endeavouring to „ f pe j. 
 keep the unity of the b 
 fpirit in the bond of peace. 
 
 4 There is one body 4, 5. & 6. Duly considering, 
 and one fpirit, even as that both ^foptfh and Gentile be- 
 ye are called in one lievers are now joined together in 
 hope of your calling, one Chriftian faciety, enlightened 
 
 5 One Lord, one an d endowed with the fame fpirit, 
 faith, one baptifm. an( i brought into the fame com- 
 
 6 One God and Fa- mon h ope f fa/ vai j on . having the. 
 ther or all, who is a- fame Chri{l " for your £ aviou | and 
 bove all, and through ^ imo whofe faith arc 
 all, and in you ail. M ^ ^^ ^ ^ bg _ 
 
 come the church and fervants of the lame God the Fa- 
 ther, who is equally over you all by h*$power 9 conducts 
 you all by the fame good Providence, and dwells in you 
 all by the fame Holy Spirit. 
 
 7 But unto every 7. But you ought to remember, 
 one of us is given That though you all belong to the 
 * grace, according to fame Christian church, the body 
 the meafure of the c f Chrift ; yet the gifts and graces 
 gift of Chrift. f tne Sp^ mav not b e diftribut- 
 ed to every member or minifter alike j but to each cf 
 them in fuch meafures as Chrift knows them beft able 
 to improve for the church's benefit. So that none ought 
 to be diiTatisiied with his own, or to undervalue thofe of 
 another. 
 
 8 Wherefore he 8. Thefe fpiritual gifts to the 
 
 faith,Whenheafcend- Chriftian church, and the variety 
 
 ed up on high, he of them too, are reprefented in 
 
 led captivity captive, t hofe prophetic words of the 
 
 and gave gifts unto pf a i m ift (Pf a l. lxviii, 18.), Re- 
 fembling Chrift the MeJJiah in his 
 
 9 (Now afcenfton 
 
 men. 
 
 * Grace £«g<s, either gifts and endowments for an office in 
 the miniitry, or the office itfelf. 
 
53 A Paraphrase ok the Chap. IV. 
 
 t A - p - 61. afcenfion into heaven, after the conquejl of Jin, Satan, and 
 • yfmmmmJ death y to an earthly monarch in triumph after victory, 
 fcattering gifts and largejjes to his people. 
 
 9 (Now that he a- 9. & 10. (But whatever degrees 
 fcended, what is it they are given in to any of you, 
 but that he alfo de- they all come from this triumphant 
 fcended firft into the Saviour, the very fame Jefus who 
 lower ^ parts ot the came down upon eart j lj d i ed and 
 
 *arth^ was buried^ to obtain this con- 
 
 10 He that deicend- ft and then rofe ; andwas 
 
 ed is the fame alfo ^^ to the higheft degree of 
 that aicended up far , , , f - *» °. % 
 
 t 11 v heavenly glory and majeity, to be- 
 
 above all heavens, , ; £ > { r . 1 , ; f , 
 
 that he might fill all come the Lord of the whole church 
 thing-s.) °* ^°°j to perfect and complete 
 
 it, and to guide and model it by 
 fuch meafures as he in wifdom mould think fit*,) 
 
 1 1 And he gave fome 1 1 . And accordingly he fulfilled 
 apoftles; and fome that prediction by this variety* of 
 prophets j and fome endowments on the minifters of 
 evangelifts j and fome t h e Chriftian church ; qualifying 
 paftors and teachers ; fome to be apo ftles, to declare the 
 doctrines of it firft to the world; others to be prophets, to 
 explain the pajfages of the Old Tejlament, relating to, and 
 confirming that doElrine ; others to be evangelifts, to 
 fpread it to farther dijlant nations, and record it in ivriu 
 ing ; and fome to be pallors and teachers, to build men up 
 in the knowledge of it, after they have embraced it \. 
 
 12 For the perfect- 12. Which variety of gifts and 
 
 ing of the faints, for offices, is fo far from being a dif- 
 the work of the mi- advantage from the excellency of 
 nlflry, for the edify- one aDO ve another, that it is 'the 
 mg of the body of very t j ling intended to knit and 
 k rI "' compact the Chriftian members 
 
 into a more firm and perfect fociety ; to render the dis- 
 charge of the Chriftian miniltry more orderly and ef- 
 fectual i 
 
 * I fee no connexion in thefe two verfes with the fore. 
 ing and following claufes, but by making them refer to the 
 variety of gifts, and their being derived all from Chrifr. 
 And the connection is beft preferved, by including them in 
 a parenthefis. 
 
 t See i Cor. xii. for the fame exprefliorrs and argument 
 more at large. 
 
Chap. IV. Epistle to the Ephesians. 
 
 S9 
 
 effectual ; contributing, in their places and ftations, to A. d. 6*> 
 the better edification of the whole church. v—y— * 
 
 13 Till we all come 
 in the unity of the 
 faith, and of the know- 
 ledge of the Son of 
 God, unto a perfect 
 man, unto the mea- 
 fure of the ftature of 
 the fulnefs of Chriit : 
 
 14 That we hence- 
 forth be no more chil- 
 dren tofled to and fro, 
 and carried about with 
 every wind of doctrine 
 by the flight of men, 
 and cunning crafti- 
 nefs, whereby they lie 
 in wait to deceive : 
 
 15 But fpeaking the 
 truth in love, may 
 grow up into hira in 
 all things, which is 
 the head, even Chriit : 
 
 16 From whom the 
 whole body fitly join- 
 ed together, and com- 
 pacted by that which 
 every joint fupplieth, 
 according to the ef- 
 fectual working in the 
 meafure of every part, 
 make the increale of 
 the body, unto the e- 
 difyingof itfelf in love. 
 
 17 This I fay there- 
 fore, and teftify in 
 the Lord, that ye 
 henceforth walk not 
 as other Gentiles walk 
 in the vanity of their 
 mind, 
 
 18 Having the un- 
 devitanding darkened, 
 being alienated from 
 
 the 
 
 13. God fo wifely providing, 
 that each member ihould by this 
 means be trained up to perfect 
 Chriftianity ; and the whole be- 
 come a complete body under him 
 the common bead of all. 
 
 14. That, by arriving at this 
 perfection of Chriftian faith and 
 knowledge, they may be above the 
 influences and itratagems of cun- 
 ning and deceitful teachers ; and 
 not, like children, give ear to 
 every plaufible doctrine that is 
 propofcJ. to them. 
 
 15. & 16. But that, as the hu- 
 man body is compoied of different 
 joints and members, all in their 
 leveral functions tending to nou- 
 riih and keep up the whole frame; 
 fo, by this variety of fpiritual 
 gifts and offices in the church, 
 Chriilians may grow up into one 
 complete fociety under Chrift 
 their head, unanbnoufly agreeing 
 in the fame rule of faith towards 
 God, and confpiring in the fame 
 mutual affections to each other. 
 
 17. I muft again particularly 
 warn you Gentile Chriitians, how 
 much it concerns, and is expected 
 from you, entirely to renounce all 
 the vile practices ami idolatrous 
 worfhip of the Heathen world. 
 
 18. Who (till remain in that 
 perfect: Hate of ignorance and ir- 
 religion which you have folemnly 
 
 forfaken, 
 
A Paraphrase on the Chap. IV, 
 
 A.D. 6t. the life of God, 
 
 — — V— ^ through the ignorance 
 
 that is in them, be- 
 
 caufe of the blindnefs 
 
 of their heart : 
 
 19 Who being paft 
 feeling, have given 
 themfelves over unto 
 lafcivioufnefs, to work 
 ail uncleannefs with 
 grtedinefs. 
 
 20 But ye have not 
 fo learr.ed Chrift : 
 
 21 * If fo be that 
 ye have heard him, 
 end have been taught 
 by him, as the truth 
 is in Jefus : 
 
 22 That ye put off 
 concerning the for- 
 mer conversation, the 
 old man, which is 
 corrupt according to 
 the deceitful lufts : 
 
 23 And be renew- 
 ed in the fpirit of 
 your mind : 
 
 24 And that ye put 
 
 forfaken, utterly eftranged from 
 that virtuous courfe of life that 
 alone can render men like to God, 
 and happy in his fervice. 
 
 19. And, by impure and uni- 
 formed habits, are become fo in- 
 fenfible of all goodnefs, as to com- 
 mit the worft degrees of unclean- 
 nefs, not only without all regret 
 and relu£r.ancy, but with the ut- 
 moft eagernefs and delight. 
 
 20. & 21. Remember, that by 
 your * converfion to the Chriftian 
 religion, you are in quite another 
 flate *, and obliged by the higheft 
 engagements to a direct contrary 
 courfe of life. 
 
 2?, 23. SC24. Namely, toforfake 
 all your old heathenifh lufts, and 
 ignorant practices •, and to become 
 new and reformed men, by obe- 
 dience to thofe holy and righteous 
 laws prefcribed in the go/pel, that 
 will raife you to the imitation of 
 God, and render you his true and 
 happy children. 
 
 on the new man, 
 
 which after God is created in right eoufnefs and true holi, 
 
 nefs. 
 
 25. Beware then of thofe vices 
 you have been formerly mod fub- 
 je£t. to, and are mod oppofite to 
 the Chriflian fpirit : for inftance, 
 deteft that dangerous (in of lying, 
 deceiving and over-reaching your 
 
 neighbours ; remembering you are all now members of 
 
 the fame Chriftian body ; fo that to deceive another is 
 
 to injure and abufe your/elves. 
 
 26. & 27* 
 
 25 Wherefore put- 
 tii-r, away lying, fpeak 
 every man truth with 
 his neighbour : for we 
 are members one of 
 another. 
 
 * If fo be ye have heard him-*-s;yt uvrov fctfrers. Since 
 vou have heard him. 
 
Chap. IV. Epistle to the Ephesians. 61 
 
 26 Be ye angry and 26. &• 27. Supprefs all immo- A. D 62.^ 
 
 fin not : let not the derate anger and refentment : faf-*""""" 7 """'"'"^ 
 
 fun go down upon fer it not to ripen into revenge, 
 
 your wrath. reproach, and flander ; for then 
 
 27 Neither give you are overcome by that wicked ' 
 place to the * devil. a dverfary the devil whole very 
 ?iame fignifies a ra'iler and a blafphemer *. 
 
 28 Let him that 28. Whoever has been accuftom- 
 itole, (leal no more $ : ed to /teal, before his converfion, 
 but rather let him la- a nd to efteem it but a fmall, or 
 bour, working with f ca rce any fin § ; muft now abhor 
 his hands the thing t h at p ra a;i ce) an d by a laborious 
 which is good, that life \ n fome j lone ft ca Ui ng , mu ft 
 he may have to give endeavour not oniy t0 fupply his 
 to him that needeth. Qwn wm ^ but if he can, to have 
 fomething to fpare for them that are in abfolute poverty. 
 
 29 Let no corrupt 29. Avoid all manner of fcur- 
 communication pro- rilous and filthy conversation - 9 
 ceed out of your an d let your words and difcourfes 
 mouth, but that which m company be always fuch, as 
 is good to the ufe of mav not on iy be heard by any bo- 
 edifying ; that it may d with i nn0C ence and decency, 
 minifter grace unto but, as far as you can, with profit 
 the hearers. anc l a d vanta g e t00 . by promoting 
 thofe virtues that will procure favour and acceptance 
 from God. 
 
 30 And grieve not 30. In fine, do and fay nothing 
 the holy Spirit of God, that maybe inconfiltent with thofe 
 whereby you are feal- bleffed endowments of the Holy 
 
 ed Spirit 
 
 * AtxZoX(& 9 [Devil.] Ver. 27. Neither give place to 
 the drvil. or to the railtr dWflanderer :] And the fenfe may 
 be, [Give no occafion to ii^ndfrers to reproach your holy 
 religion] j as Erafmus and the French Proteflant tvanflation, 
 Tender it See 1 Tim. iii. 6, 7. [give place, tottov, oppor- 
 tunity, or advantage.] 
 
 j As in fever al nations it was accounted ; and rather 
 countenanced than difcouraged, by fome Grecian common- 
 wealths •, particularly in that of the Lacedemonians, where 
 PluUrch fays, it was enacled or agreed, [«*^tt«-«] k?.itPmv t£$ 
 hivfyix 7rx?ixs 0, rl Tig ZvvctiTo. [That the free-born youths 
 might ftesl whatever they could.] But of this let the read- 
 er ice Dr. Clarke's Evidences of Natural and Revealed Re- 
 ligion, p. jS, S9- 
 
62 A Paraphrase on the Chap. IV* 
 
 A. D. 6i. ed unto the day of Spirit that are conferred on you, 
 v *— v— redemption. or may deprive you of his facred 
 
 influences ; which arc the pledges of your prefcnt par- 
 don, and the earned of your eternal happinefs. 
 
 31 Let all bitter- 31. And as he is the Spirit of 
 nel's, and wrath, and peace and love, fo let no differences 
 anger, and clamour, i n vour religious fentiments and 
 and evil-fpeaking, be opinions, fuffer you to launch 
 put away from you, out } nto any cxpre ffions of bit- 
 with all malice. ternefs, rage, and clamorous re- 
 proaches, nor to harbour any purpofes of malice and re- 
 venge. 
 
 32 And be ye kind 32. But treat one another, even 
 one to another, ten- thofe that injure you, with ten- 
 derhearted, forgiving dernefs, pity and forgivenefs ; re- 
 one another, even as membering how much a greater 
 God for Chrift's fake debt of guilt and fin God has forgiv- 
 hath forgiven you. en usallfor the f ake of Chrift Jefus. 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 The firft and fecond verfes conclude the Exhortation to Love 
 and Unanimity in the End of the foregoing Chapter. Then 
 he repeats his caution againf their former Heathenijh Vices, 
 
 particularly fuch as accompanied their Idolatrous Worjhip, 
 Defceiids to the Relative Duties^ wherein the Jewifti Chri- 
 
 jiians, by former Prejudices, were apt to be deficient. 
 See the Preface to this Epiftle, J 4. 
 
 1 "DE ye therefore I . QlNCE, therefore, you are all, 
 followers of God ^ both JcwiJJj and Gentile con- 
 
 as dear children. verts, become the children and 
 
 church of God, imitate Mm as your true Father and mod 
 perfect example. 
 
 2. And 
 
Chap. V. 
 
 Epistle to tke EphesiaWs. 
 
 <?3 
 
 2 And walk in love, 
 as Chrift alfo hath 
 loved us, and hath 
 given himfelf for us, 
 an offering and a fa- 
 criBce to God for a 
 fweet fmelling favour. 
 
 2. And as the death and facri- A.D.62. 
 flee of Chrift for our fins was the' 
 higheft inftanceof Di*ine love and 
 mercy to us all, and an acl: moft 
 pleafing and acceptable to Godjlet 
 it be the chief care of all parties 
 among you to refemble this great 
 
 pattern of love, by charity and unity with each other. 
 
 3 But fornication, 
 and all uncleannefs, 
 or covetoufnefs, let it 
 riot be once named 
 atnongft you, as be- 
 cometh faints. 
 
 3. 1 muft again efpecially warn 
 you Gentile Chriftians from all 
 thofe extravagant and luftful paf- 
 fions, and unclean practices, that 
 were fo common and fafhionable 
 b your heathen date , and are 
 itill the attendants of idolatrous rites and worfhip. Let 
 none of them be fo much as named or heard of among 
 Chr'iftian profeffors. 
 
 4. And be as careful to avoid 
 all that fcurrilous, lewd and light 
 way of talking, that is the ufual * 
 incentive to fuch unclean actions. 
 Break it entirely off by accuftom- 
 ing your mouths to continual ex- 
 
 preffions of praife and thankfgiving to God* 
 5 For this you know, 5. For you cannot but know, by 
 
 that no whoremonger, the natural dcfign of the Chriftian 
 religion, that no perfon addicted 
 to fuch impure affections and 
 practices as f are indulged in ido- 
 latrous and fuperftitious worfhip, 
 cari ever be a true member of the 
 church of Chrift here, or inherit 
 his kingdom hereafter. 
 
 6. & 7. Let 
 
 _ tian 
 4 Neitherfilthinefs, 
 nor foolifh talking, 
 nor jelling, * which 
 are not convenient : 
 but rather giving of 
 thanks. 
 
 unclean perfon, 
 nor covetous man f, 
 who is an idolater, 
 hath any inheritance 
 in the kingdom of 
 Chrift, and of God. 
 
 6 Let 
 
 * [Which are not convenient — ] ru. ph mnnwfa, [That 
 are moft difagreeable] See Rom, i. 28. where t« p* **- 
 Skkovtx, ought fo to be tranflated. 
 
 f [Or covetous man who is an idolater,] * srtora&K 'ig 
 hiv udu\oX*rp,f, i. r. [One that may be called an idolater 
 Jbr making his lulls and pleafures his god; or elfe a man 
 of fuch inordinate defires, as an idolater is and muft be.j 
 The former is indeed good fenfe ; but the latter is plainly 
 moft agreeable to the apoftle's defign. 
 
&l A Paraphrase on thr Chap. V. 
 
 A.D. 6*. 6 Let no man dc- 6. & 7. Let no philofophers, 
 
 *— - v— — 'ceive you with vain therefore, perfuade you by any 
 
 words : for becaufe of ar t s of reafoning, that fuch prac- 
 
 thefe things cometh t i ces call De an y wa y innocent or 
 
 the wrath of God up- allowable. They are the very 
 
 on the children of dif- thing3 f or which God gave up 
 
 obedience. the j ieatnens to vile j, a ff e aions, 
 
 HRom.: 7 Be not ye there- and ever did and do m draw 
 
 s^&c £ e p ar takers with ,. . ' . ^ „ 
 
 , r divine vengeance upon them that 
 
 will not renounce and reform them. 
 
 8 For ye were Ibme- 8. In your dark and heathen 
 times darknefs, but flate, it was indeed no wonder you 
 now are ye light in fhould be guilty of them ; but 
 the Lord: walk as vour Chriftian religion has fo clear- 
 children of light, jy inftrucled and better enlight- 
 ened you, that you muft live in a quite contrary courfe. 
 
 9 (For the fruit of 9. (For the practice of all moral 
 the Spirit is in all and divine virtues, ought to be the 
 goodnefs, and righte- proper effecT: of your converfion 
 oufnefs, and truth) to that pure religion that is attend- 
 
 ed with fuch gifts and influences of the Holy Spirit. 
 
 30 Proving what 10. Thefe virtues you mud 
 is acceptable unto the ftudy and practife, as things mod 
 Lord. agreeable to the Divine Will, and 
 
 by the habitual practice whereof alone you can approve 
 yourfelves to God. 
 
 11 And have no 1 1 . Never therefore be drawn in« 
 
 fellowship with the to thofe dangerous % practices that 
 
 t unfruitful works of none but ignorant heathens would 
 
 dark- commit j 
 
 3* The unfruitful works of darknefs. 'Axxgnots here can- 
 not fignify merely unprofitable, but mifchievous ; in the fame 
 manner as r« fth x,u%x.ovtcc> fignify moft abominable things, 
 Rom. i. 28. as I have noted there. And thus ux#£7r&> ex- 
 actly anfwers to inutilis, which iignifies mifebievous, in the 
 beft Latin authors. Thus Cicero, [Poteft enim accedere 
 promiffum aliquod et conventurn, ut id effici fit inutile., vel 
 ei cui promirTum fit,, vel ei qui promiferit. De OJic, lib. /.J 
 And again, [Ncc promifla igitur fervanda funt ea, quae funt 
 iis, quibus promiiTeris, inutilia. Ibid.] The learned reader 
 may fee abundant inftances of this in the learned Dr. 
 Clarke's Note en Horn. Iliad 2. p. 53. 
 
Chap. V. 
 
 Epistle to the Ephesians* 
 
 6 S 
 
 darknefs, but rather commit ; y but on the contrary, en- A. D. 62. 
 reprove them. deavourto expofe their indecency,**— v— 
 
 and make them afliamed of them. 
 
 12 For it is a fhame 
 even to fpeak of thofe 
 things which are done 
 of them in iecret. 
 
 13 But all things 
 that are reproved, are 
 made manifeft by the 
 light : for whatfoever 
 doth make manifeft, is 
 light. 
 
 14 Wherefore he 
 faith, Awake thou 
 that fleepeft, and arife 
 from the dead, and 
 Chrift (hall give thee 
 light. 
 
 For certainly it would fliock 
 the modefty of a good man, even 
 to mention the abundance and fil- 
 thy adions committed in thefecret 
 myferiet of heathen worfhip. 
 
 13. But as light is the thing that 
 renders every object clearly vifihle 
 to the eye ; fo has the Chriftiau 
 religon demonft rated the vilenefs 
 and danger of thefe practices to 
 the minds of all that embrace it. 
 
 14. And accordingly the pro- 
 phet Ifaiah (Ifa. lx. 1.) has ex~ 
 preffed the happy condition of the 
 Gentile^vt of the Chriflian church* 
 Arife, /hine, for thy light is co?ne 9 
 and the glory of the Lord is rifen 
 
 upon thee. And again, Awake andjing ye thai dwell in 
 the dufl, Ifa. xx vi. 19. Signifying the former dark and 
 ignorant flat e of the heathen world, and the glorious 
 light and knowledge it fljoull attain to- by the religion of 
 Chrifl the MeJJiah ; and their great obligation to live 
 fuitably to the advantages of it. 
 
 15 See then that 15.&16 Confidering therefore 
 
 ye walk circumfpeft- how contrary the religion you have 
 embraced is to that of the reft of 
 mankind, and what violent oppo- 
 fition you are like to meet with ; 
 you muft have a prudential eye to 
 that too, and manage yourfelvcs 
 not only witrr innocency but difcrction ; not expolin^ 
 yourfelves to perfecution upon needlefs occafions j but 
 while you endeavour to convert men, you ought to a- 
 void their fury by all lawful and j ult means. 
 
 17 Wherefore be 17. Remember therefore, tha'. 
 
 ye not unwife, but un- though it be the will of God you 
 
 demanding what the fhould firmly adhere to your Chri- 
 
 will of the Lord is. ftian principles, and labour to bring 
 
 Vox... II. F other? 
 
 ly, not as fools, but 
 as wife, 
 
 16 Redeeming the 
 time, becaufe the days 
 are evil. 
 
66 A Paraphrase on the Chap. V. 
 
 A. D."&2. others over to them -, yet it is none of his will that you 
 
 ' u -"v—* J fhould indifcreetly lay yourfelves open to their obftinate 
 
 malice and rage ; but only propofe the divine truths to 
 
 them in fo prudent a manner, as may bell work upon 
 
 them, and fecure your own lives. 
 
 1 8 And be not 18. But to proceed concerning 
 drunk with wine, the particular vices 1 was warn- 
 wherein is excefs : but i n g you from : To preferve your- 
 be filled with the Spi- f e l V es from the impurities of hea~ 
 rit : then worfhip, be lure tofhun that 
 excefs of drinking fo ufual in their idolatrous fellivals ; 
 the incentive to all lull and extravagancy. And inftead 
 of the beaflly cuftom of filling yourfelves with wine, 
 endeavour by a habit of temperance and fober conver- 
 fation, to be full of the gracious gifts and influences of 
 the Holy Spirit. 
 
 19 Speaking to 1 9. & 20. Which will infpire 
 yourfelves in pfalms you in your religious |j affemblies 
 
 ;|S c e i I ?°-' and h ? mns ' and f P i- to praife and biefs God in divine 
 
 xk 00 ."J.^^jaj iongs> finging pfalms and hymns: and, contrary 
 
 and making melody tQ theIr extravagant and lewd 
 
 in your heart to the merriments> vyiU ren der all your 
 
 ort >. . , , mirth truly fpiritual and reli- 
 
 2C Giving ' thanks . , • • - 
 
 , t 11 ;i • gious : exalting your minds to 
 
 always for all things & p . . .° J ~ c 
 
 nntoGod and the Fa- grateful and pious expreffions of 
 
 ffcer, in the name of thankfgivmg to God the Father, 
 
 m Lord Jefus Chnlt j through Jefus Chnft, for all his 
 mercies towards you. 
 
 21 Submittingyour- 21. And thefe divine influences 
 felves one to another will conduct you in a regular fub- 
 in the fear of God. million of inferiors to fuperiors, 
 both in public and private, and in all relative duties to 
 each other. 
 
 22 Wives *, fub- 22. Such as is that, for inftance, 
 mit yourfelves unto between hujband and wife, which 
 your own hufbands, t h e Jewijb zealots are apt to think 
 as unto the Lord. theymaybeexcufedin,wherethere 
 is a difagreement in religious * principles. Whereas, the 
 
 due 
 
 * For the occafton and deftgn of St. Paul's advice in this 
 and the following relative duties, let the reader fee the pr©- 
 face to this epiftle, J 4, 
 
Chap. V. Epistle to the Ephesians. 
 
 67 
 
 due fubje&ion of a wife to her hujhand (notwithftand- A. D. 6i. 
 
 ing any difference in religions opinions between ihem) < ~~~* mmmmJ 
 
 is not only the plain will of Chriit, but is illuftrated and 
 
 enforced by the conftitution of his church. 
 
 23. For as Chriftisthe Saviour, 
 head and governor of the whole 
 church, as his fpiritual body, fo is 
 every hnjband the head and guar- 
 dian || of his wife. 
 
 23 For the hulband 
 •is the head of the wife, 
 even as Chrift is the 
 head of the church : 
 and he is the Saviour 
 of the body. 
 
 24 Therefore as the 
 church is fubjeft un- 
 to Chrift, fo let the 
 wives be to their own 
 hufbands in every 
 thing. 
 
 1 Cor. xi. 
 
 gave 
 
 25. And therefore as the church 
 pays all due fubjection to Chriif 
 its fpiritual head, fo the natural 
 relation of a wife, according to 
 the firil folemn inftitution of mar- 
 riage, requires a jull fubmiftion 
 
 and obfervanca from her to her hujhand. 
 
 25 Hufbands, love 25. 26. & 27. On the other fide, 
 
 your wives, even as this comparison will as clearly 
 fhow and highly recommend that 
 /ove and tendernefs that hufbands 
 ought to exprefs to their wkc^ 
 For as nothing can be ib lively 
 and perfect an example of* love, 
 care and tendernefs, as that where- 
 with Chrift treats the church, his 
 fpoufe, cleanfing and purifying all 
 its members from the guilt of iin, 
 by baptifing them into his holy 
 and pure profeffion ; and by his 
 word and Holy Spirit training 
 them up to fuch unblemifhed ho- 
 linefs of life here upon earth, as 
 
 will terminate in the perfection of virtue, glory and 
 
 happinefs in heaven. 
 
 28. &- 29. So does this his ten- 
 der regard to us, as the dear mem- 
 bers of his own fpiritual body, 
 fhow every hufband to treat his 
 wife as a iecondfe/f; convincing 
 him by the dictates of f/f/ove, 
 'Fa to 
 
 wives, even as 
 Chrift alfo loved the 
 church, and 
 himfelf for it : 
 
 26 That he might 
 fanftify and clean fe 
 it with the warning of 
 water by' the word, 
 
 27 That he might 
 prefent it to himfelf 
 a glorious church, not 
 having fpot or wrin- 
 kle, or any fuch thing : 
 but that it mould be 
 holy and without ble- 
 mi(h. 
 
 28 So ought men 
 to love their wives, 
 as their own bodies : 
 he that loveth his 
 wife, loveth himfelf. 
 
 29 For no man e- 
 ver yet hated his own 
 
 flefh; 
 
6S 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. V. 
 
 A. D. 6*. flefli ; but nouriftieth 
 ' v 'and cherifheth it, e- 
 
 ven as the Lord the 
 
 church. 
 
 to be kind and gentle towards 
 her, and how unnatural it would 
 be to do otherwife. 
 
 30 For we are 
 members of his body, 
 of his fjeih, and of his 
 bones. 
 
 30. Thus clofe and dear is the 
 union of Chrift with his churchy 
 and of the bujbcu.d with the wife, 
 that they may be refpe&ively con- 
 ftdered as head and members of one and the fame body. 
 For this caufe 31. And accordingly you know* 
 when Eve was produced from 
 Adarn*s rib, and given him for a 
 wife (Gen. ii. 22.) it was ex- 
 prefsly faid, That the relation be* 
 tween them was nearer and dearer 
 than that of parents and children, 
 
 32. And thus have I, by this 
 moft noble and lively * compari- 
 son of Chrift and his church y il- 
 lustrated and recommended to you 
 the great duty of hujbands and wives. But indeed my 
 <r h ef defign was to fhow you the happy union between 
 Chrift and his church. 
 
 3* 
 
 mail 
 
 father and mother, 
 and {hall be joined 
 unto his wife, and 
 they two (hall be one 
 flelh. 
 
 32 This is a great 
 myftery : but I fpeak 
 concerning Chrift and 
 the church. 
 
 33 Neverthelefs, let 
 
 every one of you in 
 
 particular, fo love his 
 
 wife, even as himfelf, 
 
 and 
 
 33. But whether I had made ufe 
 of this myftical way of illuflration 
 or no, the very original inftitution 
 of marriage, and the plain will of 
 
 Chrift 
 
 * [This is a great myftery.] The generality of interpre- 
 ters underftand St. Paul here, as if the marriage of Adarr* 
 and Eve were intended by the Holy Spirit to reprefent, and 
 inyftically to fignify the fpiritual union between the Median 
 and the Chriftian church. The Jewifh doctors, indeed, are 
 full of this. But becaufe no other undoubted expreflicns of 
 fcripture are found to demonftrate the thing irfelf to be 
 true, ahd it not being clear thefe traditional doctrines of the 
 tabbins were as early as our Saviour's or St. Paul's time, I 
 have therefore exprefied it as a comparifon for illuflration ; 
 and whether the great latitude in which St. Paul ufes this 
 word myjiery will not warrant my fo doing, I fubmit to the 
 judgment of the learned and attentive reader. See Kevelat. 
 i a©, with my Paraph, there. 
 
Chap. V. Epistle to the Ephfsians. 69 
 
 and the wife fee that Chrift in the gofpel religion, is A.D. 62. 
 fhe reverence her huf- fufficient to convince them of the**— v— ** 
 band * obligation to love and tendernefs 
 
 on the one part, and to refpecT: and fubjection on the 
 other ; and that no differences in religious principles can 
 excufe either from fo evident a moral duty. 
 
 CHAP. VL 
 
 He proceeds inflowing the Chriftian obligation to the other re* 
 . lative Duties of Parents and Children, Mailers and Slaves* 
 Then encourages them to general Conflancy and Refolution 
 again/1 all Temptations and Perfections for the fake of Chri* 
 ftianity : and, by Metaphors taken from the Arts o/'Grecian 
 and Roman Soldiery, dire&s them how to arm tbemfehes 
 cgainfi the Apaults of them, Defires their prayers for hhli % 
 as their Gentile Slpo/ile, and concludes with his hleffing. 
 
 X QHildren, obey i. 'T'O proceed in thefe relative 
 your parents in •*■ duties. The fame Chri- 
 
 the Lord : for this is ftian principle that ought to in- 
 r, ght» duce hufbands and wives to their 
 
 reciprocal duties, notwithstanding any differences in 
 religious notions *, obliges all children and young people 
 to pay all juft reverence to their parents, and not think 
 themfelves exempt from it to either * of them upoU thaC 
 account. 
 
 2 Honour thy fa- 2. &. 3. Let them remember, that 
 ther and thy mother, duty to parents is of fo natural and 
 (which isthefirft com- important obligation, that God 
 mandment with pro- was pleafcd in the fifth command- 
 mi * e ) ment to his ancient people the* 
 
 3 That F 3 Jews; 
 
 See the Pref. to this Epiftle, J 4, 
 
1* 
 
 A Paraphrase on rut 
 
 Chap. VI. 
 
 A.D. 62. 3 That it may be 
 *— v— — 'well with thee, and 
 
 thou mayeft live long 
 
 on the earth. 
 
 4 And ye fathers, 
 * provoke not your 
 children to wrath: but 
 bring them up in the 
 nurture and admoni- 
 tion of the Lord. 
 
 prejudice them againft 
 
 5 Servants, be % o- 
 bedient to them that 
 are your matters ac- 
 cording to the flelh, 
 with fear and trem- 
 bling, in finglenefs of 
 your heart, as unto 
 Chrift : 
 
 6 Not with eye- 
 fervice, as men plea- 
 fers, but as the fer- 
 vants of Chrift, doing 
 the will of God from 
 the heart ; 
 
 7 With good will 
 doing fervice, as to 
 the Lord, and not to 
 men : 
 
 8 Knowing that 
 whatfoever good thing 
 any man doth, the 
 fame fhall he receive 
 of the Lord, whether 
 he be bond or free. 
 
 Jews to add the fpecial profnife of 
 temporal prof perity and long life 
 in the land of Canaan , for- their 
 greater encouragement to it. 
 
 4. And let all Chriflian parents 
 be particularly careful to treat 
 their children with fuch mild and 
 gentle ufage as may more eafily in- 
 duce them to believe and embrace 
 the Chriflian religion ; and not * 
 it, by their froward and ill example. 
 
 5. Let fuch Chriltians as are 
 flaves to heathen maflers, not 
 
 think themfelves difengaged from 
 their civil obligation by being 
 Chriftians %, but continue to ferve 
 them fincerely and induftrioufly, 
 as their Chriflian duty. 
 
 6. &, 7. Let them da it fincerely, 
 I Cay, and not barely in fuch a 
 manner as to efcape their mailer's 
 obfervation and punifhment; but 
 confcientioufly feek their interefr, 
 knowing, that in ferving them 
 faithfully, they ferve Jefus Chrift 
 
 their Supreme Lord and Mailer. 
 
 8. And being fully allured, that 
 Chrift will hereafter as impartial- 
 ly and fully reward the diligent 
 fervices of zjlave, as the molt ge- 
 nerous actions of a freeman, 
 
 9. And 
 
 * [Provoke not your children, but bring them up, &c, 
 Mv ffct^c^yi^ilt — oiov 01 KaXXoi 7r6&<ra/, ct7roKM^ovof,ciig lpyoc.£ ) <>p,iy*i 
 x,cct ct7roKy£VKTi<g ncihTK;. Chryfoftom. i. e. Provoke not your 
 children, as many people do, by their ill ufage, difcourag- 
 ing them from coming into the Chriltian church, and from 
 hearkening to the gofpel doctrine. 
 
 % See 1 Cor. vii. 20, 21, 22, 23, 24. 
 
Chap. VL 
 
 Epistle to the ErHEsiANs. 
 
 9 And ye matters, 
 do the fame things un- 
 to them, forbearing 
 threatening ; knowing 
 that your Matter alio 
 is in heaven ; neither 
 is there refpecl of per- 
 fons with him. 
 
 9. And let all Chrijlian matters, A - D - 
 that have any Jlavcs under them, f 
 ufe them with gentlenefs and hu- 
 manity ; forbearing all paflionate 
 and violent expreffions toward 
 them ; and forgiving their par- 
 donable faults. Remembering they 
 themfelves have a heavenly matter 
 
 who forgave them infinitely more ; and who regards no 
 
 man's external circumftances, but will reward and pu- 
 
 nifli the behaviour of a mafter as well as of 2,/lave, 
 10 Finally, my bre- 10. And now, to conclude my 
 
 thren, be ftrong in the exhortations to you : Be courage- 
 ous and refolute in your profefiion, 
 making the beft improvement of 
 the powers that God has given you . 
 11. Your conflict is very great 
 and iharp. Wherefore, like true 
 foldiers, armyourfelves from head 
 to foot with the * fpiritual ar- 
 mour wherewith God hasfurnifh- 
 
 ed you, for your defence againft the ftratagerns and af- 
 
 faults of the devil, and wicked men. 
 
 1 2 For we wreftle 1 2. And great need you have fo 
 
 not againft flefh and to do. For you mutt engage not 
 only with men, with the magi- 
 ftrates and rulers of this world, 
 but with wicked f pi tits too, thofe 
 malicious powers, that have fo 
 long domineered over the blind 
 and ignorant heathens, and have 
 ft ill their habitation in the re- 
 gions of the air about us. 
 
 13. Be ready armed then with 
 
 the following principles, that will 
 
 enable you to refill them all, and 
 
 F 4 ftand 
 
 71 
 
 52. 
 
 Lord, and in the pow- 
 er of his might 
 
 11 Put on the whole 
 * armour of God, that 
 ye may be able to 
 ftand againft the wiles 
 of the devil. 
 
 blood, but againft 
 principalities, againft 
 powers, againft the 
 rulers of the darknefs 
 of this world, againft 
 "fpiritual wickednefs in 
 high places f . 
 
 13 Wherefore take 
 unto you t,he whole ar- 
 mour of God, that ye 
 may 
 
 * [Armour of God.] See note on 2 Cor. viii. 1. 
 
 f Ver. 12. [Spiritual wickednefs in high places :] anvp*- 
 rx TJ15 ncvAoUq h tw; «n<g«wMs. [Againft the wicked fpirits in 
 the regions of {our) air. 'Exuu^etmii is the fame with tS c*c- 
 Tdq T*Tg, this darknefs ; the fame with £•?*, aud |*?M| dark- 
 nefs, in St. Peter, and St. Jude., 
 
72 A Paraphrase on the Chap. Vta s 
 
 A. D. 6z. raay De aD i e to with- ftand your ground under the worft 
 
 u — v 'Hand in the evil day, trial and temptation ; viz. 
 
 and having done all, 
 
 to ftand. 
 
 14 Stand therefore, 14. Keep clofe to the rules and 
 having your loins girt plain precepts of the go/pel, the 
 about with truth, and knowledge whereof will fecure 
 having on the breaft- yo.u from all loofe priciples, and 
 plate of righteoufnefe. like the foldiers girdle, keep you 
 
 in a firm and fteady pofture ; and 
 the habitual practice of them be as a breaft-plate to 
 fence off every mortal wound. 
 
 15 And your feet .15. Be always prepared with a 
 fhod with the prepa- modeft and peaceable mind toward 
 ration of the gofpel of your adversaries ; which will be a 
 peace, means to prevent and take off the 
 edge of their malice ; as the foldier's boots preferves 
 his legs from the roughnefs of the ways, and from the 
 iraps and galls that are laid by the enemy to retard his 
 march. 
 
 16 Above all, tak- 16. But efpecially have your 
 
 ing the fhield of faith, thoughts ever pofTefled with a firm 
 
 wherewith ye (hall be arm fteady faith in the promifes 
 
 able to quench all the of the go r pe l . that w fli guard you 
 
 nery darts of the wick- f rom the f ecre t fuggeliions, and 
 
 open aflaults of the devil ; as the 
 
 ihield does the foldier from the darts of his enemies. 
 
 * 1 Thcf. v. 1 j And take the 1-7. Let your hopes * of eternal 
 
 ?■ helmet of falvation, life and happinefs, be ever ardent 
 
 and the fword of the and vigorous ; which, like a helmet 
 
 Spint, which is the on the head? wiU fecure you in 
 
 word of God. the main points of your profeffion. 
 
 Read and meditate on the word of God in holy fcrip- 
 ture, the underllanding whereof will, like the keenefl 
 fword, enable you not only to refift, but to aflault your 
 adverfaries. 
 
 18 Praying always 18. And withal be earneft and 
 with all prayer and conftant in a courfe of fervent 
 fupplication in the prayer to God for yourfelves and 
 Spirit, and watching all Chriflian people, 
 thereunto with all per- 
 feverance, and fupplication for all faints. 
 
 19. &. 2Zi 
 
Chap. VI. &PISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS. 
 
 M 
 
 19 
 
 And for rac, 
 that utterance may be 
 given unto me, that I 
 may open my mouth 
 boldly to make known 
 the myftery of the 
 gofpel •, 
 
 20 For which I am 
 * an ambaflador in 
 bonds ; that therein 
 I may fpeak boldly, as 
 I ought to fyeak. 
 
 K). & 20. Not forgetting to l*t A.D.6*. 
 me, your Gentile apoltle, have' a 1 "" — v— ■ 
 fhare in thofe petitions ; befeeching 
 God to enable me with due con- 
 stancy and courage, to maintain 
 this doctrine of the Gentiles being 
 called into the gofpel covenant ; a 
 doctrine now abfolutely plain and 
 certain, howftrangefoever it feem 
 to the Jewifb zealots ; and where- 
 of I am now a commiflioned 
 
 preacher, and am * imprifoned on 
 that very account. 
 
 21. & 22. I fend Tychicus, my 
 dear Chriftian brother, and a faith- 
 ful minifter of Chrift, with this 
 letter to you, on purpofe to ac- 
 quaint you with my condition, and 
 how it fares with me in my con- 
 finement ; and to comfort you 
 under your concern at it. 
 
 22 Whom I have fent unto you for the fame purpofe, 
 that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort 
 your hearts. 
 
 23. May all the Chriftians in 
 your parts continue ftedfaft in the 
 
 21 But that ye al- 
 fo might know my af- 
 fairs, and how 1 do, 
 Tychicus, as a belov- 
 ed brother, and faith- 
 ful minifter in the 
 Lord, (hall make 
 known to you all 
 things 
 
 23 Peace be to the 
 brethren, and love, 
 with faith from God 
 the Father, and the 
 Lord Jefus Chrift. 
 
 24 Grace be with 
 
 all them that love our 
 Lord Jefus Chrift. 
 
 ^f Written from 
 Rome unto the Ephe- 
 iians, by Tychicus. 
 
 faith, love, and favour of God 
 the Father, and the Lord Jefus 
 Chrift. 
 
 24. His favour and love be 
 upon all fincere and good Ghrif- 
 tians. Amen. 
 
 A Para* 
 
 * [Am an ambaflador in bonds]. U^iAiiu h ctxlcii* 
 Which fome render, [I grow old in bonds] ; agreeable to 
 Philem. ix. He had indeed been imprifoned in Judea two 
 years, and had now lain two more at Rome, for the fame 
 caufe. But I keep to our tranflation, as more agreeable to 
 the reft of the expreilions to the fame purpofe in this epiftle. 
 See not* on Philem. ix. 
 
PARAPHRASE 
 
 ON 
 
 THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL 
 
 TO THE 
 
 PHILIPPIANS. 
 
 TH E PREFAC E. 
 
 A. D. 6%. \T7HILE St. Paul was a prifoner at Rome, whither 
 1 » " ' ^* he was forced to make his appeal from the inve- 
 terate malice of the Jews, for his preaching to the Gen~ 
 tile world, the Philippian church fend Epaphroditus to 
 vifit and falute him in their name ; to carry him fup- 
 plies from them for. his fupport in his confinement ; and 
 to give him the comfortable account, how Heady and 
 firm their church continued to the Chriftian faith he 
 had formerly planted amongft them ; and efpecially in 
 that point of relying upon the go/pel religion for falva- 
 tion t without the ohfer'uation of the ceremonial law , which 
 the Jcwifli zealots every where cried up to be of abso- 
 lute neceffity to a Chrijlian convert. This epiflle is a 
 return of St. Paul's great fatisfa&ion, love and joy at 
 the refpects they had mown him, and efpecially for 
 
 theii 
 
The Preface to the Philippians; Vs 
 
 their firm adherence to this true Chriftian doctrine ; A.P .6».^ 
 with feveral frefh exhortations to a refolute, but yet * ' - 
 meek and peaceful behaviour in their difputes with 
 thofe furious adverfaries, on whofe temper and prac- 
 tices he lets fall fome very fevere and juft reflections. 
 For a further account of the nature of the expreflions 
 in which this letter runs, I refer the reader to the pre- 
 face of the foregoing epiflle. 
 
 CHAP. L 
 
 The Title and Salutation. He expreffeth his good Opinion of 
 them for their Kindnefs and Refpecl toward him, and efpe- 
 daily for their firm Adherence to the true Chriftian Doclrine ; 
 and prays for their final Confiancy in it. Acquaints them 
 with the Succefs his prefent Sufferings had for the Promotion 
 of the Go/pel, even in the Emperor's Court, Intimates afet 
 of contentious Teachers of the Judaizing Party, who level' 
 led their doclrine againfi him, infiead of preaching Jefus 
 Chrift as the common Saviour of Mankind ; but mentions o- 
 thers that werefincere, and food by him and his Principles m 
 Speaking of his Sufferings and bis Confiancy under them, he 
 makes himfelf to be in a fir ait between the defires of ferving 
 Chrift by a longer Life, and enjoying him in Death ; but is 
 free to live, and even fuffer longer, for the benefit of the 
 Chriftian Church. Gives them hopes of feeing them again ; 
 but whether he Jhould or no, exhorts them to Chriftian Piety y 
 and Refolution in Suffering after his own Example. 
 
 i pAUL and Timo- I. & 2. pAUL and Timothy, the 
 
 theus, the fer- A fervants and minifters 
 
 vants of Jefus Chrift, f J e f us Chrift, with all divine 
 
 to all the faints in blefljngs from God the Father and 
 
 Chrift our 
 
tf 
 
 A Paraphrase o» the 
 
 Chap. I. 
 
 our Lord Jefus Chrift, to the bi- 
 fhops and deacons, and the whole 
 Chriftian church of Philippi. 
 
 A. D. 6a. Chrift Jefus, which 
 1 1 V 'are at Philippi, with 
 the bifhops and dea- 
 cons: 
 
 2 Grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father^ 
 and from the Lord Jefus Chrift. 
 
 3f I thank my God 3. 4. & 5. Your converfion to 
 upon every remem- the Chriitian faith, and your ftea- 
 dinefs in it, from the very firft 
 propagation of it to you, to this 
 day, is matter of fuch joy and fa- 
 tisfa&ion to me, that f I am ever 
 bleflmg God for it, and praying 
 for your further conftancy in it, 
 in every petition I put up to him. 
 
 brance of you. 
 
 4 Always in every 
 prayer of mine for you 
 all, making requeft 
 with joy, 
 
 5 For your fellow- 
 ship in the gofpel, 
 from the firit day un- 
 til now j 
 
 6 Being confident of 
 this very thing, that 
 he which hath begun 
 a good work in you, 
 will perform it until 
 the day of Jefus Chrift. 
 
 6. Being fufficiently fatisfled, 
 that God, who has called you Gen- 
 tiles as well as the Jews, to the 
 profeifion of the go/pel, will fo af- 
 lift your endeavours, as to keep 
 you in the faith and practice of it 
 
 to the great day of ChrifVs recompence and reward. 
 
 7 Even as it is meet 
 for me to think this 
 of you all, becaufe I 
 have you in my iieart j 
 in as much as both in 
 my bonds, and in the 
 defence and confirma- 
 tion of the gofpel, ye 
 all are partakers of my 
 grace. 
 
 8 For 
 
 7. Nor can I but thus efteeui and 
 pray for you, that have thus di- 
 itinguifhed your J refpecls to me 
 in adhering fo firmly to the doc- 
 trine I preached to you, and fuf- 
 fering for it now along with me, 
 who am a prifoner for the truth 
 and confirmation of it |(» 
 
 8. And 
 
 f Ev%*ttr%, /give thanks. Which fhows St. Paul to be 
 the author of the epiftle, though Timothy was joined in the 
 falutation. 
 
 X [Becaufe I have you in my heart.J AU rl t%iH pi h t$ 
 xx$ict vp*s Or, Becaufe you have me at heart. 
 
 || Ver. 7. [Partakers of my grace or gift. It is a dubi- 
 ous exprefiion. It may fignify, as in the paraphrafe, [their 
 being partakers of the honour of his fuffering for the gof- 
 pel j] or their being rvyxoiwct, contributors to the gift the 
 Philippians fent him by Epaphroditus, Chap, iv„ £K $e& 
 Mr, Peirce in Loc 
 
Cliap. I. Ensue to the PrntimANs, 
 
 7 
 
 8 For God is my 
 record, how greatly I 
 long after you all, in 
 the bowels of Jefus 
 Chrift. 
 
 9 And this I pray, 
 that your love may a- 
 bound, yet more and 
 more, in knowledge, 
 and in all judgment. 
 
 io That ye may 
 approve * things that 
 are excellent, that ye 
 may be fincere, and 
 without offence till 
 the day of Chrift. 
 
 1 1 Being filled with 
 the fruits of righte- 
 oufnefs, which are by 
 Jefus Chrift unto the 
 glory and praife of 
 God. 
 
 12 But I would 
 ye fhould underftand, 
 brethren, that the 
 things ivbich happened 
 unto me, have fallen 
 out rather unto the 
 furtherance of the 
 gofpel. 
 
 1 3 So that my bonds i 3 . For it is now publicly known 
 
 in Chrift are manifeft in the emperor's court,and through 
 
 in all the palace, and a fl ^ cit tha j. t am a pr if ner 
 
 in all other places. for the Ghriftiari faith> and par _ 
 
 iicularly for preaching it to the Gentile world. 
 
 14. And 
 
 8. And God can teftify, what A.. D. 64. 
 a hearty degree of Chriftian love,' w ■ ■* 
 I, in return, bear toward your 
 whole church. 
 
 9. And how earneftly I pray 
 that your love of Chrift, and of 
 me his apoftle, may continually 
 increafe, by a more complete and 
 perfect underftanding of the great 
 truths of his religion. 
 
 10. & 11. That by * ftudying 
 and embracing the moft impor- 
 tant doctrines, and abounding in 
 the practice of all Chriftian vir- 
 tues, you may be found his fin- 
 cere and true profeflbrs at the 
 folemn appearance of Jefus Chrift; 
 to the glory and praife of God 
 the Father, 
 
 12. But, to give you an account 
 of my prefent ftate and condition, 
 according to your defire, know 
 then, that my imprifonment at 
 Rome has been no hindrance, but 
 rather an advantage to the Chrif- 
 tian caufe. 
 
 * Ver. 10. [That ye may approve the things that are ex- 
 cellent.] 1*5 to ooKipdfyv if.t<x^ ret h&QegovTet, " That ye may 
 " examine into, and [proportionablvj approve of tnings, ac- 
 " cording as they differ in their excellency and importance. 
 
1* 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. L 
 
 A. D. 6x. 14 And many of 
 t — v^— ■ 'the brethren in the 
 Lord waxing confi- 
 dent by my bonds, 
 are much more bold 
 to fpeak the word 
 without fear. 
 
 15 Some indeed 
 •See chap. preach Chrift even of 
 fciU,3, &c. envv an( j ft r jf Cj an( j 
 
 fome alfo of good will. 
 
 16 The one preach 
 Chrift of contention, 
 notfincerelyf , fuppof- 
 ing to add afRidtion 
 to my bonds : 
 
 17 But the other 
 of love, knowing that 
 I am fet for the de- 
 fence of the gof'pel. 
 
 f 4. And my patience and cou- 
 rage under it has raifed the fpU 
 rits of feveral Chriftians, to pro- 
 fefs and preach the fame do&rine 
 openly and undauntedly. 
 
 15. 16. & 17. There is indeed 
 a fet of Jewijh * converts, that 
 preach it more out of oppofition 
 to me, than out of love to the 
 gofpel itfelf. Their bufinefs is to 
 deprefs my character, and increafc 
 my fufferings, (becaufe I will not 
 allow the ceremonial law to be ne- 
 ceffary to a Chriftiarts falvation.) 
 But, thank God, there are others 
 that Hand up for me and my prin- 
 ciples, being fully fatisfied what I 
 preach is by divine commiflion, 
 
 and that I am a fufferer for the true £0//^/ doctrine. 
 18 What then? 18. And though thefe two par- 
 
 notwithftanding every ties preach out of very different 
 and contrary defigns ; yet there is 
 this advantage, that they both 
 contribute to make the Chri/iian 
 religion in general more known in 
 the world ; which is, and always 
 fhall be a great fatisfaction to me, 
 9. And I am afTured the pre- 
 
 way, whether in pre- 
 or in truth, 
 is preached j 
 therein do re- 
 yea, and will 
 
 tence 
 Chrift 
 and I 
 joice, 
 rejoice 
 
 19 For I know that 
 this fhall turn to my 
 falvation through your 
 prayer, and the fup- 
 ply of the Spirit of 
 Jefus Chrift. 
 
 fent malice intended aeainft ?, 
 
 o 
 
 will prove fo fhort of fucceeding, 
 that it will rather contribute to 
 my deliverance. For which I 
 queftion not your prayers, and 
 the Spirit of Chrift, to affift me to plead my caufe J. 
 
 20. As 
 
 f Ver 16. [Not fincerely], v% ayvas : [Not without mix- 
 ture, viz. of Jewi/h ceremonies with the Chriflian faith. 
 
 X [Turn to my falvation], its aon^totv : Not to his future 
 falvation, but to his deliverance at his trial dX Rome. 
 
Chap. T. 
 
 Epistle to the Philippians. 
 
 79 
 
 20 According to 
 my earneft expecta- 
 tion, and my hope, 
 that in nothing I mall 
 be afhamed, but that 
 with all boldnefs, as 
 always, fo now alfo 
 Chritt ihall be magni- 
 fied in my body, whe- 
 ther it be by life or by 
 
 20. As therefore the only thing A. D. 6z. 
 J defire is, to demonftratethepow-' ' v - 
 er and excellency of Chrift's reli- 
 gion, either by living longer to 
 preach it, or by courageotrfl^- dy- 
 ing for it; I lhall not fail, in this 
 juncture, to defend it publicly, 
 as I have always hitherto done. 
 
 death. 
 
 21 For to me to 21. The only difference between 
 
 live is Chrift, and to life an d death, to me is, that by 
 die is gain. t h e one \ ft ia |i con ti nue tne longer 
 
 in Chrift's fervice, and by the other mall be the fooner 
 rewarded. 
 
 22 But if I live in 
 the flefh, this is the 
 fruit of my labour ; 
 yet what I mall choofe 
 I wot not. 
 
 fweet, that, were it 
 
 22. Itis infinitely worth my pains 
 and fufferings indeed, to continue 
 here if ill, and doTervice to his re- 
 ligion; yet is the profpect of my 
 future happinefs fo ravifhing and 
 left to my own choice, I mould 
 
 hardly know which to determine as befl for me. 
 
 23 For I am in a 
 ftrait betwixt two, 
 having a defire to de- 
 part, and to be with 
 Chrift ; which is far 
 better : 
 
 24 Neverthelefs, to 
 abide in the flefh, is 
 more needful for you. 
 
 23. &. 24. Thus are my defires 
 ftraitened between the two con- 
 ditions of longer life and prefent 
 death. To die and De with Chrift 
 would be much the more imme- 
 diate benefit to me; but to live 
 longer is better for you and the 
 Chriftian church ; and I am very- 
 free to do it. 
 
 25. &. 26. Andbecaufe it is fo, 
 I am fully perfuaded God will fo 
 order it, and I ihall live and fee 
 you again, to your Hill further 
 advancement and comfort in the 
 Chriftian faith. 
 
 25 And having this 
 confidence, 1 know 
 that I mail abide and 
 continue with you all, 
 for your furtherance 
 and joy of faith: 
 
 26 That your re- 
 joicing may be more abundant; in Jefus Chrift for me, by 
 my corning to you again, 
 
 27 Only 
 
Ss>. 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. I. 
 
 A. D. 62. 27 Only let your 
 *■*— v " ' 'converfation be as it 
 becomethi the gofpel 
 of Chrift : that whe- 
 ther I come and fee 
 you, or elfe be abfent, 
 I may hear of your 
 affairs, that ye ftand 
 faft in one fpirit, with 
 one mind, ftriving to- 
 gether for the faith of 
 the gofpel : 
 
 28 And in nothing 
 terrified by your ad- 
 verfaries, which is to 
 them an evident "f to- 
 ken of perdition, but 
 to you of falvation, 
 and that of God. 
 
 come to you a means 
 
 29 For unto you it 
 is given in the behalf 
 of Chrift, not only 
 to believe on him, but 
 alfo to fuffer for his 
 fake *, 
 
 30 Having the fame 
 conflict which ye faw 
 
 ♦ Adsxiii.in me, and now hear 
 33. to be in me. 
 
 27. But whether I do or not, 
 let me earneftly exhort you to go 
 on in a life agreeable to the gof- 
 pel religion j that I may hear a 
 comfortable account how vigor- 
 oufly and unanimoufly you pro- 
 mote the credit and honour of the 
 Chriftian faith ; without partial 
 diftin&ion betvj'ixxcircumcifed and 
 uncircumcifed converts. 
 
 28. And how undauntedly you 
 bear the threats and perfecutions 
 of your adverfaries, which, while 
 they mow them to be an obftinate 
 and incurable people, bent upon 
 their own deftru&ion ; fo will the 
 patient fuffeving under them be- 
 
 of eternal happinefs and falvation, 
 
 29. & 30. Efteem it, therefore, 
 as a high honour conferred on 
 you, not only to be called into 
 the Chriftian religion, as well as 
 the Jews, but to fuffer for it too ; 
 undergoing the fame trials you faw 
 me, your apqjile, under, while I 
 was firft preaching to you * at 
 Philippi, and that you hear are 
 frill upon me here at Rome. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 •f Ver. 28. [Which is to them an evident token of per- 
 dition, to.] Note, The word which may refer to the Philip' 
 plans Jlanding faft ; and the token of perdition to them may fig- 
 nify, that their adverfaries took this fledjqftnefs of theirs to 
 be a token of their perdition ; but, fays the apoft/e, [look you 
 upon it as a token of your falvation,] 
 
Chap. II. Epistle to the Philippians. ii 
 
 C H A P. II. 
 
 He proceeds to exhort their whole Church to Unity, Meeknefs^ 
 and Humility, from the great Example of Chrifl fujfering for 
 vs : And to Jleadinefs in Chrijiian Pr in fifties and Practices, 
 now in his abfence from them, Hopes to fend Titmthy to 
 them. In the mean while recommends their Mejpnger Epa- 
 phroditus, the Bearer of this Letter to them. 
 
 i TF there he there- I. & 2. T Exhorted you (Chap. i. A. D. 6: 
 fore any confola- ■■■ 27.) to unity and peace- <—"%*•"■»" 
 
 tion in Cbrifr, if any ablenefs in your Chriftian profef- 
 
 comfortof love, if any fi on . ^ n( j if there be any force in 
 
 fcllowfhip of the Spi- befeeching you in the name of 
 
 rit, if any bowels and Chrift . if you havc any fenfe of 
 
 mercies: ^ the fweet comforts of mutual /^y 
 
 2 Fulfil ye my joy, if have fdt motions of 
 that ye be like mind ^ . Ch ntt*n fpirii that ex- 
 ed, having the lame . ° , £11 i_ n 
 love, *«*|ofoneac- f eS US to _ loVe ; fi " a!1 !'' b * »" 
 cord, of one mind. the compaffions you bear towards 
 
 me your luiiering apo/tte> tan not 
 to pra&ife this great duty, which will complete all the, 
 joy and fatisfaction I have in you. 
 
 3 Let nothing be 3. Let nothing be faid and 
 done through itrife, done amoagft you out of a Con- 
 or vain glory ; but in tentious or ambitious principle ; 
 lowlinefs of mind let but be all ready to do for and corn- 
 each efteem other bet- ply with one another, as if they 
 ter than themfelves. were t b e ir fuperiors. 
 
 4 Look not every 4. Let none of you be fet upon 
 tnanonhis own things, pleafmg his own humour, and 
 but every man alfo on minding his private credit or in- 
 the things of others. tereft ; but have a juft regard to 
 the good and edification of all his fellow Chriilians. 
 
 3 Let this mind be 5. In this you will imitate no 
 
 in you, which was al- lefs example than that of Jeius 
 
 ~o in Chriit Jefus. Chrift, our great Lord and pattern. 
 
 Vot. II. G 6, 7. & 8, 
 
82 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. JL 
 
 A. D. 61. 6 Who being in 
 *— — - sr— 'the form of God *, 
 |j Heb. i. 3 thought it not robbe- 
 Coiof.i.15 ry to be equa i ^^ 
 
 God : 
 
 7 But made him- 
 felf of no reputation, 
 and took upon him 
 
 fLukexxu.the form of af fer- 
 1 7. John vant, and was made in 
 xu. 4— 1 7« the likenefs of men : 
 
 8 And being found 
 in famion as a man, 
 he humbled himfelf, 
 and became obedient 
 unto death, even the 
 death of the crofs. 
 
 6, 7. & 8. Who though, before 
 his incarnation, he was God, the 
 Son of God |1, the bright nefs of his 
 Fathers glory, and the exprefs i- 
 mage of his per/on ; and appeared 
 to the patriarchs, and to the Jeiv- 
 ijlj church in the form of divine 
 glory and majefty ; yet, for the 
 falvation of us finful men, did not 
 infift* upon appearing in that 
 glory, and to be honoured as God, 
 did not look upon the honour God 
 had given him, as upon a prize to 
 be eagerly held fad, and never, 
 upon any account whatever, to be 
 parted with •, but diverted him- 
 felf for a while of that majefty ; was clothed with" human 
 nature, miniftering to us as a fervant ; and fo far hum- 
 bled himfelf, as not only to live as a mean and ordinary 
 man, but to die the ignominious death of the crofs, fel- 
 ine expiation of our fins. 
 
 9 Wherefore God 9. Forwhichgreatandwondrous 
 alfo hath highly ex- condefcenfion, God has now exalt- 
 ed this very man Chrift Jefus the 
 Mejpah, to the higheft degree of 
 divine glory and majefty. 
 
 10. & 11. Making him the lord 
 and governor of all creatures both 
 in heaven f and earth, the Lord of 
 the living, and raifer of the dead ; 
 and obliging all to worfhip and a- 
 
 dore, 
 
 ex- 
 alted him, and given 
 him a name which is 
 above every name : 
 
 10 That at % the 
 name of Jefus every 
 knee mould bow, of 
 things in heaven, and 
 things on earth, and 
 things under the earth ; 
 11 And 
 
 * Ver. 6. [Thought it no robbery to be equal with 
 God] j * «{*r«7/«*«y ityr.tr&ro ro uvai 7ra <au. [He did not greedily 
 infill upon mowing himfelf, and being worshipped as God]. 
 Which fenfe is fufficiently proved by Bifhop Bull, Dr. 
 Whitby, and ftill more fully by Dr. Clarke. 
 
 t [That at the name of Jefus every knee mould bow]. 
 The Greek is, *v r? hi/tan. [In the name of Je;fus— every 
 knee mould bow] ; i. e. worfhip God, agreeable to John 
 xvi. 23, 24. and many like paflages. 
 
Chap. If. 
 
 EriSTLE TO THE PhiLIPPIANS. 
 
 83 
 
 ir And that every 
 tongue fhouldconfefs, 
 that Jefus Chrift is 
 Lord, to the glory of 
 God the Father. 
 
 12 Wherefore, my 
 beloved, as ye have 
 always obeyed, not as 
 in my prefence only, 
 but now much more 
 in my abfence ; work 
 out your own falva- 
 tion with fear and 
 trembling *. 
 
 13 For it is God 
 which worketh in 
 you, both to will and 
 to do of his good plea- 
 fure. 
 
 dore, to pray to, and praife God, A. D. 6a. 
 through him, and in his name, as~~~ )r * m ~ 
 univerfal governor and Saviour, to 
 the glory of the fupreme Father £. 
 
 12. Wherefore, dear brethren, 
 being animated by fo glorious an 
 example, go on by thele and the 
 like virtues, to qualify yourfelves 
 for eternal falvation with the ut- 
 moft diligence and caution. You 
 have hitherto proceeded very well 
 in them,both while I was with you, 
 and fmce my abfence from you*. 
 
 13. Nor be ye at all difcouraged, 
 at my being ib long detained from 
 you. Do your belt endeavours, 
 and God will afiift you, under all 
 temptations, to a<5f. agreeably to 
 his holy will and religion. 
 
 G 2 14. & 15. 
 
 f [Of things in heaven, and things on earth, and under 
 the earth]. See the note on Ephef. i. 10. And though 
 xxTxfrSeviav being joined to the other two phrafes, may pof- 
 ilbly by the Jewijh idiom, be meant to exprefs only the 
 whole world : Yet in this place I take it to fignify the dead 7 
 in contradiftin&ion to the living, agreeably to thofe other 
 palfages of fcripture, concerning the government and exal- 
 tation of Chrift. See Rom. xiv. 9. Rev, i. 18. 
 
 % Ver. 9. 10. 11. Note, If the bowing the knee, ver. 10. 
 refers to Chrift, then we may render the paffage thus, [And 
 hath given him a name, J'v<y*«, a character above every (other^) 
 character, that in that character of Jefus {the Saviour) 
 every knee mould bow,] and pay him reverence 
 
 * Ver. 12. Note, I have fo paraphrafed this verfe, that 
 the verb Kxn^yx^ih (work out) may be taken either impe- 
 ratively or indicatively (ye do ftill work out.) So as that 
 this may be underltood as commendation, not an exhortation 
 to the Philippians. Which indeed is very agreeable to the 
 congratulatory ftyle of this epiftle. See Werenfel's De- 
 fert. Theolog. p. 459 — 469. 
 
 Ibid. [With fear and trembling, i. e. with all due careful- 
 Kefs, refpect and regard]. So the fame phrafe is ufed, PfaL 
 iii, 11. Ephef. vi. 5. 2 Cor. vii. 15. 
 
*4 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. II 
 
 A. D 6a. 14 Do all things 
 * ■ v without murmu rings, 
 and di fputings : 
 
 15 That ye maybe 
 
 blamelefs and harm- 
 
 lefs, the fons of God, 
 
 without rebuke, in the 
 
 midit of a crooked ai'd 
 
 f AAs ii. perverfe f nation, a 
 
 40. Matth.mong whom ye fhine|| 
 
 xvii. 17. as lights in the world. 
 
 Luke ix. 41. 
 
 ^,ir\^ Holding forth 
 the woid of life, that 
 
 I may rejoice in the 
 day of Chrift, that I 
 have not run in vain, 
 neither laboured in 
 vain. 
 
 17 Yea, and if I 
 be c irered upon the 
 facrifice and fervice 
 of your faith, I joy 
 and rejoice with you 
 all. 
 
 18 For the fame 
 cauie alio do ye joy 
 and rejoice with me. 
 
 19 But I truft in 
 the Lurd Jefus, to 
 fend Timotheus ihort- 
 ly unto } ou, that I 
 alfo may be of good 
 comfort when 1 know 
 your ftate. 
 
 20 For I have no 
 man like-miaded, who 
 will naturally care ior 
 your ftate. 
 
 21 For 
 
 14. & 15. Be particularly care- 
 ful (as I before advifed you) to 
 avoid all needlefsdifputesand ani- 
 mofities-, and, by an innocent and 
 inoffenfive carriage, prove your- 
 felves worthy the character of 
 God's true church and children ; 
 and become fhining lights, and il- 
 luftrious examples, to convince 
 and reform the wicked generations 
 of men you live amongft. 
 
 1 6. And that by your perfeve- 
 rance in Chriflianity, under all 
 oppofition, I, your apcjlle, may re- 
 joice and triumph in the great day 
 of Chrift's appearance, for the 
 happy effects of my labours in 
 your converfion to the go/pel. 
 
 17. & 18. As to myfelf, if / 
 fhould not only be kept ftill from 
 you, but die a facrifice for preach- 
 ing to you Gentiles •, I fhould con- 
 gratulate myfelf and you upon 
 fpending my life in fo good a 
 caufe. And you ought to rejoice 
 with me too, upon the fame ac- 
 count. 
 
 19. But be that as it may,I hope 
 in Chrift to have an opportunity 
 of fending Timothy fhortly to 
 you ; and give myfelf the fatis- 
 faction of hearing by him of your 
 happy ftate and condition. 
 
 22. I fix upon him as the only 
 perfon I can find here, that, like 
 myfelf, is truly ready and willing 
 to ferve you, or any other Chrif- 
 tian church. 
 
 21. For 
 
 I Ver. 15. Tejhine Qetin&i, or Jhine ye, in the impera- 
 tive mood. 5 
 
Chap. II. 
 
 Epistle to the Philipfuns. 
 
 if 
 
 21 For all feek 21. For the generality of Chri- 
 their own, not the ftians in thefe parts, are more 
 things which are Je- concerned for their own fafety 
 fus Chrilt's. a nd private interdt, than to ad- 
 
 vance the religion of Chrift, by taking much pains or 
 running any hazards for it. 
 
 A. D. 6», 
 
 22 But ye know 
 the proof of him, that 
 as a fon with the fa- 
 ther, he hath ferved 
 with me in the gofpel. 
 
 22. But Timothy, you know, 
 has always ftuck clofe to me, and 
 ferved me in the go/pel concerns 
 with the perfect reflects of a fon 
 to a father. 
 
 23 Him, therefore, 23. & 24. As foon as ever, 
 I hope to fend pre- therefore, I fee the iffue of my 
 fently, fo foon as I trial I fhall fend him. And I 
 mall fee how it will have reafon to hope I fhall be 
 go with me. cleared, and vifit you foon myfelf. 
 
 24 But I truft in 
 
 the Lord 1 alfo myfelf (hall come fhortly. 
 
 25 Yetlfuppofedit 
 neceflary to fend you 
 Epaphroditus,my bro- 
 ther and companion 
 in labour, and fell >w- 
 foldier, but your mef- 
 fenger, and he that 
 miniilred to my wants. 
 
 26 For he longed 
 after you all, and was 
 full of heavinefs, be- 
 caufe that ye had 
 heard that he had 
 been fick. 
 
 27 For indeed he 
 was fick nigh unto 
 death, but God had 
 mercy on him ; and 
 not on him only, but 
 on me alfo, lell I 
 fhould have forrow 
 upon forrow. 
 
 25. In the mean time, I thought 
 it proper with this letter, to fend 
 you back your worthy meflenger 
 and miniiler Epaphroditus, who 
 ever fince his coming to me, with 
 fupplies from you, hath been my 
 fellow-labourer in Chrijianity y 
 and done me great fervice. 
 
 26. And is very defirous to fee 
 you again, and relieve you from 
 the concern he concludes you to 
 be under at his late fickneis here. 
 
 27. For indeed he has been fo 
 very ill, as to be at the point of 
 death. And his recovery was not 
 only a great mercy'to himfelf, but 
 to me in particular, and has pre- 
 vented one of the greatell misfor- 
 tunes that could have beialieii me 
 in my confinement. 
 
 G 3 28. I pitched 
 
Sfj 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. II; 
 
 D. 6%. 28 I fent him there- 
 "^ _ fore the more f care- 
 fully, that when ye 
 fee him again, ye may 
 rejoice, and that I 
 rnaay be the lefs for- 
 xowful. 
 
 29 Receive him 
 therefore in the Lord 
 with all gladnefs, and 
 hold fuch in reputa- 
 tion. 
 
 30 Becaufe for the 
 work of Chrift he was 
 nigh unto death, not 
 regarding his life to 
 fupply your lack of 
 fcrvice toward me. 
 
 28. I pitched upon him, there- 
 fore, for the bearer of this letter, 
 to give myfelf the pleafure of re- 
 joicing you at the fight of fo dear 
 a friend. 
 
 29. Nor need I much exhort 
 you to receive him with all Chri- 
 llian refpecl, and to fet a high va- 
 lue upon all fuch good minifters 
 of Chrift as he is. 
 
 30. Who has hazarded his own 
 life in labours and pains for Chrift's 
 fake, and in doing that fervice to 
 me, which you at this diftance, 
 how willing foever you be, were 
 not capable to perform J. 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 He encourages them to a cheerful Prof ejjion of Chrijlianity ; and 
 to a Dependence on the Faith of it alone, without regard to 
 the Jewifh Law, according to his own Example. Warns' 
 them againjl the Principles and PraBices of the Jewifh %ea- 
 lots, upon whom he makes veryjufl andfevere Reflections. 
 
 I TTInally, my bre- 
 thren, rejoice in 
 the Lord. To write 
 the fame things to 
 you, to me indeed is 
 not grievous, but for 
 you it is fafe. 
 
 2 Be- 
 
 1. HTHE fum of what I have 
 -*- further to exhort you to, 
 is, a cheerful and joyful profeffion 
 of Chriftianity, founded in a true 
 fenfe of Chriit's love toward you, 
 and his protection over you. And 
 a$ I have formerly, by word of 
 mouth, 
 
 f Ver. 28. [The more carefully \ or tr^vlxior^us, the 
 more fpeedily 1] viz. with this very epijlle. Vulg. feftinantius, 
 
 \ Ver. 30. [To fupply your lack of fervice to me— 
 [Greek] To perfect or complete your beneficence to me.] 
 
Chap. III. 
 
 EflSTLE TO THE PhILIPPIANS. 
 
 87 
 
 mouth, warned you againft the principles of a fet of A. D 6a. 
 men that are its worlt enemies j I think it proper to - * ' 
 repeat thofe cautions again. 
 
 2 Beware of * dogs, 2. I mean the jfewi/h zealots, 
 beware of evil -work- that fnarling* and malicious peo- 
 crs, beware of the pie ; whofe bufinefs it is to do 
 concifion \. mifchief to the true Chriflian faith, 
 
 and who put all the ftrefs of religion upon the empty 
 4: ceremonies of circumcifion and the Jewj/h law. 
 
 3. It is we Chrifiians that are 
 now the true church and people 
 of God, by embracing the pure 
 worihip and fpiritual religion of 
 the go/pel, which it was the defign 
 and purpofe of the law to lead men 
 to •, and placing all our hopes of 
 
 pardon and falvation in that, and not in the external ob- 
 servance of the Mofakal rites, that are quite out of date. 
 
 4. And though we fhould fup- 
 pofe the Jcwijh law were the main 
 thing yet to bb depended on ; yet 
 thofe zealots have no manner o£ 
 reafon to boaft themfelves above 
 me, who have as many and more 
 Jewi/h privileges than mod of 
 them can pretend to. 
 
 5. For I was atruebornlfraelite, 
 both by father and mother's fide, 
 of the tribe of Benjamin (a tribe 
 that never revolted to Jeroboam, 
 
 G 4 as 
 
 3 For we are the 
 circumciiion, which 
 worihip God in the 
 fpirit, and rejoice in 
 Chrift Jefus, and have 
 no confidence in the 
 flefti. 
 
 4 Though I might 
 alfo have confidence 
 in the flefh. If any 
 other man thinketh 
 that he hath whereof 
 he might truft in the 
 flefh, I more. 
 
 5 Circumcifed the 
 
 eighth day, of the 
 
 ftock of Ifrael, of the 
 
 tribe of Benjamin, an 
 
 Hebrew 
 
 * [Beware of dogs.] So the Jews, by way of contempt, 
 ufed to flyle all Heathens j and now, as a juft return for 
 their contentious and obftinate oppofition to the true reli- 
 gion, the apoftles, St. Paul and St. John, fling it back up* 
 od themfelves. See Rev. xxii. 25. Pfal. xx. 16. 
 
 t [The concifion :] t^ kxtxtouw. The fame natural aft 
 as w£-<tou>]», circumcifion, but now a mere and infignificant 
 
 cutting of \\ieJJfJJj ; circumcifion a; 
 being now quite abolifhed. 
 
 'elii 
 
 gtous ceremony, 
 
3$ A Paraphrase on the Chap. Ill* 
 
 A. D. 62. Hebrew of the He- as the reft did), circumcifed the 
 *— — v— — ' brews : as t< uching eighth day, and fo made a mem- 
 the law, a Pharifee. ber of the Jewi/h church in exact 
 conformity to the law ; and was a perfect Jew both by 
 nation and language : nay, and a Pharifee too, one of the 
 molt Uriel: and honourable fe&s of that religion. 
 
 6 Concerning zeal, 6. And if zeal for the law be 
 periecutingthechurch: of fuch moment, none was fo fe- 
 touching the righte- vere an obferver of ceremonies and 
 oufnefs which is in the traditions as myfelf y nor fo violent 
 law, blamelefs. a perfecutor of the Chriftian reli- 
 gion, which came to repeal thofe ceremonies. 
 
 7 But what things 7. But now the cafe is juftly 
 were gain to me, thofe altered with me : and thofe exter- 
 I counted lofs for nal privileges of the Jewi/h pro- 
 Chrift. fefiion I fo much valued myfelf 
 upon, I now fo little efteem, in comparifon of the blef- 
 fings of Chrift's religion •, that to retain them any long- 
 er, while far better and nobler are come in their room* 
 would be the greateft damage to me. 
 
 8 Yea, doubtlefs, 8. & 9. For verily, fo excellent 
 
 and I count all things and great are the privileges of 
 
 but lofs, for the ex- Chriftianky, that thofe temporal 
 
 cellency of the know- ones f the Jewi/h difpenfation 
 
 ledge of Chrift Jefus f ee m perfectly mean and vile 
 
 ray Lord : for whom things ; and I make no difficulty 
 
 I have fuffered the lofs tQ t with them all for the fer- 
 
 of all things, and do vice and f avour f J e f us Chrift 
 
 count them but dung, m Lord and Sayiour b 
 
 that I may win Chrift, e ^ ad of whofe rdi ion j ob i 
 
 o And be found in- . A - ° f n , ° , r , 
 
 , . y . 1 • • tain that perfect pardon and lal- 
 
 him, not having mine . ^L> t j 1 • 1 
 
 own rignteoafneft, TT a ??° * hands > w u ° h m ? 
 
 which is of the law, &*&& obfervance of the cere, 
 
 but that which is f«*«"i/ /aw could never have pro- 
 
 through the faith of cured for me. 
 Chrift, the right eoufnefs which is of God by faith. 
 
 10 That I may 10. & II. I give them all up, I 
 
 . know him, and the fay, to own him for the true Mef- 
 
 power of his refur- jj^h and Saviour of mankind ; to 
 
 reaion,.and the fel- f u ffer and die for his religion, who 
 
 lowihip fufiered 
 
Chap. Ill- Epistle to the Philippuks. 
 
 8<> 
 
 lovvfhip of his fuffer- 
 ings, being made con- 
 formable unto his 
 death ; 
 
 11 If by any means 
 I might attain unto 
 the refurreclion of the 
 dead *. 
 
 12 Not as though 
 I had already attained, 
 either were already 
 perfect : but I follow 
 after, if that I may 
 apprehend that for 
 which alfo I am ap- 
 prehended of Chrift 
 Jefus. 
 
 13 Brethren, I count 
 not myfelf to have 
 apprehended : but this 
 one thing I do, forget- 
 tingthofe things which 
 are behind, and reach- 
 ing forth unto thofe 
 things which are before, 
 
 14 I prefs toward the mark f, for the prize of the high 
 calling of God in Chrift Jefus. 
 
 15 Let us there- 15. Let all thofe Chriftians, 
 fore, as many as be therefore, who duly underftand, 
 
 and have fully embraced this re- 
 ligion, keep to this maxim, viz. 
 " That this great prize of a glo- 
 rious and happy refurrection is to 
 be had by Chriit's religion, with- 
 out the ceremonial law." Hold to 
 this, and then, though you may not be all exactly agreed 
 
 in 
 
 fullered for our fins; in full hope A. D. 6*. 
 and aflurance to be raifed again^ - "~v"~— ' 
 to eternal life by the fame divine 
 power that raifed him from the 
 dead ; not refufmg to do and un- 
 dergo any thing to attain that fi- 
 nal bleiling of a glorious and hap- 
 py refurre&ion. 
 
 12, 13. & 14. This is the prize, 
 dear brethren, I, as a Chrijlian, 
 hope for, and am allured of, but 
 have not yet actually attained. 
 My bufmefs in this life is, to 
 ftrive and run for it j and like a 
 true racer, to mind nothing elfe 
 about me, but keep my eye fixed 
 upon this ; ftretching on towards 
 it with my utmoft vigour and ac- 
 tivity, in order to gain that at 
 laft which was the end for which 
 Chrift was gracioufly pleafed to 
 convert me to his religion. 
 
 perfect, be thus mind- 
 ed : and if in any 
 thing ye be otherwife 
 minded, God (hall re- 
 veal even this unto 
 you. 
 
 * 
 attain 
 
 Ver. it. [If by any means ] &c. ««**, [that fo I might 
 n,] &c. 
 
 f Ver. 14. [I prefs toward the ma~k ;] or, -« 
 [I prefs forward, according to my view or defign.J 
 
 xtx.rn fxotrtff 
 
$o 
 
 A Paraphiusx on the 
 
 Chap. III. 
 
 A. D. 62. i n every notion about this iaw 9 or our obligation to it, 
 ^ mmy ^ mmJ God will *, in due time, bring you all to a complete 
 understanding of the cafe, and let you fee it is perfectly 
 abolifhed. 
 
 16. In the mean while, let us, 
 that perfectly know it to be fo, 
 keep firm and unanimous to the 
 true Chrijlian principle. 
 
 16 Nevertlielefs, 
 whereunto we have al- 
 ready attained, let us 
 ■walk by the fame rule, 
 let us mind the fame 
 thing f . 
 
 17 Brethren, be 
 followers together of 
 me, and mark them 
 which walk fo, as ye 
 have us for an en- 
 fample. 
 
 18 (For many walk, 
 of whom I have told 
 you often, and now 
 tell you even weep- 
 ing, that they are the 
 enemies of the crofs 
 of Chrift : 
 
 19 Whofe end is de- 
 itru&ion, whofe God 
 is their belly, and 
 ivhofe glory is in their 
 {hame, who mind 
 earthly things). 
 
 17. Follow my example, and 
 my principles in this matter •, and 
 take them for your patterns, who 
 have relinquifhed all their Jewiftj 
 privileges for the fake of ChrifVs 
 religion, as I have done. 
 
 18. As to the Jewijb zealots, 
 that would perfuade you to the 
 contrary, I have always told, and 
 now tell you again, not without 
 tears for their incurable obftinacy, 
 that they are the worft enemies 
 our religion has. 
 
 19. Their notions and views 
 of religion are all temporal : and 
 their chief aim is at the gratifica- 
 tion of their fenfual appetites and 
 pleasures; they boaft in what they 
 ought to be afhamed of, and for 
 
 fuch 
 
 * [God will reveal even this unto you.] Some copies 
 read u-rmuxv^i — [God has revealed it.] The fenfe being 
 thus, [Whoever thinks otherwife is in a plain error ; for 
 God hath now exprefsly declared the Jewifh law to be abo- 
 lifhed, and no further neceiTary.] A raoft agreeable fenfe 
 indeed : but I keep to our tranflation, according to the 
 more ancient MSS. 
 
 Ibid. [Will reveal.] Thus the abrogation of the cere- 
 monial law was completely demonilrated by the total de- 
 finition of Jerufalem and the temple, about eight years af- 
 ter the date of this epillle. 
 
 f Ver. 16. [Let us mind the fame thing:] or rather, 
 perhaps, *« «**•« <Ppn»- [To be at unity with one another,] 
 according to Chap. ii. 2. Rom. xii. jc6.— xv, 5. As Mr, 
 Pierce well obferves. 
 
Chap. Ilf. Epistle to the Philippians, 
 
 9* 
 
 20 For our conver- 
 fation is in heaven, 
 from whence alfo we 
 look for the Saviour 
 the Lord Jefus Chrift : 
 
 fuch irreclaimable prejudices and practices God will de- A - *>. 6a, 
 
 ftroy their whole nation with a moil exemplary de- v -** vvj 
 
 itruction. 
 
 20. Directly contrary to their 
 worldly principles, a Chrijlian 
 ought to look further and higher, 
 and confider himfelf as a citizen 
 of heaven, from whence he one 
 
 day expe&s to behold Jefus his Saviour descending, to 
 
 raife and exalt him thither. 
 21 Who (hall change 21. To transform thefe frail 
 
 our vile body, that it and mortal bodies of ours into a 
 refemblance of his own glorious 
 body, enabling them by his Al- 
 mighty power, for which nothing 
 is too hard, to mount * up after * * Thefc 
 him thither, where we {hall be 1V ' x 7 " 
 for ever happy with him. 
 
 may be fafhioned like 
 unto his glorious bo- 
 dy, according to the 
 working whereby he 
 is able even to fub- 
 due all things unto 
 himfelf. 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 The 'Encouragements to Chrijiian Conjlancy, Cheerfulnefs, and 
 Rejignation, continued. He exprejjeth the due Senfe he had 
 of the Philippians Kindnefs to him. The ApoJlW's Courage 
 and Contentednefs under all Conditions of Life. The Salu- 
 tations and Conclujion. 
 
 1 r PHerefore, my 
 brethren, dearly 
 heloved andlongedfor, 
 my joy and crown, fo 
 ftand fa ft in the Lord, 
 my dearly beloved. 
 
 2 I befeech Euodi- 
 as, and befeech Syn- 
 tiche, that they be of 
 the fame mind in the 
 Lord. 
 
 1 . A ND thus, my dear Chriftian 
 ■*•■*- converts, in whofe fteadi- 
 nefs to the faith I glory and tri- 
 umph, continue ftill firm and un- 
 animous in your profeffion, from 
 all the foregoing confiderations. 
 
 2. I particularly entreat Euo- 
 dias and Syntiche to do thus, and 
 not to be led afide by the Jewj/h 
 zealots. 
 
 o. And 
 
9* 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. IV. 
 
 A. D. 64. 3 And I entreat 
 *—— y— — thee alio, * true yoke- 
 fellow, help f thofe 
 women which labour- 
 ed with me in thegof- 
 pel, X w ^h Clement 
 alio, and with other 
 my fellow labourers, 
 whofe names || are in 
 the book of life. 
 
 3. And I beg of you, my true 
 Chriftian brother * and a fellow 
 
 of everla Pting life 
 
 4 Rejoice in the 
 Lord alway, and a- 
 gain 1 fay, rejoice. 
 
 apoftle, to give your afiiftance tot 
 thofe f pious women that labour- 
 ed fo heartily to ferve me, while 
 I preached in your parts : along 
 with \ Clement, and all thofe my 
 fellow-labourers in the Chriftian 
 miniftry, who, I verily believe, 
 are to be partakers of the reward 
 as truly fincere Chriftians. 
 
 4. 1 exhort you again and again, 
 to rejoice and be cheerful under 
 the hopes and privileges of your 
 Chriftian profeffion. 
 
 5. Show an even, patient, and 
 contented fpirit toward all that 
 oppofe and perfecute you : Be 
 not rigorous in infilling upon 
 your utmoft right, nor impatient in fuffering wrongs. 
 Remember, the Judge is not far off, that will take ven- 
 geance on your furious adverfaries, and reward your 
 Chriftian patience. 
 
 6. Be 
 
 5 Let your mode- 
 ration be known unto 
 all men. The Lord 
 is at hand. 
 
 * [True yoke-fellow T ]. Who the apoftle particularly 
 means, is not agreed upon by interpreters. 
 
 f Ver. 3. [Thofe women] : Probably he means Euodi- 
 as and Syntiche, before mentioned. 
 
 \ [With Clement and the reft, &c] Thefe words may 
 be joined either to c-v^vyi yvnm, [true yoke-fellow] or to 
 lilrmg rov>i$?<.n<r<xv poi, thofe who laboured with me and Cle- 
 ment]. The latter feems mod probable. 
 
 [ [Whofe names are written in the book of life]. It is 
 a jewi/b phrafe, and does not at all imply any abfolute de- 
 gree or predeftination to eternal life ; but fignifies their 
 being 'tregijlcred in that corporation or fociety where eternal 
 life was the privilege, on condition of faith and obedience 
 to Chriit's religion : Alluding to both the Jewijh, Greek, 
 and Roman cuftom of regiflering the inhabitants of every 
 city and great town : and then blotting out their names again 
 as faft as they died. See Exod. xxxvii. 32. with my note 
 •n that paiTage. See alio my note on Rev. iii. 5. 
 
Chap. IV. Epistle to the PmLrepiANs." 
 
 93 
 
 6 Be careful for 
 nothing : but in every- 
 thing, by prayer and 
 fupplication with 
 
 thankfgiving, let your 
 requeits be made 
 known unto God. 
 
 6. Be not anxioufly careful, or A - D. 6%. 
 fhow any diftraclion under your' v "' 
 greateft iufferings. But commend 
 yourfelves and your caufe to God, 
 in prayer for his afiiftance, and 
 in thankfgiving for all his former 
 mercies ; and he will not fail to 
 comfort and fupport you. 
 
 7. For the continual fenfe of 
 the divine favour and mercy, and 
 the lively hope of the happinefs 
 and reward procured for you by 
 Jefus Chrift, will guard you un- 
 der all trials, and give you that in- 
 ward fatisfaction and complacency of mind, that no 
 tongue can exprefs, nor any heart conceive, but fuch as 
 enjoy it. 
 
 8. In fine ; be conftant in the 
 ftudy and practice of truth, de- 
 cency, juitice, and purity, and 
 of every virtue that is lovely and 
 commendable, or that favours of 
 a courageous and manly difpoli- 
 tion. 
 
 7 And the peace 
 of God, which paffeth 
 all under (landing, mall 
 keep your hearts and 
 minds, through Chrift 
 Jefus. 
 
 8 Finally brethren, 
 whatfoever things are 
 true, whatfoever 
 
 things are honeft, 
 whatfoever things are 
 juft, whatfoever things 
 are pure, whatfoever 
 
 things are lovely, 
 whatfoever things are of good report ; if there be any vir- 
 tue, and if there be any praife, think on thefe things. 
 9 Thofe things 
 
 Thofe 
 which ye have both 
 learned and received, 
 and heard and feen in 
 me, do : and the God 
 of peace fhall be with 
 you. 
 
 10 But I rejoiced 
 in the Lord greatly, 
 that now at the laft 
 your care of me 
 hath flourished again, 
 wherein ye were alfo 
 careful, but ye lacked 
 opportunity. 
 
 11 Not 
 
 9. Such virtues I taught you, 
 both by my do£h*ine and exam- 
 ple ; follow them, and the God 
 of peace and comfort will never 
 forfake you. 
 
 10. I cannot but repeat my fa- 
 tisfadtion at the care you took to 
 fupply my wants, now under my 
 confinement. I know you would 
 have done it fooner, had not my 
 great diftance from you prevent- 
 ed it. 
 
 is. Not 
 
94 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. IV. 
 
 A. D. 6*. 1 1 Not that I fpeak 
 ^"■"V""— 'in refpecl of want: 
 for I have learned in 
 whatfoeverftate I am, 
 therewith to be con- 
 tent. 
 
 1 1 . Not that I was reduced to 
 abfolute want, or was uneafy, be- 
 fore you fent Epaphroditus to 
 me ; for though I had but little, 
 I have learnt to be contented with 
 any thing. 
 
 22. I am become fo perfectly 
 mailer of myfelf, as to bear, with 
 an equal mind, the utmoft de- 
 grees either of profperity or ad- 
 
 verfity. 
 
 12 I know both 
 how to be abafed, and 
 I know howlo abound; 
 every where, and in 
 all things I am in- 
 truded, both to be 
 full and to be hungry, both to abound and fufFer need. 
 
 13 I can do all* 
 tnings, through Chrift, 
 which ftrengtheneth 
 me. 
 
 1 4 Notwithstand- 
 ing* ye have well 
 done, that ye did 
 communicate with my 
 affliction. 
 
 1 3. I can do or fufFer any hard- 
 {hip in the courfe of my apoftoli- 
 cat* office, through the affiftance 
 of Jefus Chrift, who is ever pre- 
 fent to fupport me. 
 
 14. However, you did very 
 Chriftianly and well, in lending 
 me a fupply ; and in the tokens 
 you have given me, how much 
 you fympathize with me in my 
 prefent affliction. 
 
 15 Now ye Philip- 15. & i£. And I mull acknow- 
 
 pians know alfo, that ledge, to your particular credit, 
 
 in the beginning of that while I was preaching in your 
 
 the gofpel, when I parts,I received contributions from 
 
 departed from Mace- n0 church but yours, and efpecially 
 
 donia,no church com- atmyleavingMacedonia, and while 
 
 xnunicated with me, j was at ThefTalonica, you fent 
 
 as concerning giving co ll e aions to me feveral times, 
 and receiving, but ye 
 only. 
 
 x6 For even in Theflalonica ye fent once and again unto 
 my neceflity. 
 
 17 Not becaufe I 17. Nor do I remind you of 
 
 defire a gift : but I this your kindnefs to me, with 
 
 defire fruit that may the leafl defign to draw more 
 
 abound to your ac- from you. My acknowledgments 
 
 count. for what is done to myfelf, are 
 
 1 purely 
 
Chap. IV. Epistle to thi Philippians. 9$ 
 
 purely to encourage you in general to fuch excellent a£te A. D. 63. 
 of Chriftian charity and beneficence, as will be moil am-' " v ' u 
 ply and glorioufly rewarded. 
 
 j 8 But I have all, 18. What you have now fent 
 
 and abound : I am full, is abundantly enough for me ; and 
 
 having received of E- God will accept it as the befl 
 
 paphroditus the things facrifice you could offer up to 
 
 which were fent from him. 
 you, an odour of a 
 fweet fmell, a facrifice acceptable, well-pleafmg to God. 
 
 19 But my God 19. And the tame God, whofe 
 (hall fupply all your apoftle I am, will not fail, out of 
 need, ^ according to the infinite fulnefs of divine good- 
 his riches in glory, ne f s towards us, in the glorious 
 by Chriit Jefus. difpenfation of Jefus Chrift, to 
 give you a plentiful return of fupplies, for your liberality 
 towards me. 
 
 20 Now unto God 20. Now to him, our fupreme 
 and our Father be Creator and Father, be glory for 
 glory for ever and ever and ever. Amen. 
 
 ever. Amen. 
 
 21 Salute every 21. & 22. My hearty love to all 
 faint in Chriit Jefus. the Chriftians in your parts, as all 
 The brethren* which the Chriftian brethren here give 
 are with me greet you. theirs to you and them ; particu- 
 
 22 All the faints i ar ] v t he converts that belong to 
 falute you, chiefly the emperor's court. 
 
 they that are of Cae- 
 far's houfehold. 
 
 23 The grace of 23. The love and favour of 
 our Lord Jefus Chrift our Lord Jefus Chrift be with 
 £? with you all. Amen, you all. Amen. 
 
 ^J It was written to the Philippians from Rome, by 
 Epaphroditus. 
 
 A PARA. 
 
 * Ver. 2T. The brethren ; viz. the minifiers, in contradi* 
 ftin&ion to the faints here, and in the following verfe. 
 
PARAPHRASE 
 
 OV THE 
 
 EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL 
 
 TO THE 
 
 COLOSSIANS. 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 IT appears from fevera! (Chap. ii. i.) paflages in 
 this epiltle, that St. Paul did not personally preach 
 to, and convert the Coloflians to the Chriftian faith ; 
 nor had ever feen them. Though how near he was to 
 them in his travels, wre read, Adb xvi. 6. — xviii. 23. 
 xix. 10. But that he was concerned in their conver- 
 fion, by fending others to them for that purpofe, is al- 
 lowed by all ; and that Ep iphras was the perfon par- 
 ticularly employed by him t'icre, feems probable from 
 Chap. i. 7. Upon hearing their (leadinefs to the Chri- 
 ftian faith, in oppofition to the Jewi/h zealots that would 
 have perfuaded them (as they endeavoured to do all 
 other Chriitian converts) to a neceflity of obferving the 
 ceremonial law ; and like wife to arm them ftill againft 
 the mixture of Gentile philofcphy (or of fucli Speculations 
 as fome Jcwi/h zealot might have learned from Gentile 
 philofophers) with their Chriftian principles, he fends 
 
 them 
 
Chap, I. Epistle to the Colossian§. 97 
 
 them this epitllc ; wherein he exprefleth his great fatis- 
 faction at their conthuicy in their profefiion, and con- * 
 
 lirms them in it, againft the inlin nations of each of thole 
 adverfaries. It was written at the fame time and place 
 with thofe to the Ephefians and Philippians (viz during 
 his confinement at Rome) and in the lame drain of ex- 
 pteflions. For a clearer notion whereof, the reader may 
 pleafe to fee, and compare this with, the preface to the 
 Ephefians. 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 Tlje Title. He congratulates their conver/ion, and Jleady Ad*- 
 herence to the Chrijlian Religion. Prays for their Conti- 
 nuance in it. Declares it to have ever been the gracious Pur- 
 pofe of God to bejlovo on them (the believing Gentiles) the 
 BleJJingf of ChriJPs Religion, as well as on the Jewiih na- 
 lion ; and Himfelf, the Apoflle efpccialiy comrmfjhned to 
 preach it to them and the reft 'of 'the Gentile World. 
 
 1 pAUL, *n apoille 1. & 2. pAUL, called by the A. D. fo. 
 
 of Jtfus Chrift, - A exprefs * revelation'" — I 
 
 by the will of God, f God to be an appftle of J^us * AC ^ X ' 
 
 and Timotheus our chdll, fending this piftj . , the 
 
 broth rr e , r ' . r . . fteady and faithful ChriiUan 
 
 2 Tathe faints and thurch of Coloile. Wifting ydu 
 faithful brethren in ,, ,. • . , ,- . , . %/ 
 Chrift, which are at J 11 ^'"M tiiv0urs ana bleffiog^ 
 Coloffe: Grace be un- fl0ni ' God ° ur fu P reme Creator 
 to you, and* peace and Father, and from Jefus Chrift 
 from God our Father, our Lord and Governor; as does, 
 and the Lord Jefus ™h Timothy my Chriflian bro- 
 Chrift. ther. 
 
 3 We give thanks 3-&4. Expreffing ray hearty 
 to God, and the Fa- thanks to God the Father of our 
 ther of our Lord Jefus Lord Jefus Chrift, for your con- 
 Chrift, praying always ver lion to his true religion, and 
 * or you : your exteniive charity to all the 
 
 Vol. II. ' H " profegpr$ 
 
9§ 
 
 ,A Paraphrase ow the 
 
 Chap. L 
 
 4 Since we heard of 
 vour * faith in Cbrifl 
 J "us, and of the lovr 
 which \e have to ail 
 the faints - y 
 
 5 For the hope 
 which is laid up r or 
 yo \ in heaven, where- 
 of ye h ra; d before in 
 the vo<-d of the tr -th 
 of .e go r peji ; 
 
 6 Which is come 
 unto V' u, as ?> fj in a 1 
 the world, arid bring- 
 eth fojtb r ruit as it 
 do'.h alfo in you fine* 
 the d.\y y- heard of it 
 and knew the grace of 
 God in truth. 
 
 7 As ye alfo learn- 
 ed of Epaphras our 
 dear fellow -fervent, 
 who is for you a faith- 
 ful minitter of Chnfr. 
 
 8 Who alfo declar- 
 ed unto us your love 
 in the Spirit, 
 
 9 For this caufe 
 we alfo, fince the day 
 we heard it, do not 
 ceafe to pray for you, 
 and to defire that ye 
 might be fiUed with 
 the knowledge of his 
 will in all wifdom 
 and fpiritual under- 
 standing : 
 
 10 That ye might 
 walk worthy of the 
 
 Lord 
 
 or-'feffors of it (without partial 
 dift;:)£tion between fuch as re* 
 ceive circumcifioriy and fuch as do 
 not receive n) and ever praying 
 for your j.-erfeverance in it 
 
 5. &. 6 Blti'fi g God, I feyj for 
 tl,e hope and full aiTurance you 
 now have cf the heayv-nly hap- 
 pin*fs promif-d in that gofpel of 
 Chrift, wh'ch is now \. reached to 
 lo cinfi 'era. 1* a p it of the Gfjj- 
 tiU orld, and embraced! by you 
 in particular, with fuch good ef- 
 fects on your lives and principles, 
 fro an ypur very firll converfion to 
 ir by Epaphras, my deat isllow- 
 fcrvant in Ciiriil. 
 
 7 &8.WhomIfenttoColofTefor 
 that work, *nd who, like a trufty 
 nunifter ot Cnrift, has fuliy per- 
 formed it ; and given me a mof! 
 comfortable account of ^our love 
 to Cnrjft, and great charity to ai! 
 hi< members, according to the true 
 fpirit of the gofpel religion. 
 
 9. Since my hearing whereof, 
 I have continually made it ari 
 article of my moft hearty pray- 
 ers. That God would give you a 
 itill larger knowledge of his true 
 religion, and bellow on you great- 
 er gifts of his Holy Spirit for that 
 purpofe, and bring you to the 
 perfect underflanding of its fpi= 
 ritual and excellent nature. 
 
 zo. That you maj conlUntly im- 
 prove in Chriftian principles, and 
 
 in 
 
 * Ver. 4. [Since we heard of yovr faith] — rh -aw* v[aZi 
 your fidelity oxfieadinefs, viz. to the Chriflian religion, with^ 
 <wt the observance of the ceremonu?! favj. 
 
 6 
 
Chap. I. 
 
 EriSTLE TO THE CcLOSSIAtfS. 
 
 99 
 
 Lord unto all pleating, in all fuch pra&ices as are truly A.D. 61 
 being fruitful in every pleafing and acceptable to God. ""V— 
 good work, and increafing in the knowledge of God: 
 
 11. And, by his great and pow- 
 erful 3 Alliance, may fufTer ail the 
 hardihips your religion brings on 
 you, not only with perfect pa- 
 tience, but with joy and fatisfac- 
 tion. 
 
 12. Giving all praife and glory 
 to God the Father, for vouchiaf- 
 ing you, Gentile Chriitians, the 
 promife of inheriting the happi- 
 nefs of heaven, and of glorified 
 faints, as the Jews had formerly 
 of the prornifed land of Canaan. 
 
 13. In order to which, he has 
 now, by the revelation of the 
 gofpel doctrine, delivered you * 
 from your heathenifh Rate of 
 darknefs, ignorance, and vice 9 
 wherein you were fo miferably 
 
 fubject to the power and delulions of the devil ; and 
 
 has made you members of the church of Chrift, the 
 
 Mefllah, his dear and only Son. 
 
 14 In whom we have 14. By the facrilice of whofe 
 
 redemption through his death, you and all the Gentile 
 world, as well as the jfews, are 
 put into a flate of pardon and 
 eternal falvation. 
 
 15. And well may Ms death 
 extend to an atonement for the 
 fins of all mankind, who is the 
 Son of God, the exprefs image of 
 
 the invilible Father, and was before all creatures, even 
 
 the Lord and Governor of all things. 
 
 H 2 16. cc 17. For 
 
 II Strengthened 
 with all might accord- 
 ing to his glorious 
 power, unto all pa- 
 tience and long fuffer- 
 ing with joyfulnefs : 
 
 12 Giving thanks 
 unto the Father, which 
 hath m-de us meet to 
 be partakers of the in- 
 heritance of the faints 
 in light : 
 
 13 Who hath deli- 
 vered * us from the 
 power of darknefs, and 
 hath translated us into 
 the kingdom of his 
 dear Son. 
 
 blood, even the forgivc- 
 nefs of fins : 
 
 15 Who is the i- 
 mage of the invifible 
 God, the firft-born of 
 every creature f . 
 
 * Delivered us : Making hwifelf as it were one of the 
 Gentile converts, as his ufual method is. See Ephef. i. 2, 3. 
 
 f Ver. 15. [The firft born of every creature.] For the 
 true' original meaning of this phrafe -a£ST9To/c&, See my 
 aote on Gen. xlix. 3.' 
 
ico 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. I, 
 
 D. 62. 16 For by him were 
 all things created, that 
 are in heaven, and that 
 are * in earth, vifible 
 and invifible, whether 
 they be thrones, or do- 
 minions, or principa- 
 lities, or powers : all 
 things were created by 
 Jiim, and for him. 
 
 17 And he is before 
 all things, and by him 
 all things confift. 
 
 18 And % he is the 
 head of the body, the 
 church ; who is the 
 beginning, the || firft- 
 born from the dead, 
 that in all things he 
 might have the pre- 
 eminence. 
 
 16. & 17. For by him were alj 
 things created in * heaven and 
 earth, angels and archangels, all 
 degrees of fpirits above, as well 
 as of men here below, even the 
 whole vifible and in v male world : 
 before all which he had an exig- 
 ence with the Father % by whofe 
 power he created them all at firil 9 
 and ft ill governs and prefer ves 
 them. 
 
 18. And X this glorious Mejjiah 
 is now the Lord and Head of the 
 Chr'ijiian church, w T hich has the 
 noble privilege of being his fpiri- 
 tual body ; and, by his refurrec- 
 tion from, the dead, has given ?/j, 
 his members, the firfr. and moil 
 abfolute affurance of our refur- 
 reclion to an immortal life, by him [| who is the Lord 
 both of the dead and of the living, Rom. xiv, 9. 
 
 19 For it pleafed 19. It having pleaftxl God the 
 
 the Father, that in Father thus to invert him with 
 him fhould all fulnefs t h e fulnefs of divine power and 
 dwell j wifdom, for the creation of all 
 
 things, and for the redemption, government, and pre- 
 fervation of his whole church, vvz, by uniting botk 
 *Tews and Gentiles into one body under him, the great 
 Saviour and Head of all. 
 
 20. And 
 
 * [In heaven and in earth.] See Ephef. i. 10. note there, 
 Ephef. i. 20, 2r, 22. 
 
 X 'Avto$, He the fame emphatically. 
 
 |j Tl e > ue ) oTCK<&> €k tuv vixgtiv. [The firft-born from the dead,] 
 i. e. either is declared and proved to be the Lord and Go. 
 vernor of the church by his refurreElion : Or elfe, The Lord 
 thar fhould fo f.rjf rife fiom the dead as to give others a per- 
 fect affurance of their reiurrection, according to Arils xxvL 
 23. I have expreffed both fenfes. See Ephef. i. 10.— 2c, 
 rr. 22. 
 
Chap. I. 
 
 Epistle to the Colossians. 
 
 xci 
 
 20 And (having 
 made peace through 
 the blood of his crofs) 
 by him to * reconcile 
 all things unto him- 
 felf, by him, / fay, 
 whether they be things 
 in earth or things in 
 heaven. 
 
 21 And you that 
 
 were fometime alienat- 
 ed, and enemies in your 
 mind by wicked works, 
 vet now hath he re- 
 conciled, 
 
 22 In the body of 
 his flefh through death, 
 to prefent you hcly and 
 unblameable, and un- 
 reproveable in his fight. 
 
 23 If f ye continue 
 in the faith grounded 
 and fettled, and be not 
 moved away from the 
 hope of the gofpel, 
 which ye have heard, 
 and which was preach- 
 ed to every creature 
 which is under hea- 
 ven, whereof I Paul 
 am made a minifter. 
 
 24 Who 
 
 Sec Eph. 
 ic. 
 
 20. And by his death upon the AJD- 6a 
 crofs hath God procured the * re- y ~* m>rmtm 
 concilementof both yews and Gen- 
 
 tiles to himfelf; giving to them all 
 peace and pardon through his me- 
 rits ; and intending, at laft, to 
 bring all good-and obedient crea- 
 tures, men on earth, and angels in 
 heaven, into one bleffed and hap- 
 py fociety||. j! 
 
 21. & 22. Thus you Ge?itile l 
 Chriftians of Coloffe are now in a 
 Mate of pardon and reconciliation 
 with God, and made the pure and 
 holy members of his church ; e- 
 ven you, who in your heathen 
 condition, were utter flrangers to 
 his covenant, and, by a habit of 
 idolatrous and wicked courfes, 
 were at perfect enmity with him, 
 
 23. Which glorious privilege 
 you will remem ber to be upon this 
 condition, viz. your firm adher- 
 ence, againfl all falfe iniinuation3 f 
 and under all perfecutions, to the 
 fame gofpel-do&rine you werefirfc 
 inftructed in ; and which is now 
 offered to the whole Gentile world; 
 as I Paul am divinely commiffion- 
 ed to preach and propagate it. 
 
 H 3 24. Who 
 
 * Ver. 20. [To reconcile all things unto himfelf]. Note* 
 Ihh fenfe of the word u.7r6xccTa.XXx%xt 1 is indeed agreeable to 
 the matter of the Jews and Gentiles being reconciled and 
 brought together by Chriit ; [confonantly to the main fcope- 
 of the epiille] ; but not to that of thrones , principalities ; via, 
 angels and men together. I think, therefore, that in this 
 verfe it is to be mod truly interpreted by the parallel phrafe 
 umxitp*hautcru&aii t Ephef. i. jo. To unite oxfumup all under 
 his government. 
 
 f Ver. 23. [If ye continue], uyi } either tj ye continue, 
 Ql Jince ye, &.c. 
 
IC2 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap, t 
 
 A. IX 62. 24 Who now re- 
 ^-*"~ r ' s " J joice in my {offerings 
 for you, and fill up 
 that which is behind 
 of the * afflictions of 
 Chrift in ray fleih for 
 his bodys fake, which 
 is the church, 
 
 fon ; for the fake of h 
 
 25 Whereof I am 
 made a miniiier, ac- 
 cording to the difpen- 
 fation of God, which 
 is given to me for you 
 to fulfil the word of 
 God: 
 
 26 Even the myf- 
 te?v which hath been 
 hid from ages, and from 
 generations, but now 
 is made manifeft to his 
 faints. 
 
 27 To whom God 
 would make known 
 what is the riches of 
 the glory of this myf- 
 tery among the Gen- 
 
 tile3, 
 
 24. Who, inflead of being dis- 
 couraged, do now glory and tri- 
 umph in being a prifoner for 
 preaching it to you Gentiles ; 
 whereby I (how Chrift to be a 
 truly fifffering Meffiah, by his be- 
 ing fttil a fufferer in me his apof- 
 tle, as he was once in his own per- 
 is body the church. 
 
 25. Of which churchy particu- 
 larly the Gentile part of it. 1 am 
 (as I have frequently faid) zfpe- 
 rials port le,commiiIioned to preach 
 its doclrines to j/ou, and the reft 
 of the world, in common with the 
 Jewijlj nation. 
 
 26 & 27. A thing, indeed, that 
 the former generations of men had 
 little or no notion of, nor had the 
 general ity of the Jewijh nation any 
 underftanding of what their own 
 prophets had faid about it ; but is 
 now moft. exprefsly and clearly de- 
 clared to the Chrijlian church, as 
 agreeable to the many prophecies 
 of theOidTeftament, viz. thatGod 
 
 would 
 
 * Ver. 24. [And fill up that which is behind of the af- 
 flictions or Chrift j } ygj eittet*<pmhif>j$ r<z vTi^uurct Toy $\t-J/tsev 
 tov X^6*«. Note, '1 he fufferings or afflictions of Chrift, are, 
 either Chrift's own fufferings, or thofe of Chrijlians for bisfake. 
 St. Paul's filling up, &C is not well expreffed in our transi- 
 tion. The word is, I, in my turn, fill up, &c. uvrxvxTrXn^a, 
 &c. i. e. As Chrift fufttred for me, fo now (in my turn) I 
 furTer for him. Or elfe, as I have exhorted other Chrijlians 
 to endure afHiclions for Chrift, fo now I my f elf complete, as 
 it were, that work, 'by my own fuffering. The learned and 
 judicious Dr. Clarke rightly alfo obferves, that the phrafe 
 fill tip, fignifies the accomplifhment of what remained to be 
 fulfilled of thofe prophecies which foretold, that, afler the {of- 
 ferings of Chrift, his fervants alfo fhould therein follow his 
 example — for the good of his churchy Serm. Vol. I. page 
 2'74> 275. 
 
Chap. I, 
 
 Epistle to the Colossi ans* 
 
 zo$ 
 
 tiles, which is Chrift 
 in you the hope of glo- 
 
 ry * 
 
 hal happinefs, by Chri 
 
 tion was to enjoy. 
 
 28 Whom we preach, 
 warning every man, 
 and teaching every 
 man in all wifdom, that 
 we may prefent * every 
 man perfect in Chriit 
 Jefus. 
 
 29 Whereunto I al- 
 fo labour, driving ac- 
 cording to his work- 
 ing, which worketh in 
 me mightily. 
 
 would, in infinite mercy, beftow A. D. 6 
 upon all Gentile believers, the ' <""" 
 f une hopes and con *itions of eter- 
 ft the MeJJlahy that the fevsijb na- 
 
 28. Which comfortable doctrine 
 I therefore p each to all, without 
 diftinclion, in order to train them 
 up to that fpiritual wifdom, that 
 will make them true and perfect 
 members of his church*. 
 
 29- Ufing my utmoil endeavours 
 in the improvement ot all thofe 
 powerful gifts and graces which 
 Chrift has enddwed me with for 
 that purpofe. 
 
 CHAP. ir. 
 
 tie repeats his earnef. Concern and Prayers for them ; the 
 better to warn them a^ainjl the Error and Subtilty of Hea- 
 then Philofophy, and the vanity of Jewi(h Traditions; en* 
 couraging them to depend upon Chrijl and his Religion alone \ 
 wthout any regard to the J wifh Ceremonies, or mixing an$ 
 Part of Heathen Devotion with thdr Chrinian Worfl:ip$ 
 efpecially that of the Worfhip of Angels or inferior Demons, 
 as Mediators to God, under a Pretence of Retigious Hu- 
 mility. 
 
 pOR I would 
 that ve knew 
 
 what great 
 
 conflict I 
 have 
 
 i. 'yHUS, I fay, t I ftrive and * Chap,;, 
 
 •*■ labour to make all my a 9* 
 converts become true and perfect 
 H 4 Chrillians ; 
 
 * [Every man perfeel in Jefus Chrift] ; /. e. either perfect 
 m the undemanding of Chriftianity here, or crowned with 
 the reward hereafter, as the word nteioi often figni£es.-. 
 
J 04 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. II; 
 
 A. D. 62. have for you, and for 
 
 ^^^v-**-) them at Laodicea, and 
 
 for as many as have 
 
 not feen my face in 
 
 the flefh. 
 
 might be comforted, 
 being knit together 
 in love, and unto all 
 riches of the fall aflu- 
 rance of underiianding, 
 to the acknowledg- 
 ment of the myftery 
 of God, and of the Fa- 
 ther, and of Chrift. 
 
 3 In whom are hid 
 all the treafures of 
 wifdora and know- 
 ledge. 
 
 i See Ver. 
 
 Chriftians ; but for none more 
 than jrotf, and the Laodiceans, and 
 all thofe Gentile Chriftians, whom 
 I converted by other peoples mi- 
 ni dry under me, but as yet have 
 not perfonally feen them, nor they me ; 
 
 1 That their hearts 2. Continually praying for their 
 cheerful and unanimous progrefs 
 in the true faith, and for their full 
 and complete understanding, and 
 fie£ and public profeffion of all the 
 gofpel-doctrines ; particularly this 
 great and unexpected point, of the 
 Gentiles being now called into the 
 Chrift ian covenant ; as God and 
 Chrift have plainly declared it. 
 
 3. In whom * are all the per- 
 fections of the divine wifdom, and 
 by whom the will of God is per- 
 fectly and completely revealed to 
 mankind. 
 
 4. And this perfection, both of 
 theperfon and revelation of Chril>, 
 I the more carefully obferve to 
 you, to fecure you from the eu- 
 
 fnaring infinuations of fome % men, that lead you into 
 principles that very much derogate from them both. 
 
 5 For though I be 5. For though 1 be at fuch a dif- 
 abfent in the flefii, tance from you, and indeed never 
 yet am I with you in fa w you% yet, by the infpirations -+ 
 'pirit, joying and c f the Holy Spirit, 1 know the conl 
 
 dition 
 
 4 And this 
 left any man 
 
 I fay, 
 fhould 
 
 beguile you with en 
 ticing words. 
 
 bchold- 
 
 * Tn whom — It feems ambiguous whether h a refers to 
 Chriii, or the tnxjlery in the foregoing verfe : But the fol- 
 lowing verfes, efpecialty the oth and 10th, make it moft a- 
 greeable to understand it of Chrift. 
 
 f [Am with you in the fpirit.] T&7rnvfje.at,ri rvv vfiiv up). It 
 may be rendered, [My mind Or heart is with you]. But the 
 former fenfe is more agreeable to the general acceptation 
 of this phrafe in the New T eftament. See Acts xx. 2a. 
 * Cor. v. -3. However, I thought fit to exprefs them both. 
 
■hap. II. 
 
 Efistle to the Colossians." 
 
 °5 
 
 beholding your order, dition you arc in, and the temp- A - D - 62 - 
 and the ifedfaftnefs of tations you are moll liable to ;^"~ v— 
 your faith in Chrift. m y heart and my authority is 
 
 with you, and I think upon your orderly behaviour, 
 and conftant adherance to the true faith, with great de- 
 light and fatisfaclion. 
 
 6. & 7. And I now again ex- 
 hort you, to keep clofe to the 
 fame rule of Chnftian doclrine, 
 that Epaphras §• firft inftructed § chap.'i. 
 you in. Build your hopes of par- 7,8. 
 don and happinefs upon Chriil 
 and his religion only ; go on in 
 that profeftlon with a thankful 
 
 6. As ye have there 
 fore received Chrift 
 jefas the Lord, fo 
 walk ye in him : 
 
 7 Rooted and built 
 up in him, and fta- 
 blifhed in the faith, 
 have been 
 abounding 
 with thankf- 
 
 as ye 
 taught, 
 therein 
 
 after 
 
 heart, for the honour of being his 
 difciples. 
 
 8 Taking fpecial care, that 
 neither the Gentile philofophers 
 deceive, and make a prey of you, 
 by mixing their vain /peculations 
 with your Chrijhan principles ; 
 nor the Jewijh zealots perfuad-e 
 you to embrace their tradition? 
 and fimttottzWobfervances-, thofe 
 mere external and figurative things, that do not at all 
 belong to the religion of Chrift. 
 
 9 For in him dwel- 9. You can have no reafon to 
 
 leth-all the fulnefs of comply with either of thefe kinds 
 the Godhead bodily. f corruptions 5 lince Chrift, by 
 his incarnation, fufferings, and exaltation into heaven, 
 is demohftrated to be inverted with all that power and 
 * dominion over the church of God, which qualifies him 
 
 and 
 
 giving. 
 
 8 Beware left any 
 man fpoil you through 
 philofophy and vain 
 deceit, after the tradi- 
 tion of men, after the 
 rudiments of the 
 world, and not 
 Chriil : 
 
 * Ver. 9. [Fulnefs of the Godhead]. Tsj? Swrnro; of pow 
 er and dominion. It is the fame with his being made the 
 Head or Lord over the church, as is moil evident from chap, 
 i. 15, 18, 19. which paffages, compared with the j 8, iy, 
 and 20. verfes of this chapter, will (how £he juftnefs of the 
 other part of my paraphrafe on this vfcrfe. I underftand 
 the phrafe bodily to iignify ChriPt's incarnation, and his whole 
 tranfaftion for us in our fejh. But if the reader rather 
 choofeth to underftand it to iignify really and fubftantially, 
 in op poii t ion Xo figuratively and typically agreeably, tover. 17. 
 it will make no alteration in the main fenfe given of the 
 whole verfe. 
 
ioS 
 
 A Paraphrase on imz 
 
 Chap. It 
 
 A.D.62. and him alone, to be our Mediator with the Supreme 
 Father : And therefore by him only, and his interces- 
 sion, ought we to offer up all our prayers afrd praifes tc 
 him. 
 
 10 And ye are com- 10. And you cannot but be 
 plete in him, which is abfolutely fafe,as to all the means 
 the head of all prin- f falvation, by him, who is the 
 cipality and power, L ord ancl Governor of all degrees 
 
 and ranks of creatures whatever. (Compare John i. 
 14, 16, 17. 
 
 11 
 
 ye are 
 
 In whom alfo 
 circumcifed 
 with the circumcifion 
 made without hands, 
 in putting off the bo- 
 dy of the fins of the 
 flefh, by the circum- 
 cifion of Chrift : 
 
 II. And as circumcifion was 
 the external rite of admitting 
 men into the Jewi/h religion, 
 your haptifm into Chrift's pro- 
 feffion, and the reformation of 
 all your finful principles and 
 practices, make you, in a much 
 higher and better fenfe, the mem- 
 bers of God's true church, and entitled to nobler and 
 better privileges, 
 
 12 i For as your being plunged 
 in water, fignifies your dying to 
 all fin and vice, in conformity to 
 
 12 Buried with him 
 in baptifm, wherein 
 alfo you are rifen with 
 him through the faith 
 of the operation of 
 God, who hath raifed 
 him from the dead. 
 
 ChrilVs death and burial; fo 
 your certain belief and affurance 
 of his refurretlion (denoted by 
 your ///fo^ gain out of the water) 
 gives you the certainty of your ozun refurre&ion to glory 
 and happinefs ; by the fame divine power that raifed up 
 him from the dead. 
 
 13 And you being 
 dead in your fins, and 
 the uncircumcifion of 
 your flefh, hath he 
 quickened together 
 with him, having for- 
 given you all trefpaf- 
 fes, 
 
 14 Blot- 
 
 13. And this is now the privi- 
 lege of you Gentile, as well as of 
 the Jevjijb Chrift ians, God having 
 now reduced you from your hea- 
 thenifh and reprobate condition^ 
 and granted you the pardon of 
 fin, and the hopes of eternal life 
 by his religion j 
 
 X4. For 
 
Chap. II. Epistle to the Colossians. 
 
 io? 
 
 14. For he has now, by the A. D. 6a. 
 death of Chrift upon the crofs for w *V**' 
 all mankind, cancelled and difan- 
 nulled * the obligation to all thofe 
 Jewijh ceremonies that made the 
 difference between you and that 
 people, and kept you at a dif- 
 tance from them. 
 
 15. And by the fame fufferings 
 on the crofs, has made Chriit the 
 conqueror of fin and Satan, de- 
 priving them of their former 
 wicked power and influences over 
 mankind, and leading them, as 
 it were captives in triumph f. 
 
 16. ck. 17. Wherefore, it is a 
 vain thing for the Jewifh zealots 
 to condemn you Gentile converts, 
 for not obferving the Jewifh fes- 
 tivals or || Sabbaths, and the ce- 
 remonial diftin&ions between 
 clean and unclean meats. For the 
 ceremonies of that law were no- 
 thing but figurative and tempo- 
 rary reprefentations of Chrijliani- 
 ty ; in Chrift they are ail now 
 perfectly anfwered and ceafed ; and in comparifon of his 
 religion, they are no more than the Jhadow is to the fub- 
 jlance, 
 
 18. And 
 
 * [Blotting out the band-writing — Nailing it to his crofs.] 
 An allufion to the two ancient ways of cancelling a bond or 
 obligation ; viz. either by crojfing the writing, or {hiking it 
 through with a nail. 
 
 f Ver. 15. [And having fpoiled principalities and powers, 
 &c] Note, I have expreffed the meaning of this verfe agree- 
 ably to the general fenfe of interpreters. That of the learned 
 Mr. Peirce (who interprets the principalities and powers of 
 the good angels) is very particular, but withal exceedingly 
 curious, and worthy of confideration. Let the judicious 
 reader judge tor himfelf. 
 
 i« [Or of the Sabbath days.] Perhaps this is not meant 
 of the fcuenth-day fabbath, enjoined by the moral ; but 
 of the fef.ivals appointed by the ceremonial law. Let the 
 reader judge for himfelf. 
 
 14 * Blotting out 
 the hand-writting of 
 ordinances, that was 
 again ft us, which was 
 contrary to us, and 
 took it out of the 
 way, nailing it to his 
 crofs : 
 
 15 And f having 
 fpoiled principalities 
 and powers, he made 
 a (how of them open- 
 ly, triumphing over 
 them in it. 
 
 16 Let no mae 
 
 therefore judge you 
 in meat or in drink, 
 or in refpefl of an 
 holiday, or of the 
 new-moon ||, or of the 
 Sabbath days. 
 
 17 Which are a 
 fhadow of things to 
 come, but the body 
 is of Chrift. 
 
10 
 
 s 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. IT. 
 
 A. D. 62. 18 Let no man f be- 
 , **~ Y ^ % -' guile you of your re- 
 ward in a voluntary 
 humility, and vvor- 
 fhipping of angels. 
 intruding into thofe 
 tilings which he hath 
 not feen, vainly puft 
 up by hisrlefhly mind t 
 
 18. And as you are to fence a- 
 gainft thefe notions of the Jewifh 
 zealots, fo take heed that none of 
 the philofophers, either of the 
 Gentiles, or of thofe Jews that 
 borrow their philofophy from 
 them, impofe upon you, and en- 
 danger f your future happinefs 
 by any mixtures of falfe worihip 
 with that of God and Chrift. Particularly that of ad- 
 dreffing to angels, or inferior demons, as mediators and 
 intercejfors with God for mankind ; under pretence of 
 humility, in not addrefling to God himfelf immediately \ 
 This is the effecT: of a proud conceit of human reafon, 
 that makes men venture to dive into, and determine 
 thofe divine matters they have no notion of, nor warrant 
 for.' 
 
 19. For to worfhip any fuch 
 beings, as intercejfors for us, is the 
 higheft diiparagement to Chrift, 
 our only Mediator and all-fufH- 
 cient Interccjfor ; who being the 
 Head of his church, it is by him 
 alone that we have accefs to God 
 the Father ; and from our union 
 to him only, do all the members 
 of his body only receive all proper and full % fupplks, 
 for their growth and progrefs in true religion. 
 
 20 Wherefore if ye 20. & 21. As to the nicety of 
 
 be dead with Chrift, the jewi/h zealots, about not 
 touching any thing that has been 
 offered to an idol,; not tafting any 
 forbidden 7neats t and not handling 
 any unclean thing, ckc. it is plain, 
 that iir.ee the death and religion 
 ot Chriit has freed youfrom them 
 
 all, 
 
 19 And not hold- 
 ing the head, from 
 which all the body 
 by joints and bands 
 having nourifliment 
 miniftred, and knit 
 together, increafeth 
 % with the increafe of 
 God. 
 
 from the rudiments 
 of the world, why, 
 as though living in 
 the world, are ye iub- 
 jeet to ordinances ? 
 
 21 (Touch not, 
 tafte not, handle not : 
 
 -f- Ver. 18. [Let no man beguile you of your reward, j 
 KuTctogxZiviTco. Note, This word fometimes figpifies to judge 
 or condemn. If it be fo taken here, the fenfe is the fame as 
 in ver, j6. 
 X [ With the increafe of God.] See the note on 2 Cor. viii. 1 
 
Chap. II. Epistle to the Cglossians. 109 
 
 all, it would be the greateft folly imaginable for you to A - £• 6a - 
 impofe, or fufTer others to come under, the flavery of* - v""^ 
 fuch obfervances. 
 
 22 Which all are 22. And to impofe them wow, 
 to perifii with the as abfolutely necefTary, upon no 
 ufing*^) after the com- betier authority than that of hu- 
 
 ^rnandments and doc- ma0 traditions, is fuch an abufe* 
 trines of men. as tenc j s t0 corrU pt and fpoil the 
 
 Chriftian faith. 
 
 23 Which things 23. Thus do they both equally 
 have indeed a mow err; the heathen philofophers, in 
 of wifdom in will- pretending angel worfhip to be a 
 worfhip and humility, re ligious aft of humanity and re- 
 and neglecling of the verence . and t ] le Jewijh zealots 
 body : not m any ho- j Q rccommea dIng their niceties a. 
 nour to the fatisfying bout meats ^ ^-^ &c< as 
 
 of the flefli. ..- , ,-, , 
 
 means to roortiiy our bodily plea- 
 
 fures and appetites. It is all JIjoiv, invention, and mere 
 pretence ; nor is there any thing of true rel.gion in ei- 
 ther of them, but the gratification of a carnal or ^ewijb 
 mind. 
 
 C H A P. 
 
 * Ver. 22. [Which things are all to periih in the ufing.] 
 The literal tranflation is, [Which things tend to corruption, 
 by the abufe of them, according to the doctrines and coni' 
 mandments of men.] Or elfe thus : It is the abufe of thefe 
 things, not the mere vfe of them, that tends to corrupt or 
 defile a man. So referring the following claufe, [after the 
 doclrines and commandments of men,] to the foregoing 
 verfe j I think the latter is the more natural conftruclion, 
 (though the former be very good fenfe) agreeable to our 
 Saviour's words, Matth. xv. 11. as interpreted by Grotius 
 and Le Clerc. There is vet another way of rendering thefe 
 words, U %ti 7rocvTK «'? <p$o(><xv rn tt,K oKQwei . [All which things 
 are, or were made to be confumed for our ufe.] Which is 
 very confident fenfe, if they be put into a parenthefis by 
 themfelves. The judicious reader is to choofe for himfclf. 
 
HO A PARASHRASfc ON THE Chap, JIT, 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 Tromlhe Confideration of the Happinefs of a future State, now 
 ajfuredto them by their ChryHanity, the Apojlle exhorts them 
 to renounce all thofe vicious Praclices they were fubjecl to in 
 their Heathenifh Condition ; among which immoderate Anger ^ 
 Revenge, andfilthly Converfation were the chief. He fhows 
 them their great Obligation to Purity, Peaceabknejs, and 
 Charity; and to an exatl Obfervation of the relative Duties, 
 notwithflanding any Difference of religious Principles, in the 
 Ferfonsfo nearly related to each other, 
 
 ^ D 6i> i TF ye then be rifen i. & 2. OlNCE then your Chri- 
 1^-y^j with Chrift, feek & ftian religion, and par- 
 
 thofe things which are ticularly that great article of 
 
 above, where Chrift fit- Chnft's refurretlion, has raifed 
 
 teth on the right hand you Gentile ^hniUzns to the hope 
 
 of God. an( j a ff arance of an eternal life in 
 
 2 Set your affeaion ^^ ftat£ k h{ fa concerns 
 
 on things above, not - c tr c 
 
 .v- »u o *u you, no longer to lufter your af- 
 
 on things on the earth. J ' & . . J 
 
 fecuons to be immoderately bent 
 
 upon earthly pleafures and enjoy- 
 ments, but to fix the main of your thoughts and endea- 
 vours after the happinefs of heaven ; where Cnrift your 
 Head is now fet, in the utmoft degree of glory and ma- 
 jefty. And, for the fame reafon, do you Jewi/h Chri- 
 ftians raife your minds above carnal and eauhly cere- 
 monies, and fix them upon fpiritual and heavenly things. 
 
 3 For ye are dead, 3. By your baptifm into this 
 and your life is hid religion, you protefs yourfelves 
 with Chrift in God. dead to fin, and the world, and 
 them to you. .The life you are now to lead is purely 
 Chriftian, and godlike; and though your future hap- 
 pinefs, confiding in the full enjoyment of God through 
 Chrift, be yet at a diftance, and its glories invifible ; 
 
 that 
 
Chap. III. 
 
 Epistle to the Colosstans, 
 
 hi 
 
 that ouoht by no means to flaken your endeavours. God A,r> *^\ 
 has ir referved *, and laid up in ftore for you ; and you' * f 
 
 2re fure to eijoy it. 
 
 4 When Chrift who 
 is our life (hall ap- 
 pear, then fh-ill ye al- 
 io appear with him in 
 gbry. 
 
 good Chriftians fh^ll 
 jplendor and happm-is 
 
 5 Mortify therefore 
 your members which 
 are upon the earth : 
 fornication, unclean- 
 tHefs, inordinate af- 
 fection, evil concupif- 
 cence, and covetouf- 
 ntfs, which is idola- 
 try t 
 
 6 For which things 
 fake, the wrath of 
 God cometh on the 
 children of difobedi- 
 ence J. 
 
 7 In the $ which ye 
 alfo walked fometime, 
 when ye. lived in 
 
 them. the p a&ice of their., when you 
 
 converfed among the heuthenifh and wicked part of the 
 world. 
 
 8. But now you are converted 
 to the pure and fpiritual religion 
 of the gofpel, you mutl utterly 
 renounce them; and, in like man- 
 ner, you mutt carefully reform 
 that temper of furious anger, and 
 
 bitter 
 
 4. For the prefent life is a (late 
 of trial and duty ; the feafon for 
 your complete reward is at the 
 great appearance of Chrift to 
 
 judgment, when all fincere and 
 lume out with him, in perfect 
 
 5. In order, therefore, to qualify 
 you for this glory, you mult be 
 careful to fubdue the habits of all 
 thole carnal vice& you were fo ad- 
 dicted to inyourheathen llate ; all 
 thofe luitiui pafFions and fin pure 
 pi vd. ices, you fotreely indulged, in 
 your courfe of idoU rous religion. 
 
 6. Such enormities as thefe all 
 along have, and do ft. 11, bring 
 down the heavy wrath of God 
 upon the wicked and unretoim-v-d 
 part of mankind. 
 
 7. And you Gentile Ch>i/lians f 
 of CohJ/e, well know, : ow lad a 
 fliare you have formerly had in 
 
 8 But now you alfo 
 put off all thefe, anger, 
 wrath, malice, blaf- 
 phemy, filthy commu- 
 nication out of your 
 mouth. 
 
 * Ver. *. Hid. xtkpviflth Hid, as treafures are faid to be 
 hid— -info \uitb CbnJ'in God. Compaie John x. 28— 3O0 
 t TiMm%U Ephef. iv. 19. — v. 5. 
 % '£v o/j/ Among which children of dif obedience. 
 
Ill 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 a.D. 62. bitter revenge, with all thofe reproachful 
 '— \ 'filthy expreffions that flow from it. 
 
 Chap. Ill, 
 * words and 
 
 9 Lie not one to a- 
 nother, feeing that ye 
 have put off the old 
 
 man with his deeds. 
 
 10 And have put on 
 the new man, which 
 is renewed in know- 
 ledge, after the image 
 of him that created 
 him. 
 
 9. &t to. With the fame care 
 mult you forfake that wicked cuf- 
 tom of tying to, and deceiving 
 each other in your dealings and 
 expreffions. Which is a particu- 
 lar inftauce of that former courfe 
 of life, you are engaged by your 
 baptifm to renounce, in oraer to 
 live up to thofe rules of the go- 
 fpel that will reduce you to a 
 blelfed refemblance of God, after whofe image you were 
 at fird created, and of Chrift, who has reformed you 
 to a new and happy life. 
 
 11. Where there is 11. In the profeffion of whofe 
 neither Greek nor Jew, religion, God now makes no dif- 
 ference between Jew andGentile; 
 it matters not of what country or 
 parentage any man be, whether 
 he be circumcifed, or not t ^frce 
 man or njlave ; it is fufficient for 
 
 his pardon and falvation, that he becomes a Chriitian, 
 and lives up to the precepts and faith of the gofpel. 
 
 12. Put on there- 1 2. Where fore, being thus made 
 fore (as the elect of members of the true church of 
 
 God, make it your principal en- 
 deavour to be mailers or thofe 
 graces and virtuous difpofitione, 
 that become perfons fo highly 
 privileged; fuch as mercifulnefj, 
 kindnefs, humility, meeknefs, and patient forbearance. 
 
 13 Forbearing one 13. In all debates of right, be- 
 
 another, and forgiv- tween man and man, let the ex- 
 ?ng one another, if am ple of Chrift, who forgave us 
 all, excite you to bear with the 
 infirmities, and to forgive the in- 
 juries of each other. 
 
 14. Let 
 
 circumcifion nor un- 
 circumcifion, Barba- 
 xian, Scythian, bond 
 nor free : but Chriii 
 is all in all 
 
 God, holy and belo- 
 ved) bowels of mer- 
 cies, kindnefs, hum- 
 blenefs of mind, meek- 
 nefs, long-fuftering ; 
 
 jmy man have a quar- 
 rel againft any; even 
 as Chrift forgave you, 
 fo alfo do ye. 
 
 A2?££«A«2'j#y, 
 
Chap. tiL 
 
 Epistle to the ColossiAns. 
 
 **3 
 
 And above all 
 things, put on 
 /, which is the 
 bond of perfectnefs. 
 
 14 
 
 thefe 
 chari 
 
 14. Let charity, which ConfiftS A.D.62. 
 in a tender regard for the good 
 and welfare of others, and which 
 is the fum of all the duties of the 
 
 fccotid table, the very bond of all perfect union and happy 
 fociety, be your principal virtue, and become habitual 
 to you. 
 
 that perfect fpirit of 
 
 15 And let the 
 peace of God rule in 
 your hearts, to the 
 which alfo we are call- 
 ed in one body : and 
 be ye thankful. 
 
 15. Let 
 
 peace. 
 
 bv which God intends to 
 
 cement you all into one Chriftian 
 fociety, be the rule and umpire 
 to decide all controverfiesamongft 
 you : and, inftead of envying one 
 another, look all up with a thankful heart to him, for 
 his univerfal mercies toward you, in reftoring you all, 
 both Jews and Gentiles, to peace and reconciliation with 
 him. 
 
 1 6. Let the doctrine of the gc- 
 fpelhz carefully ftudied, and freely 
 
 communicated *, let Grind be the 
 frequent fubject of your conver- 
 fation with one another ; that God 
 may daily beitow on you more 
 and more of the fpirit of wifdom, 
 and the true knowledge of his 
 word ; which will enable you in 
 your Chriftian afTemblies, or in 
 your private families, mod decently and religioufly to 
 iing his praifes, in fpiritual pfalms and divine hymns ; 
 inftead of thofe lewd and profane fongs with which 
 you were formerly wont to celebrate your idolatrous 
 ieftivals. 
 
 17. In fine, in all your words 
 and actions, whether in public or 
 private, have a careful and confci- 
 entious regard to the authority and 
 commands of Chrift, and the juft 
 limits of your Chriftian duty; of- 
 fering up all your prayers and de~ 
 
 16 Let the word of 
 Chrift dwell in you 
 richly in ali wifdom, 
 teaching and admo- 
 niihing one another in 
 pfalms, and hymns, 
 and fpiritual fongs, 
 finging with grace in 
 your hearts to the 
 Lord ** 
 
 17 And whatfoe- 
 ver ye do in word or 
 deed, do all in the 
 name of the Lord Je- 
 fus, giving thanks to 
 God and the Father 
 by him. 
 
 Vol. II. 
 
 I 
 
 vout 
 
 * Ver. 16. [Singing with grace, iv yj.pm with or by th« 
 (fpiritual) gift, Ephef, v. 19. James v. 13. 
 
U4 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. Ill 
 
 A. D. 6a. vout praifes to God the Father, through his mediation, 
 ¥ and for his fake. 
 
 1 8 Wives, fubmit 
 yourfelves unto your 
 own hufbands, as it is 
 fit in the Lord. 
 
 19 Hufbands love 
 your wives, and be not 
 bitter againft them. 
 
 18. & 19. Let none of your 
 Chriftian privileges, nor any dif- 
 ferences in religious opinions, 
 make any perfon think himfelf ex- 
 empt from the perfect performance 
 of relative and civil duties. Let 
 the wife pay all due fubmiflion to 
 
 the hujbandy and the hujband ufe all loving and tender 
 
 carriage to the wife ; whether they be both of the fame 
 
 Chriflian * fentiments, or not. 
 
 20 Children, obey 20. & 21. Let children and all 
 
 your parents in all young people obey their parents, 
 in every lawful thing, as an eficn- 
 tial duty of Chriftianity. And let 
 all Chriftian parents be efpecially 
 careful, that, by no fevere ufage, 
 they difcourage their children, ei- 
 ther from paying juft obedience 
 
 to themfelves, or from embracing the Chriftian religion, 
 $See Eph. D Y tne badnefs of their temper or example § 
 
 things, for thisiswell- 
 pleafinguntotheLord. 
 21 Fathers, pro- 
 voke not your chil- 
 dren to anger, left 
 they be difcouraged. 
 
 vi. 4. 22 Servants, obey 
 
 in all things your ma- 
 ilers according to the 
 flefh : not with eye- 
 fervice, as men-plea- 
 fers, but in finglenefs 
 of heart, fearing God : 
 
 23 And whatfoever 
 ye do, do it heartily, 
 as to the Lord, and 
 not unto men : 
 
 24 Knowing, that 
 of the Lord ye (hall 
 receive the reward of 
 the inheritance: forye 
 ferve the Lord Chrift. 
 
 25 But 
 
 22. Let fuch Chrift ians as are 
 Jlaves to heathen mafters, ferve 
 
 them cheerfullyand fmcerely from 
 a religious principle \ carefully 
 difcharging their duty, and feek- 
 ing their intereft, as well out of 
 their fight, as while they are un- 
 der their infpecYion. 
 
 23. & 24. Remembering that a 
 laborious and faithful fervice to an 
 earthly mafter is in effect to ferve 
 Chrift our great Lord, whofe pro- 
 vidence put you into that condi- 
 tion, and who will not fail to reward 
 your patient fubmiflion to it, with 
 an inheritance of eternal life. 
 
 2c. And 
 
 • See Pref. to the Ephefians, § 4. for St. Paul's full 
 meaning in this and the following relative duties, 
 
Caap. lit EfIstle to the Colossuns. ii$ 
 
 ijf But be that doth 25. And let both mailer and fer> A - D - fo- ; 
 wrong (hall receive vant confider, that whichever of * 
 for the wrong which them does wrong to the other, 
 he hath done : and fliall be juftly and proportionably 
 there is no refpect of puhiihed for it another day, by 
 perfons. hi m w ] 10 call have no partial re- 
 
 gards to any marl, upon any account of his external cir- 
 ciimftance in this world. 
 
 CHAP IV, 
 
 The fir/} Verft concludes the Exhortations of the fatter Part of 
 the foregoing Chapter, and ought to have been joined to it. 
 Then he exhorts them to confiant Prayer fir themfelves, and 
 for him their Gentile Apofile ; to Difcretion in their Beha- 
 viour towards Infidels, and to Prude rice in their words and 
 ExpreJ/tons to ail men. Salutations to and from feveral Chri' 
 Jiians. Order s this Epifile to be read to the Laodiceans, 
 and theirs to be read by the Colqffians. A Warning to Ar- 
 chippus. His own Salutation, and Conclujion. 
 
 1 J^J Afters, give un- 1. A ND as Chriftian Haves || fl Cap. j£ 
 
 toyour fervants ■£*• are obliged to be fmcerely »»» &c 
 
 that which is juft and obfervailt to even their heathen 
 equal, knowing that ma flers ; fo let all Chriftian ma- 
 ye alfo have a maffcr ft ers be juft, and kind toward their 
 in heaven *. fervants or flaves, be they of what 
 
 religious principles focver f ; remembering, they them- 
 felves have a heavenly Lord, that will reward and pu- 
 ni{h their behaviour as impartially as he will do that of 
 the meaneft fervatit, 
 
 I 2 2. AND 
 
 * Note, This firjl verfe doe* fo evidently belong to, and 
 conclude the foregoing chapter, that it is amazing it fhould 
 hers be put at the beginning of a chapter, which enters Upott 
 i quite different argument. 
 
 t See Pref to the Ephefian*, § 4. 
 
u6 
 
 A Paraphrase os -the 
 
 Chap. IV, 
 
 A. D. Cz. 2 Continue in pray- 2. AND NOW,- to conclude 
 
 *»-— -v^-^er, a °d watch in the my exhortation to you all, as you 
 fame with thankfgiv- nave many difficulties to encoun- 
 ln g : ter, many adverfaries that drive 
 
 to draw you from the true faith, be diligent, and con- 
 fVant in earneft prayer to God, for all needful blefiings, 
 and in thankfgivingsfor the mercies you have received. 
 
 Withal, praying 3. & 4. In which devotions, let 
 for us, that God me, your apoftle, have a continual 
 fhare ; beieeching God to aflift 
 and encourage me * in preaching 
 the gofpel to the Gentile world : 
 a thing fo unexpected by them, 
 and fo violently oppofed by the 
 Jews, that I airr now a prifoner 
 for doing it. 
 
 3 
 
 alfo 
 
 would open unto us a 
 * door of utterance to 
 'peak the myftery of 
 Chrift, for which I 
 am alio in bonds : 
 
 4 That I may make: 
 it manifefl, as I ougkti 
 to fpeak. 
 
 5 Walk in wifdom 
 toward them that are 
 without t, redeeming, 
 the time. 
 
 5. Ufe the utmoft difcretioil ir* 
 your carriage toward infidel peo- 
 ple; endeavouring as much as 
 lawfully you may, by due cir- 
 
 cumfpe&ion, to' avoid f the dangers their obilinacy and 
 
 malice may expofe you to. 
 
 6 Let your fpeech 6. Let all your difcourfes irr 
 be alway with grace, company be mild and courteous,- 
 
 prudent and cautious, fo as to an- 
 fwer every queftion, or objection 
 againft your religious principles, 
 and ftand any public examination 
 of them before heathen magiftrates, in fuch a manner as 
 may conduce to the credit of Chriftianity, and your own 
 fafety in thefe evil times. 
 
 7 All my ftate flrall 7, 8. & 9. As to my condition 
 Tychicus declare unto here, under my prefent confine- 
 men?, of which I conclude you 
 would gladly hear ; I have, with 
 this letter, lent Tychicus my be- 
 loved Chriftian brother, and faith- 
 ful miniftcr of Chrift, and along 
 
 with 
 
 feafoned with fait, that 
 ^e may know how ye 
 ought to anfwef every 
 man. 
 
 you, who is a beloved 
 brother, and a faith- 
 ful minilter, and fel- 
 low-fervant in the 
 Lord ; 
 
 8 Whoift 
 
 * [A door of utterance.] See 1 Cor. xvi. 9. the note there. 
 f See Erpbef, v. 15, 16. Aad the LXX. in Dan, il. 8. 
 
Chap. IV. 
 
 Epistle to the Colossians. 
 
 it7 
 
 8 Whom I have 
 fent unto you for the 
 fame purpofe, that he 
 might know your 
 eilate, and comfort 
 your hearts : 
 
 9 With Onefirmis a 
 faithful and beloved 
 brothci 
 
 with him Onefimus *, a faithful ^P^ 
 member of your own church, on JTs^Kpi- 
 purpofe to acquaint you with it, fti e to Phi- 
 to give you a comfortable ac- lemon, 
 count of my circumttances ; and 
 to bring me word back how you 
 all do. 
 
 who is one 
 
 -of you. They fliall make known unto you all things which 
 
 are done here, 
 
 io. Ariftarchus, my fellow- 
 prifoner, fends his hearty love to 
 your church. And if Mark, ne- 
 phew to BaTiiabas, comes to you, 
 entertain him according to the 
 directions you have formerly had 
 about him. 
 
 io Ariitarchus, my 
 fellow prifoner, falut- 
 ^th you, and Marcus 
 iifter's fon to Barna- 
 bas (touching whom 
 ye received command- 
 ments j if he come un- 
 to you, receive him); 
 
 1 1 And Jefus which 
 Is called Juftus, who 
 are of the circumci- 
 •fion. Thefe only are 
 
 .«7{yfellow-wotkers un- 
 to the kingdom of 
 God which have been a comfort unto me 
 
 1 1 . Thofe two, and Juftus, are 
 the only Jeiviflj converts that 
 have affiited me here, in promot- 
 ing the gofpel, and comforted me 
 under my confinement. 
 
 12 Epaphras, who 
 is one of you, a fer- 
 vant of ChriiT, falut- 
 eth you, always la- 
 bouring frequently for 
 you in prayers, that 
 
 12. & 13. Epaphras, your good 
 Chriitian teacher, who has a zea- 
 lous love for your church, and 
 is ever praying for your conftancy 
 and perfection in Chriitianity, fa- 
 lutes you. 
 
 ye may Hand perfect 
 
 and complete in all the will of God. 
 
 13 For I bear him record, that he hath zeal for you, 
 and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. 
 
 14 Luke the belo- 
 ved phyfician, and 
 Demas greet you. 
 
 15 Salute the bre- 
 thren which arein La- 
 odicea, and Nymphas, 
 and the church which 
 is in his houfe. 
 
 16 And 
 
 14. So does Demas, and Luke 
 the beloved phyfician. 
 
 15. My hearty love to the 
 Chriftians of Laodicea, particu- 
 larly to Nymphas and his Chrii- 
 tian family. 
 
 I 
 
 16. And, 
 
3x8 
 
 A Paraphrase on th?c, &c. 
 
 Chap. IV. 
 
 A. P. 62. 16 And when this 
 'epiftle is read amongft 
 you, caufe that it be 
 readalfoin the church 
 of the Laodiceans ; 
 and that ye likewife 
 read -f- the epiftle from 
 Laodicea. 
 
 17 And fay to Ar- 
 chippus, Take heed 
 to the miniftry which 
 thou haft received in 
 the Lord, that thou 
 fulfil it. 
 
 I (>. And, when this epiftle has 
 been communicated to all your 
 own church, let it be read to the 
 church of Laodicea, and let their 
 f epiftle be read ' to your church 
 too. 
 
 17. Warn Archippus, from me, 
 to mind the main duties of his 
 Chriftian miniftry, and not trouble 
 himfelf,or other people, with need- 
 lefs controverfies and difputes. 
 
 18 The falutation 
 by the hand of me, 
 Paul. Remember my 
 bonds. Grace be with 
 you. Amen. 
 
 18. I here fahite you, with my 
 own hand-writing. Remember 
 I am a prifoner for your fakes, 
 and keep fteady to my doctrine 
 The divine love and favour be 
 with you. Amen. 
 
 5" Written from Rome to the Colofliaus, by Tychicus and 
 Onefimus. 
 
 A PARA. 
 
 f [The epiftle from Laodicea.'] It is not known, for mv 
 tflin, what this epiftle was. Dr. Mills and Dr. Whitby 
 think, it to have been St. Paul's Epiftle to the Ephefians j 
 (which they fup-pofe in reality, to have been written to the 
 Laodiceans.) See Dr. Mill, Prolegom. $ 72, 73, &c. and 
 l^Ir. Berifon's Hift. of the firft Propag. Gofp. Vol. II. 
 Chap. 10. Seel:. 8. Others take it for one written to the 
 Laodiceans, which is now loft ', as no doubt many other a- 
 poftolical papers may be, without any derogation to the 
 facred canon *, there being as many of them left and provi- 
 dentially preserved, as ar£ abundantly fufHcient for the enc, 
 for which they were written. 
 
PARAPHRASE 
 
 ON THE 
 
 FIRST AND SECOND EPISTLES 
 OF ST. PAUL 
 
 TO THE 
 
 THESSAL0N1ANS. 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 $ I. TT is agreed on by the moft exac"l chronologers, 
 J[ that there could not pafs above a year, be- 
 tween the writing of thefe two epiitles. That they 
 were alio written from the fame place, viz. Corinth ; 
 and upon the fame argument and occafion, appears by 
 the concurrent fuffrage of the beft, both of ancient and 
 modern authors. What the chief aim of them was, 
 will be learned partly from the hiftory of the Acts, re- 
 lating to St. Paul's preaching to this church, and partly 
 from the paflages in the epiftles themfelvcs. 
 
 I 4 § %. Ads 
 
120 Preface to the First and Second EnsrLEs, 
 
 § 2. Acts 17. We find St. Paul preaching in a yenvi/b 
 fynagogue at ThefTalonica. The converts he then made, 
 according to the account there given, confided of fomc 
 Tews, but moftly of Greeks, profelyted to their religion, 
 but that fome Gentiles alfo came in, before either of 
 thefe epiftles were fent, and made this, like moft others, 
 a church mixed up of both kind? of believers, feems 
 clear from feveral expreflions and advices peculiarly di- 
 rected to Gentile converts, as in 1 ThefT. i. 9. iv. 3, 5, 6, 
 
 § 3. The violent oppofition, and implacable malice 
 wherewith the generality of the Jews of this place per- 
 fecuted the apoftle and his doctrine, we read in the 
 forementioned chapter of the Acts. And the whole 
 itrain of thefe epiftles, together with the time of their 
 inditement, which was during his flay at Corinth," even 
 in the fame year he converted the ThefTalonians, fhows 
 his defign to have been, by an early care, to fupport and 
 cherifh his new Chriftians, under the furious attacks, 
 and the falfe and malicious fuggeftions of thefe Jewj/b 
 zealots. 
 
 §4. Thofe obftinate wretches, not contented to in- 
 jure the bodies and efates of fuch of their brethren as 
 had forfaken the ceretnonial hw 3 to profefs the Chrifian 
 faith, endeavoured to affright and terrify their mind/ 
 alio by continually founding in their ears that confident 
 afTertion of theirs, That none but a circumcifed Ifraelite 
 could have any J] jar e in the future happinefs ; and confe- 
 quently that all Chriftians that died without circumcifiony 
 were eternally loft. To this the apoftle refers, 1 Epift. 
 chap. iv. 13, to the end. And, whereas the prophetic 
 writings had fpoken much of the great and terrible day 
 of the Lord, and the apoftles themfelves had frequently 
 given notice of a dreadful appearance of ChriJ} to judg- 
 ment ; this they underftood of the temporal kingdom 
 and conquefts of their Meffiah •, affirming it to be near 
 at hand, and that its greateft terrors were to light upon 
 the head of fuch Chriftians as revolted from the lam of 
 Mofes. On the contrary, the founder Chriftians, ac- 
 cording to St. Paul's doctrine, expected that judgment 
 to fall on the obftinate Jews, and thofe falfe Chriftians 
 that corrupted the gofpel religion ; though by a com- 
 mon prejudice they feem to have expected it to come 
 {poner than they had any juft grounds for. See 1 Epift. 
 
To THE ThESSALO*NIANS. 1 21 
 
 chap. 5. and 2 Epift. chap. 2. wherein St. Paul feems 
 plainly to include both the day of final judgment ^ and 
 that of the deftru&ion of the Jenvyh nation, under one 
 and the fame phrafe of the day of the Lord; as our Sa- 
 viour had before done under that of, the day, or coming 
 of the Son of Man : Thus, keeping to the general terms 
 of the prophetic fcripture, without giving fuch open 
 and diitincl: notices of that previous judgment upon 
 Jerufalem, and the temple ; which, to have then done, 
 would mod probably have exafperated the infidel part 
 of that prejudiced people, into an untimely and incurable 
 degree of rage and bitternefs. So then, though the 
 apoitle's account of this matter was prudently couched 
 in expreflions of a latitude adapted to the times, and 
 perfons he wrote to ; yet to them who knew his mind, 
 and to us, who have feen the fubfequent events fo con- 
 curring and agreeable, the fum of what he fays upon 
 this point in thefe epiftles, is clearly reducible to this ; 
 W2. That indeed there was a day of dreadful judgment, 
 and wondrous revolutions a-coming, as both the J'crip- 
 tures and Chrift himielf hath foretold : but that neither 
 the day of univerfal doom was any thing near at hand, 
 nor even that of the deftrutHon of the Jewi/b nation 
 was to happen, till fome particular occurrences had pall- 
 ed, viz. That before the final judgment of the whole 
 world, there would be great corruptions, by the violent 
 abufe and impofitions of temporal power, even by fuch 
 as would, in feveral ages, be governors of Chrijlian 
 churches. This is the grand apojjacy, or filling-away, 
 or the man of fin, &c. in St. Paul, and the « \W#£<s-(^>, 
 The Antichrifly in the molt eminent fenle of that phrafe 
 in St. John ( 1 John ii. 18. 22. 23.) And, moreover, 
 that God would in his due time, and in moll terrible 
 manner, fcourge and punifli all fuch arbitrary governors, 
 and vile corrupters of the church of Chrift. In like 
 manner, the obftinate and infidel nation of the Jews 
 were not to feel the fatal effects of divine wrath upon 
 themfelves, their city and temple, till, by their laft and 
 utmoft rage againft the Chrijlian faith, by their perfe- 
 cting its profeflbrs, and their feditious revolt from the 
 Roman government, they had began the work of the 
 great Antichrijl^ and might, in a primary fenfe, come 
 
 under 
 
122. Preface to the First and Second Epistles, &c* 
 
 under his title and character. And thus, as the de- 
 itru£tion of Jerufalem is allowed by all judicious divines, 
 to be defcribed in exprellions common to that of the fi- 
 nal judgment, and to be a kind of type and emblem of 
 it ; fo (I think) the Jews, and heretics (pawned from 
 them, were the Antichrijl already come t the forerunners 
 of that great AntichrjJ}> to all whofe moll eminent cha- 
 racters the church of Rome has fo undoubted a title. 
 (See and compare Pref. to i Epift. John, and i John ii. 
 1 8. 22. 23. with 2 Pete* chap, iii.) See alfo my Parap. 
 On the Revelations. 
 
 CHAP, 
 
Chap. I. i Epistle to the ThessaloniAns. 
 
 * 2 3 
 
 CHAP. r. 
 
 The Title and Salutation, He exprejfeth his Religious Joy and 
 Satisfadlion at their embracing the Chr'tjlian Faith, by his 
 preaching to them; and their Jirm and exemplary Adherence 
 to it, againjl the violent Ufage they met with from the Jewijh 
 sfdverfaries. 
 
 ipAUL and Silva- 
 nus, and Timo- 
 theus, unto the church 
 of the Theffulonians, 
 which is in God the 
 Father, and in the 
 Lord Jefus Chrift, 
 grace be unto you, 
 •and peace from God 
 our Father, and the 
 Ilord Jefus (Thrift. 
 
 2 We give thanks 
 to God always for 
 you all, making men- 
 tion of you in our 
 prayers, 
 
 3 Remembering 
 without ceafing, your 
 work of faith, and 
 labour of love, and 
 patience of hope in 
 our Lord Jefus Chrift, 
 in the fight of God, 
 and our fathers : 
 
 4 Knowing, bre- 
 thren beloved, your 
 elecYion of God. 
 
 I. "DAUL, the apoflle of Jefus a. d. 52. 
 "*• Chrift, fendeth this epiftle' ' \ i ■ ' 
 to the church of TheJJalonica, con- 
 verted to the true religion of God 
 the Father, and his Son Jefus 
 Chrift ; wifhing you all divine 
 favours and blelTings from them ; 
 as do alfo * Sihanus (or Silas) and # See not* 
 Timothy, who are- now with me. on Phil. i. 
 
 3- 
 
 2. To let you know how much 
 I blefs and praife God for your 
 converfion ; and how mindful I 
 am of you in the prayers I put 
 up to him. 
 
 3. Reiigioufly and thankfully re- 
 membering your fteady faith in 
 the gofpel, your pious endeavours 
 to promote it, out of pure love to 
 God and to mankind 5 and the 
 great patience wherewith you luf- 
 fer for it, from the lively hopesyou 
 have in God through Jefus Chrift. 
 
 Thefe are my delightful 
 
 4- 
 
 thoughts, dear brethren, while I 
 confider, and afture myfelf, thai: 
 God has now made you converted Gentiles true mem- 
 bers of the church of Chrift, by your firm belief of its 
 <lo£trines, and dutiful obfervance of its precepts. 
 
 5. Efpccially 
 
124 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. I. 
 
 A. D. 52. 5 For our gofpel 
 u ^T— / came not unto you in 
 word only j but alio 
 in power, and in the 
 Holy Ghoft, and in 
 much affurance, as ye 
 know what manner of 
 men we were among 
 you for your fake. 
 
 6 And ye became 
 followers of us, and 
 of the Lord, having 
 received the word in 
 much affliction, with 
 joy of the Holy 
 Ghoft: 
 
 7 So that ye were 
 cnfamples to all that 
 believe in Macedonia 
 and Achaia. 
 
 8 For from you 
 founded out the word 
 of the Lord, not only 
 in Macedonia and 
 Achaia, but alfo in 
 every place your faith 
 we need not fpeak any 
 
 9 For they them- 
 felves (how of us, 
 what manner of en- 
 tering in we had unto 
 
 * A&sxvii. y° u » an d how ye turn- 
 1. ed to God from idols, 
 
 to ferve the living and 
 true God, 
 
 10 And to wait for 
 his Son from heaven, 
 whom he raifed from 
 the dead, even Jefus, 
 which delivered us 
 
 from 
 
 5. Efpecially when I reflect up- 
 on myfelf, as the happy inftru- 
 ment of bringing you to it, by 
 not only delivering its doctrines 
 to you, but demonftrating and 
 confirming the truth of them, by 
 fuch miraculous powers and evi- 
 dences of the Holy Ghoft, as you 
 know I did. 
 
 6. And were fo entirely con- 
 vinced by them, as to imitate our 
 great mafter Chrift Jefus, in fuf- 
 fering for it with a moil cheerful 
 mind, aihfted with the inward 
 comforts of the Holy Spirit. 
 
 7. & 8. So that, as your city is 
 the metropolis of Macedonia, your 
 church has been the firft and chief 
 fpring of the gofpel doctrine in 
 the Grecian countries. And I 
 need not fay how celebrated and 
 exemplary your Chriftian prin- 
 ciples are become in all thofe 
 parts. 
 
 to God-ward is fpread abroad, fo that 
 thing. 
 
 9. For every one's mouth is full 
 of it ; friends and enemies ac- 
 knowledge how ready and cheer- 
 ful a reception you gave me at 
 my firft * preaching to you j and 
 how effectually you were con- 
 verted from heathen idolatry to 
 the true Chriftian religion. 
 
 12. In full hope, and expecta- 
 tion of deliverance from that fu- 
 ture punifhment, which will fall 
 upon all wicked men; and of eter- 
 nal happinefs, at the great appear- 
 ance 
 I 
 
Chap, I. i Epistle to The Thessalonians. 
 
 wrath to 
 
 :aj 
 
 from the wrath to ance of Jefus Chrift the Son of ^JJ^' 
 come. God, our Redeemer and Saviour ; 
 
 an aflurance founded on the certainty of his refurredtion 
 from the dead. 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 He remembers them again of the Powerfulnefs and Sincerity 
 of his miniflry amongjl them ; and of the good EjfeEls it 
 had on them. The Apoftle's Readinefs and Courage to 
 preach to them, as their Gentile Apoflle ; and their Steadi. 
 nefs in his Doclrine, againjl all the Perfecution of the Jew s» 
 The Obflinacy and Punijhment of that People. St. Paul's 
 Dejire to vijit the Thejfalonians again, out of his great Af- 
 fection for their Church. 
 
 1 pOR yourfelves, 
 brethren, know 
 our entrance in unto 
 you, that it was not 
 in vain. 
 
 2 But even after 
 that we had fuffer- 
 ed before, and were 
 fhamefully entreated, 
 as ye know, at Philip- 
 pi, we were bold in 
 our God to fpeak un- 
 to you the gofpel of 
 God with much contention. 
 
 i . THHUS complete * is your • chap, h 
 
 •*■ converfion to Chriftianity ; $, &c. 
 and well might it be fo, confider- 
 ing with what powerful demon- 
 itrations my doctrine was attended. 
 
 2. And with what courage and 
 refolution I preached it to your 
 church, againlt all the furious op- 
 pofition from the Jews ; and after 
 the many contemptuous a'bufes I 
 had juft before fuffered for it, as 
 you know, at Philippi f . f a&s xvi. 
 
 3 For our exhorta- 
 tion was not of deceit, 
 nor of uncleannefs, 
 nor in guile : 
 
 4 But as we were 
 allowed of God to be 
 
 put 
 
 And confidering how 
 
 3 .& 4 
 free my arguments to you were of 
 all finifter and felfilh defigns ; void 
 of all deceitful purpofes to ingra- 
 tiate myfelf with men, for the 
 gratification of any (inful pafllons 
 
 of 
 
116 
 
 A Paraphrase on th£ 
 
 Chap. It 
 
 A. D, 52. put in truft with the 
 
 1 ■ st '-'gofpel, even fo we 
 
 {peak, not as pleafing 
 
 men, but God. which 
 
 trieth our hearts. 
 
 5 For neither at 
 any time ufed we flat- 
 tering words, as ye 
 know, not a cloke of 
 covetoufnefs, God is 
 witnefs j 
 
 6 Nor of men fought 
 we glory, neither of 
 you, nor yet of others, 
 when we might have 
 been burthenfome, as 
 the apoftles of Chrift. 
 
 7 But we were gen- 
 tle among you, even 
 as a nurfe cherilheth 
 her children : 
 
 8 Sobeing affection- 
 ately deflrous of you, 
 we were willing to 
 have imparted unto 
 you, not the gofpel of 
 God only, but alfo 
 our own fouls, becaufe 
 
 9 For ye remem- 
 ber, brethren, our la- 
 bour and travel : for 
 labouring night and 
 day, becaufe we would 
 not be chargeable un- 
 to any of you, we 
 preached unto you the 
 
 10 Ye arc witnef- 
 fes, and God alfo, how 
 kolily, and juftly, and 
 unblameably we be- 
 haved ourfelves among 
 vou that believe. 
 
 of my own; aiming at nothing 
 but the faithful difcharge of the 
 great truft committed to me by 
 God the fearcher of hearts. 
 
 C. & 6. Who can teftify how 
 perfectly clear I was of all flat- 
 tering exprefhcns to promote my 
 ririvate intereft ♦, how far from 
 leeking popular applaufe, or tem- 
 poral profit > infomuch that I re- 
 fufed to be maintained by yours, 
 and feveral other churches, though 
 I could have claimed that privi- 
 lege belonging to me as a Chri- 
 ilian apoflle and minifter. 
 
 7. But, on the contrary, ufed you 
 with the tendernefs of a mother to 
 her child, giving nourifhment to 
 you, but receiving none from you. 
 
 8. Thus affectionately defirous 
 of your fpiritual good, was I ready 
 not only to preach the gofpel to 
 you of free-coft, but to die * for 
 you : fo dear are you to me. 
 
 ye were dear unto us. 
 
 9. For ye cannot but remenrr 
 ber, that I and my companions 
 wrought at our trades early and 
 late, to maintain ourfelves, and 
 live without any contributions for 
 preaching the gofpel to you. 
 
 gofpel of Godi 
 
 10. God, and yourfelves, can 
 teftify, what care I took to cut 
 off all objections, from every fort 
 of Chriftian converts, while we 
 converfed among you. 
 
 XI. & tic 
 
 * Our own foul, rat ^w^«? wvt*j, roy own life* 
 
Chap. II. i Epistle to the Thessalonuns. 
 
 wr 
 
 ii As you know 
 how we exhorted, and 
 comforted, and charg- 
 ed every one of you 
 (as a father doth his 
 children), 
 
 12 That ye would 
 walk worthy of God, 
 who hath called you 
 unto his kingdom and 
 glory. 
 
 5*- 
 
 13 For this 
 alfo thank 
 
 caufe 
 we God 
 without ceafing, be- 
 caufe when ye receiv- 
 ed the word of God 
 which ye heard of us, 
 ye received it not as 
 the word of men, but 
 (as it is in truth) the 
 word of God, which 
 effectually worketh al- 
 fo in you that believe. 
 
 14 For ye, brethren, 
 became followers of 
 the churches of God, 
 which in Judea are 
 in Chrift Jefus : for 
 ye alio have fuffered 
 like things of your 
 own countrymen, e- 
 ven as they have of 
 the Jews : 
 
 16 Who both kill- 
 ed the Lord Jefus 
 and their own pro- 
 phets, and have per- 
 secuted us : and they 
 pleafe not God, and 
 are contrary to all 
 men. 
 
 ir. & 12. And both by doc- A. D. 
 trine, and example, treated you, ' "'"'" '' 
 as good and kind parents to their 
 own children, encouraging you all 
 to your duty, confirming you un- 
 der your affliction, and charging 
 you in the moil earneil manner, 
 to live in all refpecb worthy of 
 this mighty favour of God, in 
 making you members of Chrift's 
 kingdom and religion here, in 
 order to your eternal glory here- 
 after. 
 
 13. 1 am now, therefore, con- 
 ftantly bleffing and praifing God 
 for the happy effects of my en- 
 deavours upon you ; that you en- 
 tertained my doctrine, not as a 
 well-laid fcheme of human ph'ilo- 
 
 fophy, but (what it really is) as the 
 pure word and revelation of God, 
 fo powerful in its influences on. 
 the principles and practices of all 
 that h ncerely embrace it. 
 
 14. As yourfelves are now a 
 plain inftance, who are perfecuted 
 by the Jews of your own coun- 
 
 try *, as the Chriftians of Judea * A(5lsxvi - 
 are by theirs, for the fake of this j— 8. 
 religion-; and have courage to 
 bear it patiently, after their ex- 
 ample. 
 
 15. Being both of you perfe- 
 cuted by that obftinate and mali- 
 cious people, that crucified Jefus 
 Chrift their own MeJJiah, as their.. 
 forefathers, by the fame wicked 
 principles, flew their own pro- 
 phets that foretold his coming 3 
 and fo it is no wonder they (till 
 perfecute us his difciples and followers ; being a people 
 that have very few true notions of religion themfelves, 
 6 and 
 
128 
 
 A Parafhrase on the 
 
 Chap. 1L 
 
 A. D. 52. and yet proudly infult, contemn, and fcorn all other peo- 
 * ■ v ' pie that are not of their own nation and perfuafion. 
 
 1 6. They are averfe to us for 
 preaching the gofpel of falvation 
 to the Gentile world •, utterly re- 
 fufing to embrace the religion of 
 Chriil, unlefs they can engrofs all 
 the mercies and privileges of it to 
 themfelves. By their incurable 
 obftinacy, in which pride and pre- 
 judice they are likely to fill up the meafure of their ini- 
 quities, and become ripe for a complete and final de- 
 ftruction. 
 
 17. But though, dear brethren, 
 I am, by their malice, * detained 
 from you for the prefent •, be af- 
 
 16 Forbidding us 
 to fpeak to the Gen- 
 tiles, that they might 
 be laved, to fill up 
 their fins alway : for 
 the wrath is come up- 
 on them to the utter- 
 moft. 
 
 17 
 
 But we, bre- 
 *A<ftsxvn.thren, being * taken 
 5— . 10 . from you for a ihort 
 time, in prefence, not 
 in heart, endeavoured 
 the more abundantly 
 to fee your face with 
 great defire. 
 
 18 Wherefore, we 
 would have come un- 
 to you (even I Paul) 
 once and again 5 but 
 Satan hindered us. 
 
 19 For what is our 
 hope, or joy, or crown 
 of rejoicing ? are not 
 even ye in the pre- 
 fence of our Lord Je- 
 fus Chrift at his com- 
 ing ? 
 
 10 For ye are our 
 glory and joy. 
 
 fured my heart is with 
 
 you 
 
 and 
 
 my defires and refolution to vifit 
 your church again, are thereby 
 only heightened and confirmed. 
 
 18. Do not, therefore, mifinter- 
 pret my (lay from you. For I had 
 been with you long ago, had not 
 thefe wicked inftruments of Satan 
 prevented me. 
 
 19. & 20. And believe me fin- 
 cere in what I fay ; for there is 
 nothing I fo much delight and re- 
 joice in, nothing I expe£f. fo much 
 glory from, at the great day of 
 Chrifl's appearance to judgment, 
 as from you my fteady converts 
 to his religion, and from the 
 fuccefs of my great labours in 
 converting you to it. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 * Ver. 17. [Taken from you,] umgpeuH&ivrts — It is a 
 moil emphatical word, [Taken away, as a dying parent Is 
 from his orphan children]. See Acts xvii. 5 — 20. 
 
Chap. III. i Epistle to the Thessalokians. 
 
 J29 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 A Teflimony of his great AffeBion for them, in fending Timo- 
 thy to them., to know how they did, to comfort them under 
 their Perfections, and confirm their Chrifiian Refolution* 
 The Satisfaction he reaped from the good Account Timothy 
 brought him of their Church. His Prayers for their final 
 P erf ever ance. 
 
 l YXfHerefore when 
 we could no 
 longer forbear, we 
 thought it good to be 
 left at Athens alone ; 
 
 2 And fent Timo- 
 theus our brother and 
 rainifter of God, and 
 our fellow-labourer in 
 the gofpel of Chrift, 
 to eftablim you, and 
 to comfort you con- 
 cerning your faith ; 
 
 I. & 2.HPHIS * ardent and fin- A. D. 52. 
 •*■ cere affection for your VchCT"i; 
 church, put me under fuch dreadi Q) 2 o. 
 and concern at the perfecutions 
 you were expofed to, from the 
 malicious Jews, that I no foon- 
 er leftyou, and arrived at Athens, 
 but I fent Timothy, that faithful 
 and good mimfter of Chrift, back, 
 again to you, to fee how yon did, 
 to comfort and fupport you under 
 your diftreffes. And though I 
 
 much wanted his affiftance there, yet I chofe rather to 
 
 be left only with Silas, amongfl thofe proud f and con-f A&sxvi. 
 
 tentious philofophers, than not to ferve you and hear from 14 ' *5» l6 - 
 
 you. 
 
 3, 4. & 5. I fent him, therefore, 
 for fear any of you mould be dif- 
 couraged from your profeflion; and 
 to remind you of what I had often 
 told you, w'z. That Chnftianity is, 
 what you have found it to be, a 
 ftate of trials and fufferings, and 
 thofe fo hard too, that 1 was under 
 apprehenfions the devil, by thefe 
 his wicked inftruments, might 
 fucceed in his attempts, and draw 
 K fome 
 
 3 That no man 
 fhould be moved by 
 thefe afflictions -, for 
 yourfelves know that 
 we are appointed 
 thereunto. 
 
 4 For verily when 
 we were with you, we 
 told you before, that 
 we (hould fuffer tribu- 
 lation ; even as it came 
 to pafs, and ye know. 
 
 Vol. II. 
 
*3* 
 
 A Paraphrase on THr 
 
 Chap. ITL 
 
 A D. 52. c For this caufe fome of you from the true faith, 
 -— v— — when 1 could no long- and fo defeat my labours in your 
 er forbear, I fent to converfion. 
 know your faith, leit 
 
 by fome means the tempter have tempted you, and our la- 
 bour be in vain. 
 
 6. & 7. But Timothy, at his 
 return, gave me fo comfortable an 
 account of your ileadinefs, con- 
 fiancy, and good aff ction to me, 
 as made me eafy under the worft 
 afflictions that can befal me. 
 
 6 But now when 
 Timotheus came from 
 you unto us. and 
 brought us good tid- 
 ings of your faith 
 and charity, and that 
 ye have good remem- 
 brance of us always, defiring greatly to fee us, as we alfo 
 to fee vou : 
 
 7 Therefore, brethren, we are comforted over you in all 
 our affliction and diftrefs by your faith : 
 
 8 For now we live,. 8. For your conflancy to Chri- 
 
 if we it and fait in the 
 Lord. 
 
 9 For what thanks 
 can we render to God 
 again for you. for all 
 the joy wherewith we 
 joy for your fakes be- 
 fore our God. 
 
 10 Night and day 
 praying exceedingly 
 th*r we might fee your 
 face, and might p. rfecl 
 thatwiiich is lacking in 
 your faith. 
 
 n Now God him- 
 felf, and our Father, 
 and our Lord Jefus 
 Ch ift direct our way 
 unto you. 
 
 12 And the Lord 
 
 make you to increafe 
 
 and abound in love 
 
 one 
 
 ftianity is the great comfort of my 
 lire. 
 
 9. & 10. Nor can I fufficiently 
 blefs and praife God for the fatis— 
 faction I reap at your converfion, 
 and the progrefs you have made 
 in the true religion. And am 
 ever wifliingand praying for ano- 
 ther opportu itv to fee you again, 
 and perfect thofe lnttrucYions 
 which I could not fully r mplete, 
 by reafon of my ihort * itay a- 
 mongit you. 
 
 11. nd rr.'! God our fup.cms 
 Creator, and Fa her, and Jti'us 
 Chriit, our K edeemer and Gover- 
 nor, fo order it that 1 may foon 
 vifit you -or that end. 
 
 12. In rhe mean time, may he 
 gracioufljs affifl- all your pious chf- 
 pofitions to the fame peritct love 
 
 to 
 
 * A<5ts xvii. 1, to, and chap. iv. 13. of this epiftl* 
 
Ghap. III. x Epistle to the Thessalqnians. 
 
 *3* 
 
 one towards another, 
 and towards all men, 
 even as we do towards 
 you : 
 
 13 To the end he 
 may eftablifh your 
 hearts unblameable in 
 holinefs before God, 
 even our Father, at 
 the coming of our 
 Lord Jefus Chriit, 
 with all his faints. 
 
 to each other, and charity toward A. D. 5*1 
 all mankind, that I myfelf bear 
 toward you. 
 
 13. And may he preferve and 
 confirm you in all holy and ac~ 
 ceptableconverfation,, till the great 
 and lolemn appearance of our" 
 Lord Jefus Chrift to reward you 
 and all good Chriiiians. 
 
 CHAP. IV* 
 
 He warns the Gentile Converts of their Church againft the 
 Vices they had been nwjl addifted to in their Heathenifi 
 EJiate ; particularly againjl Uncleannefs. An Encourage 
 ment to mutual Love and Charity, and to Induflry in their 
 Callings, A Confolation for the Death of their Chrifian 
 Friends, from the AJfurance of ChriJV s glorious appear anc& 
 and our future Refurretlion. 
 
 I pUrthermore then 
 we befeech you, 
 brethren, and exhort 
 you by the Lord Jefus, 
 that as ye have re- 
 ceived of us how ye 
 ought to walk, and to 
 pleafe God, fo ye 
 would abound more 
 and more. 
 
 2 For ye know what 
 Lord jefus. 
 
 3 For this is the 
 will of God even your 
 
 fan&i- 
 
 I. & 2. T^HE fum of what I 
 -*• have now further to 
 exhort you to, is, carefully to fol- 
 low and improve the directions 
 for a holy and Chriftian life, as 
 I gave you them from the doc- 
 trine and authority of Jefus 
 Clirift. 
 
 commandments vve gave you by the 
 
 3. I muft particularly remind 
 
 you, Gentile converts, of that 
 
 K % great 
 
J'3» 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. IV. 
 
 A.D. 
 
 WOQVUC 
 
 fan&incation, that ye 
 ; (1iould abftain from 
 fornication : 
 
 religion 
 Chriftians from 
 
 4 That every one 
 of you fhould know 
 how to poflefs his 
 veflel in fan£tification 
 and honour : 
 
 *5 Not in the luft of 
 concupifcence, even 
 as the Gentiles which 
 know not God : 
 
 great duty of purity and chqftity, 
 
 an abftinence from all kinds of 
 
 uncleannefs || ,♦ which the gofpel- 
 
 is efpectally defigned to reform you Gentile 
 
 4. & 5. How indifpenfibly obli- 
 ged you all now are to preferve 
 your bodies in temperate and fo- 
 ber habits, dedicated to the fer- 
 vice of God, and free of thofe 
 lulls and paflion-s that are a disho- 
 nour to them ; and in which none 
 but ignorant heathens, that have 
 no fenfe and knowledge of the 
 
 true God, would ever indulge themfelves. 
 
 6 That no man go 
 beyond and defraud 
 his brother * in any 
 matter, becaufe that 
 the Lord is the aven- 
 ger of all fuch : as we 
 alfo have forwarned 
 you, and teitified. 
 
 6. That none of you prefume 
 to violate the rights of his neigh- 
 bours bed, or abufe human na- 
 ture in fuch lufts as are contrary 
 to it * : Sins that God will molt 
 feverely punilri, as I have form- 
 erly, with great earneitnefs, fore- 
 warned you, as againft the com- 
 
 mon vices of the countries f you live in. 
 
 7 For God hath 
 not called us unto un- 
 cleannefs, but unto 
 holinefs. 
 
 8 He therefore that 
 defpifeth, defpifeth 
 not man, but God 
 who hath alfo given 
 unto J us his holy 
 
 Spirit. 
 
 9 But 
 
 7. For nothing is fo oppofite to 
 the ChrijVian religion, the very 
 purpofe whereof is, to cleanfe and 
 reform you from fuch impurities. 
 
 8. Whoever of you, therefore, 
 negle£ts or contemns this advice 
 I give them from the very infpi- 
 ration of the Holy Spirit, de- 
 fpifeth God himfelf, by whofe in- 
 fpiration and authority I aft. 
 
 9. As 
 
 * [In any matter,] tv rw -x^olypxli. [In fuch a wicked act. :J 
 rr^yti*, in a bad fenfe being the fame with facinus in the 
 Latin. 
 
 I All biftorians are full of the luxury and debaucheries 
 of the Grecians. 
 
 X Ver.8. [Unto us his bc-y Spirit.] Note, allHenry Stephen's 
 MSS.and Several othcrs,read it tk v^, unto you : And then 
 
 the 
 
Chap. IV. i Epistle to the Thessalonians. 
 
 i3S 
 
 9 But as touching 
 brotherly love, ye need 
 not that I write un- 
 to you : for ye your- 
 felves are * taught of 
 God to love one ano- 
 ther. 
 
 10 And indeed ye 
 do it towards all the 
 brethren, which are in 
 all Macedonia : but we 
 befeech you, brethren, 
 that ye increafe more 
 and more. 
 
 11 And that ye ftu- 
 dy to be quiet, and to 
 do your own bufinefs, 
 and to work with your 
 own hands (as we 
 commanded you :) 
 
 12 That ye may 
 walk honeftly toward 
 them that are without, 
 and that ye may have 
 lack of nothing. 
 
 9. As to the great duty of love A.D.52. 
 and unity, I need not repeat my 
 exhortations to you now, who are 
 fo truly fenfible, from my former 
 apoftolical precepts, and from the 
 example of Chiifl himfelf, how 
 efTential a duty of Chriftianity 
 this is*. 
 
 10. And I am convinced, how 
 carefully you exercife it toward 
 all the Chriftiansyou liveamonglh 
 And all I have to do is, to en- 
 courage you flill further to it. 
 
 11. And to advife you all to an 
 indunrious and peaceable temper, 
 to mind the duties of your feveral 
 callings, and not intermeddle un- 
 neceffarily in what does not con- 
 cern you. 
 
 12. Thus approving and fhowi 
 ing yourfelves to be men of a de- 
 cent and orderly converfation in 
 the eyes of infidels ; fo as not to 
 
 be branded with the character of 
 an idle and ufelefs people, or be beholden for your live- 
 lihood to men of a contrary religion. 
 
 K 3 13. I mufl 
 
 the fenfe is this, a God hath given you his Holy Spirit, on 
 " purpofe to cleanfe you from impurity, and reduce you to 
 " holinefs of life ; fo that to neglect, and defjpife the advice 
 " I now give, is to defpife God, whofe Spirit it is." Indeed, 
 the fenfe will be the fame, if by us in this verfe is meant, 
 not us the opofles, but Chrijlians in general, as in the verfe 
 foregoing. 
 
 * Ver. 9. [Taught of God]; 0s* hMot—A molt em- 
 phatical word — Not only taught by the precepts^ but by the 
 example of God and Chrift. Their former heathen deities 
 could never be truly fuppofed to teach them univerfal bene- 
 volence : for thofe gods are faid to have quarrelled amongfy 
 one another. 
 
X34 A Paraphrase on the Chap. IV a 
 
 A.D. 52. j* But I would not 13* I muft alfo particularly arm 
 
 **'"Vn~/ have you to be igno- you againft the proud fuggeftions 
 
 rant, brethren, con- and pretences of thejeivi/h zealots^ 
 
 cerning them which who wou l d fright you into a be- 
 
 are adeep, that ye li e f, « That no uncircumcifed per- 
 
 forrow not even as f Qr that forfake the Jeww 
 
 others which have no f& ^^ can partake of Ac 
 
 ^ # future happinefs, any more than 
 
 II Sec the a heathen that has no hope or profpecl at all of it || 1. 
 jpref. §4- whereby they endeavour to difcourage your hopes of the 
 
 good condition of all your Chriftian friends that have 
 
 died in the faith of Chrifl. 
 
 14 For if we be- 14, But be not terrified with 
 lie ve that Jefus died, fuch impudence and groundlefsaf-. 
 and rofe again, even f er tions ; for the full affurance 
 fo them alfo which you have of the a & ual death and 
 flecpin Jefus. will God re f lirre aion of Jefus, your head 
 bring with him. and g^^ is demonftration e „ 
 
 nough to you, 'that at his fecond coming to judge the 
 world, God will raife up and fully reward all his true 
 difciples and followers, 
 
 15 For this we fay 15. And, for your further con- 
 
 unto you by the word firmation in this great truth, let 
 
 of the Lord, That we me allure you of the following 
 
 which are alive, and circumftances of this future judg- 
 
 remain unto the com- ment and refurre a l0 n, as 1 re- 
 
 ing of the Lord,- ftall cdved them from chrjft himfelf 
 
 not f prevent them ~>, - « - 1 /-,, •«■ 
 
 ...• / * n viz. lhat thofe good Chriltians 
 
 which are alleep. , „ .. . .. ° , 
 
 ■ that mall be alive upon earth, at 
 
 our Lord's appearance, (hall not receive their happy 
 
 change, and glorious reward, till all thofe that died in 
 
 his true faith, be raifed from their graves, to receive it 
 
 along with themf. 
 
 16. Fop 
 
 * Ver. 13. [That ye forrow not even as others that have 
 no hope], viz. of a refurreciion. The apoille means to dif- 
 fuade the Chriftians from uiing thofe exceffive figns of for* 
 row, thofe bowlings and lamentations over their dead friends ? 
 which the heathens were known to make, 
 
 t Ver. 15, [We v>hich are alive (hall not prevent them 
 which are afleep]. Note, I have mentioned the Jewijh 
 zealots as the perfons againft whofe iniinuations this paiTige a 
 
 from. 
 
Chap. IV. i Epistle to the Thessalonians. 
 
 *35 
 
 1 6 For the Lord 
 himfelf mall defcend 
 from heaven with a 
 fhout, with the voice 
 of the archangel, and 
 with the trump of 
 God : and the * dead 
 in Chrift lhall rife fir ft. 
 
 16. For Chrift himfelf (hall then, A.D. 52. 
 in the molt loiemn and glorious *"—"">"-— 
 manner, with a valt retinue of 
 the holy angels, his heralds and 
 milliliters, defcend from heaven, 
 to fummon all mankind to a final 
 judgment j and the firlt thing tneji 
 to be done will be, to xaile all 
 good and fincere Chriftians from death J. j R ev# xx 
 
 17 Then we which 
 are alive, and remain, 
 fhall be caught up to- 
 gether with them in 
 the clouds, to meet the 
 Lord in the air : and 
 fo lhall we ever be with 
 the .Lord. 
 
 17 And then thofe faithfuls 6. 
 Chriftians that are alive at r.he lCor,x *' 
 
 refurrection, lhall undergo tneir 
 bltfttd change j and to all toge- 
 ther lhail be taken up into the 
 clouds, to meet their Saviour, and 
 be carried with him into a blefled 
 and eternal abode. 
 
 18- Wuh thefe confideranons, 
 theretoref, t'ulljf.tisfy ana com- 
 fort one another, as to the con- 
 dition of your departed friends, and your own happy 
 Jlate after death. 
 
 K 4 CHAP. 
 
 18 Wherefore com- 
 fort one another with 
 thefe words. 
 
 from verfe 13. to the end of the chapter, feems to he level- 
 led. Yet I muil contefs, it feems, probably, to have been 
 ipoken aguntt the mi'underftandings of forae [Thtffalonian 
 Chriftians], concerning the expected [coming of Chrift, the 
 day of the Lord], which they took to be [near at hand], 
 2 Thef. ii. 2, 3. in which they feem to have been of opini- 
 on that thole vho were then alive Ihould enjov a long and 
 great happinefs. before the refurrettion of fucii Chriftians as 
 were dead Againft this imagination, the fevtral fthrafes of 
 this paffage arc indted very much adopted, elpecially tnis of 
 the 15th verie — We which are alive jha/l not prevent. « pi 
 ip5cc<rapiv, i. e. /ha/l have no advantage above, or jh ail not %et 
 thejlart of them which jleefi : So far from that, fays the apol- 
 tle, That [the dead in Chrift fhall rife firll], ver. 16 
 
 * Ver. 16. [The dead in Chrift lhall rife firft'. See Rev. 
 xx. 4, 5, 6. wfth my paraph, and notes there, and upon '.he 
 reil of that chapter. 
 
 j With the£e words, Ivfe t.iyoi; Ti?r«<$, with thefe thing*. 
 
136 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. V. 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 The Jpnjlle males it needlefs for Chriflians to Inow the fixed 
 Time of Chrifts Judgment. Only obferves to them the fud- 
 dennefs and Terror of it to 'wicked Men. Exhorts them to 
 fuch Care y and purity of Converfation, at will prepare them 
 to pay due Value and RefpeEt to their Spiritual Governors. To 
 the Exercife of Unity, Charity, Patience and Forgivenefs ; to 
 Prayer and Thank/giving : To a jujl Regard to Prophetic 
 and Spiritual Endowments ; to difcretion in entertaining, 
 and Conflancy in upholding the Truth. His Prayers, Salu- 
 tations, and Conclujion. 
 
 A.D.52. 1 "RUT of the times 
 ' and the feafons : 
 brethren, you have no 
 need that I write un- 
 to you. 
 
 j| Matth. 
 xxiv. 26. 
 
 I. "DUT as to the particular 
 •*-* time either of God's judg- 
 ment upon the Jewijh nation * 
 in particular, or of Chrift's ap- 
 pearance to the great and general 
 judgment of the world, there is no occafion for you to 
 know, nor for me, if I could, |j to acquaint you with it. 
 2 For yourfelves 2. What you know of it al- 
 ready, is fufficient for the ftate 
 you are in at prefent ; to excite 
 and engage you to prepare for it 
 viz. That (come when it will) it 
 will be very fudden and terrible. 
 
 3- ^ 
 
 know perfe&ly, that 
 the day of the Lord 
 fo cometh as a thief 
 in the night. 
 
 * XgoW y&j xc&t£*v, the times and the feafons, in the plural 
 number j refpecling both the judgments mentioned in the 
 paraphrafe. The one was plainly hinted at chap. ii. an4 
 the other in the latter part of the foregoing chapter. See 
 the Pref. J 4, 
 
Chap. V. i Epistle to the Thessalouians. 137 
 
 * 3. It will be exceeding dreadful A. D. 54. 
 and furprifing to all wicked and 
 irreclaimable men, who, at a time 
 when they are going on thought- 
 lefs and fecure in their unrepent- 
 ed impieties, fhali find themfelves 
 unexpected)^ t'cized upon by the 
 mod difmal and inevitable de- 
 ftruction. 
 
 4. But you, dear brethren, be- 
 ing reclaimed from your former 
 {late of (in and ignorance, un- 
 lefs by your own wilful neglect, 
 
 are in no danger of being terrified at, and unprepared 
 for, that great day. 
 
 5. For by your admiffion into 
 the Chrifian covenant, you have 
 all the means of happinefs and 
 falvation, which neither the ob- 
 ftinate Jew nor infidel Heathen 
 can enjoy. 
 
 6. You mull remember, there- 
 fore, how highly it concerns you 
 to live a life quite different from 
 either of thofe ftupid people ; to 
 
 be active, temperate, fober, and vigilant, in all in- 
 flances of Chriftian duty, fo as to be prepared for that 
 appearance of our great Judge. 
 
 For they that 7. For as night is the feafon 
 wherein drunkards ufually exer- 
 cife their debaucheries, and fleep 
 and inactivity poffeffeth us all 5 fo 
 aloofe andunthoughtful life is the 
 beft that can be expected in a llate of ignorance, blind- 
 nefs, and prejudice ; but in a better and more enlightened 
 condition, we are obliged to better and wifer courfes. 
 
 8 But let us who 8. Which is your cafe now, af- 
 
 are of the day be fo- ter your converfion to the gofpsU 
 ber, putting on the religion. You muft therefore now 
 JDieau-plate of faith bq watchful and induflrious in 
 
 3 For when they 
 {hall fay, Peace and 
 fafety •, then fudden 
 deOruction cometh up- 
 on them, as travel up- 
 on a woman with child : 
 and they lhall not e- 
 fcape. 
 
 4 But ye, brethren, 
 are not in darknefs, 
 that that day mould 
 overtake you as a thief. 
 
 5 Ye are all the 
 children of light, and 
 the children of the 
 day ; we are not of 
 the night nor of dark- 
 nefs. 
 
 6 Therefore let us 
 not fleep as do others: 
 but let us watch and 
 be fober. 
 
 7 
 lleep, fleep in the 
 
 night, and they that 
 be drunken, are drun- 
 ken in the night. 
 
 faith 
 and 
 
 all 
 
t 3 S 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. V, 
 
 A.D. 
 
 5*. and love, and for an ail holy* living. Your faith in 
 O helmet, the hope of God, and his promifes, your love 
 falvation. t0 himf <na * to ail mankind, muft 
 
 guard you, as the brealt-plate does the foldier ; and your 
 ardent and firm hopes of eternal happinefs muft, as the 
 helmet is to his he id, be a fecurity againfl the violent 
 aiTaults ot the devil and wicked men. 
 
 * Mat 
 y.x'x. 4 
 Lujte x: 
 38. 
 
 9 For God hath not 
 appointed us to wrath : 
 but to obtain faivatijn 
 bv our LORD Jefus 
 
 ChxifT. 
 
 10 Who died for 
 us, 'h^t whether we 
 wake or fleep, we 
 
 together 
 
 ur 
 fhould live 
 with htm. 
 
 11 Wner fore com- 
 fort yourleives toge- 
 ther and edify one a- 
 nother, even as alio ye 
 do. 
 
 12 And we befeech 
 you brethren to know 
 them which labour a- 
 roong you, and are o- 
 ver you in the Lord, 
 and admonim you ; 
 
 13 And to efteem 
 tlie.oi very highly in 
 love for their works 
 fake. And be at peace 
 among yourft-lves. 
 
 14 Now we exhort 
 you. brethren, warn 
 them that are unruly, 
 comfort the feeble- 
 minded, iupport the 
 weak, be patient to- 
 ward all men. 
 
 9. Thus attending therefore to 
 the duties required of you, you 
 may be recur? : this day of judg- 
 ment will be no day of terror, 
 but of falvation to you, by Jefus 
 Chria. 
 
 10. By virtue of whofe death 
 and fuffenngs, all faithful and fin- 
 cere Cnrift/ans are certain to live 
 eternally with him, let him come 
 at what time foever he will *. 
 
 11. Go on, therefore, in con- 
 firming youffelvts, and fupport- 
 ing one another, in your Chri- 
 fban profellion, by this comfort- 
 able afiurance. 
 
 12. & 13. And let me particu- 
 larly exhort you to pay all juft 
 reipecl to the admonitions and 
 inltructions of your fpiritual go- 
 vernors : efteem them in propor- 
 tion to the dignity of their office, 
 and the exewplarinefs of their 
 lives ; and live in unity and cha- 
 rity with one another. 
 
 14. In order to which, be fure 
 to warn and advife all iuch as are 
 refractory to theirs and my or- 
 ders. Relieve and comfort fuch 
 as are hard preffed with afflic- 
 tions and persecutions ; confirm 
 and reftore fuch as labour under 
 
 anv 
 
Chap. V. I Epistle to the Thessalonians, 
 
 *39 
 
 any doubts and prejudices againft our holy religion ; A - D - 5*« 
 and bear the infirmities of all forts of men with an even ^-■■V^*^ 
 and patient carriage. 
 
 15 See that none 15. Seek no revenge againft: 
 render evil for evil f uc h as have injured you ; but be 
 unto any man j but p- k^ind and forgiving to your fel- 
 ver follow that which low Qiriftians, and even to your 
 is good, both among perfecutors. 
 
 yourlelves, and to all 
 men. 
 
 16 Rejoice ever- *6. In all conditions and cir- 
 more. cumftances, let the hopes you 
 have in Chrift, and in the bleflings of his religion, be 
 your inward joy and fatisfaction. 
 
 17 Pray without 1 7. Be diligent and conftant 
 ceaiing. in obferving ail proper feafbns 
 
 of devotion and prayer. 
 
 1 3. For whatever mercies you 
 receive, or whatever afflictions be- 
 fal you, look up with a thankful 
 heart to God, by whofe good pro- 
 vidence everything will be turned 
 to your blelling and advantage. 
 
 19. Have a juft regard to all 
 fpiritual gifts and endowments, 
 improve them in yourfelves with diligence, modefty, 
 and prudence ; and duly refpecl others that are quali- 
 fied with them *. * t cor. Hi. 
 
 20 Defpife not pro- 20, 21. & 22. Though there 1 . 3« 
 phefyings. ^ are too many that vent their faife^ ^ "** 
 
 21 Prove all things: duftrines, under presence of pro-\+™ 
 hold fait that which is phetical mfpiration, yet remem- 
 
 18 In every thing 
 give thanks : for this 
 is the will of God in 
 Chriit Jefus concern- 
 ing you. 
 
 19 Quench not the 
 fpirit. 
 
 good. 
 
 22 Abftain from all 
 appearance of evil. 
 
 ber, that G-od has furniihed his 
 church With perf.nis truly .nfpir- 
 ed. Do not therefore neglect che 
 one for the fake of the orher ; but examine and try thrn 
 all, by the rule and ftandard of the Chnltian f ciucinne;t t Jbh* 
 keeping clofe to what you find, by that rule, to bcr fourid lv ' u 
 and go d, arid renouncing every thing th t upon due 
 examine Uon apprars to be ialfe and lli-deHgied. 
 
 21. And 
 
14© 
 
 A Paraphrase on the, &c. 
 
 Chap. V, 
 
 A.D. $i. 23 And the very 
 God of peace fanctify 
 you wholly : And I 
 pray God your whole 
 fpirit, and foul, and 
 body, be preferved 
 blamelefs unto the 
 coming of our Lord 
 Jefus Chrift. 
 
 23. And may the God of peace 
 and comfort fo profper your en- 
 deavours, as to render you true 
 and perfect Chriftians, in the ex- 
 ercife of all the faculties and pow- 
 ers both of mind and body ; that 
 fo you may be accepted of him as 
 his true and faithful fervants, at 
 the great day of Chrift's appear- 
 ance. 
 
 14. Be fully afTured that God, 
 who has been fo gracious as to 
 call you into the privileges of the 
 gofpel religion, will never fail to do his part, for your 
 attaining the final and eternal bleffings of it. 
 
 24 Faithful 
 that calleth you 
 alfo will do it. 
 
 is he 
 who 
 
 25 Brethren, 
 * Col. iv. 4.f or us. 
 
 pray 
 
 26 Greet all the 
 brethren with an holy 
 kifs. 
 
 27 I charge you. 
 by the Lord, that this 
 epiftle be read unto all 
 the holy brethren. 
 
 28 The grace of our 
 Lord Jefus Chrift be 
 with you. Amen. 
 
 25. Let me, dear brethren, your 
 fpecial * apoftle, have a fhare in 
 your Chriftian prayers. 
 
 26. Salute all the Chriftians in 
 yonr parts with your ufual kifs 
 of charity, for my fake. 
 
 27. 1 charge you, by the autho- 
 rity of Chrift, to communicate 
 this epiftle to your whole church. 
 
 28. The love and favour of 
 our Lord Jefus Chrift be with 
 you all. Amen. 
 
 A P A R A- 
 
PARAPHRASE 
 
 ON THE 
 
 SECOND EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL 
 
 TO THE 
 
 THESSALONIANS. 
 
 See the Preface to the Firjl Epiflle. 
 
 C H A P. I. 
 
 *Ihe Perfections of the Jewifti Zealots again/} this Church 
 fill, continuing and increajing, and the Apofile beings beyond 
 his expeclation, detained from paying them the vift. he had 
 promifed (i ThclT. ii. 17, 18. Hi. 10, 11.) fends this Second 
 Epiflle to revive and bach the Encouragements he had given, 
 them. He here exprej/etb his Thankfulnefs to God for their 
 inviolable Patience and Jieady Progrefs in the Chriflian Faith* 
 Strengthens their Courage and Hopes, from the Confederation 
 of the happy Ends and Effects of their pre fent Sufferings, the 
 Vengeance that would light on their Perfecutors, and the glori- 
 ous Reward they would reap at the great Day of God's Judg- 
 ment, and Cbrift' 's folemn Appearance, to recompenfe all true 
 Believers, and to vindicate the Honour of his holy Religion. 
 
 i pAUL and Silva- 1. & 2. T)AULthe apoftle fend- Wf ; tecn 
 
 nus, and Timo- ■*■ eth this fecond epiftle a. D. 52. 
 
 theus, unto the church to the church of ThefTalonica, d»e latter 
 
 of the Theffaionians, wh : ch under all pre iVures and ™ a d r of thc 
 
143 
 
 A Paraphrase on th2 
 
 Chap. 1* 
 
 A.D. 52. In God our Father, 
 " v 'and the Lord Jefus 
 Chrift : 
 
 2 Grace unto you 
 and peace from God 
 our Father, and the 
 Lord Jefus Chrift. 
 
 3 We are bound to 
 thank God always for 
 you, brethren, as it 
 
 * «iri{«*ii-is meet, becaufe that 
 *>"• your faith groweth 
 
 exceedingly, and the 
 charity of every one of 
 you all towards each 
 other aboundeth : 
 
 4 So that we our- 
 felves glory in you in 
 the churches of God, 
 for your patience and 
 faith in all your per- 
 secutions and tribula- 
 tions that ye endure. 
 
 5 Which is a mani- 
 feft token of the righ- 
 teous judgment of 
 God, that ye may be 
 counted worthy of the 
 kingdom of God, for 
 which ye alfo fuflfer. 
 
 6 Seeing it is a 
 righteous thing with 
 God to recompenfe 
 tribulation to them 
 that trouble you : 
 
 persecutions that befal them, re- 
 main ftill firm to the true religion 
 of God the Father, and Jefus 
 Chrift our Lord and Governor ; 
 wifhing you all divine favours 
 and bleffings from them ; as do 
 alfo * Timothy and Silvanus (or 
 Silas) who are now with me. 
 
 3 Expreffing (as in duty and 
 gratitude I am bound) my con- 
 stant praifes to God for the great, 
 and even * unexpected progrefs 
 you have made in the Chriftian 
 faith, under all the difficulties at- 
 tending it, and for your enlarged 
 charity and unanimity with each 
 other. 
 
 4. Of which remarkable degree 
 of faith producing fuch patience 
 and courage, under what you fuf- 
 fer for your profeflion, I take no- 
 tice, and triumphantly boaft of 
 to all the Chriftian churches in 
 thefe parts. 
 
 5. & 6 Such religious patience, 
 whereby God has enabled you fo 
 perfectly to bear fuch hardmips, 
 for his fake, and qualified you for 
 the future glories of his kingdom, 
 does at once fully vindicate the 
 divine wifdom and juftice, in call- 
 ing you to thefe fufferinors, and 
 gives you a complete affurance 
 how juftly and fully he will one 
 day take vengeance on thofe that 
 now fo unjuftly opprefs you. 
 
 7, 8. & 9* 
 
 * See ncte on Phil. i. 3, 
 
Chap. t. 
 
 2 Epistle to the Thessalonians. 
 
 *4* 
 
 j And to you who 
 are troubled, reft with 
 us, when the Lord 
 Jefus (hall be revealed 
 from heaven with his 
 mighty angels, 
 
 8 In Aiming fire, 
 taking vengeance on 
 them that know not 
 God, and that obey 
 not the gofpel of our 
 Lord Jefus Chrift. 
 
 9 Who (hall be 
 punifhed with ever- 
 lafting defirudtion, from 
 the glory of his power. 
 
 7, 8. & 9 It ftrould highly fa- A. D. 5*. 
 tisfy you, I fa} , what a cr si- pi te — ""v"""***' 
 happinefs you (hall then (hare in 
 with us the apoftles and mincers 
 of Chrift ; and how tern i»l fh II 
 be their \,x\w\\~\ ent at rhe dread- 
 ful and amazing appearance of 
 the Lord Jef is irom heaven, yeho 
 by his glnnousand powerful p e- 
 fence, will (bike all infidel atid 
 obftmate men into everl'*it ing 
 mifery and deftruftion. 
 
 the prefence of the Lord, and from 
 
 10 When he (hall 
 come to be glorified 
 
 in his faints, and to 
 "be admired in all them 
 that believe (becaufe 
 our teftimonv among 
 you was believed) in 
 that day. 
 
 adherence to my do£t 
 happy (hare. 
 
 1 1 Wherefore alfo 
 we pray always for 
 you, thar our God 
 would count you wor- 
 thy of this calling, 
 and fulfill all the good 
 plealure of his good- 
 nefs and the work of 
 faith with power. 
 
 12 That 
 
 io. Then will be the time 
 when the divine wifdom, juit ce, 
 and mercy, in the gofpel difpen- 
 fation, (hall be fully difplayed to, 
 and admired by all good creatures, 
 angels and # men ; efpecially by- 
 all Hue Chriftiafts, among whom 
 you, for this firm and generous 
 rine, lhall have a particular and 
 
 if. To which purpofe, I con- 
 tinually beg cf God, fo power- 
 fully to affiil you in all Chriltian 
 faith and pr- clice, as may render 
 you truly qualified for thofe blcfT- 
 ed ends of your converfion to his 
 holy religion. 
 
 * [In his faints.] *Ev r»7g uyictg uvrv, in, with, or by his 
 faints. It not being clear whether faints be the fame Mfh 
 believers, or (ignifies the heavenly Spirits^ I have exprefied 
 both acceptations* 
 
144 
 
 A Paraphrase ok the 
 
 Chap. I 
 
 A.D. 52. 1 2 That the name of 
 1 ' v ■ 'our Lord Jefus Chrift 
 may be glorified in 
 you, aad ye in him, 
 according to the grace 
 of our God, and the 
 Lord Jefus Chrift. 
 
 1 2. That fo Chrift may be ho- 
 noured and glorified by you, and 
 ye made happy in him, accord- 
 ing to the wife and gracious de- 
 fign of his gofpel. 
 
 ;CHAP. II. 
 
 * See Pref. 
 
 to 1 Epift. 
 §4- 
 
 He forewarns them from concluding, either from the confident 
 Affertions of their Adverfarics, or from any thing he had 
 him/elf written or fpoken to them, That the Time ofChrifs 
 Appearance to judgment was near at hand. The divine 
 Judgment upon Jerufaiem and the Jewifh Nation, was not to 
 be fulfilled till that obfiinate People had by their lajl and ut. 
 mofi Malice againfi the Chrifiian Religion, and their turbu- 
 lent Rebellion againfi the Roman Government, ripened them* 
 felves for a final Defiruclion. Nor is the univerfal Judgment 
 of the World to come, till after many and great Corruptions 
 be brought into the Chrifiian Church, by the arbitrary Impo- 
 Jitions of temporal Power among its own Profefibrs. This 
 latter Event is the Great Apoftacy * or falling away. 
 Thofe powerful Corrupters of Chrifiianity are the Man of 
 Sin, in the mofi eminent Senfe of that Phrafe. The Apofile 
 blejjeth God for the fife Condition the TheJ/h Ionian s were in , 
 by embracing the true Chrifiian Faith ; exhorting them t6 i 
 and praying for their final P erf ever ance in it. 
 
 1 ATOW we befeech 1.&2. T^HUS have I endeavour- 
 
 you, brethren, ■*■ ed to comfort and fup- 
 
 hy port you under your afflictions, 
 
 from 
 
Chap. Its a Epistle to the Thessalonians; 
 
 us 
 
 * by the coming of 
 our Lord Jefus Chrift, 
 and by f our gather- 
 ing together unto him. 
 2 That ye be not 
 foon fhaken in mind, 
 or be troubled nei- 
 ther by fpirit, nor 
 by word, nor by let- 
 ter, as from us, as that 
 the day of Chrift is at 
 hand. 
 
 from the confederation of the great A.. D. 52. 
 day of Chrifl's judgment*. But*"" -"v— — 
 as you value the bleffings you are 
 to enjoy at his f glorious appear- 
 ance, take heed that no confident 
 aflfertions, nor pretended infpira- 
 tions of the Jewijh xcalots, nor 
 the mifreprefentation of any thing 
 I myfelf may have faid or writ- 
 ten ± to you upon that head, make 
 
 you conclude the time of this 
 judgment muft needs be juft at hand ; for fuch a falfe 
 perfuafion, when you fee the expected event not to an- 
 fwer, would tend to (hake you in your Chriilian princi- 
 ples, and tempt you to miitrutl the truth of the whole 
 gofpel religion. 
 
 3. And, to prevent you from 
 being fo impofed upon* I now 
 plainly teli you, that ChriJPsjud'g^ 
 ment, neither upon the Jewijh na- 
 tion in particular, noi upon the 
 whole world in general* is yet 
 near at hand. Jerufn'e'n is not 
 to be d^ftroyed, till mat wicked 
 people, by their laft malice againit Chriftianity, and their 
 {edition againit the Romans, be ripe for deihuctiun. 
 And before the unfaerful judgment there will be intro- 
 duced great corruption* ot the Chriftian faith, in feve- 
 ral ages of the church 5 a great apojlacy from the pure 
 truth, and practice, and worihip oi Chriftianity* by the 
 Vol. II. L aroit-ry 
 
 3 Let no man de- 
 ceive you by any 
 means : for that day 
 Jhall not come, except 
 there come a falling 
 away firft, and that 
 man of fin be revealed, 
 the fon of perdition : 
 
 * Ver. 1. [By the coming of our Lord Jeies Chrift] ivi^ 
 — [Concerning the coming;, or as to the coming.] ^o Rom; 
 ix. 27! Ifaiahcrieth Infy r*'le-g«»A, [concerning LfraeLJ And 
 2 Cor. i. 6. [Our hope concerning you,] varsj v(mv. So in 
 Philip, i. 7. 
 
 f Ver. 1. 9 2.vi<rvwy*yif, [Our gathering together unto 
 him] may fignify either our being lectived by him at the 
 laft judgment, or our embracing of his religion and voQrJhip, 
 as in Heb. x. 25. The former fenfe is molt natural in this 
 place. 
 
 % Chap. iv. 15. and ver, 2. of the Firft Epift. 
 
^4* A Paraphrase on the Chap. II. 
 
 "A. D. s*- arbitrary and violent ufe of temporal ^ower, even a- 
 w " v "—" ; mong its own pretended profeflbrs*. 
 
 4 Who oppofeth 4 . Thus will the Chriftian re- 
 
 and exalteth himfelf Hgi on be dealt by, from a fet of 
 
 above t all that is haughty and impious men, pre- 
 
 called God, or that is tendn ^ themfelves to be the only 
 
 worfhipped s fo that tme ^^ and k of God . 
 
 he as ?od litteth m , r - r n - ■»• • * 
 
 the temple of God, defpifing all other rehgtousf prin- 
 
 ftowing himfelf that c, P Ies b ,f ,de tnelr own ' u a m P ha & 
 he is God. upon all human government and 
 
 authority, and fetting up their 
 own inventions and traditions againft the plain word of 
 God. . Such will be the practice of the obftinate Jews 
 and the heretical Chriftians, their followers, in thefe 
 times : but much greater and wider will be thefe cor- 
 ruptions under the grand apojlacy in the Chriftian 
 church in after ages, by the violence of temporal power 
 in religious matters, under its own pretended heads and 
 governors. [Which apojlacy in the latter times of the 
 Chriftian church is fo plainly foretold by the prophet 
 Daniel. — Dan. xi. and xii. chapters.! 
 
 5. You 
 
 * [That man of fin.] Some copies read rn etwofiieet, [The 
 man of rebellion or the lawlefs man.] So the Jews and thofe 
 heretical Chriftians that were tainted with their notions, 
 might truly be ftyled, both upon account of their impiety 
 towards God, and their incurable pronenefs to refift thofe 
 temporal powers that Providence had fubjecled them to. But 
 molt eminently fuch is that Chriftian church which takes upon 
 her to excommunicate all Chriftian princes, and abfolve their 
 fubjects from all allegiance to them that fubmit not to her 
 arbitrary dictates and ufurpations. See ver. 4. 
 
 t fAgainft all that is called God, or <rt/Zet<rfiet, worfhip.] 
 Respecting either all other different religions, or perhaps the 
 Roman emperor that affe£ted to be deified, and was ftyled 
 enfant (augujt) j or laftly, mogjlrates in general, who are 
 called gods in fcripture. It is not very Cafy to determine 
 the particular fenfe, and therefore I have expreifed them all. 
 See alfo Le Clerc upon this place, and the learned Dr. Hen. 
 More's Myftery of Iniquity, Book II. Chap. 17. 18 See 
 toy Paraph, and Note on Revel, xvii. 12, &c. 
 
Chap. II. 2 EPISTtE TO THE ThESSAL&NIANS. 
 
 *47 
 
 — j Remember ye 
 not, that when I was 
 yet with you, I told 
 you thefe things ? 
 
 5. You cannot but remember, A. D. ji. 
 while I was preaching amongft " v ■ 
 you, I gave you fome notices of 
 this matter, though you now feerfi 
 to have forgot it. 
 
 6 And now ye 
 know what withhold 
 cth, that he mi 
 be revealed in his 
 time. 
 
 7 For the myftery 
 of iniquity doth al- 
 ready work : only he 
 ■who now letteth, will 
 let, until he be taken 
 out of the way. 
 
 6. & 7. And you cannot but 
 3ia ' fee a plain reafon why this apo- 
 \*l Jlacy cannot break out. immediate- 
 ly. The Jews, indeed, for their 
 part, begin already to {how great 
 inclinations to periecute the Chri- 
 flians, and rebel againft the Ro- 
 mans ; but that the many favours 
 conferred on them by the prefent 
 emperor*, and, at the fame time, * ciaudiu?, 
 his Uriel: eye over them, awes them as yet from openly- 
 attempting it, till after his death, when the troubles 
 and diflurbances of the empire will prompt them to it f . f Jofephu* 
 In like manner, while the government of all countries De B «l- 
 continues in the hands of none but heathen princes, J U j d * Llt 
 there is no room for the grand Chrijlian apojtacy which 
 is to come in after the emperors themfelves turn Chri- 
 stians, and is to be carried on by the arbitrary ufe of 
 temporal power in religious concerns, by . Chrijlian go- 
 
 vernors. 
 
 8 And then fhall 
 that wicked be re- 
 vealed, whom the 
 Lord mall confume 
 with the fpirit of his 
 mouth, and fhall de- 
 ftroy with the bright- 
 nefs of his coming : 
 
 8. When thefe things are pafi, 
 then will be the time of God's 
 fevere judgment upon the wick- 
 ed oppofers and corrupters of his 
 true religion. The Jews, their 
 temple and city, fhall, with a fwiit 
 deftru&ion, perilh by the Roman 
 army. But infinitely more dread- 
 ful and amazing will be the final punilhment of thofc 
 lawful Chriftian governors and corrupters of the true 
 faith ; whom God will blaft with the breath of his mouthy 
 according to the prophet's exprelTion, lfaiah xi. 4. 
 Compare Revelaf. xvii. 12, 13; 14, with my Paraph, 
 there. 
 
 L" 2 9. Sc to. 
 
14$ 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. H, 
 
 A. D. 52. 9 Even him whofe 
 u— y— — 'coming is after the 
 working of Satan, 
 with all power and 
 figns, and lying won- 
 ders, 
 
 10 And with all 
 
 deceivablenefs of un- 
 
 righteoufnefs in them 
 
 * Jofephus that perifh j becaufe 
 
 and Matt, they received not the 
 
 9. & 10. Moll exquifite and 
 terrible will be the divine ven- 
 geance upon thofe people, that 
 will give themfelves up to diabo- 
 lical arts, forged miracles, and 
 lying prophecies ; abandoned to 
 the pernicious methods of fraud, 
 violence and injuftice ; and averfe 
 to all the cleared evidences of 
 true and faving religion*. 
 
 xxiv 24. 
 and fee 
 Pref to 
 1 John, 
 §4- 
 
 love of the truth, that they might be faved. 
 
 1 1 . & 1 2. For which irreclaim- 
 able corruptions, God, in jufl 
 judgment, will let them loofe to 
 the prevalent delufions of falfe 
 prophets and pretenders, fo that 
 they will embrace the mofl ab- 
 furd and foolifh things, and run 
 headlong into fuch defperate 
 courfes as mud naturally end in 
 the utter condemnation and de- 
 flruction of a people, loft to all fenfe of truth and good- 
 nefs, and devoted to falfehood and impiety f. 
 
 13. & 14. And, while I am thus 
 reprefenting to you the wretched 
 fate of all fuch obftinate people, 
 I cannot forbear to exprefs my 
 thankfulnefs to God for your hap- 
 py condition, dear brethren, who 
 by your firm adherence to the 
 gofpel-religion, from the time it 
 was firft propofed to you, are now 
 become the true church and peo- 
 ple 
 
 j- See all thefe predictions exactly fulfilled, with refpect, 
 to the Jews, in Joftphus of the Jewi/h Wars. And they 
 that would fef- the fulh-fl and molt accurate account of the 
 apoftacy fpoken of here, and in other parts of fcripture, may 
 read Mr. Mede, Dr. Hen. More, and Sir Ifaac Newton. 
 From the woiks of which learned and great men any honefl 
 mind will fee to ivhom all thefe characters principally be- 
 long. See my Paraph, on Revelat, 
 
 11 And for this 
 caufe God ihall fend 
 th^m ftrong delufion, 
 that they fhould be- 
 lieve a lie. 
 
 12 That they all 
 might be damned, 
 who believe not the 
 truth, but had plea- 
 fure in unrighteouf- 
 nefs. 
 
 13 But we are 
 bound to give thanks 
 alway to God for you, 
 brethren, beloved of 
 the Lord, becaufe 
 God h;ith from the 
 beginning chofen you 
 to falvation, through 
 fanftification of the 
 fpirit, and belief of 
 the tnuh. 
 
Chap. 11/ 2 Epistle to the Thessalonians. 
 
 U9 
 
 14 Whereunto he 
 caUed you by our gof- 
 pe$ to the obtaining 
 of the glory of our 
 Lord Jefus Chrift. 
 
 15 Therefore, bre- 
 thren, ftand fait, and 
 hold the traditions 
 which ye have been 
 taught, whether by 
 word, or our epiftle. 
 
 16 Now our Lord 
 Jefus Chrift himfelf, 
 and God even our 
 Father, which hath 
 loved us, and hath 
 given us everlafting 
 confolation, and good 
 hope through grace, 
 
 17 Comfort your 
 hearts, and flablith 
 you in every good 
 word and work. 
 
 pie of God ? and are afTured of mil A. D. 52. 
 its glorious bleffings and privi-*"" — v— - 
 leges, by the gifts and graces of 
 the Holy Spirit ; agreeably to the 
 gracious purpofes of God to man- 
 kind, by Jefus thrift. 
 
 15. Continue therefore ftedfaft 
 
 to the doctrines * 1 have deli- * awga- 
 vered to you, whether by word ° 0TU $* 
 of mouth, or by thefe my let- 
 ters. 
 
 16. & 17. And may God the 
 Father, who out of his infinite 
 love, has bellowed thefe gracious 
 conditions, and fure hopes of e- 
 ternal happinefs, by the gofpel- 
 religion ; and may Jefus Chrift, 
 who hath thus redeemed us, and 
 purchafed them for us, fupport 
 you under all your perfectition, 
 and keep you ftedfaft to all the 
 principles and practices of your, 
 holy profeffion. 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 He defires them to pray for his Deliverance from the Malice 
 of the Jews, as he had prayed for them. Renews his 
 Prayer for their Conflancy and Patience. Exhorts them, by 
 his own Example, to Induflry in their worldly Employments, 
 and to avoid Idlenefs. Not to fujfer any Chriflians to lead a 
 la%y Life, but to cenfure them, and avoid their Conversa- 
 tion , in order to reclaim them from it. The Salutation and 
 Conclufion. 
 
 I plnally, brethren, 
 
 pray for us, that 
 
 the word of the Lord 
 
 may 
 
 1. A ND now, to conclude my 
 
 ■^ exhortations to you ; pray 
 
 for me, brethren, as I hare done 
 
 L 3 for 
 
*5* 
 
 A Paraphrase ok the 
 
 Chap. Ill, 
 
 A. p. 52 may hwtfree courfe, for you, befeeching God to give 
 : - v 'and be glorified even the fame happy fuccefs to my 
 as it is with you. Chriftian miniflry, among other 
 
 Gentile nations, that it has had in your church. 
 
 2 And that we may 
 be delivered from un- 
 reafonable and wick- 
 ed men : for all men 
 have not faith. 
 
 3 But the Lord is 
 faithful, who {hall fta- 
 blifli you, and keep 
 you from evil. 
 
 4 And we have con- 
 fidence in the Lord 
 touching you, that ye 
 both do and will do 
 the things which we 
 command you, 
 
 2. Entreat God to prevent the 
 malice, and blaft the defigns of 
 thofe obftinate and ur*reafonable 
 Jews, that thus oppofe his gof- 
 pel j of whom, God knows, there 
 are too great a number. 
 
 3, &. 4. But be their infidelity 
 what it will, and their oppofition 
 never fo ftrong, God will not be 
 wanting to fupport you againft all, 
 the bad effects of it : and I fully 
 perfuade myfelf that your own 
 endeavours will be fuch as cannot, 
 fail, through his afliftance, to keep 
 you firm to the principles and 
 practices I have taught you. 
 
 5 And the Lord 5. And may Chrift fo guide and 
 direct your hearts in- confirm you in the love of God 
 £0 the love of God, anc j t h e true religion, as to rem- 
 and into the * patient ^ er y 0U tru iy patient under your 
 waiting for Chrift. fufferings, after his great exam- 
 
 ple *, and in hopes of his glorious appearance to deli- 
 ver you from, and reward you for them. 
 
 6 Now we com- 
 mand you, brethren, 
 in the name of our 
 Lord Jefus Chrift, 
 that ye withdraw 
 your- 
 
 6. I mutt not forget to warn 
 you, and that by the authority of 
 Jefus Chrift himfelf, not to fuf- 
 fer any Chriftian amongft you to 
 
 live 
 
 * [To the patient waiting for Chrift,] Its Wtpwh tS Xg'fS, 
 i. e. Either to the fame kind of patience wherewith Chrift 
 himfelf fuffered j or elfe, [With the patient expectation o£ 
 Chrift's coming.} I have expreffed both fenfes. 
 
Chap. III. i Epistle to the Thessalonians, 
 
 M* 
 
 yourfelves from every 
 brother that walketh 
 diforderly, and not af- 
 ter the tradition which 
 he received of us. 
 
 7 For yourfelves 
 know how ye ought 
 to follow us : for we 
 behaved not ourfelves 
 diforderly among you. 
 
 8. Neither did we 
 eat any mans bread 
 for nought : but 
 wrought with labour 
 and travel night and 
 day, that we might 
 not be chargeable un- 
 to any of you. 
 
 9 Not becaufe we 
 have no power, but to 
 make ourfelves an en- 
 fample unto you to 
 follow us. 
 
 io For even when 
 we were with you, 
 this we commanded 
 you, that if any would 
 not work, neither 
 fliould he eat. 
 
 ii For we hear 
 that there are fome 
 which walk among 
 you diforderly, work- 
 ing not at all, but are 
 bufy bodies. 
 
 12 Now them that 
 are fuch we command, 
 and exhort by our 
 Lord Jefus Chrift, 
 that with quietnefs 
 they work, and eat 
 their own bread. 
 
 13 But 
 
 live an idle and flothful life, con- A. D. 52. 
 trary to the exprefs advices V /—- J 
 
 gave you 
 
 7. & 3. And to the example 
 you know I myfelf fet you, while 
 1 was preaching among you : 
 earning my own living by con- 
 ftant and unwearied labour, at 
 my trade ; and taking nothing of 
 any of your church toward my 
 maintenance. 
 
 9. Not that I could not have 
 claimed it as the privilege of my 
 office, to be maintained by them 
 I preach to, but I did it on pur- 
 pofe to encourage you all to a di- 
 ligent and laborious life. 
 
 10. You remember alfo, I then 
 gave a particular charge, that no 
 Chriftian, that was able to work 
 for his livelihood, mould be main- 
 tained from the public charity. 
 
 || Chap. iy. 
 II of ift. 
 Epift. 
 
 11. And I repeat this to you, 
 becaufe I underftand there are 
 fome of your church, that con- 
 tinue ftill guilty of this mifcar- 
 riage, intruding themfelves into 
 matters that do not belong to 
 them, inftead of minding the pro- 
 per bufinefs of their callings. 
 
 12. Wherefore, I now again 
 exprefsly command all fuch per- 
 fons, by the authority of our 
 Lord Jefus Chrift, to leave off 
 that idle courfe, and live upon 
 their own employments. 
 
 La 13. And 
 
*5* 
 
 A Paraphrase on the, &c. 
 
 Chap. HT, 
 
 13 But ye brethren, 
 be not weary in well 
 doing. 
 
 14 And if any man 
 obey not our word by 
 this epiftle, note that 
 man, and have no com- 
 pany with him, that he 
 may be aflhamed. 
 
 1 5 Yet count him 
 not as an enemy, but 
 admonifh him as a 
 brother. 
 
 1 Cor. xvi 
 
 a*. 
 
 13. And do you all, dear bre- 
 thren, go on in that commendable 
 * way of induftry and diligence. 
 
 14. And whoever of thole idle 
 perfons will not reform, and take 
 warning by what I now fay, fet 
 a mark upon them, fhun their 
 converfation, and make them a- 
 fhamed of it. 
 
 1 5. I would not, however, 
 have you utterly reject them like 
 infidels, from your Chriftian fo- 
 ciety ; but, along with your fe- 
 
 verities and difcouragements, give them brotherly ad- 
 monition and reproof, in order to reclaim them. 
 
 16 Now the Lord 16. Now may God, the Author 
 of peace himfelf give of our pardon, peace, and happi- 
 nefs, give you all the means of 
 comfort and happinefs, by his 
 continual prefence with you, and 
 his providence over you. 
 
 17. I here falute you with my 
 own || handwriting, as a certain 
 fign of the genuinenefs of my e- 
 piftles, to ali that know my hand. 
 
 1 8. The love and favour of our 
 Lord Jefus Chrifl be with you all. 
 Amen. 
 
 you ptace always, by 
 all means. The Lord 
 be with you all. 
 
 17 The falutation 
 R&eRom. f p aul with mine 
 
 own hand, which is 
 the token in every 
 epiftle fo I write. 
 
 18 The grace of our 
 Lord Jefus Chrift be 
 with you all. Amen. 
 
 A PARA-, 
 
PARAPHRASE 
 
 ON THE 
 
 FIRST AND SECOND EPISTLES OF 
 ST. PAUL 
 
 TO 
 
 TIM07HT. 
 
 THE PREFACE. 
 
 § I. '""THOUGH the place whence the fojl • of thefe Epif- 
 ■*- ties was written, nor indeed the time, be univer- 
 fally agreed on ; yet one may moil probably conclude 
 the latter, with Bifhop Pearfon and Dr. Mill, to have 
 been Anno Domini 6$. about two years after St. 
 Paul's jirjl imprisonment and discharge at Rome. The 
 chief defign of them buth, purfuant to his placing Ti- 
 mothy over the church of Ephefus, and thofe of the 
 neighbouring provinces, appears plainly from the cha- 
 racters and falfe notions of the perfons he defcribes ; 
 to fupprefs whofe malicious corruptions, the directions 
 here given are intended. St. Paul's Epiftle to this very- 
 church of Ephefus, three years before, mows the Jew- 
 i/Jj '■zealots to have been the principal authors of the 
 irregularities and difputes there. And, upon compar- 
 ing that with thefe, to the Bifhop, either now actually 
 refioent, or at leait in commijjion there, it feems natural 
 to conclude, that this faction, which had got but little 
 * ground at the date of that hpiftle, had, by this time, t * S t ^ e e ^ 
 
 made § 3 . p ' 
 S 
 
554 Preface to the First and Second Epistles. 
 
 made fuch a progrefs, as to call for avigorous and timely 
 fupprellion : which the attentive reader will, 1 think, 
 be confirmed in, by obferving how exactly thofe charac- 
 ters here given, I Tim. iv. 6, 7. chap. iv. and 2 Tim. 
 chap. iii. do agree to zealots for the Mofaical ceremonies 
 and traditions ; and how juftly the feveral directions in 
 thefe Kpiflles are levelled at the prejudices of a Jewi/h 
 doctor, or a Chrijiian ft ill tainted with Jewi/h preju- 
 dices. Thus, prayer for all men, and in every place (1 
 Tim. ii.), are clearly oppofed, the one to their contemp- 
 tuous opinion of all other nations, and even magiftrQtes, 
 that were of a different extraction from themfelves ; 
 the other to that fond notion, That the public worjhip of 
 the true God was abfolutely confined to the yewijh tem- 
 ple andfynagogues. The fame is to be faid of the nice 
 diftinction of meats and drinks (1 Tim. iv.), and of the 
 fcPref. to obligation of fervants or Jlaves, jj to heathen, as well as 
 theEphcf. Chriftian majlers (1 Tim. vi.). To omit feveral others. 
 $4* §2. Thefe are the people, and thefe the errors the 
 
 reader will find to have been the occafion, not only of 
 thefe, but indeed of molt (not to fay all) of the cpiflo- 
 lary writings. And whatever of the earlieft heretics, vi%. 
 Nichclaitans, Carpocratians, Corinthians, Khionites, tic. 
 (For Dr. Hammond's Gnoilics were not yet formed in- 
 to a diftinct feci, at leaft not fo numerous as to infect 
 every church), may be affirmed by the ancients, or fup- 
 pofed by the moderns, to have been here, or in other 
 Epiftles referred to ; it will be fufficient to anfwer, that 
 even their herefies were made up of a fewi/h medley ; 
 and the heretics themfelves were either of y'ewi/lj ex- 
 traction, or fet up upon pretence of zeal for fewijh ce- 
 remonies and traditions. 
 
 § 3. As to the fecond of thefe Epiftles, it need only 
 to be obferved, that the moll accurate chronologers 
 place it two years after the former, and from feveral ex- 
 preilions in it, agree ic to have been dated from Rome, 
 during the apoflle's fecond confinement under Nero, and ' 
 not long before his martyrdom there- The fubftance 
 of it is clearly of a piece with thefr/lj the prevailing 
 errors above-mentioned, calling yet for frefli advices, 
 and encouragements to Timothy, who was fent to fup- 
 prefs them. 
 
 CHAF. 
 
Chap. I. 
 
 i Fpistle to Timothy, 
 
 '53 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 The Title and Salutation, He reminds Timothy of the good 
 End for which he left him at Ephefus ; vi%. To reduce thofe 
 Converts, who, by the injinuation of the Jewifh Zealots , 
 were intermixing Jewifh Doclrines and Traditions with 
 the Chriftian Faith ; and raijing warm Difputes about infig- 
 nificant Matters. Moral Commands of it Jiill perfectly con- 
 jiftent with it, and promotive of it* The Apfflle^s humble 
 and grateful Senfe of the Mercy of his Converjion, and the 
 Honour of his Chrifiian Miniflry. His Converjioa, a great 
 and Encouraging Example of Divine Favour to all true Pe- 
 nitent Believers, whether Gentiles or Jews. Reminds Ti- 
 mothy of his Call to the Miniflry, and exhorts him to the 
 confcientious Difcharge of it : Warning him, by the Inflan- 
 ces offuch as he had feverely chaJlifed,for their Infolence 
 and Immoralities. 
 
 I t>AUL an apoftle 
 of Jefus Chrift, 
 by the commandment 
 of * God our Saviour, 
 and Lord Jefus Chrift, 
 which i s our hope j 
 
 2 Unto Timothy 
 my own fon in the 
 f^ith : grace, mercy 
 and peace from God 
 our Father, and Jefus 
 Chrift our Lord. 
 
 3 As 
 
 I. & 2. "DAUL an apoftle of Je- Written 
 r fus Chrift, by the ex- A. D 65. 
 prefs || revelation of God our Sa- 1 — ""v^-^ 
 viour * and of Jefus Chrift our 11 Aa,i * 
 Lord and Governor, the Author of 
 all our hopes of glory and happi- 
 nefs, fendeth this epiftle to Timo- 
 thy, whom 1 converted, and be- 
 gat to Chriftianity ; wiming him 
 all divine favour and happinefs 
 from God our Supreme Father, 
 and Jefus Chrift our Lord. 
 
 3. &4. To 
 
 * [God our Saviour] ; fome good copies read xmt «t*{»^ 
 turn 'U<rS X{<ri. [And Jefus Chriit our Saviour^. 
 
z%6 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. IS 
 
 A K65. 3 As I befought 
 ■—— v— — Miee to abide Hill at 
 Ephefus, when I went 
 iiro Macedonia that 
 thou mighteit charge 
 feme that they teach 
 no other doctrine j 
 
 4 Neither ^ive heed 
 to fables, and endlefs 
 genealogies which mi- 
 niffer queftions, ra- 
 ther than * edifying, 
 which is in faith : fo 
 do. 
 
 3. & 4/ To remind you of the 
 end and defign for which I left 
 you at ELphefusy viz. To correct 
 and reform feveral of the Je'vijh 
 converts in that city and theneigh- 
 bouri.ig parts ; to bring them off 
 from mixing their Jewijh no- 
 tions with the * Chrijlian faith ; 
 from the value they fet upon their 
 groundlefs traditions, and their 
 frivolous and endlefs difputes a- 
 bout their pedigrees and defcent 
 from the patriarchs ; to the great 
 neglect of their Chrijlian faith 
 and practice. 
 
 3. For true religion, efpecially 
 that of the vofpel, confifts in none 
 of thefe impertinent matters : The 
 gra:;d deiign of it, and of our f 
 preaching it, being to bring men 
 to the true love of God and their 
 neighbour ; from a principle of pure confeience, and a 
 firm belief of its moral doctrines and precepts. 
 
 6 From which fome 6. And it is the neglect of this 
 
 having fwerved, have main thing that has turned the 
 turned afide unto vain heads of them and their Jewi/b 
 jahgling. teachers to thefe frivolous dif- 
 
 putes, about traditions and pedigrees ; things that are 
 full of uncertainties and void of all advantage to true 
 religion. 
 
 7. They 
 
 5 Now the end of 
 the f commandment 
 is charity, out o^ a 
 pure heart, and of a 
 good confeience and 
 of faith unfeigned. 
 
 * Ver 4. [Rather than edifying.] It fliould be render- 
 ed p AAcj* ij oiKtvofiixi 0e» t«j» \v mru. [Which teach men 
 questions, but not the true difpen Cation of the gofpelj. For 
 all MSS. read it olxovofiutv, not oiKodofAtxv. bee Dr. ftfill. 
 
 f Ver. 5. [The end of the comma idraent] — Or rife dntgqjy- 
 n\Mg. 1 of our preaching]. I have expreffed baio fenles. 
 But perhaps the Uriel meaning of this word is to be taken 
 from ver. 3 where St. Pan! fays, [I befought thee lti'1 to 
 abid ! at Ephefus, hot, 7r#%esyTu'Xn t thsft thou mighteit charge 
 
 fays, the end of this 5iwg«y- 
 yfhuc$, charge or caution, is charily, &c. 
 
.Chap. T. 
 
 i Epistle to Timothy. 
 
 J 57 
 
 7 Defiring to be 
 teachers of the law, 
 understanding neither 
 ■what they fay, nor 
 •whereof they affirm. 
 
 7. T4iey fet up for doctors, and A 
 expounders of the ^Jewijh law ;*"— "V 
 but underftand little of the true 
 fcope, and ultimate defign of the 
 law they are fo zealous for ; nor 
 
 have any certainty of the traditions they fo confidently 
 talk of. 
 
 8. 9. & 10. And whereas they 
 reprefent us as contemners of the 
 Mofaical law in general ; it is an 
 ignorant and falfe fugged ion. For 
 
 8 But we know that 
 the law is good, if a 
 man ufe it lawfully. 
 
 9 Knowing this, 
 that the law is not 
 made for a righteous 
 man, but for the law- 
 lefs and difobedient, 
 for the ungodly, and 
 for finners, for unholy 
 and profane, for mur- 
 derers of fathers, and 
 murderers of mothers, 
 for manflayers, 
 
 10 For whoremong- 
 ers, for them that de- 
 file themfeives with 
 mankind, for men- 
 ftealers, for liars, for 
 perjured perfons, and 
 if there be any other 
 thincr that is contrary 
 to found doctrine. 
 
 we Ch ijlians allow that religion 
 to have been a wife and good 
 difpenfation ; even the ceremonials 
 of it to have had their good pur- 
 pofes, vi»\ To be figurative re- 
 prefentations of Chrift, and his 
 more perfect religion, and then to 
 ceafe ; and not to be of efiertial 
 and perpetual obligation*, as they 
 vainly imagine, contrary to the 
 verj defign of fuch kind of infti- 
 tutions. And as to the more fub- 
 ftantial part of it, i i%. the mot al 
 law, that we hold to be perfect: 
 and good, and ftil] to remain f : 
 But then, we .itirm, t' at law does 
 
 fuade men) ; becauf - 
 
 in no inftance condemn a good 
 
 hnjli n (as tijcy would per- || $$zet9ft 
 it was made agaiait thole very rMreu. 
 vices, fuch as impiety arid falfe wor/hi) , profanation of 
 holy thhigs , panci, fe t murder , uncjeannefs, Sodomy, man- 
 Jlaling, ly ngy perjury 6 c. aii which the go/pel religion 
 fevcrely condemns and pun i flies, as it dees every other 
 inftance of immorality, as much as ever the law couid c:o. 
 
 11. And, 
 
 * [If a man ufe it lawfully J> vofuftag i. e. ac ording to the 
 nature and defign cf the Jewsjh ceremonial low , vl%. not e- 
 fteeming that to be of the lame neceffiry and eternal obliga- 
 tion with the moral ; and condemning all people as apoilates 
 from the one, becaufe they do not think the fame of the. 
 ether, as thofe Judaizing Chrijlians do. 
 
u* 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chape !. 
 
 A. D*. 6$. 1 1 According to 
 
 *-— y— — ■'the glorious gofpel 
 
 of the bleffed God, 
 
 which was committed 
 
 io~ my trull. 
 
 1 1 . And, you know, T have al- 
 ways reprefen ted the pure and glo- 
 rious difpenfation of the gofpel, as 
 deftrucliveof all vice and wicked- 
 nefs: agreeable to the minifterial 
 
 12 And I thank 
 Chrift Jefus our Lord, 
 who hath enabled me, 
 for that he counted 
 me faithful, putting 
 me into the miniftry ', 
 
 13 Who was before 
 a blafphemer, and a 
 perfecutor, and inju- 
 rious. But I obtained 
 mercy, becaufe I did it 
 ignorantly in unbelief. 
 
 •J- See A&s 
 sxvl.9,3, 
 37, *3, *7- 
 
 * Ver.4- 
 4,7- 
 
 ofHce with which God has been pleafed to intruft me. 
 
 12. And I blefs and magnify 
 God, for the great favour of e- 
 fteeming me worthy of it, and 
 qualifying me for a faithful and 
 fufficient difcharge of it by his 
 gifts and graces bellowed on me. 
 
 13. On me, I fay, who, for 
 my former rage and blafphemy 
 exprefTed again ft Chrift and all 
 his profeflbrs, did leaft deferve 
 fuch a favour. But God had com- 
 panion on me, as knowing I did 
 
 it, not againft the known dictates of my confcience, but 
 
 from the fury of mifguided zeal and prejudice f. 
 
 14 And the grace 14. Which eminent degree of 
 
 of our Lord was ex- divine favour, I have endeavour- 
 ed to improve into a perfect faith 
 in Jefus Chrift, and a zealous 
 love for the promotion of his 
 true religion. 
 
 15. While, therefore, the Jew* 
 ijh difputes %, about traditions and 
 pedigrees, are built upon nothing 
 but vanity and uncertainty ; our 
 Chrijiian religion is founded in 
 this undoubted truth *, this great 
 and comfortable fa&, of Jefus 
 
 Chrift's incarnation and fufferings for the falvation of 
 
 ilnful 
 
 ceeding abundant, with 
 faith and love which 
 is in Chrift Jeflis. 
 
 15 This is a faith- 
 ful * faying, and wor- 
 thy of all acceptation, 
 that Chriit Jefus came 
 into the world to fave 
 \i nners, of whom lam 
 chief. 
 
 * Ver. 15. [A faithful faying,] ^5-05 Xcyos, [a truft 
 thin^ :] For xlyog is the fame ■Q-j in the Hebrew, fignifying 
 things or fafts as well as words. And mcrres faithful, ligni- 
 fies being truly or faithfully reprefented, agreeably to the 
 Trio-rig, the faith or religion of the gofpel. So to be found 
 faithfuL is to preach the gofpel truly and faithfully, in oppo- 
 ihion to the errors and mifreprefentations of others. 
 
Chap. r. 
 
 i Epistle to Timothy. 
 
 *5$ 
 
 finful mankind, whereof I myfelf am a moft. fignal ex-~ A,D -^- 
 ample. And if the p.irdoning mercy of the g'fpcl be**— — ^ " '* 
 extended to fo remarkable an offender, to fo notorious 
 a perfecutor of the truth as / have been ; why mould 
 it be thought to be denied to the repenting Gentiles ? 
 
 16 Howbeit, for 
 this caufe I obtained 
 mercy, that in me firft 
 Jefus Chrift might 
 fhow forth all long- 
 fuffering, for a pattern 
 to them which mould 
 hereafter believe on 
 him to life everlafting. 
 
 17 Now unto the 
 king * eternal, immor- 
 tal, invifible, the only 
 wife God, be honour 
 and glory for ever and 
 ever. Amen. 
 
 18 This charge I 
 commit unto thee, fon 
 Timothy, according to 
 the prophecies which 
 went before on thee, 
 that thou by them 
 mightelt war a good 
 warfare. 
 
 16. And cemin'y God has been 
 pleafed,by this great inftance of his 
 mercy toward nte 9 to fhow all true 
 penitent believers, of every nation, 
 how ready and gracioufly willing 
 he is to accept and reward them 
 with eternal life, upon their fin* 
 cere profeiHon of Chrift's religion. 
 
 17. For which, may all honour 
 and glory be for ever afcribed to 
 God the eternal, invifible, and 
 all-wife Governor of the world, 
 and all the feveral difpenfations * 
 of it. 
 
 18. Of this excellent and ad- 
 
 mirable religion, my dear con- 
 vert TimcJiy, have I ordained 
 you a minifler, and now conftitut* 
 ed you bifhop over the churches 
 I left you in, as a perfon marked 
 out by the predictions of the 
 Holy Spirit for that office. A 
 very high trufl indeed ! take care, therefore, to an- 
 fwer thole prophetic characters given of you, by a due 
 and conscientious difcharge of it. 
 
 19 Holding faith 19. By fhidying and firmly ad- 
 and a good confci- hereing to the Chrijian faith, and 
 ence, which fome hav- adorning and confirming thatfaith 
 by a confcientious practice, conil- 
 dering how much a difagreeable 
 and impure life will endanger and 
 corrupt the beil principles. 
 
 20. As 
 
 tng put away, con- 
 cerning faith have 
 made fhipwreck. 
 
 *,The King Eternal, or BxctMT rS» iunr, the ruler of the 
 ages, or difpenfations. 
 
A Paraphrase on the Chap. i 9 
 
 A. T 20 Of whom Is 20. As maybe feen in thepar- 
 
 leneus and Alex- ticular inftance of Hymeneus || 
 
 | aoder, whom 1 have and Alexander, whom tor venting 
 
 Ji' 7 " iV * delivered unto Satan, their notor i ous errors, and oppol- 
 
 that they may learn • the do6trine J preac h, I have 
 
 net to blafpheme. ^ excoinmuilicated from the - 
 
 Chriftian church, and d^livtrvd up to Satan ; till by a 
 
 JiCor.v. fufficient puniihmenr, both of mind and t body, they 
 
 5 * be brought to repentance and reformation. 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 Dire&ions to Timothy for the Management of his Church* 
 Prayers to be made for Heathen Governors, and Gentile 
 People, as well as Chriftian \ it being the gracious Dejign 
 of God to give them all the Offers of the Gofpel Covenant 
 and Privileges, without dijlinSlion. Chrijl the Saviour, and 
 God the Creator and Governor both of Jew and Gentile. 
 The Apojlle declares himfelf a Preacher to both. Public 
 Prayer and Worfhip to be no longer confined to the Jewifh 
 Temple and Synagogue, but to be performed in the Chriftian 
 j4ffemblies of every Nation, with Reverence and Regula- 
 rity Charity and Faith. Women enjoined to appear at th e 
 Public AJJemblies in a decent Garb, with Modefiy. Silence, 
 and Subjetlion, according to the Original Laws of the Crea 
 tion, and the CircumJIances of the fir jl Tranfgreffion. Mar^ 
 riage and Child-bearing no way impure and viconftfiant with 
 true and faving Religion, asfome of the jewifh Zealots pre m 
 tended. Chajlity and fobriely the fpecial Duty of Chrijlian 
 Women. 
 
 i T Exhort, there- I. HPO come now to the parti- 
 fore, that firtt of -*- cular directions 1 am to 
 ::11, fupplications, pray- g^ e you, for the due difeharge of 
 ers, interceffions, and r ffi ce# Arid fi ri t, ] et t h e 
 
 giving of thanks be bHc deV otions of Cbrijiians be, 
 
 made for all men : nQt ^ thofc of j^ ^^ 
 
 put 
 
Chap. II. i Epistle to Timothy, / \6i 
 
 put up only for themfelvesy and thofe of their oiUn na- A « D - 6 5« 
 tion and religion ; but let all mankind have a (hare in' r """ >l 
 each part of your prayers ; viz. In your deprecations for 
 averting divine judgments ; in your petitions for fpiritual 
 and temporal blemngs ; in your intercejjions for the par- 
 don and falvation of others $ and in your thankfgivings 
 for mercies already received* 
 
 2 For kings, and 2. And, as temporal governors 
 for all that are in au- and magiftrates, whether they be 
 thority ; that we may G f the true * religion, or no, are * See Ra- 
 lead a quiet and ftill the minifters of God, for the ma " s xii '* 
 peaceable life in all g00 d of the communities they go- '* 
 godlmefs and honeuy. venij let the emperQr ^ and all otfi ^ 
 
 cers under him be the fpecial fubjecl: of your prayers, 
 befeeching God for *a blefling upon their administration, 
 'and to incline their minds to give you a quiet and peace- 
 able enjoyment of your Chrijiian profeflion. 
 
 3 For this is good 3. For, whatever prejudices 
 and acceptable in the thofe zealots have againit heathen 
 fight of God our Sa- governors ; the Chrijiian religion 
 vlour : makes no alteration in civil con- 
 flitutions, but obliges us to pray for their profperity, 
 and obey their juft laws. 
 
 4 Who will have 4. Thus extendve ought our 
 all men to be faved, Chrijiian prayers to be ; fince God 
 and to come unto the never intended to exclude any 
 knowledge of the part of mankind from his provi- 
 trutn « dence and protection ; but efpe- 
 cially not from the mercies of the Chrijiian covenant \ 
 but is defirous to have all nations enjoy them, upon their 
 acceptance of the faith, and obedience to the precepts 
 of the go/pel, 
 
 5 For there is one 5. & 6. For, as God is equally 
 
 God, and one Media- the Creator and Governor % both j R om . a. 
 
 tor between God and G f Gentiles and Jews, fo has he 29, 30. 
 
 men, the man Chriit gi ven his Son Jefus Chrift as a 
 
 J e " s : . Saviour and interceffor for them 
 
 6 Who gave him- all witnout diftinftion. And 
 felf a ranfonv for all, Chrift h nQW m the f u 
 
 lime. 6 m difpenfation, as freely offered up, 
 
 and demonftrated himfelf a facri* 
 iice and expiation for the fins of all mankind. 
 
 Vol. II. M 7. Of 
 
16z 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. IT. 
 
 7 Where unto I am 
 ordained a preacher 
 and an apolUe (I 
 fpeak the truth in 
 Chrift, and We. not), a 
 teacher of the Gen- 
 tiles in faith and vcri- 
 
 7 And I will there- 
 fore that men pray 
 every where, lifting 
 up holy hands, with- 
 out wrath and doubt- 
 ing : 
 
 A. D. 65. 7 Where unto I am 7. Of which merciful difpen- 
 
 fation / am appointed a preacher, 
 exprefslycommiflioned to declare 
 and offer it to the Gentile world j 
 which, whatever thofe Jewi/h 
 zealots may think of it, is as cer- 
 tainly true * as the Chriftian re- 
 ligion itfelf is. 
 
 8. Wherefore, though'the pub- 
 lic worfhip of the true God has 
 hitherto, for a long time, been 
 truly performed only in the Jew- 
 ijfj temple and fynagogues ; yet 
 was it not intended to be abfolutely 
 
 confined to thofe places. I order, therefore, that every 
 congregation of Chrijiian people, whether Gentile or 
 Jeivi/b, in what country, or place foever, perform their 
 public worfhip of God, through Chrift -, alluring them, 
 it will not fail of acceptance, if it be done with true 
 reverence and piety towards God, with charity and for- 
 givenefs toward mankind, and without animofities 
 
 \ ),*\oynr. % and contentions among themfelves. See Mai. i. 2. 
 
 /"*• John iv. 21 — 24. 
 
 9. Let all Chriflian women ap- 
 pear in the congregation, in a de- 
 cent and modeft drefs •, and not 
 fet themfelves out in a gaudy 
 coftly, and captivating manner. 
 
 9 In like manner 
 alfo, that women adorn 
 themfelves in modeft 
 apparel, w T ith fhame- 
 facednefs and fobriety: 
 not with broidered 
 hair, or gold, or pearls, or coftly array : 
 
 jo But (which be- 
 cometh women pro- 
 fefling godlinefs) with 
 good works. 
 
 11 Let the women 
 learn in filence with 
 all fubjection. 
 
 1 2 But I fufTer not 
 a woman to teach, nor 
 
 to 
 
 10. But let them efleem virtue 
 and modejly to be the proper or- 
 naments of Chrijiian women. 
 
 1 1. & 12. And let them be fure 
 to be grave and iilent in the church 
 aflemblies : For I cannot permit a 
 woman to be a public preacher / 
 that being the proper office of the 
 
 fuperior 
 
 1 * I fpeak the truth in Chrift, aUJtw h Xgffw, Chriftian 
 truth. See Rom. ix. 1. Ibid. In faith and verity *» ««?«' 
 
 x*i mkntii*, in the true faith. 
 
Chap. II. i Epistle to Timothy. 163 
 
 to ufurp authority o- fuperior $ fex, and for them to A. D.^65. 
 
 ver the man, but to do it, is to ufurp upon the laws 
 
 be in filence. of the creation. (Gen. iii. 16.) 
 
 13 For Adam was 13. For the man being firft cre- 
 firftformed, then Eve. ated, and the woman taken out of 
 
 him, and being made as a help 
 and afliftant to him, befpeaks her beauty of modefty and 
 fubje&ion §. § 1 Cor. 
 
 14 And Adam was 14. And befide, Eve being firft xu *• 
 not deceived, but the deceived by the tempter, and 
 woman being deceiv- drawing her hufband into a tranf- 
 
 ed, was iii the tranf- greflion of the divine law, me 
 greflion. and all her female pofterity were 
 
 exprefsly and juftly fentenced to an obedience and fub- 
 je£Uon to mankind ; asa wife punifhment for the ill ufe 
 of her influence over Adam. 
 
 15 Notwithftand- 15. But whereas fome of the 
 ing fhe fhall be faved new teachers endeavour to decry 
 in child-bearing, ^ if the ftate of matrimony and child- 
 they continue in faith bearing, as an impure thing * in- 
 and charity, and holi- confiftent with true religion ; let 
 nefs with fobriety. not t h at frighten the mod virtu- 
 
 ous women from it. Marriage and child-bearing are per- 
 fectly confiftent with the gofpel terms of falvation, and 
 no breach of Chriftian purity. All that I require of 
 Chriftian women is, to keep clofe to their Chriftian pro- 
 feflion, and to remember, that chafity and temperance, 
 and a freedom from all unlawful defires and pleafures are 
 the fpecial duties of their ^tf. 
 
 M 2 CHAP. 
 
 * [She (hall be faved in child-bearing.] Ai« rns nxveyouet;, 
 in the fate of marriage and child- bearing, as well as in that 
 of virginity. Tixwynim^ the fame as «r«/Wo/'« and w*<Wc< we 
 in the clafjics. By comparing the verfe with chap. iv. 3.— 
 V. 10. 14. Heb. xiii. 4. I take the paraphrafe to contain 
 the true meaning of it, without any refpect either to the 
 education of children, or the pains of bringing them forth. 
 Each of which fenfes are attended with difficulties that I 
 humbly conceive are taken off by this interpretation, which 
 I fubmit to better judgments. 
 
A Paraphrase on the Chap. IIL 
 
 CHAP III. 
 
 The Char afters and Properties of a good Bi/7.wp. Of Deacons 
 and beaconejfes. He gives Timothy tbefe fhort Rules, till 
 he fees him, and furnifljes him with more particular direc- 
 tions. The Truth and Excellency of the Chriflian Religion. 
 
 A - D - 6 5- j rpHIS is a true I. "jV/fY next directions to you 
 " faying, If a ■*•*-*■ are, concerning the choice 
 
 man defire the office of bimcps, and church-governors : 
 of a biGiop, * he de- Certainty an office the moil ufeful 
 fifeth a good work. an( j honourable * that any man 
 
 can afpire after ; and whoever aims at it, ought duly 
 to remember thofe difpofitions and qualifications that 
 are required to render him worthy of that honour. 
 
 2 A bilhop then 2. Now the chief of them are 
 
 muft be blamelefs, the fuch as thefe ; viz. He mult be a 
 •f hufband of one wife, perfon unexceptionable in his life 
 vigilant, fober, of ant l m0 rals ; one that is guilty* 
 good behaviour, giv- ne ither of the polygamy of the 
 en to hofpitality, apt f, eat f, e „ Sy nor f divorcing one 
 to teach : w *r e tQ marrv another, out of 
 
 Iuftful or liumourfome reafons, as is too cuftomary 
 among the Jews ; but one that has had but one wife at 
 a time, and kept conftant to her. He mull be vigilant 
 in his ftudies and function, temperate in his paflions and 
 pleafures, decent and grave in his habit, words and ^q(- 
 tures ; ready to entertain ftrangers, able to teach the 
 true gofpel-doclxines, and free in communicating his 
 knowledge, for the inftru&ion of others. 
 
 3. He 
 
 * [He defireth a good work,] x#As s^ya, [An honourable 
 office.] 
 
 t [The huibard of one wife.] Note, The interpreting 
 this paflage as a prohibition of fecond marriages, isluppf rted 
 by fuch {lender reafons, that I thorght them not worth an 
 annotation. The reader may fee them collected together, 
 and fully anfwered by the learned pataphrafer, in Mr. 
 Locke's manner, on this verfe ; who agrees with me in the 
 fenfe here driven. 
 
Chap. III. i Epistle to Timothy. i6? 
 
 3 Not given to 3. He muft be given to no ex- A. D. 65. 
 
 ■wine, no ftnker, not ceis in drinking, nor to violent 1 — ■ — v— — ' 
 
 greedy of filthy lucre, returns upon any provocation, nor 
 
 but patient, not a to an y fordid and mean comics 
 
 brawler, not cove- f or worldly gains. One that is 
 
 tous > mild and modeft, and no way 
 clamorous and abufive in conversation ; nor enflaved to 
 the love of riches. 
 
 4 One that ruleth 4. One that keeps his children 
 well his own houfe, under due difcipline, and his 
 having his children whole family in a decent order, 
 in fubjedion with all by exerciling a prudent authority 
 gravity : over them. 
 
 5 (For if a man 5. (For no one, that is not a 
 know not how to rule good mailer of a family, where 
 his own houfe, how his authority is move immediate, 
 mall he take care of c li re a and clear, can ever be Cup- 
 the church of God ?) po f ed qua iifi e d f OT a church-go- 
 vernor, which is a much higher province, and requires 
 greater ikill and pains in its management.) 
 
 6 Not a novice, 6. He muft not be a new con- 
 left being lifted up vert, a raw and imperfect. Chrif- 
 with pride, he fall tian ; but for fear his advance- 
 into the condemna- ment mould puff him up into the 
 
 tion of the || devil. fame pride, and draw him into H t5J«. 
 
 the fame condemnation, as that pride once did the fallen ^ Ay> i h * 
 migels ; a juft condemnation upon one that gives occa- ldu erer ' 
 lion to the enemies, who are always watching for the 
 faults of Chriftians, by which to Jlandcr and reproach 
 them. 
 
 7 Moreover, he 7. Moreover, he muft be a man 
 muft have a good re- of good character among the * un- 
 port of them which believing Tews or Gentile?, with 
 are without ; left he whom he formerly convened: left, 
 fall into reproach, and by reproaching him with his for- 
 the fnare of the * de- mer £f^ or prefent immoralities, 
 vlL M 3 they 
 
 * Ver. 6. &. 7. [Condemnation of the devil, reproach 
 and fnare of the devil, or of the ilanderer] : And perhaps 
 the fenfe may be, [Left he give occafion to the adverfaries 
 and calumniators of our religion, to condemn and reproach 
 it, and him]. See Ephe£ iv. 27. John vi. 70. and ver. 11. 
 of this chapter. 
 
616 A Paraphrase on the Chap. III. 
 
 c\. D. 65-ftiame him out of his Chriftian principles, and tempt 
 ' v ""'him to apojlacy. 
 
 8 Like wife mufl the 8. And as bijhops and fuperior 
 deacons be grave, not officers of the church, fo deacons* 
 double-tongued, not and all inferior ones ought to be 
 given to much wine, perfons of approved gravity and 
 not greedy of filthy fobriety ; no way fraudulent, de- 
 cre * ceitful,or inconftantin their words 
 
 and expreflions 5 not given to any intemperance in 
 drinking, nor any bafe and fordid methods of gain. 
 
 9 Holding the * my- p. They mull be orthodox in 
 fiery of the faith in a the Chriftian/azY/j, and careful to 
 pure confcience. defend and maintain the honour 
 
 of it by a fuitable and confcientious practice, 
 
 io And let thefe io. In both which points they 
 
 alfo firft be proved -> ought to be thoroughly examined 
 then let them ufe the into, and if in either there be 
 office of a deacon, be- found anyexception againft them, 
 lngfotuutbUmelck. they are not to be admitted 1p 
 the deacon's office, till it be clearly removed. 
 
 li Even fo muft 1 1. In like manner, all women 
 Ttnuxccf. their wives be grave, that are admitted into any church 
 not flanderers j fober, j. office, muft be fuch as are re- 
 faithful in all things. ma rkable for their gravity and 
 u^a S iv modefty ; no way loofe and flanderous in their words ; 
 T *^' fober and temperate in their converfation j fteady in 
 
 all Chriftian principles, and true to any truft commit- 
 ted to them. 
 
 12 Let the deacons 12. Be fure to let none be a 
 
 be the huftands of deacon, that keeps feveral wives 
 
 one wife, ruling their at once, or divorceth his wife up- 
 
 chil- on 
 
 * Ver. 9. [Holding the myftery of the faith.] Very 
 probably the apoftle means that particular divine difcovery 
 of the Gentiles being partakers of the gqj/>e/b]effmgs. Con- 
 cerning this do&rine, they ought not to be double-tongued, 
 talking fometimesyor it, fometimes againji it, to pleafe the 
 Judai%ers. 
 
 f [Viz. Deaconeffes,] that were employed in the baptifm 
 of women, &c. The manner of baptifm, in thofe times, 
 being to plunge the whole naked body in water. 
 
Chap. III. i Epistle to Timothy. 
 
 i6"7 
 
 * ' 
 
 See vera, 
 
 on needlefs || occafions *, or, that A. D. 65 
 keeps not good difcipline in his v 
 family. " 
 
 13. For though the deacorfs of- 
 fice be but an inferior one, yet it 
 is a ftep to a higher ; the more 
 honourable offices of the church 
 being generally chofen out of the 
 beft of the lower ones. And 
 therefore, he that has been a good 
 deacon, will have the more effec- 
 tual influence and authority, when he is raifed to a poll, 
 in which he is both to teach and govern. 
 
 14 Thefc things 14. I thus give you thefe gene- 
 
 write unto thee, ral and fhort rules, in hopes to 
 
 fee you foon, and furniih you 
 with more particular inft.ruct.ions. 
 15. And if I mould be detained 
 from you longer than I expect, 
 thefe will ferve, in the mean 
 time, for the due management of 
 yourfelf, as the governor of a 
 Chriflian church ; v/hich is not 
 like the Jewjfh temple, famed and 
 magnified for its outward fabric ; 
 nor is the nurfery of ignorance 
 and fuperftition, as the heathen religions and temples 
 were, but contains a fociety of men dedicated to the ho- 
 nour and worlhip of the true God, and inftruclied in all 
 the great and admirable- truths of Chrift's religion. Be- 
 have yourfelf, therefore, like a true * defender and /import- 
 er of fuch important truths. 
 
 M4 16. For 
 
 children, and their 
 own houfes well. 
 
 13 For they that 
 have ufed the office of 
 a deacon well, pur- 
 chafe to themfelves 
 a good degree, and 
 great boldnefs in the 
 faith which is in 
 Chrift Jefus. 
 
 hoping to come unto 
 thee fhortly 5 
 
 15 But if I tarry 
 long, that thou may- 
 eft know how thou 
 oughteft to behave 
 thyfelf in the houfe 
 of God, which is the 
 church of the living 
 God *, the pillar and 
 ground of the truth. 
 
 * [The pillar and ground of truth], EtwAo* X u\ %e/V*« 
 [As a pillar andfupport, or buttrefs]. It is moft natural (I 
 think) to refer thefe words neither to $***JJf&i the church, 
 as the Romanifts vainly imagine, nor to p-wir^m in the fol- 
 lowing verfe, as Epifcopius and others do, but to the perfon 
 of Timothy, to whom the apojlle was fpeaking : [How thou 
 mighteft behave thyfelf, — like a pillar of the truth]. Thus 
 James and John are ftyled pillars. Gal. ii. 9. See Rev. iii A 
 
 12. 
 
i6S A Paraphrase on the Chap. III. 
 
 A. D. 65. 16 And without 16. For, Indeed, what religion 
 
 *— — v controverfy, great is could ever coniift of more noble, 
 
 the myftery of god- comfortable and important articles 
 linefs : God was ma- than thefe, viz. That the Son of 
 nifeft iri the flefh, juf- q oc j has taken upon him our hu- 
 tified in the fpmt, man naturCj i n orc j er to inftruct 
 feen of angels preach- u3 b his heavenly doarine, and 
 ed unto the Gijntiles, redeem us ■ m death . B the 
 believed on m the wonderful ^ rks he wrought by 
 world received up ^ Holy Spirit wa8 dcclai | d ^ 
 into glory. , J r , . « ,. , 
 
 • demonitrated, agaiiiu ail the ma- 
 
 lice and calumny of the Jews, to be the true Meffiah, 
 and Saviour of mankind : That, at his entrance into the 
 world, the good angels did worfhip him, and attend, up- 
 on him, while the wicked fpirits were conquered and dif- 
 pofTefied by him : That, upon the moft undoubted evi- 
 dences, his religion was, againft the moft furious oppo- 
 sition, received by a confiderable part of both the Jewifh 
 and Gentile world ; being intended as the gracious means 
 of univerfal falvation. Finally, That this Saviour having 
 conquered fin and death, by fuffering for us, was raifed 
 again, and, in the moft open and folemn manner, ex- 
 alted into heaven ; there to remain a powerful advocate, 
 and intercefTor with God the Father, for all that truly 
 repent, and embrace his religion ? 
 
 CHAP. IV, 
 
 J\fW ought to be furprifed at the great Number of Apojlatcs 
 from the true Chrijlian Faith, Jince the Holy Spirit had 
 plainly foretold, there would be fitch a Set of Men. Such 
 were efpecially the Jewifb Zealots of thefe Times: A Cha- 
 racter of them, and their fa/fe Doclrines. Timothy warn- 
 ed againfl them ; advifed to fight their vain Traditions, and 
 build his Faith on the Scriptures^ and to b$ diligent in the 
 pifcharge of his Office. 
 
 I. YET 
 
Chap. IV. 
 
 i Epistle to Timothy 
 
 i 69 
 
 * the Spi- 
 :eth ex- 
 
 I. Y ET >™twith{lanc!ing thefe A. D. 65. 
 -*- undoubted evidences § of'""' v !!. 
 
 ,. . rt i r § Chap, in, 
 
 our religion, we mult not be tur-* 6 & £ 
 prifed to fee a fet of men pre- 
 tendingtoer brace it, fed uced from 
 it to quite contrary doctrines, by 
 the influence of wicked fpirits, or 
 falfe teachers ; feeing the Holy 
 Spirit, both by the old prophets, Jefus Chrift *, and his 
 infpired apoflles, has plainly and exprefsly foretold, it 
 
 i\J 0W 
 1N rit f P ( m 
 
 prefsly,that in the lat- 
 ter times fome f ihall 
 depart from the fail.b, 
 giving heed to $ de- 
 ducing fpirits, and 
 doctrines of devils : 
 
 would be fo in the latter 
 
 2 Speaking lies in 
 hypocrify, having 
 their conlcience fear- 
 ed with a hot iron ; 
 
 3 Forbidding to 
 marry, and command* 
 ing to abftain from 
 meats, which God 
 hath created to be 
 received with thankf- 
 giving of them which 
 believe and know the 
 Uuth. 
 
 4 For every crea- 
 ture of God is good, 
 
 and 
 
 times of the Chr, 
 
 li- 
 
 church. 
 
 2. That there would be falfe 
 doctrines broached by hypocri- 
 tical and dehgning people, men of 
 loofe and profligate conferences.^ 
 
 3. & 4. Such arc now tliofe con- 
 verts that are influenced by the 
 zealots of x±\zjewijh faction-, who, 
 contrary to die clear defign of 
 Chrt/iiatiity^ and out of pretend- 
 ed purity, would perfuade us, 
 that marriage j| is an impure and?. Strc cha ?' 
 unlawful thing, efpecially to fome** 1 ' I5 * 
 ranks and orders of men ; ari d 
 put the main ftrefs of true reli- 
 gion 
 
 * [The Spirit fpeaketh exprefsly,] which fome refer to 
 that of Dan. xi. 36, &c. But others more probably to that 
 of our Saviour, Matth. xxiv. 11,12. and of the apoftles, 
 2 ThefT. ii. 3, 9. Jade xvii. iS, 19. and elfewhere. 
 
 t Ver. 1. [Some fh all depart — ] Not only fome now in 
 thefe times, but even the generality m the times of the grand 
 apoflacy. So the word T/w,-, is often ufed. See 1 Cor. x. 7. 
 compared with Exod. xxxii. 4. So chap. vi. io. [Such 
 were fome of you, /. e. all. J 
 
 i Ver. 1. [Seducing fpirits.] This phrafe may not (ignify 
 wicked (invilible) j^zr/Ar, but wicked men, pietendingto the 
 infpirations of the true divine Spirit, and thereby feduc'ng 
 Others into the belief and worlhip of demons, or evil [pints, 
 as falfe and imaginary deities. So St. John's [trying of 
 fpirits,) is to be understood, 1 John iv. 1, 2, [Of trying- 
 juid examining into men pretending to infpiration.j 
 
17° 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. IV. 
 
 A. D. 6s- and nothing to be re- gion upon fuch indifferent mat- 
 
 u — v 'fufed, if it be receiv- ters, as that of abftaining from 
 
 cd withthankfgiving: f uc h and fuch meats, formerly 
 forbidden by the Jewi/h law : Whereas, the original 
 intent of God's creating all forts of creatures, was for 
 the ufe of man ; and no Chrijlian, that truly under- 
 ftands his religion, can be ignorant of the liberty he has 
 of eating them, without diflincl:ion, in a dutiful and 
 thankful manner. 
 
 5. For, the Chriflian religion 
 has taken offall difference between 
 clean and unclean meats ; render- 
 lawful to us to feed upon *, and 
 requires nothing of us, but to beg God's blefling upon, 
 and return him thanks for our refrefhment from them. 
 
 5 For it is fanctifi- 
 ed by the word of 
 God, and prayer. 
 ky^trai m g tnem oil equally # 
 
 6 If thou put the 
 brethren in remem- 
 brance of thefe things, 
 thou (halt be a good 
 minifterofJefusChrift, 
 nourifhed up in the 
 words of faith, and of 
 good doctrine, where- 
 unto thou hall at- 
 tained. 
 
 7 But refufe pro- 
 fane and old wives 
 
 JjSee chap, fables, and exercife 
 i. 4. 6. thyfelf rather unto 
 Titus i. ij.godlinefs. 
 iii. 19. 
 
 8 For bodily exer- 
 cife profiteth little : 
 but godlinefs is profit- 
 able unto all things, 
 having promife of the 
 life that now is, and 
 of that which is to 
 come. 
 
 6. It is your duty then, as a 
 faithful minifter of Chrift, pur- 
 fuant to the true doctrines of his 
 religion, you fo well underftand, 
 to warn all Chriftians of thefe 
 things, thefe corruptions already 
 begun, and that are the forerun- 
 ners of the great apojlacy that 
 will be hereafter. 
 
 7. And be fpecially careful to 
 dafh and discountenance the fenfe- 
 lefs and fabulous |j traditions of 
 thefe Jewi/h teachers -, and make 
 the fubftantial duties of Chrijlia- 
 nity your chief bufinefs. 
 
 8. For thofe external obferv- 
 ances, they pretend to be fo flricl; 
 in, are of no moment in true re- 
 ligion : But the practice of Chrif- 
 tian virtues and graces, has all 
 pofTible advantage \ having the 
 exprefs promife of divine blefling 
 and protection in this life, and of 
 a certain reward in the next. 
 
 9. This 
 
Chap. IV. 
 
 i Epistle to Timothy. 
 
 *7* 
 
 9 This is a faith- 
 ful * faying, and wor- 
 thy of ail acceptation. 
 
 10 For therefore 
 we both labour, and 
 fuffer reproach, be- 
 cauie we trull: in the 
 living god, who is 
 the Saviour of all 
 men, efpecially of 
 thofe that believe. 
 
 9. This is the* certain and mod A. D. 65. 
 important article you mould endea-'*— " "V— — ' 
 v&ur to foffef&Ckrtftjitu people with. 
 
 10. And for this it is that thofe 
 malicious Jews does thus defpife 
 and periecute us j viz. that we 
 fori/ske their external and ceremo- 
 nial observances, that were in- 
 tended only for a while, to keep 
 up a diftinc~tion between their na- 
 tion and the reft of the world ; 
 
 and preach up that fubftantial and fpirkual religion of 
 Jefus Chrift, which God, who cannot but be thought 
 to intend the falvation of all men, has now gracioufly 
 offered to all mankind, without diftinction ; and the 
 bleflings whereof all true believers, of what nation fo- 
 ever, will molt certainly enjoy. 
 
 11 Thefe things 11. Whatever oppofition they 
 command and teach : make, therefore, let it be your 
 conftant bufinefs to inculcate it, and oblige all Chrifti- 
 ans to the belief of this important doctrine. 
 
 12 Let no man de- 
 fpife thy youth, but 
 be thou an example 
 of the believers, in 
 word, in converfation, 
 in charity, in fpirit, 
 in faith, in purity. 
 
 12. And as you are yet but a 
 young man, be careful, by the 
 ibundnefs of your doctrine, the 
 gravity of your converfation, your 
 charity to all perfons, your pru- 
 dent and induftrious improvement 
 of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, 
 
 by a fteadinefs in the. true faith, and in charity and puri- 
 ty of practice, to be fo exemplary to all people, that 
 none may take occafion to defpife your authority upon ac- 
 count of your youth. 
 
 13. Let reading the holy fcrip- 
 tures of the Old Teftament be 
 vour conftant ftudyf *, and, out of 
 them build wholefome inftrucrions 
 and perfuafions to your people. 
 
 14. Be 
 
 13 f Till 1 come, 
 give attendance to 
 reading, to exhorta- 
 tion, to doctrine. 
 
 * Ver. 9. [A faithful faying,] See the note on chap.i. 15. 
 f Ver. 13. [Till I come.") See note on Rom. vi. 13. 
 [Till I come.] *« w<««". See 2 Sam. vi, 23. 1 Sam. xv. 
 25. in t}ie Septuagint. 
 
17* 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. IV, 
 
 A. D. 65. 14 Negleft not the 
 *—^v— *gjft that is in thee, 
 im. i-which was given thee 
 by prophecy, with the 
 laying on of the hands 
 of the prefbytery. 
 
 18. 
 
 f Ver. II 
 I*. 
 
 15 Meditate upon 
 thefe things ; givethy- 
 felf wholly to them, 
 that thy profiting may 
 appear to all. 
 
 16 Take heed unto 
 thyfelf, and unto thy 
 doctrine ; continue in 
 them : for in doing 
 this thou (halt both 
 fave thyfelf, and them 
 that hear thee. 
 
 fecure that of your 
 good an example. ■ 
 
 14. Be no way negligent in the 
 facred office, the Holy Spirit pro- 
 phefied you fhould have *, and 
 which you were confecratcd to 
 by the impohtion of my hands, 
 and of other church-officers with 
 me. (2 Tim. i. 6.) 
 
 15. Confider well and frequent- 
 ly on what you read f and teach 
 to others *, that you may fhow 
 what a proficient you are in the 
 Chriftian doctrine, by a ready 
 and exacl; way of inftru£Hon. 
 
 16. In fine, be every way care- 
 ful both of your life and doctrine. 
 Be conftant in what I have re- 
 commended to you -, and, by iuch 
 a difcharge of your office, you 
 will not fail of your own ialva- 
 tion, nor of the beft method to 
 
 people too, by the influence of lo 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 Directions for Cenfuring and Reproving an Elder or Prejbyter, 
 and for bis Behaviour toward aged> or young Women. For 
 the public Charity to Widows ; which of them are fa, and 
 which not to receive it. Good Minijlers to be liber airy 
 maintained. No Accufation againjl a Frejbyter to be pro- 
 ceeded upon, without due Caution, and full Evidence: but 
 fuch as are notorioujly guilty to be feverely and openly re- 
 proved. Timothy friclly charged to be impartial in his Go- 
 vernment, and to be tenderly cautious who he ordains to the 
 Miniflry. Private advice relating to his Health. 
 
 J J i. TO 
 
Chap. V. r Epistle to Timothy. 173 
 
 1 T> Ebuke not an el- 1. HPO come now to fome other A - p - 6 5- t 
 
 der, but entreat ■*■ particular directions. Be' v 
 
 him as a father, and not hafty and extreme in cenfur- 
 the younger men as i n g the mifcarriages of any elderly 
 brethren \ perfon, efpecially fuch as are pref- 
 
 byters of the church, unlefs they be very notorious and 
 fcandalous; but, as you are a young man, though a 
 governor and bilhop, endeavour to perfuade them with 
 due refpe£t to their age and office ; and treat all younger 
 perfons, particularly fuch as are in any church-office, 
 with brotherly kindnefs, and a friendly temper. 
 
 2 The elder wo- 2. Treat the deacotiejfes *, or*. See Ch a P"> 
 men as mothers, the any other elderly ivQtnen y with juit lu ' a * 
 younger as fillers, regard to their years alfo ; and 
 
 with all purity. converfe with the younger wo- 
 
 men, as with Chriftian relatioms ; but with fuch gravity 
 and decency, as may be fure to cut off all fufpicion of 
 any impure thoughts or behaviour. 
 
 3 Honour widows 3. Let fuch widows as are de- 
 that are widows in- ftitute of all friends to relieve 
 deed, them, be liberally and refpe&fully 
 maintained out of the public charities of the church. 
 
 4 But if any widow 4. But where any widows have 
 have children or ne- children or grandchildren, that are 
 phews, let them learn in a capacity to maintain them; let 
 firft to (how piety at thofe children know, it is but a juft 
 home, and to requite return, and one of their prime and 
 their parents ; for that f pec ial duties, to provide for their 
 is good and acceptable parents . ami that God will indif- 
 before God. penfibly require it at their hands. 
 
 5 Now (he that is 5. Now, a widow ought to 
 a widow indeed, and have thefe two qualifications, to 
 defolate, trufteth in render her a proper object of the 
 God., and continueth church's charity ; viz. Vac mull 
 in Amplications and De one entirely deftitute of rela- 
 prayers night and day. tions t0 re ]i cve her ; and one that 
 is remarkable for the fteadinefs of her Chrijlian princi- 
 ples, and the conftancy of her devotions. 
 
 6, For 
 
i<74 A Paraphrase on the Chap. V. 
 
 A. D. 65. 6 But (he that liv- 6. For a loofe and voluptuous 
 
 v — " v— -'eth in pleafure, is widow is to be looked on as a 
 
 dead while fheliveih. member loft and dead to the 
 
 Chriftian church ; and fo incapable of being maintained 
 
 by its charity. 
 
 7 And thefe things 7. Be fure therefore to divulge 
 give in charge, that and execute their orders carefully, 
 they may be blame- that none but truly good women 
 ^s. may be chofen in to partake of 
 
 the church's maintenance. 
 
 8 But if any pro- 8. And none but fuch as are 
 vide not for his own, really deftitute. For whatever 
 and efpecially for Chriftian, that is able to do it, 
 thofe of his own haufe, negle&s to provide for his neareft 
 he hath denied the re l a tions (efpecially his parents 
 faith, and is worie and children), ads in direct con- 
 than an infidel. tradiftion to one of the elTential 
 duties of Chriftianity, and is guilty of a crime, that even 
 a heathen would be alhamed of. 
 
 9 Let not a widow 9. Let none be chofen into the 
 be taken into the number of thefe church-widows, 
 number, under three- under the age of fixty ; nor any 
 fcore years old^hav- that has, upon needlefs and hu- 
 ing been the wife of mourfome occafions, procured a 
 one man. divorce, or for good reafons been 
 divorced from one hufband, and married another. 
 
 10 Well reported 10. Nor any, but what are 
 if for good works 5 known to have difcharged their 
 if fhe have brought duties of life well ; fuch as the 
 up children, if (he care of their families •, the pious 
 have lodged Aran- education of their children; to 
 gers, if Hie have wain- nave been hofpitable to ftrangers, 
 ed the faints feet, if charitable to the poor and afflia- 
 
 ^m- n aVC - r r el n VC£ ! ed, and ready to do the meaneft 
 
 affiled if {he have of , offices tQ Chriftian 
 
 diligently followed e- bre f hren . 
 very good work. 
 
 1 1 But the younger 11. & 12. And be fure to take 
 widows refufe : for in none that are very young, for 
 when they have be- f uc h women are too apt to grow 
 
 gun weary 
 
Chap. V. 
 
 i Epistle to Timothy. 
 
 : 75 
 
 gun to wax wanton 
 againft Chrift, they 
 will marry : 
 
 12 Having dam- 
 nation, becaufe they 
 have caft off their 
 firft faith. 
 
 15 And withal they 
 learn to be idle, wan- 
 dering about from 
 houfe to houfe ♦, and 
 not only idle, but 
 tatlers alfo, and bufy- 
 bodies,fpeaking things 
 which they ought not. 
 
 14 I will therefore 
 that the younger wo- 
 men marry, bear chil- 
 dren, guide the houfe, 
 give none occafion to 
 the adverfary to fpeak 
 reproachfully. 
 
 weary of the grave and retired A. D. 65. 
 life of church-widows; and be^"""^- > 
 tempted to marry into heathen * Q *"?"'* 
 families, and renounce their Chri- 
 dianity; and fo be loit, at Lift, to 
 the great fcandal of the church. 
 
 13. At lead) it is very hazard- , 
 oils; but fuch young perfons, 
 in dead of the fobriety and re- 
 tirednefs that become them, will 
 run into idlenefs, impertinence, 
 and indecency in their words and 
 actions. 
 
 14. Indead, therefore, of being 
 objects of the public charity, let 
 fuch young widows marry again, 
 and be duly and honeftly employ- 
 ed in breeding and well educating 
 children, and in a difcreet ma- 
 nagement of their families ; that 
 fo no occafion be given to the adveriaries of our reli- 
 gion, to reflect upon it, from theif indifcretions, and 
 mifcarriages. 
 
 15 For fome are 15. And this caution is but 
 
 already turned afide too neceflary at this time : for, 
 after Satan. you know, fome of thefe young 
 
 widows have actually done as f I fay, and even re-f Ver. n, 
 nounced their Chridian profeffion. Ia • 
 
 16. I charge, again J, that every^ Ver 8 
 Chridian, that has wherewithal 
 to do it, maintain the widows that 
 belong to his own family, and not 
 throw them upon the church's 
 charity ; that fo a large provifion 
 may be made for fuch as are real- 
 ly dedltute of other relief. 
 
 1 7. Take care, that great re fpedt, 
 and very liberal maintenance be 
 given to all our fuperior officers in 
 the church, efpecially to fuch as 
 
 labour 
 
 16 If any man or 
 woman that believ- 
 eth, have widows, let 
 them relieve them, 
 and let not the church 
 be charged j that it 
 may relieve them that 
 are widows indeed. 
 
 17 Let the elders 
 that rule well, be 
 counted worthy of 
 double honour, efpe- 
 cially 
 
i*i& A Paraphrase on the Chap. V. 
 
 A. D. 65. cially they who la- labour hard in the converfion of 
 fc — y~' fc> our in the word and others to the faith, or in inftrucl;- 
 doctrine. ing and edifying fuch as have al- 
 
 ready received it. 
 
 18 For the fcrip- 18. This is but juft, according 
 
 •See 1 Cor ture faith, Thou ihalt to the rule of the very Mofaical 
 11.9,1a, not muzzle the ox law*, that forbids even ah ox to 
 3 $' that treadeth out the fa debarred from feeding upon the 
 
 corn : and, the la- corn w htf e he is labouring to tread 
 bourer is worthy of £ QUt f rom the f raw. And what 
 his reward. vou are obliged to from our Sa- 
 
 viour's own words, the labourer is worthy of his hire* 
 (Matth. x. 10. Luke x. 7). 
 
 , v 19 Againft an el- 19. But to return to the cafe 
 
 * der receive not an ac- of cenfuring a prefbyter f - of 
 
 cufation, but before the church. Entertain no corn- 
 two or three wit- plaint againft fuch officers, fo far 
 neffes. as to determine and give fentence 
 
 upon it, but upon the utmoft caution, and full evidence 
 of two or three witnefles, at leaft. 
 
 20 Them that fin, 20. But, if the evidence given 
 rebuke before all, that againft him plainly prove himPto 
 others alfo may fear. be guilty of any confiderable 
 crime, let him be publicly cenfured, for a warning and 
 reftraint to others. 
 
 21 I crnrge thee, 2 1. And I adjure you by God,, 
 before God and the and the Lord Jefus Chrift, whofe 
 Lord Jems Chrift, minifter you are; and by the 
 and the elea angtels, g 00c j angels, that are infpe£tors 
 
 iSeeiCor thatthouoblciVethele ^ vtr ' and miniftring % fpirits to 
 ii 10 H t b.' chm ^' Althout l )rtrtr ' tiie Chriftian church to govern 
 i. 4 and r ; n g °" e . before f"°- the church committed to you, a- 
 Re V i. 4 ther, doing nothing gr eeably to the rules I have given 
 Paraph" 7 Y V tJ jW. Without the leait prejudice 
 
 there. or partiality to any pcrfon whatever. 
 
 22 Lay hands fud- 22. Ufe Purler, care and exami- 
 denly on no man, aei- natfon, before you admit any per- 
 ther be partakers of f n into holy orders, or receive 
 other mens (ins : keep anv notorious offender into the 
 thyfelf pure, conv . 
 
Chap. V. i Epistle to TimotHy. 177 
 
 * communion of the church again. For by granting A. D. 65.^ 
 either of tliefe admiffions to unworthy people, you en- v— ' -v—- -* 
 tail a fhare of their guilt upon yourfelf : and therefore 
 keep yourfelf clear. 
 
 23 Drink no longer 23. Though your facred office 
 water, but ufe a little obliges you to great temperance in 
 wine for thy ftomichs the ufe of ivine^ yet remember, 
 fake, and thine often tfj,fe waS given us for neceflary 
 infirmities. refreshment ; and, as you have a 
 weak ftomach, and are of an infirm conftitutiori, I ad- 
 vife you to ufe it as a cordial, and not confine yourfelf 
 wholly to water. 
 
 24 Some mens fins 24. & 2>; As to the caution I 
 are open beforehand, gave you (ver. 22.) you need not- 
 going before to judg- undcritand it of perfons whofe 
 ment : and feme men principles or practices are plain 
 they follow after. arlr j not orious. Some are fo open- 
 
 25 Like wife alfo the Iy f can dalous, that there need no 
 
 good works of jome wltneires t0 co me in againft thern 5 
 
 are manireit before- .,.*,■»., ,1, r 9 , j 
 
 , , , . , while others are ot io good and 
 
 hand; and they Lnat » j . ^.f,. , 
 
 /, - r J clear a reputation, that little or 
 
 are otherwile, cannot . r . .,, r , . 
 
 » 1 • j , no examination will ferve to their 
 
 admifTion, either into the church 
 as penitents, or into holy orders. But fome there are, 
 that have the art to conceal and varnifh over their 
 crimes for the prefent, and appear fair. But due time 
 and care, will difcover and prevent them from impofing 
 themfelves upon you ; at lead, you will have done your 
 part, and difcharged your own confeience f . 
 
 * Which was ufually done with [laying on of hands.] 
 
 f [And they that are otherwife cannot be hidj : Not, 
 fthey cannot be hid at all], but they cannot be hid long 
 and a/ways. 
 
 lb\£. [They that are otherwife]. Perhaps this may re- 
 fer, not to the Jins of bad men, in the foregoing verfe, but 
 to the good works of others in this* verfe. 80 the apoitle's 
 fimilitude is complete and elegant j viz, That neither the 
 fecret vices of fome, nor the hidden virtues of others, fhall 
 be [long and always «oncealed]. So the excellent Dr. 
 Clarke's Serm. Vol. I. p. 254. 
 
 Vol. IL N G H A P. 
 
170 
 
 A. Paraphrase on thi 
 
 Chap. VI, 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 
 Chrifl'ianity exempts none of its Profeflbrs from their Natural 
 and Civil Obligations : Not Servants or Slaves from paying 
 due Service and Fidelity even to Heathen Mafers, much lefs 
 to Chriflian ones. The Reafonablenefs of being contented 
 in every Condition, where a Competency is to be had ; 
 and the Danger of an Immoderate Love of Riches. Rich 
 Men obliged to Courtefy and Charity. The Charge to Ti- 
 mothy renewed. 
 
 A. D. 6$ i L ET as man y ** er " 
 l-L. y vants as are un- 
 
 * See Pref. der the yoke, count 
 
 to the Eph. their own mailers 
 
 §4- 
 
 worthy of all honour : 
 that the name of 
 God, and his doctrine 
 be not blalphemed. 
 
 2 And they that 
 have believing maf- 
 ters, let them not 
 defpife them, becaufe 
 they are brethren : 
 but rather do them 
 fervice, becaufe they 
 are faithful and be 
 loved, partakers of 
 the benefit. Thefe 
 things, teach and ex- 
 hort. 
 
 i.TET all Chriftians, that are 
 ■*-* fervants (or Jlaves) to hea- 
 then * mailers, refpe£b and ferve 
 them diligently ; and not, by their 
 difobedience to them, bringafcan- 
 dal upon the Chriflian religion ; 
 as if it diflblved any man from 
 his natural or civil obligations. 
 
 2. And, as the privilege of 
 Chri/lianity exempts none from 
 difcharging their duties to heathen, 
 much lefs do it to Chriflian mat- 
 ters : But is a ftill ftronger argu- 
 ment to iuchflaves, not to with- 
 draw their fervices from them, 
 upon account of their being upon 
 the level with them in Teligion> 
 but to fcrve them the more cheer- 
 fully ; as confidering, they labour 
 for thofe who are partners with 
 them in the fame ciivi e favours, 
 and common hopes of falvation. 
 3> 4- & 5* 
 
Chap. VI. 
 
 i Epistle to Timothy*, 
 
 «79 
 
 3, 4. & 5. Be fure, therefore* A < D - 6 -*- 
 to inculcate this upon all ( hriflian ' /— ' 
 Jlaves. And if any of the Jewifi 
 converts;};, contrary to the plain j Matth. 
 defign of the Chriftian reii; ion,x<. 27. 
 fet up *, and plead for an unjuft £ Ta j; kx -44' 
 liberty ; look on them as a proud Ephe f # § 4< 
 and prejudiced people, led away 
 by a perverfe fondnefs for their 
 vain traditions i that tend to no- 
 thing but mifchievous quarrels 
 
 3 If any man teach 
 otherwife, and * con- 
 sent not to wholefome 
 words, even the words 
 of our Lord Jefus 
 Chrift, and to the 
 dodtrine which is ac- 
 cording to godlinefs *, 
 
 4 He is proud, 
 knowing nothing, but 
 doting about queftions 
 and ftrifes of words, 
 
 whereof cometh envy and dl r f P utes : And av ° ld tn «; ir 
 ftrife, railings, evil converfation, as perfons that make 
 furmifings. religion nothing but a trade || for ||3x^'^v. 
 
 5 Perverfe difpu- worldly profit and advantage, 
 tings of men of cor- 
 rupt minds, and deftitute of the truth, fuppofing that gain 
 is godlinefs : from fuch withdraw tbyfelf. 
 
 6 But godlinefs 6. For one of the furcft me- 
 with contentment is thods of rendering religion truly 
 great gain. advantangeous to us in the next 
 
 world, is, to be contented and induflrious in the condi- 
 tion that Providence has allotted to us in this. 
 
 7 For we brought 7. And good reafon we have 
 to be fo : For, as we came naked 
 into the world, and are fupplied 
 with the neccflaries of it, by di- 
 vine Providence ; fo, whatever 
 affluence we have here, mull: be left behind, and the 
 greateft plenty muft die with us. 
 
 8- And having food 9. A bare competency, there- 
 fore, of the prefent enjoyments 
 ought to be enough to fatisfy any 
 Chriftian. 
 
 8. And for men to thirft after 
 
 more, and be bent upon growing 
 
 rich, by any means whatever, is 
 
 N 2 only 
 
 nothing into this 
 world, a?id it is cer- 
 tain we can carry no- 
 thing out. 
 
 and raiment, let us be 
 therewith content. 
 
 9 But they that 
 
 will be rich, fall into 
 
 temptation, and a 
 
 fnare, 
 
 * Ver. 3. [And confent not to wholefome words — p» 
 vt*7i$Yjnau. See Dr. Bentley's remarks on Freethinking, 
 Part I. pag. 72, 73. pa *g0r«g#nw, attends not to, 
 
i8o 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. Vt 
 
 A. D. 65. fnare, and into many 
 
 v — ~v"— 'foolifli and hurtful 
 
 lulls, which drown 
 
 men in deftru&ion 
 
 and perdition. 
 
 10 For the love of 
 money is the root of 
 all evil, which while 
 fome coveted after, 
 they have erred from 
 the faith, and pierced 
 themfelves through 
 with many forrows. 
 
 only to pamper their foolifh lulls 
 and pailions *, which will deftroy 
 their virtuous principles here, 
 and themfelves hereafter. 
 
 ic. For the immoderate love 
 of temporal riches and grandeur, 
 is the inlet to all mifchievous 
 principles and practices ; as is too 
 plain from the examples of fome- 
 people, who have already renoun- 
 ced their very Chrifianity for the 
 fake of them, and brought them. 
 
 Selves into the mod miferable condition. 
 
 ii But thou, O 
 man of God, flee thefe 
 things : and follow af- 
 ter righteoufhefs, god- 
 linefs, faith, love, pa- 
 tience, meeknefs. 
 
 that renders us 
 
 1 1 . But ycu, Timothy, as a 
 minifter of God, mult be perfect- 
 ly averfe to fueh a temper ; and 
 endeavour to become mailer 
 of that jujlice that will fu-ffer 
 us to defraud no man \ that godli- 
 contented with what we have \ 
 that faith in God and Chrifl, that makes us rely upon 
 his good Providence in all eftates j that love and charity, 
 that obliges us to diflribute freely, when we are in 
 plenty ; that patience that fupports us under adverfity : 
 and that meeknefs that keeps us kind and forgiving to 
 fuch as injure and defraud us. 
 
 fiefs, 
 
 24 
 
 12 Fight the good 
 * 1 Cor. ix. fight of faith, lay 
 hold on eternal life, 
 whereunto thou art 
 alfo called, and haft 
 profefled a good pro- 
 feflion before many 
 witneffes. 
 
 f Chup. 
 SI. 
 
 12. Thus are you like a good 
 racer *, to run and ftretch for- 
 ward, with your eye fixed upon 
 that prize of eternal life, that 
 God has fet before you, in the 
 Chriftian religion: As indeed you 
 have hitherto done and teltiiied 
 your courage in the many faffer- 
 ings you have publicly undergone for it. 
 
 13 I give the 13. & 14. And I, again, f ad- 
 
 charge in the fight of jure you, by that God who will 
 raife up all from the dead, that 
 fuffer for his fake ; and bv Jefus- 
 Chrift* 
 
 God, who quickneth 
 
 all things, and before 
 
 Chrift 
 
Chap. VI. 
 
 i Epistle to Timothy. 
 
 iSi 
 
 Chrift Jefus, who be- 
 fore Pontius Pilate 
 witneffed a good con- 
 fefiion, 
 
 14 That thou keep 
 this commandment 
 without fpot, unre- 
 bukeable, until the 
 appearing of our Lord 
 Je-fu-s Chrifh 
 
 15 Which in his 
 times he (hall (how, 
 who is the blelfed and 
 only Potentate, the 
 King of kings, and 
 Lord of lords : 
 
 16 Who only hath 
 immortality, dwelling 
 in the light which no 
 man can approach 
 unto, whom no man 
 hath feen, nor can 
 fee : to whom be ho- 
 nour and power ever- 
 lafting. Amen. 
 
 17 Charge them 
 that are rich in this 
 world, that they be 
 not high minded, nor 
 trull in uncertain 
 riches, but in the liv- 
 ing God, who giveth 
 us richly all things to 
 enjoy. 
 
 18 That they do 
 good, that they be 
 rich in good works, 
 ready to diftribute, 
 willing to communi- 
 cate. 
 
 19 Laying up in 
 3ore for themfelves a 
 
 good 
 
 Chrift, who openly profefled what A. D. 65. 
 he was, before Pilate, and fealed v ~~""' 
 and confirmed the truth of his re- 
 ligion, even by his death •, that 
 you discharge your office, agree- 
 ably to the directions I have gi- 
 ven you, and fo approve yourfelf 
 a faithful fervant of our great 
 Mailer, at the great and folemn 
 day of his appearance to judg- 
 ment. 
 
 15. & 16. A day fixed in God's 
 due time, who is the blefTed, and 
 only Supreme Lord and Governor 
 over all things. He that is im- 
 mortal in himfelf, and has the 
 fole power of giving life to others ; 
 dwelling in glory inacceflible, in- 
 vifible, and unbearable by every 
 mortal eye ; to whom be eternally 
 afcribed all honour and power. 
 Amen. 
 
 17. Upon this confideration, 
 warn and diffuade all rich men 
 from proudly over-valuing them- 
 felves upon their prefent tranfi- 
 tory enjoyments, and placing their 
 happinefs in them. Let God, the 
 eternal Author of all true felicity, 
 be the Supreme object of their 
 hope and confidence. 
 
 18. & 19. Convince them, that 
 a free and cheerful diftribution to 
 the needy, is the bell improve- 
 ment of the charitable courfe 
 of actions, which is the furefl 
 foundation * and fecurity of our * Qt/uXut. 
 
 N -x future s . ee 2 Tim « 
 
 J 11. 1 p. and 
 
 the Note 
 there. 
 
l8* 
 
 A Paraphrase on the, &c» 
 
 Chap. VI. 
 
 A. D. 65. gr 00C ] * foundation a- future happinefs, will be their 
 ^"—v— * jrainft the time to trueft riches. 
 
 come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 
 
 f Chap. i. 
 
 4. 
 
 22 O Timothy, 
 keep that which is 
 committed to thy 
 truft, avoiding pro- 
 fane and vain bab- 
 blings, andoppofitions 
 of fcience, falfely fo 
 called : 
 
 21 Which feme 
 profefilng, have erred 
 concerning the faith. 
 Grace be with thee. 
 Jimen. 
 
 20. & 2r. And thus, dear 
 Timothy, be diligent in the trull 
 committed to you, with refpect 
 to all forts of men : Avoiding and 
 defpifing the frivolous difputes, 
 and pretended learning of Jewijh 
 traditions f and genealogies ; which 
 feme of thofe zealous converts are 
 fo earned upon, that they have 
 neglected the fubftantials of Chri- 
 fiianity, and loft its true principles. 
 The Divine favour and love be 
 with thee. Amen. 
 
 * Ver. 19 [A good foundation] ; SiuzXiov- The word 
 
 here is certainly not to be rendered foundation, but cither a 
 (writing of) fecurity, or rather a treafure ; the fame as &gp«< 
 in Tobit iv. 9. where this exprefiion is ufed : The fame as 
 K^swjAmv i n Homer. 
 
 Uote.X 5' SlW<pVS/8 7TdT£ ) <^' &U{.tV)Xiet yMTiCl i 
 
 Xx>.xcq ri, xe,v<ra<; T6 Iliad. Z. 1. 46* 
 
 See on 2 Tim. ii. io. 
 
 A PARA^ 
 
PARAPHRASE 
 
 ON THE 
 
 SECOND EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL 
 
 TO 
 
 7 I M T H T. 
 
 See the Preface to the Firjl Epiftle. 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 The Title and Salutation. His great dffeBion to Timothy, 
 with frefo Encouragements to the diligent and courageous 
 Dijcharge of the Office. Gentiles as well as Jeius to be re- 
 ceived into the ChriJIian Covenant. The Apoflle fpeciaiiy 
 co?nmijfioned to preach to the Former, for which he is age in 
 perfecuted and imprifoned by the Malice of the Latter. He 
 reminds Timothy, how the Afian Chriflions generally forfobk 
 him and his Caufe, during his Imprifonment, except Onejipho- 
 rus and hu Family, whom he mentions, and prays for, with 
 great Refpecl, 
 
 I pAUL, -an. apoflle i.& 2. pAUL, an apoflle of Je- Written 
 of Jefus Chiift, A f us Chrift, efpecially, AD - 6 7- 
 
 by the will of God, commiflioned by the exprefs * re-*"" 
 
 according to the pro- ve l a tion of God, to declare the 
 
 nufeoi life which is go fpel-privileges and promifes of 
 
 in Chnit Jefus. eternal ^ both tQ Gentiles and 
 
 2 To N 4 Jews j 
 
 & Acts be. 
 
184 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. I. 
 
 A. D. 67. 2 To T'mothy, my 
 » ' .■! V ." ■■ " 'dearly oe^oved fon : 
 grcc mercy, tfr?// 
 peace fim God the 
 Father, and Chiift je- 
 fus our Lord. 
 
 3 I thank God, 
 whom I ferve from 
 /rcy forefathers with 
 pure conicience, that 
 without ceaftng I have 
 
 Jews ; writeth this epiftle to Ti- 
 mothy, my dear convert to Chri- 
 ftiunity ; wiihing him all divine 
 v v ursand bl (Tings from God the 
 Father, and : ur Lord Jeius Chrilt. 
 
 3. Exprefling my hearty thanks 
 to God, whofe religion I have 
 zealoufly adhered to, ai T received 
 it from my forefathers (doing no- 
 thing againfi the plain and known 
 dictates of my conference , though I 
 acknowledge it to have been mil- 
 led by ungoverned prejudices and 
 paffions), that I have fiich happy occafioriS to remember 
 you in the conftant returns of my devotion to him 
 4 Greatly deliring 
 
 remembrance of thee 
 in my prayers night 
 
 and day 
 
 to fee thee : oeing 
 mindful of thy ttais" 
 that I may be filled 
 with joy. 
 
 5 When I call to 
 Temembrance the un- 
 feigned faith that is 
 in thee, which dwelt 
 firit in thy grandmo- 
 ther Lois, and thy 
 mother Eunice } and 
 I am periuaded that 
 in thee alfo, 
 
 6 Wherefore I put 
 thee in remembrance 
 that thou ftir up, the 
 gift of God which is 
 in thee, by the put- 
 ting on of my hands. 
 
 4. The tears you fhed at our 
 lift parting, make me very defi- 
 rous to fee you again, that the 
 pleafure of another meeting may 
 recompence for the affectionate 
 concern wc were then under. 
 
 5. Be fatisued, in the mean 
 time, that I have a true and thank- 
 ful fenfe of your fteadinefs and 
 fincerity in the Chriitian faith ; 
 not doubting but rhofe principles 
 will continue as firm in you, as 
 were thofe of your grandmother 
 and mother before you. 
 
 6. To which end, I now write 
 again to you, to renew the exhor- 
 tations I formerly gave you, to- 
 
 ward a diligent and vigorous dis- 
 charge of your office, and the due 
 improvement of the gifts and 
 graces, which, along with it, were conferred on you by 
 *iTim.iv.the impofition of mine, and other * hands, at your crdi-, 
 14 • nation. 
 
 7. And you have no reafon to 
 be difeouraged from the moil vio~ 
 lent oppositions you meet withal 5, 
 
 for 
 
 7 For God hath 
 not given us the fpirit 
 ©f fear, but of pow- 
 er, 
 
Chap. T. 
 
 2 Efistle to Timothy, 
 
 j9 S 
 
 em<pAt* 
 
 er, of love, and of a for the fpiritual powers and en- A. D, 6; 
 found mind. dowments God beftows on the 1 — v— 
 
 gofpel minifters, are fufhcient to fet us above all flavifh 
 fear and cowardice, and to fix us in an immoveable love 
 to him and his true religion, and in a prudent and dif- 
 creet |i exercife of our miniitry. v 
 
 8 Be not thou 8. Go on, therefore, cheerful- ' 
 therefore atTiamed of ly, in a religion (o well attcfted •, 
 own and adhere to me, though now 
 a priioner for preaching it, efpe- 
 cially to the Gentiles. Suffer a- 
 long with me, for this good caufe, 
 rgreeably to the great f abilities 
 
 the telhmony of our 
 Lord, nor of me his 
 priioner, but be thou 
 partaker of the afflic- 
 tions of the gcfpel 
 according to the pow- 
 er of * God : 
 
 God has given you, as a gofpel 
 
 9 Who hath faved 
 us, and called us with 
 an holy calling, not ac- 
 cording to our works, 
 but according to his 
 ownpurpofeandgrace, 
 which was given us in 
 Chrift Jefus, before 
 the world began. 
 
 minifler, to fupport you under it. 
 9, Who may juftly expert we 
 fliould be ready to fuffer for him, 
 that has bellowed eternal happi- 
 nefs upon us, by calling us into the 
 gracious covenant of the gofpel : 
 A mercy that neither the Gentiles 
 could merit by any performance^ 
 of theirs, nor the Jews lay the lea ft 
 claim to, by the niceit obfervance 
 of the ceremonial law ; but is the pure effect, of divine 
 bounty and companion, originally f intended towards 
 all mankind, by and for the lake of Jefus Chriih 
 
 io But is now made ic. It was not indeed, hereto- 
 
 manifeft by the ap- fore exprefsly revealed to the 
 Gentile nations, but referved to 
 the appearance of Chrift and his 
 religion ; who, now, by dying for 
 our fins, has refcued all true be- 
 lievers from the final power oi 
 
 death ; 
 
 peanngofour Saviour 
 Jefus Chrift, who hath 
 aboliflied death, and 
 hath brought life and 
 immortality to light, 
 through 
 
 * Ver. 8. [According to the power of God.] I think 
 thefe words ought to be conrecled to iuayfo.tu. [Be par- 
 taker of the affliction, or fuffer thou, -rx ivayfiXt'v kcctx avvctut-j 
 Gb» — For the gofpel that i* attended with the power of 
 God, Rom. i. 16. Seethe like piirafe in Rom. i. 4. The 
 note there. 
 
 f Ver. 9. [Before the world began, *■§* %pvm cuanm. 
 Before any ages or difpenfations.] 
 
iS6 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. I. 
 
 A. D 67. through the gof- death ; and by his life and doc- 
 u — v— -'pel : trine, has freed them of all the 
 
 uncertainties they laboured under concerning the future 
 {late ; and given them a full aflurance of an eternal and 
 happy life, upon their repentance and fmcere obedience 
 to his commands. 
 
 1 1 . Of this comfortable doctrine 
 am / a preacher, and an apoftle ; 
 with full commiflion to declare it to 
 the Gentile world, and bring them 
 into the faith and privileges of it. 
 
 12. For which it is that I am 
 again become a fufFerer, by the 
 pride and malice of the Jewl/b 
 people. But not at all difcouraged; 
 as well knowing it is the truth of 
 God I fuffer for, who, I am cer- 
 tain, will maintain his own caufe, 
 and prelerve that life, I commit 
 into his hands, for a glorious re- 
 compence at the great and folemn 
 day of Chrift's judgment. 
 
 13. Do you then join with me 
 in this refoluticn, by keeping 
 Ready to that rule of Chriftianity 
 I taught ; confifting in an entire 
 belief of Chrift's doctrine, and an 
 univerfal love and charity toward 
 
 mankind, efpecially toward Chriftians, without any di- 
 >n between Jewijh and Gentile ones. 
 14 That good tiling 14. Remember how much ob- 
 
 1 was committed liged you are by the minifterial 
 * office you are intruded with, to 
 maintain and defend the true prin- 
 ciples of our holy religion ; and 
 how much you are enabled fo to do by the fpecial af- 
 fift tnce of the Holy Spirit conferred upon the minifters 
 of Chrift. 
 
 15. I con- 
 
 11 Whereunto I am 
 appointed a preacher, 
 and an apo(Ue > and a 
 teacher of the Gen- 
 tiles. 
 
 12 For the which 
 caufe I alfo fuffer 
 thefe things : never- 
 theless I am not a- 
 fhamed, for I know 
 whom I have believ- 
 ed, and I am per- 
 iuaded that he is able 
 to keep that which I 
 have committed un- 
 to him againft that 
 day. 
 
 13 Hold fa ft the 
 ;r found words, 
 
 which thou haft heard 
 cf me, in faith <jnd 
 love which is in Chrift 
 Jefus. 
 
 unto thee, keep by 
 the Holy Ghoir, which 
 dwelleth in us. 
 
 * nxPuKXTsMr.-Av, may refer either to his office, or to the 
 form of found words, in vcrfe 13. 
 
Chap. I. 1 Epistle to Timothy. i$7 
 
 15 This thou know- 15. I conclude, you cannot but A - D - 6 >- 
 eft, that all they which have heard how moft of the Ajian * 
 are in Afia be turned Chriftiaiis forfook me in my di- 
 
 away from me, cf ft re f s here, particularly Phygei- 
 
 whom are Phygellus, l us an d Hermogenes. 
 and Hermogenes. 
 
 16 The Lord give 16. But Onefiphorus the Ephe- 
 mercy unto the houfe Jtan y and his family, have ahw ; 
 of Onefiphorus, for ftood clofe to me, owned me in 
 he oft refrefhed me, m y worft condition, and refrdhed 
 and was not afhamed mc w ; t v, his prefence and relief, 
 of my chain. 
 
 17 But when he 17. Particularly, now at Rome, 
 was in Rome,he fought when I was under fuch clofe con- 
 me out very diligent- fragment that it was no eafy mat- 
 ]y, and found me. ter t0 ccme at mCj ] his 
 
 way to me by indefatigable pains and indul 
 
 18 The Lord grant 18. And yen know how kind 
 unto him that he may and ferviceable he was to v 
 iind mercy of the while I greached ; fus : for 
 Lord in that day j arid a n which, may God give him a 
 in how many things proportionable recompence at tli . 
 he minillered unto me reat dav f ChrifVs judgment, 
 at Ephefus, thou ° 
 
 know eft very well. 
 
 CHAP II. 
 
 Timothy Jill encouraged by the Jpojlle^s own example of 
 Faith, Hope, and Patience. The good Effetls of a Chrijli- 
 an's Sufferings, and the Danger oj denying Chrijl in Timet 
 o/Perfecution. Warnings a^airij} the in^moderate Zeal, the 
 
 - frivolous and violent Dijputes of the Jewifh Zealots, about 
 their Traditions. 1 he meek and gentle Difpojitions of a 
 good Chrijiian Bijhop, or Church Governor. 
 
 1 HTHOU, therefore, 1. VJCTHEREFORE, my dear 
 
 myion,beftrong ** convert, follow the ex- 
 
 in the grace that is in ample of fuch f as adhere to me,^q} 
 
 Chriit Jefus *. making a continual improvement :•:■. 
 
 5 
 
iSS 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. II, 
 
 A. D. 61 . in the ufe of thofe gifts and graces that were given you, 
 
 ' v 'for the due difcharge of your Chriftian miniftry %. 
 
 X XW** 2 And the things 2. And, as you have received 
 that thou haft heard from me a complete fcheme of 
 
 And the things 
 thou haft heard 
 of me among many 
 witnefies, the fame 
 commit thou to faith- 
 ful men, who fhall be 
 able to teach others 
 alio. 
 
 3 Thou therefore 
 endure hardnefs, as a 
 good foldier of Jefus 
 Chrift. 
 
 4 No man that war- 
 reth entangleth him- 
 felf with the affairs of 
 this life ; that he may 
 pleafe him who hath 
 chofen him to be a 
 foldier. 
 
 5 And if a man 
 alfo ft rive for mafte- 
 ries, yet he is not 
 crowned, except he 
 itrive lawfully. 
 
 6 The hufbandman 
 that laboureth -f, muft 
 be fir ft partaker of 
 the fruits. 
 
 7 Con- 
 
 the Chriftian doctrine and difci- 
 pline, be fure to make choice of 
 able and faithful perfons for the 
 miniftry, to deliver it down to o- 
 thers pure and unmixed, as I gave 
 it you, and had it myfelf fo clear- 
 ly and fully confirmed; 
 
 3. Look upon yourfelf as a 
 foldier of Chrift: ; and approve 
 
 your valour by enduring all the 
 hardships of his fervice. 
 
 4. Now, you know, the Roman 
 laws require every one that lifts 
 into the army, to difengagc him- 
 felf of all his former employ- 
 ments, and perfectly to attend the 
 fervice of his prince, and the 
 commands of his general. 
 
 5. And in the Olympic games, 
 no combatant wins the prize, un- 
 lefs he fights or runs agreeably to 
 the ftated rules of thofe games. 
 
 6. You know too, the hujband- 
 man labours in tilling, fowing, or 
 planting his ground a confiderable 
 time f before he can expect to 
 reap the crop. 
 
 7. Thus 
 
 * Ver. r. [In the grace that is in Chrift Jefus—€VT?^a- 
 »irt t* h X^ii-S 'l*e-2. It may be thus rendered ; [Be ftrong 
 (in aiTerting and propagating) that favour which is (mown 
 by God both to Jews and Gentiles) in Jefus Chrift.] For 
 this appear*: to have been conftantly in the apoftle's eye. 
 
 j- [Muft be firft partaker — xt-a-iavm h't ts^utgv — muit firft 
 labour.] If this be the conftruclion, as feveral critics take 
 it to be, the word v^Srov is rnifplaccd by a metathefis, pretty 
 
 common 
 
Chap. II. 2 Epistle to Timothy. i3<> 
 
 7 Confider what 7. Thus it was with you } as a A. D. 67. 
 I fay, and the Lord Chriftian bi/hop ; like a true fol-'~~v m ~ mmi 
 give thee underftand- dier, you muft be difengaged of all 
 
 ing in all things. t he unneceflary cares of life and 
 
 bufmefs. As a combatant, you mult throw oft every 
 thing that may give the adverfary any hold of you. As 
 a hujbandman, you muft labour in planting and promoting 
 the gofpel, and wait patiently for your reward. Confider 
 this, and may God give you a juft fenfe of every branch 
 of your duty. 
 
 8 Remember that 8. And, for the greater en- 
 Jefus Chrift, of the couragement of yourfelf and o- 
 feed of David, was thers, remembor yourfelf, and 
 railed from the dead, them, that our Saviour Jefus 
 according to my gof- Chrift himfelf, the true Mcjfiah, 
 P e h born of the family of David, as 
 the fcriptures foretold, was no temporal monarchy as the 
 yews vainly dreamed he was to be, but a fnffenng Sa- 
 viour ; and, after thofe fuiFerings, was raifed from the 
 dead, and exalted to heavenly glory, according to the 
 true gofpel-doclrine, as preached and demonftrated by 
 me. 
 
 9 Wherein I fufifer 6. This is the great truth, for 
 trouble as an evil-do- which I am thus, as a malefactor, 
 er, even unto bonds ; profecuted by the Jewijh people, 
 but the word of God an d am now again a prifoner : 
 is not bound. j^ ut my com f ort i S) that while I 
 am confined, the gofpel doctrine is, by my means, fpread 
 
 far and wide, efpecially in this city J. f See Phil.?, 
 
 10 Therefore I en- 10. This makes me undergo all 12 > l3 » I4, 
 dure all things for my fufferings with the utmoft 
 
 the elects fake, that freedom and cheerfulnefs ; that 
 
 they may alfo obtain I ma y thereby become an inftru- 
 
 the falvation which ment t0 bring other Chriftians, 
 
 is of 
 
 common in the New Teftament. See an inftance of it in 
 the word ♦ w<*t£<«££*jj, Heb. vii. 4. or elfe zrguToi may be 
 faken adjecihcly, and the fenfe be thus : The labouring hui- 
 bandman is to have -srpfjTov ruv kicpttuv, The fir ft and beft of 
 the fruits* But the former feems moft natural, 
 
i$vq A Paraphrase on the Chap. If* 
 
 A. D. 67. is in Chrlft Jefus, with of what nation foevcr, to the glory 
 v -o^ eternal glory. and happinefs promifed by Jefui 
 
 Chrifc j by encouraging them to fuller, after my example. 
 
 u It is a * faithful n. & 12. For * this is the com- 
 
 faying, For if we be fortable and undoubted truth of 
 
 dead with htm, we the gofpel-religion. For, as we 
 
 fhall alfo live with figuratively refemble the death of 
 
 hi™ '• Chrift, by being baptized into the 
 
 12 If we fuller, we death f fin> we ft^ a^ually 
 fhall alfo reign with rlfe w : tll j 1 ; mj t0 an ; mmorta l 
 him : if we deny htm, and } Hfe> And> R Qur 
 he alfo will deny us : readinds £ fuffer fo , his religio „, 
 
 as he ftfffered for our fins, we fhall not fail of a glori- 
 ous reward for it, along with him. But, on the con- 
 trary, if we relinquifh his profeffion, for fear of prefent 
 dangers, he will no longer own us for his dilciples, nor 
 reward us as fuch. 
 
 13 If we believe 13. And whether we continue 
 not, yet he abideth Heady to his religion, or no, it is 
 faithful, he cannot de- certain God is ftill the fame, and 
 ny himfelf. cannot but perform the promifes 
 he has made, and execute the threats he has denounced. 
 
 14 Of thefe things 14. Inculcate this to all Chrif- 
 put them in vemem- tians, as the indifpenfible condi- 
 brance, charging them tion of their ^ofeffion. And par- 
 before the Lord, that ticularly charge the Jewi/h con- 
 they ftrive not about vertSj in fa name of chrifl, t& 
 words, to no profit, make it their eat concenij anc » 
 but to the fubverting Rot ^ j r tQ j thdr 
 of the hearers. ^ - friv | loU g and ^ dif . 
 
 putes about traditions, that tend to nothing, but to per- 
 vert men from the true faith. 
 
 15, & 16. En- 
 
 * Ver. 11. (It is a faithful faying^ *"• f« I n thtts fufifer- 
 ing for my endeavours to bring men of all nations into the' 
 Chriitian faith and privileges. I act faithfully, or agreeably 
 te defign of the go/pel. See the note on 1 Tim. 15. 
 
Chap. II. 
 
 1 Epistle to Timothy. 
 
 191 
 
 15 Study to (how 
 tltyfelf approved un- 
 to God, a workman 
 that needeth not to 
 be ashamed, rightly 
 dividing the word of 
 truth 
 
 16 But (hun pro- 
 fane and vain bab 
 blings, for they will 
 increafe unto more un- 
 godlinefs. 
 
 15. & 16. Endeavour to approve A.D 
 
 yourfclf a ik'uful and unexceptian- <r 
 
 able minifter of Chriftianity. And, 
 as it was the co:iflant and careful 
 fervice of the Je-iuifh priefts, in the 
 temple, to divide the facrtfices, fe- 
 parating the parts that were, from 
 fuch as were not to be offered upon 
 the altar ; fo let it be your earneft 
 bufinefs to cut oif all impertinent 
 difputes, and deliver out nothing 
 but the plain and important doc- 
 trines of our religion. 
 
 17. & 1 3. For that turbulent 
 and difputing temper is of the 
 fame dangerous confequence to 
 the Chriftian churchy as a gan- 
 grene is to the body ,• infe<Stingi 
 and eating out all good principles, 
 as you fee in the inftances of Hy- 
 meneus * and Philetus, who have 
 fo corrupted thofe pffages .of 
 fcripture relating to the refurrcc- 
 with their traditional and 
 
 17 And their word 
 will eai as doth a 
 canker : of whom is 
 Hymeneus and Phile- 
 tus : 
 
 18 Who concern- 
 ing the truth have er- 
 red, faying That the 
 refurrection is part al- 
 ready : and overthrow 
 the faith of fome. 
 
 Hon, 
 
 allegorical notions, as to give out, That the refurreclion 
 of good men is already part, and nothing further to be 
 expected ; and fo -have drawn feveral Chriflians from 
 the found Belief of that capital article. 
 
 l9Neverthelefs,the 19. But, notwithstanding the 
 
 t foundation of God furmifes of fuch men, this truth 
 
 ftandeth iure, having of our future refurredion \ 
 
 this feal, the Lord firm, as the rnaia f foundation of 
 
 khoweth a ]j 
 
 * See 1 Tim. i. 19, 20. 
 
 -f (The foundation of God.) <~)z,ui\iog figrifies either a 
 foundation of a building ; or an indenture writing: And be- 
 eaufe the latter is more agreeaole to the feol in this ve fe, 
 and the former to the verfe immediately following, 1 have 
 therefore expreffed both fenfes: Bur I leave it as conjecture, 
 whether the true reading might not be Kuuifaov See the 
 note on 1 Tim. vi. 19. Indeed, as the word is there ufed 
 for treafure> (o here it may moll properly fionify, not the 
 foundation, but the precious things, or utenfils nf a houfe ; 
 trea/ures laid up and fealtd with the feal or mark of the 
 •wner. But let the reader judge. 
 
192 A ParAphrase on the Chap. IL 
 
 A. D. 6;. knovveth * them that all our Chriftian faith and hope, 
 *— ""v^— """* are his. And let e- and is an inviolable § indenture 
 § Wa*^. V ery one that nameth of fecurity, that God has fealed 
 the name of Chriit, anc { confirmed with a promiie, on 
 depart from iniquity. fa p art> to own anc i rewar d all 
 true Chriftian difciples ; and with this condition, on 
 our part, that we reform our lives, and live agreeable to 
 the precepts of the gofpel. 
 
 20 But in a great 20. Nor ought it to furprife and 
 houfe there are not difturb us, to find fuch factious 
 only veflels of gold, a nd unorthodox members in the 
 and of filver, but al- Chriftian church. For, as in great 
 io of wood, and of mens houfes, there is variety and 
 earth : and fome to degrees of good and bad, rich, 
 honour, and fome to and lefs coftly f urniture . f in 
 diflionour. f^ a wide f oc i et y as tne church 
 is, it cannot be expected, but fome members will prove 
 
 • more ungovernable and degenerate than others. 
 
 21 If a man there- 21. As therefore, the better, 
 fore purge himfelf and more fumptuous part of the 
 from thefe, he (hall houfe's furniture is ufually ap- 
 be a veffel unto ho- propriated to the ufe of the own- 
 nour, falsified and er an d mafter of the family ; in 
 meet for the matters like manner, the only way for 
 ufe, and prepared un- any Chriftian to render himfelf 
 to every good work. truly ufeful and accepta ble to 
 Chrift, the great Lord of his church, is, To keep him- 
 felf untainted from the falfe notions, and impure prac- 
 tices of thofe deceitful teachers. 
 
 22 Flee alfo youth- 22. & 2 3. Accordingly, therefore, 
 ful lufts: but follow be you fpecially careful to avoid all 
 righteoufnefs, faith, thofe paffions and irregularities, to 
 
 charity, w fej c k 
 
 * Ver. 19. (The Lord knoweth them that are his) — — 
 Thefe words are a raoft emphatical allufion to thofe of 
 Mofes, Numb. xvi. 5. [according to the LXX.] fTo-mor- 
 row will the Lord (how who are his, and who is holy.) A 
 proper application of the cafe of Korah and his company to 
 that of thefe falfe teachers before mentioned. Ibid. — (de- 
 part from iniquity, a%* Sixing, from falfehood), in oppolition 
 to kfi^uccv before mentioned. See John vii. 18. Rom. xi. 8. 
 1 Cor. xiii. 9. 2 ThefT. xi. 12. As Mofes faid, [Depart 
 from the tents of thefe wicked men.] 
 
 $ 
 
£hap. it 
 
 2 Epistle to Timothy. 
 
 *93 
 
 charity, peace with 
 them that call on the 
 Lord out of a pure 
 heart. 
 
 23 But foolifh and 
 * unlearned queftions 
 avoid, knowing that 
 they do gender ftrifes. 
 
 24 And the fervant 
 of the Lord rauft not 
 itrive : but be gentle 
 unto all men, apt to 
 teach, patient : 
 
 25 In meeknefs in- 
 itru&ing thofe that op- 
 pofe themfelves, if God 
 peradventure will give 
 them repentance to the 
 acknowledging of the 
 truth. 
 
 26 And that they 
 may f recover them- 
 felves out of the fnare 
 of the devil, who are 
 taken captive by him 
 at his will. 
 
 which their frivolous and violent A - D (} 7. 
 difputes may hazard to draw fuch v- "V"w 
 a young || perfon as you are: Andll * Tim.iv. 
 keep clofe to the fubftantial duties L2 ' 
 of true faith towards God, of 
 perfect juftice in your words and 
 behaviour towards all men, and 
 of a charitable and peaceful tem- 
 per towards all fincere Chrijl'ians. 
 24, 25. & 26. For it does no 
 way become any Chrifiian i much 
 lefs a % miniper of the gofpei, to j ^ A( ^ 
 ftrive to gain men over to his re- K v * t g. 
 ligion, by violent deputation, and 
 ill ufage ; but only by fair and. 
 (Irong reafons propofed to them, 
 and urged upon them, in a can- 
 did, free, and peaceable manner ; 
 endeavouring to win upon their 
 adverfaries, by the meeknefe and 
 fweetnefs of their temper, as well 
 as by the ftrength of their vgu- 
 ments ; this being the mo(r likely- 
 means to refcue them from rhat 
 ftate of ignorauce and vice, to 
 
 which the devil has hitherto en- 
 flaved them ; and bring them to the knowledge and obe- 
 dience of God, and of true religion. 
 
 Vol. II. O C H AP. 
 
 * Ver. 23. [Unlearned queftions ] »irecihvTa<; tyio-Hc, que- 
 ftions that belong not to Chrijiianity, the treu^uu, the Chrif- 
 tian injlitutions or inflru&ion. Queftions abou- things never 
 taught by Chrift, never required ot any Christian to believe 
 at his baptif?n. 
 
 f Ver. 26. [And that they may recover, &c.\ Note The 
 learned author of the Paraphrafe and Notes after Mr. Lockers 
 manner, has tranilattd this verfe in a verv new, and ( s think) 
 a very judicious manner — but Very agrteeabff to your fenfe 
 of my paraphrafe ; vi%. Thus : •• That win n they art tak- 
 " en (or faved) alive out of the fnare of the devil by him 
 " (viz. the faithful fervant of the Lord), they may, be awake 
 J' and a&ive to do his (/. e. God's) will*" 
 
394 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. III. 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 He again reminds Timothy of the dangerous Times, and wick- 
 ed People, foretold to be under the Church of the Mefliah. 
 A defer tpt'ion of thofe Men, and their Principles. Encou- 
 rages Timothy againjl them, from his own Example, and 
 from the Advantages of his Acquaintance with the Ancient 
 Scriptures. 
 
 A.D.67 
 
 . 1 r r H I S know alfo 1. T ET me again * remind you 
 ; that in the laft ■*- 4 of thofe predi&ions of our 
 
 days, perilous times Saviour and his apoftles, concern- 
 fhall come. i n g the perfecutions that would 
 
 arife in times of the Chrifrian church ; the better to arm. 
 you againfr being furprifed, and moved at them. 
 
 2 For men (hall be 2, 3 & 4. Thofe predictions 
 
 lovers of their own are now in fome meafure fulfilled 
 in the Jewi/b zealots, that felfifh, 
 worldly-minded, proud, and abu- 
 five fet of men, that are arriv- 
 ed to that degree of ingratitude 
 and impiety, as to break through 
 the molt natural and euential o* 
 bligations, and violate all truth 
 and faith with fuch as are not 
 of their party ; minding nothing 
 but their own ambitious purpofes 
 and p'eafures, in defiance of the 
 
 felves, covetous, boaft- 
 ers, proud, blafphe- 
 mers, difobedient to 
 parent?, unthankful, 
 unholy. 
 
 3 Without natural 
 affection, truce break- 
 ers, falfe accufers, in- 
 continent, fierce, de- 
 fpifers of thofe that are 
 good. 
 
 4 Traitors, heady, 
 high-minded, lovers of exprefs laws of God. 
 pleafures more than 
 
 more 
 lovers of God. 
 
 5 Having a form of 
 godlinefs, but denying 
 the power thereof : 
 from fuch turn away. 
 
 5. Having nothing to do, there- 
 fore with a people that value 
 themfelves upon the mereoutward 
 name and privileges of religion ; 
 and, in their lives, contradict all the noble purpofes and 
 defiffns- of it<> 
 
 6. &■ 7. Thefe- 
 
Chap. III. 
 
 2 Epistle to Timojhy. 
 
 *5 
 
 6 For of this fort 
 are they which creep 
 into houfes, and lead 
 captive iilly women 
 laden with fins, led a- 
 way with divers lulls. 
 
 7 Ever learning, and 
 iiever able to come to 
 the knowledge of the 
 truth. 
 
 8 Now as Jannes and 
 Jambres withltood Mo- 
 fes, fo do thefe alfo re- 
 fill the truth : men of 
 corrupt minds, repro- 
 bate concerning the 
 faith. 
 
 9 But they {hall pro- 
 ceed no further : for 
 their folly (hall be ma- 
 nifest unto all men, as 
 theirs alfo was. 
 
 10 But thou hall 
 fully known my doc- 
 trine, manner of life, 
 purpofe, faith, long- 
 fuffrring, charity, pa- 
 tience, 
 
 ii Perfecutions, af- 
 flictions which came 
 unto me at Antioch, 
 at Iconium, at Lyitraj 
 what perfecutions I 
 endured ; but out of 
 
 6. & 7. Thefe are the men fo A.D. 67. 
 fond of *i;aking profelytes to their^—'V— — 
 own opinions, as to infinuate them- 
 felves into all families, and gain 
 upon women, and the weaker fort, 
 that are prepared to their hands, by 
 finiul affections and prejudices ;that 
 run after every new teacher, and fo 
 are kept in perpetual diffraction 
 and ignorance of found religion. 
 
 8. Thefe people oppofe the true 
 doctrines of Chriftianity , with the 
 fame obilinate and incurable pre- 
 judices, that the magicians of II- 
 gypt did the mirac.es of Mofes ; 
 againit the molt evident and con- 
 vincing demonftrations. 
 
 9. And they are foon like to 
 come to the fame wretched end, 
 and fhow their oppontion to be 
 the effect of nothing but wofol 
 blindnefs and malice. 
 
 to. & 1 1. Be not you, therefore, 
 terrified at their malicious endea- 
 vours ; but make my doctrine 
 your rule ; let my life and con- 
 verfation, my Heady faith, chari- 
 ty, and patience under ali my Of- 
 ferings, particularly thofe at An- 
 tioch, &-C be your example, to 
 encourage you to trull m God for 
 the fame powerful deliverances 
 
 that I had from them ail. 
 them all the Lord delivered me. 
 
 12 Yea, and all that n. And, indeed, all that will* 
 
 be fincere Chriflians, mull now 
 expect, and be prepared for their 
 mare of fufferings. 
 
 13. For the fucceffbrs of thefe 
 deceitful impoltors, in(tead of re- 
 forming, will in the after times olf 
 O 2 Chiiftianityy 
 
 will live godly in Chrilt 
 Jefus, (hall fuffer per- 
 iecution. 
 
 13 But evil men 
 
 and feducers lhall wax 
 worfe and worfe, de- 
 ceiving 
 
I#> 
 
 A PARArHRASE ON «KE 
 
 Chap. Ill, 
 
 A. D. 67. ceiving, and being dc- Chriltianity, (rill improve in their 
 ^~ v ^ uJ ceived. wicked defigns, running into deep- 
 
 er ignorance, drawing others into their errors, and per- 
 fecuting all that oppofe them. * 
 
 14 But continue 14. To avoid them, therefore, 
 
 thou in the things continue fteady to the do&rines 
 I have taught you ; and remem- 
 ber you learned them of one, who 
 neither can nor will deceive you. 
 
 which thou haft learn- 
 ed, and haft been af- 
 fured of, knowing of 
 whom thou haft learn- 
 ed them : 
 
 15 And that from a 
 chi'd thou haft known 
 the holy fcriptures, 
 which are able to 
 make thee wife unto 
 falvation, through faith 
 which is in Chrift Je- 
 fus. 
 
 15. And beiide what I have 
 particularly inftructed you in, the 
 knowledge you have attained from 
 your conftant perufal of the fcrip- 
 tures of the Old Teftament, from 
 your very infancy, will be of great 
 advantage to you, to mow you 
 the truths of Chriit's religion, 
 
 and keep you firm to the faith of it j which will 
 cure your eternr.l falvation. 
 
 pro- 
 
 16 All fcripture is 
 given by infpiration 
 of God, and is profit- 
 able for doctrine, for 
 reproof, for correction, 
 for in (inaction in right- 
 eoufnefs : 
 
 17 That the man 
 of God may be per- 
 fect, thouroughly fur- 
 nifhed unto all good 
 works. 
 
 16. & 17. For * thofe infpired 
 writings are of great ufe to dis- 
 cover to us the truth and certainty 
 of our Chriftianity 1 by mowing us 
 the prophecies that are now fulfill- 
 ed, the types and figures that are 
 now exactly anfwered in Chrift 
 and his religion ; and abounding, 
 befide, in moft wholefome precepts 
 and prohibitions. By underfland- 
 ingof all which, the Chriftian mi- 
 
 nifteris completely enabled to cor- 
 rect the errors and mifunderftandings of thefe feducing 
 teachers, concerning the nature of Chrift's kingdom ; 
 and to fat forth all the true and laving doctrines of his 
 holy religion. CHAP o 
 
 * V'-r. 16. [AH fcripture is given by infpiration of God, 
 tsuctoi, fyccQli $io-7n>ivs-&; &c All writings that are of divine 
 infpiration are profitable, &c] — One old MS. with the Vul- 
 gar Arab, and Syr. Verfions, as alfo lome fathers, in their 
 quotation of this p^tTage, leave out the yjuj. J make no 
 que ft ion, but t iat the fcriptures by infpiration of God, have a 
 particular reference to the prophecies concerning Chrift and 
 hjs kingdom } and the apoftacy from it. 
 
Chap. IV. 
 
 2 Epistle to Timothy. 
 
 19; 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 The Charge to Timothy folemnly renewed. The Jewi/h Ob- 
 Jlinacy and Malice will grow Worfe and Worfe. The Apo~ 
 Jlle foretells his own Martyrdom, in full AJJurance of his 
 
 Reward as a faithful Apoflle. Tells him how the Chri- 
 flians deferted him : Appoints Timothy to haflen to him. 
 
 Warns him againfl Alexander. The Salutations and Conclu- 
 Jton. 
 
 jT Charge thee, there- 
 fore, before God, 
 and the Lord Jefus 
 Chrift, who (hall judge 
 the quick and the dead 
 at his appearing, and 
 his kingdom : 
 
 2 Preach the word, 
 be inftant in feafon, 
 and out of feafon ; re- 
 
 1 . & 2. 'TK) conclude, then ; fee- A. D. 67. 
 
 -*■ ing you areencom-' w ' 
 
 puffed with fuch*adverfaries, and* cha P- "' 
 have fuch abilities beftowed on^' **' 
 you to withttand them, I now a- 
 gain moft folemnly adjure you by 
 God the Father, and the Lord Je- 
 fus Chrift, the judge of all man- 
 kind at the great and folemn day 
 of his appearance, to take all op- 
 portunities of refuting thofe falfe 
 teachers, of urging and prefling 
 the truths of Chrijlianity upon all 
 people ; correcting their errors and immoralities, and 
 endeavouring with the utmofi patience and conilancy, to 
 reduce them to a fenfe of true religion. 
 
 3. & 4. My earned repetition 
 of this charge upon you is but too 
 needful. For, as If before obferv-f Chap, iii, 
 ed, thofe ignorant %ealots are iike r 3* 
 to be fo far from a ipeedy reform j- 
 tion, that you will find them grow 
 perfectly impatient of the true 
 doctrines of our religion ; it ill 
 more p-^ffionately fond of their 
 new teachers that footh them up 
 in theii lulls and vices ; and run 
 whoily from the gofpd principles 
 to jfe-wi/h fables aiicl traditions^ 
 U 3 5. But 
 
 prove, rebuke, exhort 
 with all long-fuffering 
 and doctrine. 
 
 3 For the time will 
 come when they will 
 not endure found doc- 
 trine j but after their 
 own luus (hall they 
 heap to themfelves 
 teachers, having itch- 
 ing ears. 
 
 4 And they 
 turn away their 
 from the truth, 
 ihall be turned 
 fables. 
 
 fhall 
 ears 
 and 
 into 
 
j 9 S 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap IV. 
 
 A.D. $7. 5 But watc ; thou 
 
 ^V^ in all things, endure 
 
 afflictions, do the v\crk 
 
 of an evangelift, make 
 
 full proof of thy mini- 
 
 fUy. 
 
 6 For I am now rea- 
 dy to be offered, and 
 the time of my depart- 
 ure is at hand. 
 
 7 I have fought a 
 good fight, I have fi- 
 njiiied my courfe, I 
 have kept * the faith. 
 
 5. But however irreclaimable 
 and vexatious they may prove, 
 go you on in the work of your 
 go/pel miniftry, and fuffer patient- 
 ly for the confeientious difcharge 
 of it. 
 
 6. I am alfo now the more 
 warm in my exhortations to you, 
 becaufe I expect fhortly to be ta- 
 ken from you, and become a fa- 
 crifice to their malice andobftinacy. 
 
 7 Nor am I at all difcouraged 
 at that profpecl : For I have 
 fought and fuffered for the Chri- 
 Jlian caufe like a hardy foldier : 
 and, as a racer, am at the end of my courfe : For I have 
 been faithful to my trufl, 
 
 8 Henceforth there 8. So that I have now nothing 
 
 laid up for rr.e a t o do, but to wait for that glori- 
 ous recompenfe and reward, which 
 the great and righteous Judge of 
 the world will not fail to bellow 
 on me, arid on all fuch who are 
 confcious of having fo fincerely 
 performed their duty, as to wifh 
 for that happy day of Chrift's 
 final judgment. 
 
 9. 6l 10. Come to Rome to me 
 as foon as poilibly you can ; for 
 I am left almolt quite alone ; De- 
 mas having preferred the fafety 
 of his life before me and my caufe, 
 and is retired to ThefTalonica; and 
 I have fent away Crefcens and 
 Titus upon particular bufinefs. 
 
 crown of rigrhteouf- 
 inefs, which the Lord 
 the righteous judge 
 fhall give me at that 
 day : and not to me 
 only, but unto all them 
 alfo that love his ap- 
 pearing. 
 
 9 Do thy diligence 
 to come fhortly unto 
 me : 
 
 10 For Demas hath 
 forfaken me, having 
 loved this preterit 
 world, and is depart- 
 ed unto Theffalonica : 
 Crefcens to Galatia, 
 Titus unto Dalmatia. 
 
 11 Only 
 
 II. & 12. 
 
 * Ver. 7. [I have kept the faith.] Thv anYn» Tfnjgij**, I 
 have preferved my fidelity. 
 
Chap. IV. 
 
 2 Epistle to Timothy. 
 
 199 
 
 11 Only Luke is 
 with me. Take Mark 
 and bring him with 
 thee ; for he is profit- 
 able to me for the mi- 
 niitry. 
 
 12 And Tychicus 
 have I fent to Ephe- 
 fus. 
 
 13 The * cloak that 
 I left at Troas with 
 Carpus, when thou 
 comeft, bring with 
 thee, and the books, 
 but efpecially the 
 parchments. 
 
 14 Alexander the 
 copperfmith did me 
 much evil : the f 
 Lord reward him ac- 
 cording to his works. 
 
 15- Of whom be 
 thou ware alfo 5 for 
 he hath gre?tly with- 
 stood our words. 
 
 16 At my firft an- 
 fwer no man flood 
 with me, but all men 
 forfook me : / pray 
 God that it may not be 
 laid to their charge. 
 
 17 Notwithstand- 
 ing the Lord flood 
 with me, and ftrength- 
 ened me ; that by me 
 
 the 
 
 11. & 1 2. I have alfo fent Ty 
 chicus to Ephefus, fo that I have 
 now no body with me but Luke. 
 When you come, therefore, bring 
 Mark with you ; for he will be 
 very ferviceable to me in aflilting 
 me to promote the gofpel. 
 
 13. When I was laft at 'Troas, 
 I left a parchment * roll, and 
 fome books there ; bring them 
 with you, but efpecially the roll. 
 
 14. &. 15. Alexander the cop- 
 perfmith has been a great enemy 
 to me : And I f leave him to 
 God to be recompenfed as he 
 deferves. Take heed of him, for 
 he is a bitter adversary againfl 
 the Chrijlian caufe. 
 
 16. When T was brought up- 
 on my firft trial, aim oil % all my 
 Chriflian acquaintance at Rome 
 forfook me : Pray God pity and 
 forgive their cowardice. 
 
 17. But, while they relinquifh- 
 ed me, I was divinely afliited to 
 defend my felt" ; and God was 
 pleafed to make me the inftru- 
 
 O 4 ment 
 
 A.D. 67. 
 
 * The cloak, QiXortv, a parchment roll, the fame with ftifii? 
 &ntvct — the parchments. The Syrlac reads it [a cheft of books.] 
 
 f Ver. 14. [The Lord reward him] — This is not to be 
 underftood as an imprecation, but as a prophet's expreflion ; 
 As in like manner, is that dying fpeech of Zachariah, [The 
 Lord look upon it, and requite it, 2 Chron. xxiv. 22. which 
 is in the future tenfe, [God v. ill look upon it]. 
 
 % [All men forfook me.] Omnibus, id eft a maxima 
 ^rt e defertum ie efle conqu'eritur. Jeiom. 
 
too 
 
 A Paraphrase on the, &c. Chap, IV, 
 
 A. D. 67. the preaching might 
 \~ ~y m *~ > be fully known, and 
 that all the Genti.'es 
 might hear : and I 
 was delivered out of 
 the mouth of the lion. 
 18 And the Lord 
 (hall deliver me j- from 
 every evil work, and 
 will preferve me unto 
 his heavenly king- 
 dom : to whom be 
 glory for ever and 
 ever. Amen. 
 
 ment of fpreading the gofpel doc- 
 trine to the Gentiles of thefe parts, 
 by delivering me from the fentence 
 of the cruel * Emperor for that 
 time. 
 
 18, And, though I am now 
 likely to be unjuftly condemned, 
 and fuffer by him y yet, am I 
 fure, God will ftill preferve me 
 from doing f or faying any thing 
 unbecoming my religion, or my 
 minifterial office ; and carry me 
 through death into the happinefs 
 of his heavenly kingdom : To whom, therefore, 1 afcribe 
 all honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 
 
 19 Salute Prifca 19. My hearty Chriftian love 
 
 and Aquila, and the to Aquila and Prifcilla, with One- 
 {iphorus and his family. 
 
 2C If you would know what 
 is become of Eraftus, I can only 
 teil you, I left him at Corinth in 
 my lad || travels thither ; and 
 
 houfehold of Onefi- 
 phorus. 
 
 20 Eraftus abode 
 at Corinth : but Tro- 
 phimus have I left at 
 See Pear-Miletum iick. 
 
 Jbn,op.Poii:.Xrophimus tailing fick at Miletus, in Crete, I was for 
 ced to leave him in that ifland. 
 
 21 Do thy diligence 
 to come before win- 
 ter. Eubulus greet- 
 eth thee, and Pudens, 
 
 and Linus, and Clau- 
 dia, and all the bre- 
 thren. 
 
 2 2 The Lord Jefus 
 Ctirift be with thy 
 fpirir. Grace be with 
 you. Amen. 
 
 2 1 . Come to me before winter 
 if you can. Eubulus, Pudens, 
 Linus, Claudia, and all the Chrif- 
 tians here falute you. 
 
 22. May the Lord Jefus Chrift: 
 be your director and guide. His 
 love and favour be ever with 
 thee. Amen. 
 
 * Nero, or elfe his deputy Helius Cgefarianus. 
 
 f [Ar.d the Lord fha!l deliver me.] Et liberabit me in- 
 quit (non a vinculus fed) ab omni opere malo. Pearibn op. 
 Poft. pag. 25. 
 
 A PARA- 
 
PARAPHRASE 
 
 ON THE 
 
 EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL 
 
 TO 
 
 TITUS. 
 
 THE PREFACE. 
 
 § i.T^HE time of St. Paul's being in the ill and of Crete, 
 ■*• and leaving Titus as bifhop there, is placed, by 
 fome, in the year 55 viz. in his travels mentioned Acts 
 xx. But our more accurate Biihop Pearfon has mown 
 good reafons againfl that ; and, much more probably, 
 ftated it in the interval between St. Paul's firft and fe- 
 cond confinement at Rome, viz. Anno Domini 63. dat- 
 ing this epiftle the year following ; with which account 
 Dr. Mill differs but in one fmgle year. 
 
 § 2. The occafion on which it was written is fo per- 
 fectly the fame with thofe to Timothy, that the fub- 
 ilance and ftyle of it may well be, as it appears, of the 
 fame ftrain. A church was indeed planted here, but 
 wanted watering, cultivation, and due order. The na- 
 tives of the illand were an idle, falfe and luxurious peo- 
 ple. 
 
202 
 
 The Preface. 
 
 pie, fay the ancient hiitorians and geographers, agree* 
 able to St. Paul's defcriptions of them here, chap, i, 
 but might have made more tractable Chrijlians, had 
 not their ill qualities and difpofitions been fomented by 
 thfe JewiJJj zealots, abounding in that place. Againit 
 whofe ignorant and malicious prejudices the apoftle moft 
 clearly levels all the characters he gave of a good bi- 
 ihop or church governor ; and the feveral directions 
 for the conduct of people of both f exes, in their refpec- 
 tive ages, flattens, and degrees, conformably to the two 
 foregoing epiilles, and to the general current of the 
 other epiilolary writings relating to thofe matters. 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 Tloe Title and Salutation. The Defign of St. Paul's leaving 
 Titus Bi/hop in Crete, and of this Epifile to him ; viz. To 
 ordain Church Miniflers, and reduce that Church to a regu. 
 larity in Opinion and Practice ; efpecially the Judaizing part 
 of them, that were more zealous about JewiJJj Traditions 
 and Ceremonies than the fubjlantial Matters of Chriflianity. 
 The good Qualifications of a Church Governor. A badCha. 
 racier of the Cretians r particularly the Jeiui/h Inhabitants of 
 that I/land. 
 
 ipAUL, a fervant 
 Written G f God, and an 
 
 A - D - 6 4- apoftle of Jefus Chrift, 
 
 according to the faith 
 of God's elect, and 
 the acknowledging of 
 the truth, which is 
 after gcdlinefs. 
 
 2 In hopes of eter- 
 nal life, which God, 
 that cannot lie, pro- 
 nnfed before the 
 world began : 
 
 3 But hath in due 
 time manifefted his 
 
 word 
 
 1. T>AUL,a worfhippcrofthe 
 A true God, and an apoftle 
 
 of Jefus Chrift, fpecially commif- 
 fioned to preach his religion in its 
 truth and purity, and convert 
 men of all nations to the truefaith 
 of it. 
 
 2. & 3. A religion that gives all 
 true believers, whether yews or 
 Gentiles, a full and fure hope of 
 enjoying that greatpromife of eter- 
 nal happinefs, made by the God of 
 truth hrmfelf, at firit to Adam in 
 
 4 the 
 
Chap. I. 
 
 Ehstle To Titus. 
 
 203 
 
 word through preach- the beginning of the world, and A.D.64- 
 
 ing, which is com- to Abraham and the patriarchs v— 
 
 mitted unto me, ac- afterward: which, though loll 
 
 cording to the cun- and forgotten by the far greater 
 
 gandment of God our part of the GentUc nations> 
 
 through their manifold corrup- 
 tions, and wilful iniquities ; yet is now again revived 
 and declared to them all, under the go/pel difpenfation 
 (the proper feafon made choice of by Divine Wifdom 
 for that purpofe) : and I am appointed to publifh it for 
 the falvation of all the world. 
 
 4 To Titus, mine 4. I Paul fend this epiftle to 
 own fon after the Titus my dear convert to Chri- 
 common faith, grace, ftianity ; wifhing him all divine 
 favour and happinefs from God 
 the Father, and Jefus Chrift our 
 Saviour and Governor. 
 
 5. To remind you of the good 
 end for which I confecrated and 
 left you bifliop of the church of 
 Crete, viz. to perfect the conver- 
 fion I had there begun, to give 
 fuch rules of do&rine and difci- 
 pline as were wanting, and to or- 
 dain other church-miniftersin the 
 ifland, to put them in due and 
 
 mercy, and peace from 
 God the Father, and 
 the Lord Jefus Chrift 
 our Saviour. 
 
 5 For this caufe 
 left I thee in Crete, 
 that * thou mouldelt 
 fet in order the things 
 that are wanting and 
 ordain elders in every 
 city, as I had ap- 
 pointed thee. 
 feveral cities of that 
 conftant execution. 
 
 6 If any be blame- 
 lefs, the huiband of 
 one wife, having faith- 
 ful children, not ac- 
 cufed of riot, or un- 
 ruly. 
 
 7 For a bifhop mufl 
 be blamelefs, as the 
 fteward of God : not 
 felf-willed, not foon 
 angry, not given to 
 wine, no ftriker, nor 
 given to filthy lucre j 
 
 6. & 7. Now a hiJJjop and go- 
 vernor of a Chriftian church, as a 
 fteward over God's family, ought 
 in general to be a perfon of an 
 unexceptionable character ; and, 
 in particular ought not to be one 
 that has been guilty either of the 
 polygamy of the heathens, or of 
 divorcing his wife for humour- 
 fome reafons,and marrying others, 
 according to the corrupt ufages of 
 the Jews. He mufl be one that 
 
 has 
 
 * Ver 5. [That thou fhouldft fet in order the things that 
 are wanting. Or, I'm t<* Mi7tovtx 2<ogaV>} ; to rectify diforders]. 
 
204 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. I. 
 
 A. D. 64. h as educated his family in the Chriftian faith ; that no- 
 body can accufe of the leatl debauchery or diforderly 
 life ; not ltubborn or pafiionate in his words, or vio- 
 lent in his behaviour ; addicted neither to drunkennefs, 
 nor any f -rdid practices for worldly gains. 
 
 8 But a lover of 8. But, on the contrary, mult 
 hofpitality, a lover of be a perfon hofpitable and chari- 
 good men, fober, juft, table, grave in his carriage, juft 
 holy, temperate, in his dealings, devoted to the fer- 
 vice of G^>d, and temperate in his pleafures. 
 
 9 Holding fait the 9. In fine, he mull be Heady to 
 fai taful word, as he the true Chriftian doctrine, by 
 
 the truth and flrength whereof, 
 he may be able to comfort and 
 funport the orthodox, and to con- 
 fute and reprove the erroneous 
 and obiiinate. 
 
 10. Of which latter you have 
 abundance in Crete, whofe bufi- 
 nefs is to talk and difpute, and 
 feduce the minds of men ; but 
 efpecially the Jewijh Zealots, and 
 
 fuch Chriflian converts as they have corrupted with 
 their notions. 
 
 11. Thefe men, however falfe 
 and vain their arguments be, mull 
 yet be anfwered and confuted ; 
 for they gain upon whole fiimi* 
 lies by their unreafonable fug- 
 geition% which they ipread about, 
 
 on)y for prefent profit and dpplaaife, 
 
 12 One of them- ii m §c 13. When the poet EfU 
 
 felves, even* prophet menides a native f their on, 
 
 of their own, feid, deienb. i the Cre ia , as a falfe, 
 
 mifenkvous, and usurious p. - 
 
 pie, fi faid what was as t r ue ;>f 
 
 thefe yiuz/^inliabiiants, as it could 
 
 be 
 
 ham been taught, that 
 lie may be able by 
 found doctrine both 
 to exhort and to con- 
 vince the gqinfayers. 
 • 10 For there are 
 many unruly and vain 
 talkers and deceivers, 
 efpecially they of the 
 circumcifion : 
 
 11 Whole mouths 
 mult be Hopped, who 
 fubvert whole houfes, 
 teaching things which 
 they ought not, for 
 fihhy lucres fake, 
 
 way liars, evil beads, 
 
 flow bellies'*. 
 
 13 This 
 
 * Ver. 12. Slow bellies, yxirr'tgis dpyccl, not JIow but fwifs 
 eager bellies, liltt that of *^a Swwe, evil wild beq/is. So in 
 Homer xvn$ Ǥfei art jvoift dogs. 
 
Chap. f. 
 
 Epistle to Titus. 
 
 $6$ 
 
 be of the original natives of the A, D 64. 
 place : and therefore you m nit keep 1 —— v— ' 
 them under a ffricl cenfure nnd 
 difcipline ; efpecially fuch of ei- 
 ther of them as are Chriftian con- 
 verts, to reduce them again to true C .riftian princ'p'es. 
 14 Not giving heed 1 4. For they are now additt- 
 
 to Jewifh fables, and ed to hardly any thing but the 
 ftody of Jewi/h J-'ables and tradi- 
 tions, that tend to notl.ing but 
 to corrupt the Chriflian faith. 
 
 15. Their Jewi/h teachers per- 
 fuade them to put the flrefs of 
 religion upon nice diftiuctions of 
 meats and drifiks, clean and un- 
 clean things : whereas, alas ! a 
 Gentile convert, that lives up to 
 the faith and precepts of ChrijlU 
 
 13 This witnefs is 
 true : wherefore * re- 
 buke them (harply,that 
 they may be found in 
 the faith j 
 
 commandments of men, 
 that turn from the 
 truth. 
 
 15 Unto the pure 
 all things are pure : 
 but unto them that 
 are defiled and f un- 
 believing is nothing 
 pure ; but even their 
 mind and confcience 
 is defiled. 
 
 anity, is clean and pure in the 
 fLht of God, let him eat or touch what he will ; while 
 they, by their obltinate infidelity and immoralities, can 
 perform no acceptable fervice to God ; and their niceib 
 ceremonies {ignify juft nothing f . 
 
 16 They profefs that 16. They boaft themfelves to 
 
 they know God ; but be the only people in covenant 
 with God, and acquainted with, 
 true religion : but their practices 
 are a contradiction to all fuch 
 pretences, and their flubborn dif- 
 cbedience to the plainefl laws of 
 God, has now rendered them odious to him, whofe 
 church and people they once were. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 in works they deny 
 him, being abomina- 
 ble, and difobedient, 
 and unto every good 
 ■work reprobate %. 
 
 * Ver. 13. [Rebike them fharply,] a^-oTo^wj, Cut them, 
 as it were, to tb^ quicK. 
 
 f Ver. 1 c. [. d unbelieving.] 'A7t/ctto^, unfaithful, trea- 
 cherous, though they were pretended believers. 
 
 X Ver 16. [Unto every good work reprobate.] Ilgo? vxv 
 t^yov uyttboy aSoKtpoi, ftupid and injudicious as to every good 
 woik. bee note on Rom. i. 28. 
 
sq6 A Paraphrase on ibK Chap. If, 
 
 CHAP. ir. 
 
 Titus 9 s Charge to a prudent and courageous Behaviour againjl 
 the forementioned Perfons and their Principles, Advices 
 concerning elderly Men and Women; particularly fuch as 
 were in any Church-office. Concerning Servants or Slaves. 
 The Chri/Iian Religion equally concerns all Ranks and De- 
 grees of People, 
 
 A-D 64 x "B^^ ipeak thou 1. X>EING, therefore, compaf- 
 ^Y*^) the things which -*-* fed with fuch a number of 
 
 become found doarine. f a }f e teachers, and milled con- 
 verts, make it your more earned bufinefs to preach, and 
 prefs the true doctrine of Chriftianity, upon all perfons, 
 in their feve*al ftations and degrees. 
 
 2 That the aged 2. Viz. Urge it as the great 
 men be fobtr, grave, duty of the elder fort of men, par- 
 temperate, found in ticularly fuch as are prejbyters of 
 faith, in chanty, in the church, to be. grave, ferious, 
 patience : an( i tem p era t e in their converfa- 
 tion, found in Chriftian principles, charitable to all, and 
 patient under the fufFerings that befal them. 
 
 3 The aged women 3. And that all elderly women, 
 likewife, that they be particularly fuch as are employed 
 
 % in behaviour as becom- by the church *, in the baptifm 
 
 efles 6 " cth ^ olinefs > not falfe of women, and in other oflices of 
 
 See;Tim. accu , fers >. not S lven t0 like nature, ufe Inch habit, gef- 
 iii. 11. much wine, teachers „ j , u ■ 1 
 
 r aw- ture, and behaviour, as become 
 
 ° ° ? Christians ; no way addicted to 
 
 {lander or drunkennefs, but to be exemplary in all the 
 
 virtues that adorn their fex, 
 
 4 That they may 4. & 5. That, by their good ex- 
 teach the young wo- ample, the younger women may 
 men to be fober, to be influenced to a fober, model*, 
 love their hufbands, to difcreet, and chalte behaviour; to 
 love their children mind the bufinefs of lhdf famU 
 
 5 To lies. 
 
fihap. II. 
 
 Epistle to Titus. 
 
 207 
 
 .5 To be difcreet, 
 chaite, keepers at 
 home, good, obedient 
 to their own * huf- 
 band*, that the word 
 of God be not blaf- 
 pheirud. 
 
 6 Young men like- 
 wife exhort to be fo- 
 ber-minded. 
 
 7 In all things (bow- 
 ing thyfelf a pattern 
 of good works : in 
 doctrine fhovoing un- 
 corruptnefs, gravity, 
 fincerity. 
 
 8 Sound fpeech that 
 cannot be condemned; 
 that he that is of the 
 contrary part may be 
 
 lies, to refpect their hufband*, A. D. 64. 
 and take due care of their chil- *"^"V**~> 
 dren ; and fo, on their part, cut 
 offall occaiions f ro«n any to think* See Pr j* > 
 or fpeak reproachfully of our ho- p ; e f ia „ Sj 
 \y religion. § 4. 
 
 6. In like manner, exhort all 
 young mtn to a due and careful 
 government of their paffions. 
 
 7. &. 8. And thus, in relation 
 to all ranks of people, do your 
 utrnofr. to become truly exem- 
 plary in the purity and fimpli- 
 city of your doftrine, and the fin- 
 cerity of your praft'ice ; that (o 
 neither Jewi/b nor Gentile adver- 
 fary may find any reafonable ob- 
 jection againil you. 
 
 alhamed, having no evil thing to fay of you. 
 
 9 Exhort fervants to 9. & 10. And, whereas the 
 
 be obedient unto their Jewi/Jj zealots would perfuade 
 own matters, and to men , that their religious privi- 
 pleafe them well in all i eges C x?mpt them even from 
 things : not anfwering civii and natura i f obligations to f Sec p^ 
 men of different and falfe reli-to the E- 
 gions ; be the more earned toP* 1 ^ 1 ^ 
 warn all fuch Chriftians, as are 4 * 
 fervants or Jlaves (though it be 
 to heathen mailers) againft fo 
 falfe a principle. Exhort them 
 to ferve their refpective mailers, 
 in every lawful thing, diligently and faithfully, with- 
 out rudely contradicting their commands, or defrauding 
 them by the lead neglect or injuitice : by which they 
 will become a credit to their profeflion, even in the low 
 (tation wherein Providence has placed them. 
 
 11 For the grsce of 11.&12. For the gracious re- 
 God, that bringeth fal- ligion of the gofpel lays the fa e 
 vation, hath appeared excellent duties of piety, jutfice, 
 and fobriety, upon the loweftjlave, 
 
 again 
 
 10 Not purloining, 
 but mowing all good 
 fidelity; that they may 
 adorn the doctrine of 
 God our Saviour in all 
 things. 
 
 unto all men. 
 
 12 Teach- 
 
 M 
 
j2c'9 A Paraphrase on the: Chap, ft; 
 
 A.r $4. 12 Teaching us, as much as upon the higheft ma~ 
 
 U^-O that denying ungodli- J}e r , equally refpe&ing all ranks 
 
 nefs and worldly lulls, an d degrees of mankind. 
 
 we mould live fober- 
 
 ly, righteoufly, and godly in this prefent world. 
 
 13 Looking for that 13, And as all have the fame 
 bleffed hope, and the duties and conditions, fo have 
 glorious appearing of they the fame comfortable hope 
 the great God, and our and expedition of a glorious re- 
 Saviour Jefus Shrift : ward for t , ieir obed j ence , at the 
 
 appearance of the great God, and our Saviour Jefus, to 
 judge the world. 
 
 14 Who gave him- 14. Even of that Saviour, who 
 
 felf for us, that he gave his life a facrifice for the 
 
 might redeem us from redemption of all mankind, to 
 
 all iniquity, and puri- procure the pardon f the i r fi n8 
 
 fy unto hmifelf ape- and re(lore and oU j all tQ that 
 
 cuhar people, zealous r a.* r ? t j • 
 
 c j r i lincere practice 01 piety and vir- 
 
 ot good works. , ? , , / , 
 
 tue, which mak.cs us the true and 
 
 beloved members of his church. 
 
 15 Thefe things 15. Thefe are the truths you 
 
 fpeak afed exhort, ind ought to declare and urge upon 
 
 rebuke with all ailtho- merl) { n t h e moft authoritative 
 
 rity. Let no man de- marHlcr : and, with fo prudent a 
 
 ipi<e thee. feverity, to cenfure and punifh 
 
 fuch as openly contradict them, that they may not flight 
 
 and undervalue your authority* 
 
 CHAP. 
 
Chap. III. Epistle to Titus. 209 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 Of Duty to Magi/lrates, againjl Railing, and Evil /peaking, 
 The Gofpel-religion intended fir the Reformation and Happi^ 
 nefs of both Gentile and Jew, Pardon and Salvation not to 
 be attained by the nice/1 Obfervation of the Ceremonial Law % 
 but is the EjfeB of the pure Mercy of God, on Condition of 
 eurjincere Obedience to the Gofpel Commands, AgainJ} 
 Jewifh Traditions and Genealogies. A Heretic not to be ex- 
 communicated, till after jujl and due Admonition. Chari- 
 tablenefs recommended. The Salutations and Conclujion. 
 
 I pUT them in mind 
 to be fubjecl to 
 
 1 • A Nother prejudice you muft A; D. 64, 
 ■**■ carefully warn the Jeivffl v ■ ' 
 principalitiesand pow- zealots againft, is, That m heathen 
 eis,toobeymagiflrates, governors have any obedience due 
 to be ready to every u t fa m j rom God's people ; f wrfSecRom. 
 good work, aH y ma gif rates that are ?iot ofxiili. 
 
 their nation and religion. Remind them often, that 
 Chriftianity alters no civil rights ; and that they ought 
 to pay all juft fubmimon to the emperor, and all due \* 9 s% U 
 and cheerful refpect to all their fuperiors. iyahy. 
 
 2 To fpeak evil of 2. Warn them alfo againft that 
 
 no man, to be no prevailing temper of reviling, and 
 
 brawlers, but gentle, furioufly contending with all that 
 
 fhowing all meeknefs are no t of the fame religious fen* 
 
 unto all men. timents with themfelves. 
 
 3Forwe*ourfelves 3. AH Chriflians, both Gentile 
 
 alfo were fometimes and Jewifii ought to be the more 
 
 foolilh, difobedient, patient and condefcending in their 
 
 VoL - IL P behaviour 
 
 * Ver. 3. [We ourfelves.] St. Paul either mixes himfelf 
 with the Gentile ChrilKans (as in feveral other paffages) or, 
 perhaps, fpeaks of himfelf Jlritlly, denoting what temper he 
 w?,s of before his convcrfen, 
 
 4 
 
Ll> 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap, III, 
 
 A. D. 64. deceived, ferving di- 
 vers lulls and plea- 
 fores, living in malice 
 and envy, hateful and 
 hating one another. 
 
 they all lately were, 
 
 4 But after that the 
 kindnefs and love of 
 God our Saviour to- 
 watfd man appeared. 
 
 5 Not by works of 
 righteoufnefswhichwe 
 have done, but accord- 
 ing to his mercy, he 
 laved us, by the wafli- 
 ing of regeneration, 
 and renewing of the 
 Holy Ghoft ; 
 
 6 Which he fned on 
 us abundantly , through 
 Jefus Chrifl our Savi- 
 our : 
 
 7 That being justi- 
 fied by his grace, we 
 fhould be made heirs 
 according to the hope 
 of eternal life. 
 
 behaviour toward their adverfa- 
 ries, when they confider this tur- 
 bulent, felfifh, and quarrelfonie 
 difpofition favours too much of 
 that unregenerate flate, wherein 
 before their ccnverfion. 
 
 4, 5, 6. & 7. And that it was 
 the dtriign of this great mercy of 
 God in the gofpel revelation, an4 
 in receiving them into the happy- 
 privileges of the Chriftian cove- 
 nant by baptifm, and the gracious 
 influences of the Holy Spirit at- 
 tending their admiflioii into it, to 
 reform them from fuch a temper : 
 and to prevent all further difputes 
 about the neceflity of their external 
 matters of religion j they ought to 
 remember they were all thus re- 
 deemed, and put into a capacity 
 of eternal life and happinefs, by 
 the pure and fole mercy of God 
 through Chrifl ; a mercy which 
 neither the Gentiles could in the 
 leaft merit, by virtue of any thing 
 they did, or could have done - 9 nor 
 
 the Jews lay any claim to, by the moll exa£r. obfervance 
 
 of their ceremonial law. 
 
 8 This is a * faith- 
 ful faying, and thefe 
 things 1 will that thou 
 afnrm constantly, that 
 they which have be- 
 lieved in God, might 
 be careful f to maintain 
 good works : thefe 
 things are good and 
 profitable unto men. 
 9 But 
 
 8. Thefe are the * certain and 
 moft fubftantial points of Chrijli- 
 anity ; and it is of infinite import- 
 ance to you and them, to perfuade 
 them to be chiefly bent upon pof- 
 fefling themfelvesof fo gentle and 
 charitable a temper, and upon fucn 
 practices as are the indifpenfable 
 conditions of thefe mighty blef- 
 fings and privileges. 
 
 9. Where 
 
 * Ver. 8. [A faithful faying.J See the notes on 1 Tim. 
 XV. 2 Tim. ii. 1 1. 
 
 f Ver. 8. [Might be careful to maintain good works.] 
 £«A*vtVy*'v w-goira^, to prefer, to excel in, good works, 
 
 ' 6 
 
Chap. HI. 
 
 Epistle to Titus. 
 
 211 
 
 9 But avoid foolilh 
 * queitions and gene- 
 alogies, and conten- 
 tions, and drivings, a- 
 bout the law j for they 
 are unprofitable and 
 vain. 
 
 9. Wherefore reject and dif- A - "°- 6/ 
 countenance all the frivolous and^""" Y "— 
 contentious difputes about Jcwi/h 
 traditions, pedigrees, and ceremo- 
 nies ; as being of no manner of 
 advantage, but the greater! ob- 
 ftacles to the Christian profeu;on„ 
 
 10 A man that is an 
 heretic, after the firft 
 and fecond admoni- 
 tion, f reject : 
 
 11 Knowing that 
 he that is fuch, is fub- 
 verted, and finneth, 
 being condemned of 
 himfelf. 
 
 a.!os.TiKt; 
 
 10. & ir. Whatever pretended 
 Chriftian is obilinately and incur- 
 ably bent upon maintaining fuch 
 doclrines, or practices, as are di- 
 reclly contra<|Icl:ory to the known 
 rules of our religion * ; and fuch 
 as, upon fufficient admonition, he 
 cannot but, himfelf, know to be 
 fo : and all this out of. a factious 
 temper, to fet himfelf up as head of a party > ready to 
 join with any feci whatever, for promoting fome worldly 
 end a-nd purpofe ; let him f be expelled from the Chri-t *w* 
 ftian church, as one that a&s againft the plain dictates 
 of his own conference ; and is to be looked on as a loft 
 and profligate perfon, and his converfation avoided. 
 
 12 Whenlihallfend 12. As foon as I fend either 
 Artemas unto thee, or Artemas, or Tychicus, to fupply 
 your place, make it your bufmefs 
 to meet me at Nicopolis, for I 
 intend to flay there the winter 
 feafon. 
 
 t dK puree 
 
 Tychicus, be diligent 
 to come unto me to 
 Nicopolis : for I have 
 determined there to 
 winter. 
 
 13 Bring Zenas the 
 lawyer, and Apollos, 
 on their journey dili- 
 gently, that nothing be 
 wanting unto them. 
 
 14 And let ours al- 
 fo learn \ to maintain 
 good works for ne- 
 
 ceffary 
 
 13. Supply Zenas and Apollos 
 with all neceffaries for their 
 voyage to me. 
 
 14. And be careful to exhort 
 all Chriftians, but efpecially the 
 Jeiviflj % converts (who moil want' \ fiftirion 
 P 2 the 
 
 * Ver. 9. [Fooiifli queitions.] See 2 Tim. ii. 23. 
 
 f Ver. 10. [An heretic — reject, pttforjfj, avoid him, have 
 nothing to do with him.] 
 
 J Ver. 14. [Let ours learn, j Some learned perfons think 
 that by ours, he means the Geniik converts. Let the reader 
 judge, 
 
2i2 A Paraphrase on the &c. Chap. JII, 
 
 * x.a.'Kui 
 
 A. D. 64. ceffary ufes, that they the advice) to the exercife of cha- 
 bc not unfruitful. xity and * beneficence, wherever 
 
 there is occafion for it, without diilin&ion, upon any 
 account of different fentiments and opinions. 
 
 15 All that are with 15. All the Chriftians with me 
 me falutethee. Greet fend tbeir hearty love to you. Do 
 them that love us in the fame from us to all that bear 
 the faith. Grace be U s any Chriftian refpect. The 
 \yith you all. Amen. Divine love and favour be with 
 you all. Amen. 
 
 A PARA, 
 
PARAPHRASE 
 
 ON THE 
 
 EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL. 
 
 TO 
 
 PHILEMON. 
 
 THE PREFACE. 
 
 r*\NESIMUS was fervant (or fiave) to Philemon the 
 ^-^ Colojftan, one of St. Paul's converts. He had rob- 
 bed, and ran away from his matter. The better to lie 
 undiscovered, he gets to Rome, where the apojile then 
 lay, under \\\%firjl (fee ver. 22.) confinement. St. Paul 
 providentially happens upon this man ; converts him to 
 the Chriftian faith ; and now fends him back to his 
 mafter, with this epiflle of reconciliation : wherein are 
 fo many lively ftrokes of generous humanity and Chri- 
 ftian companion to a reformed ftnner ; of fuch juftice 9 
 mixed with fo much fweetnefs and condefcenfion y along 
 with the authority of an apoJile i toward one that was 
 both a friend and a difciple, as may render it a juft 
 wonder, to find fome people of opinion, that this epiflle 
 contained f© little in it, as to be unworthy to be ranked 
 among St. Paul's writings. For more particular moral 
 reflections from this letter, the curious reader may be 
 referred to the excellent preface of St. Chryfoftome. 
 
 P^ PHILE- 
 
CI4 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 PHILEMON. 
 
 i. x 
 
 Written I pAUL a priforrer 
 A. D. 62. X of Jefus Chrift, 
 ^—^V*^ and Timothy our bro- 
 ther, unto Philemon 
 our dearly beloved, 
 and fellow -labourer, 
 jTheodo- 2 And to our belo- 
 sct - ved Apphia, and Ar- 
 
 chippus, our fellovv- 
 foldier, and to the 
 church in thy houfe : 
 
 3 Grace to you, and 
 peace from God our 
 
 ijSeePhilip.Father, and the Lord 
 Jefus Chrift. 
 
 4 I thank my God, 
 making mention of 
 thee always in my 
 prayers, 
 
 5 Hearing of thy 
 love and faith which 
 thou haft toward the 
 Lord Jefus, and to- 
 ward all faints j 
 
 6 That the com- 
 munication f of thy 
 faith may become ef- 
 fectual by the acknow- 
 
 ledg- 
 
 l > 2. & 3. T PAUL, that am now 
 - 1 a prifoner at Rome 
 for the fake of Jefus Chrift, and 
 his religion, fend this epiftle to 
 my dear convert, and fellow -la- 
 bourer Philemon, and to my dear 
 friend Apphia % his wife, not for- 
 getting Archippus, my brother 
 minifter, and ail your Chriflian 
 family : wifhing you all divine fa- 
 vours and bleflings from God the 
 Father, and the Lord Jefus Chrift. 
 As doth (| Timothy alfo, who is 
 now with me. 
 
 4. & 5. Exprefling my hearty 
 thanks to God (which indeed I 
 never omit to do whenever * I 
 mention you in my prayers) for 
 your fteadinefs to the Chriftian 
 religion, and your charity to all 
 its profeflbrs, which I hear to be 
 fo exemplary and remarkable. 
 
 6. & 7. For it cannot but be a 
 matter of the deepeft fatisfadlion 
 to me, to have fuch ample tefti- 
 monies of your Chriflian fincerity 
 
 in 
 
 * [Making mention of thee alway in my prayers.] Or 
 thus, ivvec^S ra> ®w %xvtoti> ftni'xv <rx iroixpivtg. [I always 
 thank God when I mention you in my prayers. 
 
 f Ver. 6. [The communication of thy faith — £x6iwvld>rfe 
 cci<r\ie<$ e*f, your fharing or partaking of the (Chriftian) faith. 
 
 Ibid, [By the acknowledging of every good thing — tv 
 f-ty*4ftr f "Bj your manifefting^evcry good thing to be in you, 
 
Epistle to Phii.emoA. 2i§ 
 
 lodging of every good your generous relief of the indU A. D, 6^ 
 
 thing which is in you gent and fuffering members of *~"" 
 
 in Chrift Je.fus. that holy profefiioii. 
 
 7 For we have great joy and confoiation in thy love, 
 becaufe the bowels of the faints are rerreuied by thee, bro- 
 ther. 
 
 8 Wherefore, tho' 8. . &. 9- Wherefore, with a per- 
 I might be much bold fon of a good and generous difpo- 
 in Chrift, to enjoin fition, I ihali have no occafion to 
 thee that which is inflit upon the refpeci znd reve- 
 convenient, . rence he owes me, as his apojlle 
 
 9 Yet for love fake an j £ r ft. converter •, but hope, it 
 I rather befeech thee, ma y b ^ Efficient for gaining vour 
 being fuch a one as compliance w ; tn a requeli i am 
 Paul the * aged, and nQ ^ - tQ make tQ - tQ 
 
 tT ™ a S' ply myfelf to you as a friend, Is 
 Jeius Limit, jh a ^ d frlena) znd ^p r 0>rier for 
 
 the faith you fo much eiteem and value. 
 
 io i befeech thee ic. & II. Myfuit is not in my 
 
 &r my fon Onefimus, c*un behalf, but of the bearer, your 
 
 whom I have begot- fervant Onefimus -, who, though 
 
 ten in my bonds : once f treacherous, f as to rob 
 
 11 Which in time an( j run awa y f rom y OU . y et> 
 pall was to f thee un- mw that j have converte d him to 
 profitable : but now t j iC Q hrii} : an religion; rail/ I 
 profitable to tnee and doubt ^. make yQU ^ utmoft 
 
 t6 me : amends, by a diligent and faith- 
 
 ful fervice for the future, and become a profitable fer- 
 vant to you, and a credit to me. 
 
 12 Whom I have i<i. In full affurance of which, 
 fent again : thou there- I now fend him back to you, and 
 fore receive him that begyou would entertain him again^ 
 is mine' own bowels. ft not f or his own, yet for ??iy lake, 
 
 15 Whom p 4 5 i 
 
 . * Ver. 9. Paul the tigcd—Ov perhaps nxv\& fl^Sir£&f 
 Paul the ambaJ]'ador y agreeably to 2 Cor. v. 20. Eph. vi. 20. 
 Indeed it does not appear that St. Paul was a very aged 
 man when this epiftle was written •, though it may well be 
 allowed, that the many fatigues and hardjhips he had under- 
 gone, might bring an earlier old age upon him than upoi 
 the generality of mankind. 
 
 f [To thee unprofitable, ^gu^*, injurious]. See Rom * 
 i. 28. Eph, V, ii, Thus inutilis among the Latins is injuri-' 
 
2i6 
 
 A Paraphrase on th* 
 
 A. D.2. as a perfon now exceeding dear to me : For 'remember 
 I had the pleafure to make him a convert in my bonds 
 and the fon of my old age. 
 
 13 Whom I would 
 have retained with 
 me, that in thy ftead 
 lie might have mini- 
 ftered unto me in the 
 bonds of the gcfpel. 
 
 14 But without thy 
 mind would I do no- 
 
 13. & 14. Indeed I could wil- 
 lingly have kept him here, to do 
 me thofe good offices, in my con- 
 finement, which I know yourfelf 
 would gladly perform, if you could: 
 But, as you have a right to him, 
 1 would reap the benefit of no one's 
 fervant, without his mailer's leave. 
 
 thing, that thy bene- 
 fit mould not be as it we r e of neceffity, but willingly. 
 
 15. And I think, you may well 
 look on it as an a£t of Providence^ 
 that his leaving you, for a while, 
 mould prove fo happy aii occafion 
 of improving him into a faithful 
 
 15 For perhaps he 
 therefore departed for 
 a feafon, that thou 
 fhouldeft * 
 him for ever 
 
 fervant, for his * whole life after. 
 
 receive 
 
 16 Not now as a 
 fervant, but above a 
 fervant, a brother be- 
 loved, fpecially to me, 
 but how much more 
 unto thee, both in the 
 flefh, and in the Lord? 
 
 17 If thou count 
 me therefore a part- 
 ner, receive him as 
 myfelf. 
 
 18 If he hath wrong- 
 ed thee, or oweth thee 
 ought, put that on mine 
 account. 
 
 19 I Paul have writ- 
 ten it f with mine own 
 hand, 1 will repay it r 
 albeit I do not fay to 
 thee, how thou oweft 
 unto me even thine 
 own felf befides. 
 
 16. Entertain him, therefore, 
 now, not only in the character of 
 a good fervant, but alfo of a Chri- 
 ftian brother* Confider how dear 
 he is to me in that relation ; and 
 look upon him not only as your 
 domejlic, but as a fellow member 
 of the fame Chriftian church with 
 us both. 
 
 17. And fhow the refpecl; you 
 bear to me, by the generous recep- 
 tion you give him, 
 
 18. & 19. As to any damage he 
 has done you, though I could ba- 
 lance that account, by remember- 
 ing you owe your very falvation 
 to me, as the inftrument of your 
 convention •, yet I wave that at pre- 
 fent, and here give you, under my 
 own hand-writing, f to make good 
 whatever you have loft by him. 
 
 20. Do 
 
 * [Receive him again forever cci*>vio\[A fervant for life.] 
 f [With my own hand]. See Rom. xvi. 26. 1 Cor. xvi. 
 it. 2 Theff. iii. 17. 
 
Epistle to Philemon. 
 
 217 
 
 20 Yea, brother, 
 let me have joy of 
 thee in the Lord : re- 
 frelh my bowels in 
 the Lord. 
 
 21 Having confi- 
 dence in thy obedi- 
 ence, I wrote unco 
 thee, knowing that 
 thou wilt alio do more 
 than I fay. 
 
 22 But withal, pre- 
 pare me alfo a lodg- 
 ing, for I truft that 
 through your prayers 
 I (hail be given unto 
 you. 
 
 23 There falute 
 thee Epaphras, my 
 fellow prifoner in 
 Chrift Jefus. 
 
 24 Marcus Ariftar- 
 chus, Demas, Lucas, 
 my fellow labourers. 
 
 24 The grace of 
 our Lord Jefus Chrift 
 be with your fpirit. 
 Amen. 
 
 20. Do not, therefore, dear bro- A. D. 62. 
 tlier, deny the Chriftian pleafure^- — \r— - 
 and comfort you will do me, by 
 
 your forgivenefs and companion 
 to one fo near and dear to me. 
 
 2 1 . The great opinion I have of 
 your dutiful refpect toward me, 
 fufFers me not to doubt of a com- 
 pliance from you, even beyond 
 what I have requefted. 
 
 22. I mull: defire lodgings at 
 your houfe, intending to vifit you 
 when my trial is over ; in which 
 I doubt not but to be cleared, by 
 the concurrence of yours, and 
 other good Clinicians prayers. 
 
 23. & 24. Epaphras, my fel- 
 low prifoner for the fame caufe of 
 Chrift, as alfo Mark, Ariftarchus, 
 Demas and Luke, that labour 
 with me in promoting the gofpel 
 in thefe parts, fend their hearty 
 Chriftian love to you. 
 
 25. The love and favour of 
 our Lord Jefus Chrift be with 
 you, and direct your mind. Amen* 
 
 A PARA- 
 
PARAPHRASE 
 
 
 
 ON 
 
 THE EPISTLE 
 
 TO THE 
 
 HEBREWS. 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 THE teftimony of all ancient copies and tranflation^, 
 with the concurrent fuffrage of the beft writers, 
 both ancient and modern, give fuch evidence for St. 
 Paul's * being the author of this excellent epiftle, that 
 the objections, or rather fcruples, brought to the con- 
 trary are of no weight. His mentioning himfelf as 
 lately a prifoner, chap. x. 34. and in Italy 9 chap. xiii. 
 24. with Timothy's enlargement, and a promife to vifit 
 the Hebrews along with him, chap. xiii. 23. do fuffici- 
 ently clear the time of its date to have been jufl after 
 his deliverance from his firft trial at Rome, viz. Anno 
 Domini 63. as both Bilhop Pearfon and Dr. Mill have 
 adjufted it. All, therefore, that will be further needful 
 •£0 let the reader into the main fpirit of this writing, is, 
 to obferve fomething concerning the perfons to whom, 
 and the occafion upon which it was written. 
 
 ji.r 
 
 * See Dr. Mill's Prolegom. J 83, &c. and Mr. HalletV 
 Introduction to his Supplem, to Mr Piefse on the He- 
 brew* 
 
The Preface to the Epistle to the Hebrews, Up 
 
 §i.I have formerly obferved the Hebrews to fignify Hebrews 
 the native inhabitants of the Jcwi/lj land, as diftinguifh- ° ' 
 ed from the foreign Jews difperfed in other countries ; 
 who went under the name oiHelenifts, or Greeks; though, 
 moil properly, the converts or profelytes to the Jewijb 
 religion were called by this name. (See Acts x. 2. and 
 vi. 1 ). With thefe believing Jews of Pale/line, St. Paul 
 held a conftant intimacy and correfpondence, had a free 
 accefs to them in his writings and arguments, from the 
 obligations he had laid them under, by the charitable col- 
 lections he had made, and the conftant care he took for 
 their poor, A£ts xxiv. 17. 1 Cor. xvi. 2 Cor. viii, and 
 ix. So that though it be no queftion but that this epiftie 
 was intended for the conviction of the Jews of all na- 
 tions, and the confirmation of the Jeiviflj converts, wherc- 
 ever difperfed, yet it was thus prudently directed to 
 them of the Holy Land : to them firfi who were the im- 
 mediate and conftant attendants on thofe religious ordi- 
 na?ices and ceremonies, the infufheiency and abolifhment 
 whereof was the chief argument of this letter, and to that 
 place that was the centre of the circumcifion, from whence 
 his epiftie might, the fooner and better, he communicat- 
 ed to the whole circumference of their difperfton, (See 
 Sir Ifaac Newton's Obfervatiotis on the Apocalypfe, chap, 
 
 *)• 
 
 § 2. St. Paul in Kjs fecond epiftie to the * Thejfalonians * The 00 
 had foretold a great apojlacy, which, fo far as it related canon of it, 
 to the Jewi/h people, may be interpreted, either of the p ' "* 3 " 
 general revolt of their nation from the Roman govern- 
 ment, or of their Chrifiian converts from the religion of 
 Chrift, agreeably to our Saviour's prediction, Mat. xxiv. 
 12. In the latter of thefe fenfes, it began now to be 
 fulfilled by a too general defertion of the yewiJJj Chrif- 
 tians, frighted from their profeflion by the furious per- 
 fection of the infidel Jtws. To arm fome, and to re- 
 cover others from this apojlacy, was the purpofe of this 
 epiftie : The fubftance whereof, may, I think, be re- 
 duced to the following arguments. 
 
 Firjl, The fuperlative excellency of ChriiVs perfon % 
 not only above that of Mofes, but above the very 
 angels too, by the miniftraticn of whom the Jewi/b law 
 was delivered. This is the argument of the two firjl 
 chapters, 
 
 Secondfy> 
 
320 The Preface to the Epistle tq the Hebrews^ 
 
 Secondly, The dignity and perfect efficacy of ChriftV 
 priejlhood, and the infufficiency of the Levitical one, to- 
 gether with the wifdom and advantage of his being not 
 a temporal monarchy but nfuffering Mefliah, make up the 
 difcourfe from the third to the ninth chapter. 
 
 Thirdly , The mere figurative nature, and utter infuf- 
 ficiency of the legal ceremonies and facrifices, and the 
 perfect fufficiency of Chrifl's death, for the redemption 
 and pardon of mankind, is the purpofe of the ninth and 
 tenth chapters. 
 
 And, Fourthly, To obviate that prejudice and bold af- 
 fertion of the Jews, That to fcrfahe the Mofaical religion 
 ivas to apo/latize from God, the eleventh chapter is fpent 
 in fh owing, the faith of Chrlftians to be the exercife of 
 the fame virtuous principle, whereby all holy men of old 
 rendered themfelves acceptable to God, and fland upon 
 record as his true and eminent fervants. 
 
 Thefe are feverally intermixed with their proper in- 
 ferences and exhortations, all tending to mow the Jewijh 
 Chriftians the unreafonablenefs, folly, and danger of fall- 
 ing off again from the Chrijlian faith to the jfewi/h re- 
 ligion ; and to fupport and fpirit them under the per- 
 fection that tended to draw them from it. 
 
 § 3. It is of no great moment to know the true rea- 
 fon, why the apoftle thought not fit to prefix his name 
 to this epiftle : The mod probable one feems to be, 
 that he might give the lefs offence to the infidel Jews 
 of that country, who were enraged at him as a preach- 
 er to the Geniiles ; or that, having owned himfelf the 
 apoflle of thetfircumci/ion, he concealed his name, to give 
 the lefs difguft to fuch Jewijh Chrijlians as were not 
 fully weaned from their prejudices in that matter. (See 
 Dr. Mill's Prolcgom. §99, 100. 
 
 I fay nothing concerning the original language irr 
 which this epiftle was written by St. Paul. I reft my- 
 felf contented in the opinion of thofe who, upon the fup- 
 port of the bell of ancient tradition, conclude it to have 
 been written in the Syriac (commonly, at that time, 
 called the Hebrew) language ; and translated into Greek 
 by St. Luke. In confirmation of which fentiment, I 
 cannot do better than refer my reader to the ingenious 
 and learned Mr. Hallet's Introduction to his Supplement 
 to Mr, Pierce on the Hebrews. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 
Chap. I. Epistle to the Hebrews. C2* 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 The ApoftWs ftrft Argument for dijjuading the Jewifli Chrif 
 lians from Jpoftixing fro?n Chrijlianity to the Jewifli Reli- 
 gion, viz The Truth and Certainly of Chri/Ps Religion, 
 and the fuperlative Dignity of bis Perfon, not only above 
 Mofes, but even thofe very Angels by whom the Jewifli Law 
 was delivered, 
 
 i QOD, who at fun- i. &-2. '""TO preferve you, dear written 
 dry* times, and -»- brethren, from that a. D 63. 
 
 in divers manners, general ^poftacy from the Chri-<— y— -> 
 
 fpake in time part un- ftian faith, to which the falfe doc- 
 
 to the fathers by the trines, and furious perfecutions of 
 
 prophets, ^ y ewSy are now f prevalent to 
 
 2 Hath m thefe draw the believers of that nation : 
 laft days fpoken unto Lct me ft fer i ouflyto 
 us by hu Son whom ^^ ^ ^ Chriftian ^ 
 he has appointed heir • • ,*-. r , r 
 
 of all things, by whom & 01 ) 1S \ Ration from the fame 
 alfo he made the God, who, m fevcral times, man- 
 vw-orlds. ners » anci de g rees > revealed his 
 
 will to your forefathers, down 
 from Adam, Abraham, Mofes, and all the Jewifh pro- 
 phetSy to this day ; wherein he has made the laft and 
 complete difcovery of his divine will to us and all man- 
 kind, by Jefus Chrift, the promifed MeJJiah: A perfon of *&l 
 mod fuperlative dignity and excellence, being that 
 Word f and Son of God, by whom the Father created the j T^n - u 
 whole world, % and governs all the difpenfations of it, 1. &c. 
 and has constituted him the Lord and Governor over all t ™ *«- 
 created beings. 7Lordil 
 
 3 Who being the 3. Whofe origination is not like filiations, 
 brightnefs of his glo- that of other prophets and law- 
 
 ry, and the exprefs givers, of mere human and mor- 
 image of his perfon, ta j extraction, nor produced into 
 and upholding ^ all bein b the of fub- 
 
 thin S* ordinate 
 
 * Ver. 1. A* fundry times. ie*xvps(m t or in fundry parts, 
 parcels. 
 
3K2 A Paraphrase on the Chap. I. 
 
 A. D. 63. things by the word of ordinate power, as inflrumental in 
 
 % * 'his power, when he his production-, hebcingrm imme- 
 
 f i^Vw-had by hirnfelf purged diate ray§ of the divine majefty it- 
 our fins, fat down at f e tf . t l ie p er f e a image and refem- 
 the right hand of the fclaiice f Godthei^&r, by whom 
 nujefty on high: the Father made and pre f eiTe s alt 
 
 things. Nor did he," after the great facririce of himfelf 
 m the flefh, for the perfect redemption of mankind, die 
 and leave us, like other priefls ; but was exalted to the 
 Irigheft degree of heavenly glory and majefty, to become 
 a moil powerful and conftant viterceffor with the Father 
 for all true believers. 
 
 4 Being made fo 4. Thus is Chrift, in dignity of 
 much better than the nature and character, far fuperior, 
 angels, as he hath by not only to all mankind, but even 
 inheritance obtained a to the very angels, by whofe min- 
 more excellent name ft r y tne Mofiical law was deliver- 
 than they. ed to your nation. As may mod 
 clearly be feen from all thofe fcripture pafFages that de- 
 fcribe the perfon, office,, and authority of the Mef/iah, 
 
 5 For unto which 5. Thus (in Pfal. ii.), He is 
 f Ads xiii. °f the angels faid he ftyled, the || Son, the peculiarly 
 33. at any time, Thou art heylten Son of God. And (in 2 
 
 my Son, this day have Sam. vii. 14. I Chron. xxii. 10.), 
 I begotten thee ? And Qod decian>s him j d r hh p ather ^ L 
 again I will be to him quay f f pec i a l evwm!ce . Which 
 
 be to mc a an Son' expreilions, as they could no way 
 
 be applicable * to the perfons of 
 David or Solomon (though the mod famous princes), fo 
 neither were fuch diftinguifhed characters ever given to 
 the higheil angel or archangel whatever; but muft be 
 meant of Chrift, of whom David was a type and figure. 
 
 6 + And again, when 6. Again, The fcripture, in other 
 At bringeth in the fir ft- paflages, fpeaking f of the trium- 
 phant 
 
 begotten 
 
 -o 
 
 * See the learned Dr. Pierce's note upon this verfe. 
 f [And again, when he bringeth ini-yjreirsywya may re- 
 fer either to the fcripture, or to God the Father. [The 
 bringing him again into the world], may iignlfy either the 
 fcripture fpeaking again of ChrijVs coming into the world, or 
 the Fathers bringing Chrift into the world again at his re- 
 furre&ion, fay iome, or at the laft day of judgment, as others. 
 I have expreffed it as agreeably as I could to each of thefe 
 acceptations. 
 
Chap. I. Epistle to the Hebrews. 223 
 
 begotten into the phant refurrection of Chrift, and A, D. 6t # 
 world, he faith, And his being made the Saviour, Lord, 1 v "#. 
 let all the angels of and Judge of the whole world, re- 
 God worihip him. preferring God the Father as com- 
 manding all angels to reverence him, (Pfal. xcvii. 7. *) 
 
 7 And of the an- 7. .Whereas, the loftiefl titles 
 gels he faith, Who the fcriptures ever give to the 
 maketh his angels fpi- angels, are no higher than thofe of 
 nits, and his minifters meffengers and mimjlers of God ; 
 a name of fire. comparing them, for their fwift- 
 nefs and efficacy in their office, to vuinds and flames, 
 (Pfal. cxxiii. 20. 21.) 
 
 8 But unto the Son 8. 9. 10. 1 1. & 12- But, in a 
 he faith, Thy throne, quite different drain, does David 
 O God, is for ever reprefent the Mefftah, viz. As 
 and ever, a fceptre of t h e only Son of God, the Creator y 
 righteoufnefs is the j^^j and Governor of the whole 
 fceptre of thy king- wor/d ; as a per f ecl / y ^ife, jujl, 
 
 Tnl 1 n- A and yighteous Governor over all 
 
 . ? r r created beings 7 and not, like them* 
 
 nghteouinels.andhat- r . % £ .. , . 
 
 °. . . '* c of a created, finite, ana temporary 
 
 ci iniquity; therefore J . a ' J , a > r - .\ '. 
 
 God, even thy God, "*&*** at Ie "A °f , a >J* and 
 
 hath anointed thee *"»&*** ^ority, put of a m- 
 
 vvith the oil of glad- ture and dominion truly divine, 
 
 nefs above thy fellows. eternal, and immutable. 
 
 10 Ami thou, Lord, 
 
 in the beginning haft laid the foundations of the earth: and 
 the heavens are the works of thine hands. 
 
 11 They mall perifli, but thou remained : and they all 
 (hall wax old as doth a garment. 
 
 12 And as a vefture {halt thou fold them up, and they 
 fhall be changed j but thou art the fame, and thy years mail 
 not fail. 
 
 13 But to which of 13. So alfo, when the Pfalmift 
 the angels faid he at (pfal. ex. 1.) introduceth God the 
 
 any Father 
 
 * Deut. xxxii. 43. according to the LXX; and to that 
 
 paiiage, in all probability (as fome think) the ipoftle ref rs; 
 that of Pfal. xcvii. 7. being, not as it is here, all the angels 
 of God, but all ye gods. But, as angels *re often ftyled gods 
 in lcripture, there is no weight in that argument. See Mr« 
 Pierce upon this place, 
 
224 A Paraphrase on the Chap. L 
 
 A D. 63. any time, Sit on my Father fpeaking to Chrift his Son, 
 
 l— \ 'right hand, until^ I to take pojfffwn of his utmoji height 
 
 make thine enemies of heavenly glory and majejly, and 
 thy footftool > g et the entire conquejl over fm> Sa~ 
 
 tan, death, and all the enemies of his kingdom : It is in fuch 
 expreflions as are infinitely too great to be meant of the 
 moil exalted angel or created fpirit. 
 
 14 Are they not all 14. In fine, the higheft of an- 
 
 miniftring fpirits, fent gels are but minflers and mejfen- 
 forth to minifter for g ers f God ; they were but mi- 
 them who mould be m J} ers [ n delivering the law the 
 heirs of falvation ? y ewJ fo much boa ft f . and tney 
 
 are ftill the fame to the Chriftian church ; amfting 
 and miniftring to us, in fuch meafures as God is pleafed 
 to appoint : But Chrift is the Lord and Head over both 
 ps and them *. 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 An Inference from the foregoing Argument: viz. "That Chrif. 
 tians are obliged to the utmoji Care and Conjlancy in their 
 Religion, as being delivered by a Perfon of greater Dignity 
 than the very Angels that conveyed the, Mofaical Law. 
 The Excellency of Chrif s Perfon further illujlrated. His 
 being a Suffering Saviour no Objection j but the utmoji 
 Tejlimony of the Wijdom and Goodnefs of the Chriflian Dif- 
 penfation, for the Benefit of ftnful Mankind. 
 
 i npHerefore we 1. HPHE fuperlative dignity then 
 
 ought to give ■*- of the perfon of Jefus Chrift, 
 
 the more earned heed ought to render you the more re- 
 
 to the things which gardful of the religion, and the more 
 
 we have heard, left re folute to adhere to the doctrines 
 
 at any time we fhould ] ie ] ias rev ealed to us ; fo as never 
 
 let them flip. to bedrawn, ortemptedfromthem. 
 
 2 For 2. 3. & 4. 
 
 * Note, For a more complete underftanding of the force 
 of the apoftle's argument in thefe paffages, I can do nothing 
 better than to refer the reader to the learned notes of My. 
 Pierce. 
 
Chap. II. 
 
 Epistle to tke Hebrews,, 
 
 225 
 
 2 For if the word 
 fpoken by angels was 
 iteadfaft, and every 
 tranfgreffion and dif- 
 obedience received a 
 juft recompence of re- 
 ward : 
 
 3 How fhall we e- 
 fcape if we neglecl: (o 
 great falvation, which 
 at the firft began t© be 
 fpoken by the Lord, 
 and was confirmed un- 
 to us by them that 
 heard him ; 
 
 4 God alfo bearing 
 them witnefs, both 
 with figns and won- 
 ders, and with divers 
 miracles, and gifts of 
 the Holy Ghoft, ac- 
 cording to his own 
 will ? 
 
 5 For unto the an- 
 gels hath he not put 
 infubjeclion the world 
 to come, whereof we 
 fpeak. 
 
 2, 3. & 4. For if God did in fo A. D 63. 
 exact and fevere a manner, vindi-^~"*v~— "* 
 cate the honour of the Jcwi/h law; 
 that was conveyed to that people 
 by the miniftry of angels only ; 
 infomuch that every contemptu* 
 ous violation of it was punifhed 
 with immediate death *, and had * Chap, r, 
 no facrifices to atone for it : How *° 
 much more dreadful mull be the 
 punifhment of fuch as wilfully 
 neglecl: and foffake the mercies of 
 the Chrijlian religion, that were 
 revealed and brought down to us 
 from heaven by the very Son of 
 God himfelf ; the truth whereof 
 in fuch ample manner, de- 
 
 was, 
 
 monftrated to us his apqflles, by 
 the powers of the Holy Ghoft ; 
 and by us to the reft of mankind ? 
 
 5. Remember, I fay, that your 
 religion was conveyed to mankind 
 by one that is fuperior to all an- 
 gels ; and that the Chrijlian church 
 has the happinefs to be under the 
 immediate conduct and govern- 
 ment of the Son o/God himfelf. 
 
 6. 7. & 8. Of Whom thofe words 
 of the Pfalmift (Pfal. viii. 4. &c.) 
 [tho' Wefhouldfuppofe they were] 
 primarily fpoken of Adam,andhis 
 pofterity in general ; yet, in their 
 
 Jjill and complete fenfe, could not 
 be true of them; becaufe they ex- 
 prefsly reprefent a per/on as per- 
 
 n feci Lord and -Governor over all 
 angels, thou crowneit J , r . __ 7 _ n 
 
 him with glorv and creaUd *><">£*> a complete Con- 
 queror over all the enemies oj Uoa s 
 kingdom ; which can never be faid 
 of Adi\m, or of anjr branch of hu- 
 man race, 
 things in fubje&ion under his feet. For in that he put all 
 in fubje&ion under him, he left nothing that is not put un- 
 der him. But now we fee not yet all things put under him. 
 Vol. II. Q^ 9* Whereas 
 
 6 But one in a cer- 
 tain place teftified, 
 faying, What is man 
 that thou art mindful 
 of him : or the fon of 
 man that thou vifiteft 
 him ? 
 
 7 Thou madeft him 
 a little lower than the 
 
 honour, and didft fet 
 him over the works 
 of thy hands. 
 
 8 Thou haft put all 
 
zi6 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. IL 
 
 *>• 6*3* 9 But we fee Jefus, 
 ■"V"-— 'who was made a little 
 * lower than the an- 
 gels, for the fuffering 
 of death,crowned with 
 glory and honour, 
 that he by the grace 
 of God mould talte 
 death for every man. 
 
 9. Whereas they exactly anfwer 
 to Jefus our Meffiah, the Second 
 Adam, who though in his human 
 Hate*, while by the wife and mer- 
 ciful difpenfation of God, he was 
 to fuffer death, for the redemption 
 of mankind. He was indeed in a 
 ftate inferior to that of angels ; yet 
 in reward of thofe fufferings, is 
 that human nature of his now exalted to the highefl de- 
 gree of heavenly glory and majefty ; and this God-man 
 become the Lord, and Governor, and Saviour of all men. 
 
 10 For it became 10. The generality of the Jews, 
 him, for whom are all indeed, expe&ed Chrift under the 
 
 character of a temporal monarch, 
 and a conqueror foriheir particu- 
 lar nation, and think it a great 
 objection againft our Jefus, that 
 he was a fuffering f Meffiah : But 
 the Divine Wifdom faw further 
 and better. The happinefs he was 
 to beftow on his difciples, was not temporal, but fpiri- 
 tual and heavenly: And, for the encouragement and fup- 
 port of fuch as were to go through a world of fuffer- 
 ings and temptations, as the condition of that happinefs 5 
 this (among others) was one inftanee of the Divine 
 Wifdom, that he that was to be both our Saviour and 
 example, mould work our falvation by, and be himfelf 
 crowned and rewarded for, his fufferings*^ 
 
 11 For both he that 11. i2.&i3.ThusitpleafedGod, 
 fanctifieth, and they that the Redeemer of mankind 
 who are fan&ified, are fhould condefcend to take on him 
 
 all the 
 
 things, and by whom 
 
 are all things, in 
 
 bringing many fons 
 
 unto glory, to % make 
 
 a &-•«'» rwthe Captain of their 
 t See 4 Cor. . r - • , 
 
 i. 18.43, salvation perfect thro' 
 
 44, 45. and fufferings. 
 
 chap. ii. 2 
 
 * Ver. 9. [Made a little lower than the angels] 
 B£x%v W, [for a little while lower than the angels]. 
 
 % [Make the Captain perfect through fuffering]. «- 
 
 hHOTMi in afacrificial Tenfe, is either to confecrate, or to purge 
 perfeElly from Jin. In an agonijlical fenfe, it is to crown and 
 reward. I (hall diftinguifh them as clearly as I can, by the 
 connection of the feveral paffages in which it occurs in this 
 epiftle. . 
 
Chap. II. 
 
 Epistle to the Hebrews. 
 
 227 
 
 all of one : for which 
 caufe he is not alham- 
 ed to call them bre- 
 thren. 
 
 12 Saying, I will 
 declare thy name unto 
 my brethren, in the 
 midft of the church 
 will I ling praife unto 
 thee. 
 
 15 And 
 
 again. 
 
 w T ill put my truft in 
 him : and again, Be- 
 hold, I, and the chil- 
 dren which God hath 
 given me. 
 
 14 Forafmuch then 
 as the children are 
 partakers of flelh and 
 blood ', he alfo him- 
 felf likewife took part 
 of the fame, that 
 through death he 
 might deftroy him 
 that had the power of 
 death, that is the de- 
 vil : 
 
 15 And deliver 
 them who through 
 fear of death were all 
 their lifetime fubjecl 
 to bondage. 
 
 16 For verily he 
 took not on him the 
 nature of angels ; but 
 he took on him the * 
 feed of Abraham. 
 
 17 Wherefore in all 
 things it behoved him 
 to be made like unto 
 
 his 
 
 the fame nature with thofe he was A D 6 3- 
 to redeem : according to thofe pro- 
 phetical expreffions of fcripture, 
 concerning the MeJJlah ; wherein 
 " He vouchfafes to own us for 
 his brethren," as in Pfal. xxii. 22. 
 and is reprefented as " paying the 
 fame humble duties to God the 
 Father" with the reft of the holy 
 and truly religious part of man- 
 kind ; and in another place calling 
 us his children^ as in Ifaiah viii. 
 17, 1 8. "I will wait upon the 
 Lord — Behold I and the children 
 which God hath given me, are 
 for figns and for wonders in If- 
 rael, from the Lord of holts." — 
 
 14. & 15. Thus it feemed good 
 to the Divine Wifdom to recon- 
 cile and make us his children, by 
 thefufferingsof Chriftin that very 
 nature that had tranfgrefled ; as 
 the molt proper way of conquer- 
 ing that prevailing power of the 
 devil, that had tempted us to lin, 
 and drawls into death j and, by 
 this means, to give to all mankind 
 (efpecially the Gentile world, that 
 were enllaved with the fenfe of 
 guilt, and the fear of death, with- 
 out any profpeft of a recovery 
 from it), the certain hope of a 
 future and happy life. 
 
 16.&17. For Chrift is tobecon- 
 lidered, not as a Redeemer of an- 
 gels and fallen fpirit s, but of man- 
 kind* ; of all thofe, who like true 
 children of Abraham, are fubjecr. 
 to temptations and fufFerings, and 
 are to be advanced to pardon and 
 Qj2 happinefs 
 
 * Ver. 16. [But the feed of Abraham], according to the 
 great promife, [in thy feed fhall all the nations of the earth 
 fce bleffed.] 
 
 
22§ 
 
 A Paraphrase on the ' Chap. II. 
 
 happinefs by imitating him, in a 
 patient fubmiffion to that Divine 
 Will which they had tranfgrefled. 
 Upon which account, it was high- 
 ly expedient for Chrift, our great 
 Prieftand Sacrifice, to live and fuf- 
 fer in our nature, as the moll per- 
 fect method both to atone for our 
 fins, and to fupport and encourage us under our prefent 
 fufferings for his religion ; whom we know to have had 
 a fellow-feeling with us, and fo to bear a companionate 
 regard towards us. 
 
 1 8. For nothing is fuch an im- 
 mediate comfort to a Chrijlian, as 
 to know he fuffers for the fake of 
 a Saviour , who is touched with the 
 experience of what he undergoes^ 
 
 A. D. (%. his brethren, that he 
 1 ■ » 'might be a merci- 
 ful and faithful high 
 prieft, in things per- 
 taining to God, to 
 make reconciliation 
 for the fins of the peo- 
 pie: 
 
 IS For in that he 
 himfelf hath fuffered, 
 being tempted, he is 
 able to fuccour them 
 that are tempted. 
 
 as well as with a full power to relieve and fupport him. 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 The Second Branch of the ApoflW's firfl Argument for their 
 Sieadinefs to the Chriflian ProfeJJion ; viz. The Dignity of 
 Chrift, as a Lawgiver, above Mofes. A Warning from 
 thence againjl Infidelity and Apoflacy. As afo from the In- 
 fiance of the Obflinate Ifraeliies, that were denied Entrance 
 into the Land of Canaan, for the fame Mif carriage. 
 
 * Chap. ii. i TITHerefore lioly 
 ii, 12, 13. brethren, par- 
 
 takers of the heaven- 
 ly calling, confider 
 f ftfyxol* the Apoftle and High 
 Frieftofourprofeflion, 
 thrift Jefus. 
 
 1 . TtTHerefore, dear * brethren, 
 *^ brethren of Chrift, and 
 children of Abraham, members of 
 the holy church of God (though 
 you only partake \ of it with 0- 
 ther people) confider well the ex- 
 ceeding great dignity of Chrift's 
 
 perfon $ 
 
Chap. III. 
 
 EriSTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 
 
 229 
 
 per/on, who as a Prophet has given you the moil com- A. p . 63. 
 plete rules of life ; as a High Prieft, by fuffering in your' *"""""' 
 own nature, has procured the perfect: pardon of your 
 iins j and by his religion, obtained fucli fpiritual and 
 heavenly bleftings for you, as far furpafles thofe of the 
 Jewifh law, 
 
 2* Remember that God the Fa- 
 ther has appointed and eftablifhed 
 him the Lord and only High Prieft 
 over his church : And that he has 
 as perfectly performed every part 
 of his great * office for the Chriflian church, as you can *«•/?«>«}«. 
 imagine, or the fcripture declare, Mofes to have done 
 toward the fewifj one, when it ftyles him Faithful in 
 all his houfe j i. e. the church of God. (Numb. xii. 7.) 
 
 3. & 4. But you muft confider 
 too, that as afubftitute and deputy 
 
 2 Who was faithful 
 to him that appointed 
 him, as alfo Mofes 
 was faithful in all his 
 houfe. 
 
 3 For this man was 
 counted worthy of 
 more glory than Mo- 
 fes, in as much as he 
 who hath builded the 
 houfe, hath more ho- 
 nour than the houfe. 
 
 4 For every houfe 
 is builded by fome 
 man, but he that built 
 all things is God. 
 
 f governor, who is himfelf but a j. Kx7a 
 
 member of the houfe or fociety he ku 
 governs, is inferior to the lord 
 $ that appoints him ; fo much is 
 Mcfes inferior to Chrift : For 
 Mofes acted in the Jewi/h church 
 only as zfervant of God ; where- 
 as Chrift, as the Son of God, is 
 Lord and Governor both of the 
 J'ewi/h and Chriflian church ; and the fupreme Governor 
 or houfeholder over all is God the Father §. 
 
 5 And Moles verily 
 
 was faithful in all his 
 
 houfe, as a fervant, for 
 
 a teftimony of thofe 
 
 things 
 
 5. ck 6. Mofes indeed had acom- 
 miffion to manage that church, and 
 faithfully || difcharged it; but ft ill 
 it was in the capacity of zfervaTit 
 
 Q^ and 
 
 X KtcTxo-Kivufy — fignifies ejther to build, or to order and 
 govern. The former fenfe is moll commonly received, but 
 the latter feems, in this place, to be mo ft natural. Moreo- 
 ver olKts the houfe. here feems clearly to fignify not the via* 
 teriat iioufe, but the inhabitants or family dwelling in it. 
 
 § Compare 1 Cor. xi. 3. 12. 
 
23° 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. III. 
 
 A- D- 63- things which were * 
 to be fpoken after. 
 
 6 But Chrift as a fon 
 over his f own houfe, 
 whofe houfe are we, if 
 we hold faft the confi- 
 dence, and the rejoic- 
 ing of the hope firm 
 unto the end. 
 
 and deputy, employed to deliver 
 a difpenfaticn that plainly point- 
 ed out another more per feci; one, 
 that was to fucceed it. But we 
 Chriflians are now under the im- 
 mediate government of Chrift 
 himfelf, f the Lord over all 
 churches and divine difpenfa- 
 tions, as the Son of God : And 
 fhall not fail to enjoy the final fruits of fo great a pri- 
 vilege, on condition of our fteady adherence to his re- 
 ligion, under all our preflures and perfections. 
 
 7 Wherefore as the 7. 8. & 9. Let therefore that in- 
 
 Holy Ghoft faith, To- fpired lelfon of the Pfalmift (Pfal. 
 xcv.) be heartily confidered by 
 you now : Wherein he exhorts 
 the fewijh people, " To hearken 
 to the olivine command while op- 
 portunity was afforded them ; and 
 not to harden their hearts and be- 
 come incurable, by an obftinate 
 and wilful difobedience, as their 
 forefathers did in the wildernefs ; 
 where they diftrufted the divine 
 power and Providence, and pro- 
 voked the wrath of God, for forty years together.' 7 
 
 10 Wherefore I 10. & 11. The confequences of 
 
 was grieved with that which habitual courfe of impiety, 
 was, " That they became utterly 
 unworthy of the countenance of 
 the divine favour and protection, 
 
 and 
 
 day, if ye will hear 
 his voice, 
 
 8 Harden not your 
 hearts, as in the pro- 
 vocation, in the day 
 of temptation in the 
 wildernefs : 
 
 9 When your fathers 
 tempted me, proved 
 me, and faw my works 
 forty years. 
 
 generation, and faid, 
 
 They do always err in 
 
 their hearts, and they 
 
 have 
 
 * Ver. ;. [For a teftimony of thofe things that were to 
 be fpoken after] that is, the religion or difpenfation of Chrift; 
 as appears moft clearly from John v. 46, 47. Luke xxiv. 44, 
 Ac"b xxvi. 22. and many like paflages. 
 
 f Ver. 6. [Chrift as a fon over his own houfe.] A very 
 wrong tranflation. It is, over his, viz. God's houfe; Wi to* 
 etKo-j uvt5 ; the uurS plainly is to be referred to 0s5 God, 
 (Ver. 4. J as it is in the 5th verfe ; agreeably to I Tim. Hi.' 
 15, 1 Cor. iii* 9. ye are God' '1 building, 
 
Chap. III. 
 
 Epistle to the Hebrews. 
 
 *3* 
 
 have not known my 
 ways* 
 
 1 1 So I fware in my 
 wrath, They fhall not 
 enter into my reft. 
 
 and caufed God to fwear by him- A D. 6 3- 
 felf, that they mould never enter' " »' ' 
 into the promifed land. 
 
 12 Take heed, bre- 
 thren, left there be in 
 any of you an evil 
 heart of unbelief, in 
 departing from the 
 living God. 
 
 12 Take heed then, that their 
 cafe in refpecl: of that temporal 
 bleffing of Canaan, be not yours, 
 now, in refpect to the eternal 
 bleffings of Chrift's religion. Re- 
 member, that by forfaking Chri- 
 Jlianity, you apoftatize from the fame God, who lives 
 eternally to reward the faithful, and puniih the difobe- 
 dient. 
 
 13. To prevent which, make it 
 your immediate endeavour fo to 
 encourage one another to patience 
 and perfeverance, that none, i£ 
 poffible may be drawn from their 
 profeffion, by the fubtle infinua- 
 
 tions, or mofl violent persecutions from their adver- 
 
 faries. 
 
 13 But exhort one 
 another daily while it 
 is called To-day, left 
 any of you be harden- 
 ed through the deceit- 
 fulnefs of fin. 
 
 (T4 For we are 
 
 made partakers of 
 Chrift, if we hold the 
 beginning of our con- 
 fidence fteadfaft unto 
 the end.)* 
 
 16 While it is faid, 
 To-day if ye will hear 
 his voice, harden not 
 your hearts, as in the 
 provocation. 
 
 [14. Remember, that the great 
 privileges of Chriftianity are to be 
 enjoyed only upon condition of a 
 refolute perfeverance in that re- 
 ligion, to which you have en- 
 gaged yourfelves.] 
 
 15. Confider how much it con- 
 cerns you to lay hold of the prefent 
 time afforded for it; and the dan- 
 ger of negledling it, as the Jews 
 did in the wildernefs. 
 
 Q^4 16. For 
 
 * Ver. 14. Note, Thisverfe being included in a parenthejis, 
 makes the cleareft connection between the 13 and 15 verfes y 
 which, otherwife, is much interrupted. 
 
»3* A Paraphrase ox the Chap. HI. 
 
 A. D. *j. % $ * Forfome when 16. 17. & 18. And let it move 
 
 VnP**' they had heard, did you the more, to obferve how in- 
 
 provoke : howb.eit not fedious and epidemical their dif- 
 
 all that came out of fatisfaftions and difobedience was, 
 
 Egypt by Mofes. # « That the whole congregation 
 
 17 But with whom were drawn to murmer againft 
 was he grieved forty Mofes ftnd A t Cakb 
 
 ^theru z ^i ofhua ^ umb - xiv ?;; Nor 
 
 finned, whofe carcaf- did their wiw^rj prevent the cer- 
 
 fes fell in the wilder- x * mt y of ^ at puniihment God had 
 
 x^fs. fworn to inflict upon them ; for 
 
 18 And to whom they all, except thefe two, died in. 
 fware he that they the wildernefc. 
 
 fhould not enter into 
 
 his reft, but to them that believed not ? 
 
 19 So we fee that 19. As therefore infidelity and 
 they could not enter in a revolt from the divine com- 
 becaufe of unbelief. man ds loft them the promifed land; 
 fo will your renouncing the Chrijiian profejjion, for any 
 perfecutions whatever, forfeit you all the blefiings of 
 this new and gracious covenant* 
 
 * [For fome, when they heard, &c. nvk fi ukwuvti^ ve*. 
 {s*/»g«y«y -, *^ it **m$-r; Who did provoke ? Did not all that 
 came out of Egypt ?] Interrogatively, as the two following 
 verfes are ; or eife the fenfe is this, — Though your apoftacy 
 from Chriftianity be now too general, as theirs was then- 
 yet remember you have Caleb and Jofhua for your example 
 and encouragement ; who were preferved for their lingular 
 obedience, while all the reft were deftroyed. 
 
 CHAP, 
 
Chap. IV. 
 
 Epistle to the Hebrews. 
 
 533 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 The fame Exhortation to Conjlancy and Patience continued^ 
 Chrijiianity promifes a future and better State of happinefs y 
 than the Land of Canaan was. That there is fuch a State 
 provided for good and faithful men, proved from the ancient 
 Scripture of the Old Teflament. Chri/l a fever e and terrible 
 Governor to the objlinate and difobedient. No concealing our 
 Cowardice and Infidelity from Him. The Exhortation of 
 Chap. ii. 10, renewed. 
 
 I T ET us therefore I. 
 
 fear, left a pro- 
 mife beingleft usol en- 
 tering into his reft, any 
 of you (hould * feem 
 to come fhort of //. 
 
 2 For unto us was 
 the gofpel preached as 
 well as unto them, but 
 the word preached did 
 not profit them, not 
 being mixed with faith 
 in them that heard it. 
 
 3 For we which 
 have believed, do en- 
 ter into reft, as he 
 faid, As I have fworn 
 an my wrath, If they 
 fhall enter into my 
 left : although the 
 works were finilhed 
 from the foundation 
 of the world. 
 
 4 Fof 
 
 T>E exceedingly careful there- A. D. 6p 
 
 fore, || I fay, that by a re- 
 volt from the true religion, you" 
 lofe * not the celeflial happinefs of 
 the gofpel, as the murmuring Jews 
 did that of the terreftrial Canaan. 
 
 2. You have now the fubftan- 
 tial religion and promifes of Chriit 
 as fully declared and confirmed to 
 you, as they had their law, and 
 the promifeof the land of Canaan j 
 and may, through your own de- 
 fault, forfeit the bleffings of it, as 
 they did theirs, 
 
 3. 4. 5. & 6. For that there is 
 a future and eternal ftate of reft 
 and happinefs referved for God's 
 faithful fervants, befide, and far ex- 
 ceeding that of the Jewifh Canaan, 
 is plain, by comparing the feveral 
 paflages of fcripture where that 
 phrafe of the rejl of God is men- 
 tioned. When God bad finifhed 
 
 the 
 
 Chap, iii, 
 18,19. 
 
 * [Seem to come ihort of it.] Aox>f in the fame fenfe as in 
 Luke viii. 18- 
 
334 
 
 A Paraphrase otf the 
 
 Chap. IV r 
 
 A. D. 63. 
 
 • Gen. ii. 
 
 4 For he fpake in 
 a certain place of the 
 feventh day on this 
 wife, And God did 
 reft the feventh day 
 from all his works. 
 
 5 And in this place 
 again, If they (hall 
 enter my reft. 
 
 6 Seeing therefore 
 it remaineth that forae 
 muft enter therein, and 
 they to whom it was 
 firft preached, entered 
 not in becaufe of un- 
 belief: 
 
 the works of the creation he is 
 faid to have reftedfrom his work*. 
 And when the Pfalmift(Pfal. xcv.) 
 mentions the entrance into God's 
 reft ; it is indeed fo far as it re- 
 fers to the Jews in the wildernefs, 
 meant of their entering into the 
 land of Canaan, as a reft from 
 their travels in the wildernefs f re- 
 fembling that of God's rejiing 
 from his creation : but, as it re- 
 lates to the Jews of his own time, 
 to whom David fpoke them, it 
 
 muft have a higher meaning than 
 the reji of Canaan, which thofe 
 murmurers loft by their infidelity. 
 
 7 Again, he limiteth 
 a certain day, faying 
 in David, To-day, af- 
 ter fo long a time j as 
 is faid, To-day if ye 
 will hear his voice, 
 harden notyour hearts. 
 
 8 For if Jefus had 
 given them reft, then 
 would he not after- 
 ward have fpoken of 
 another day. 
 
 9 There remaine h 
 therefore a reft to the 
 
 7. 8. & 9. For as that exhorta- 
 tion of David, net to harden the 
 hearts , was directed to the people 
 then living, who had for a long 
 time been poflefTed of the land of 
 Canaan, into which Jofhua brought 
 their forefathers ; the reji of God 
 propofed to them could not be that, 
 but mu# fignify a future flate of 
 heavenly happinefs ; the fame that 
 the gofpel promifeth to us Chri- 
 stians. 
 people of God. 
 
 10 For he that is 
 entered into his reft, 
 he alfo hath ceafed 
 from his own works, 
 as God did from his. 
 
 10. Nor indeed could the hap- 
 pinefs and rewar4 of a true fer- 
 vant of God be properly compar- 
 ed to God's reflfrom all his work, 
 unlefs it be a final and complete 
 deliverance from the labours and troubles of this life. 
 
 II Let us labour 
 therefore to enter into 
 that reft, left any man 
 fall after the fame ex- 
 ample of unbelief. 
 
 12 For 
 
 21. Strive therefore to attain 
 this perfecl ftate of felicity, and 
 not lofe it by apoftacy, as the Is- 
 raelites did their Canaan. 
 
 12. & 13. And 
 
Chap. IV. Epistle to the Hebrews, 
 
 *3$ 
 
 12 For the word 
 of God is quick and 
 powerful, and lharper 
 than any * two-edged 
 fword, piercing even 
 to the dividing afun- 
 der oJT foul and fpirit, 
 and of thf joints and 
 mar> ow, and is a dif- 
 cernerofthe thoughts 
 and intents of the 
 heart. 
 
 18 Neither is there 
 any creature that is 
 not manifeft in Lis 
 
 12. &• 13. And confider how A - D - 6 3« 
 exquifitely wife, all-knowing, and^""*"— "" 
 teriibly powerful this Jefus, the 
 Son and Word of God is : that 
 there is no way to conceal your 
 cowardice and hypocrify from 
 him, the fearcher of hearts ; who 
 is both your Saviour and your 
 Judge *. Confider alfo what a 
 powerful and effectual thing the 
 Word of God is (viz. his promifes 
 and threatening*) when duly be- 
 lieved and attended to in the minds 
 of men. 
 
 light : but all things are naked and open unto the eyes of 
 
 him with whom we have to do. 
 
 14 Seeing then that 14 Look on him and adhere 
 
 we have a great High to his profeffion, to his word and 
 promife^ as your Great High 
 Prief, that hath both atoned for 
 your fins, and, by his exaltation 
 into heaven, is become your pow- 
 erful and conftant Intercejfor with 
 God. 
 
 15. Embrace him, as a far more 
 able and fufficientHigh Prieft thant cha P; «• 
 
 Prieft, that is paffed 
 into the heavens, je- 
 fus the Son of God, 
 let us hold fall our 
 profeffion. 
 
 15 For we have not 
 an high f prieft which 
 cannot be touched 
 with the feeling of 
 
 the Mofaical one could be ; as in* 7 ' 6 
 
 iu. 1. 
 
 our infirmities j but 
 was in all points 
 tempted like as we 
 are, yet without fin. 
 
 all other refpedls, fo particularly' 
 in this, That he has not only per- 
 fect power to help and afiift you, 
 but is one that muft be moft com- 
 paffionately willing and free to 
 do it ; as having himfelf been expofed to fufferings, and 
 felt the miferies of human life, as you do ; only with 
 this difference, that thofe miferies we feel, are the re-? 
 fult of Jin, while he fuffered in pure and unfpotted zVz- 
 nocence %, I Chap. vii. 
 
 16. Relying.* 6 ' ■ J oh » 
 
 * See Rev. i. 16. and ii. 12. 16. and xix. 13. and 15. with 
 my paraphrafe on thofe paffages. And let the reader com- 
 pare the notes of the learned Mr. Pierce 5 and then judge 
 for himfelf. I thought it proper to exprefs to^fenfes j each 
 §f them having its favourers amongft the learned. 
 
236 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap, IV. 
 
 A.D. 6$. i6"Let us therefore 16. Relying therefore on the 
 
 1,1 y 'come boldly unto the power and companion of fuch an 
 throne of grace, that lntercefibr, you may addrefs to 
 we may obtain mercy. God with a much more comfort- 
 and find grace to help able a fl\irance, than the Jews could 
 in time of need. tQ the mercy f eat . and cheerfully 
 
 depend upon him, for a feafonable deliverance from all 
 the perfecutions you fuffer for his fake. 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 The Dignity and Excellency of ChriJPs Priefthood above the 
 Levitical. The Efficacy of it proved from his Refurretlion 
 and Glorification. It is compared to that of Melchijedec, 
 The Wifdom and Advantage of the Sufferings of the Son of 
 God. The fmall Progrefs ef the Jewifh Chriflians com- 
 plained of. 
 
 *See Cha P>I pOR every * high 
 rr.r4.x5, x prieit taken from 
 16, 17. • j • 
 
 ■ among men, is ordain- 
 
 ed for men in things 
 pertaining to God, 
 that he may offer both 
 gifts and facrifices for 
 fins: 
 
 I. yj r OU may now, I fay, as 
 -*■ you are Chriflians, addrefs 
 yourfelves to God with a clearer 
 and more comfortable aflu ranee 
 of acceptance with him than the 
 Jews could do ; as having Chrift 
 for your High Prieft, whofe office 
 is of far more dignity and preva- 
 lence than that of their high prieft could ever be : as 
 may be feen by comparing them in any refpeft whatever. 
 As firft, The Jewifh high priefts, though employed in 
 divine fer vice, and mediators between God and the peo- 
 ple, were yet but mere frail and mortal men, 
 
 2 Who can have 2. & 3. And though they could 
 compaflion on the ig- not but bear acompaflionate regard 
 to the frailties and infirmities of the 
 people, in whofe behalf they mini- 
 flered; yetwasthistheircompamon 
 of a much inferior and lefs effectual 
 kind than that of Ghrift to us. 
 
 «Xhey 
 
 norant, and on them 
 that are out of the 
 way; for that he him- 
 felf alfo is compared 
 with infirmity : . 
 
 3 And 
 
Chap. V. Epistle to the Hebrews. 237 
 
 3 And by reafon ^hey could not but have a fellow- A. D. 63. 
 hereof he ought, as feeling with the reft of the con- v u 
 for the people, fo alfo gregation, becaufe they were men 
 
 for himfelf, to offer an d fi nners themfelves : And for 
 * or " ns * that reafon, upon the great expi- 
 
 ation day, they offered a particular facrifice for their 
 own offences : Whereas Chrift lived and fufFered in per- 
 fect innocency, and was pleafed, for our great comfort 
 and aflurance, to fympathife with our infirmities, mif- 
 carriages and fufferings, while he had not the leaft fin 
 of his own. 
 
 4 And no man tak- 4. 5. & 6. Then again, our Lord 
 eth this honour unto excels the Le~;itical high priefts, in 
 himfelf, but he that t h e divine demonjl rations given of 
 is called of God, as the g rea tnefs and authenticnefs of 
 was Aaron : " hIs high office# For as they were 
 
 5 So alfo Chrift glo- ex ftl ordered tQ be *; f the 
 
 rined not himielt to •,• r : j c i* 
 , , 1 • v • n. line or Aaron, and lometimes the 
 bemadeanhighprieit: r c . ' . , . ~ , 
 but he that faid unto ^/^fpecially appionted byGod; 
 him, Thou art my Son, fo . was Chrift of the family of Da- 
 to-day have I begot- Vld > according to the prophecies 
 ten thee. concerning him. And while he 
 
 6 As he faith alfb did not affed f to appear and fhowt See Pbi- 
 in another/>/tf<r<?, Thou himfelf in the form of a divine and lip " "' *~~ 
 art a prieit for ever heavenly Mediator, while he lived 
 
 after the * order of upon earth, he was by his glori- 
 Melchifedec. ous refurre&ion from the dead, 
 
 in a much more folemn manner, declared and demon- 
 ftrated to be the Son of God, the great High Prieji and 
 Saviour of mankind. According to thofe words of the 
 Pfalmift, fpoken of the || refurre&ion of the MeJJiah^ A&sxizl* 
 by God the Father (Pfal. ii.) Thou art my Son, this day 32> 
 have I begotten thee. And upon the fame account in 
 another pfalm (Pfal. ex.) he is called A Prieji for ever 
 
 after 
 
 * [After the order of Melchifedec,] kxtx tv rufyv Ac- 
 cording to the likenefs or refemblance of Melchifedec] , as 
 the following paflages, and thofe of the feventh chapter, 
 plainly mow it, efpecially ver. i$. of that chapter. Ac- 
 cordingly the Syraic renders it by Kfl'lDT fxmilitudc* 
 
23* 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. V. 
 
 A. D. 6$. after the order o/*Melchifedec, i. e. an eternal and power- 
 l — ~« ful one ; a King to govern and fave, as well as a Priejl 
 
 to facrifice for his people. 
 
 7 Who in the days 7. & 8. So alfo the prayers and 
 
 tears, the agonies and fufferings 
 of our Jefus, were a fervice of in- 
 finitely more acceptance and pre- 
 valence with God, than the pray- 
 ers and Sacrifices of a Jewi/h high 
 pried could pofiibly be. The obe- 
 dience and fufferings of one, who 
 was the very Son of God, making 
 him at once both a complete a- 
 tonement for our fins, and a mod 
 perfect and encouraging * exam- 
 ple of obedience and resignation 
 to the Divine Will. 
 
 9. & 10. And as his fufferings 
 thus rendered him a perfect High 
 Priejl for our reconciliation to 
 God, fo his refurredtion || and 
 glorification in heaven has demon- 
 strated him to be the powerful 
 Saviour of all his true difciples j 
 giving them a perfect affurance of 
 eternal happinefs : According to 
 
 the true meaning of the forementioned fcripture, ^Thou 
 -tSeever.6.#r£ a Priejl for ever after the order of Melchifedec f. 
 ii Of whom we 1 1. 1 have feveral things particu- 
 larly to obferve to you, concerning 
 this analogy between thepriefthood 
 of Melchifedec, and that of Chrid; 
 in order to convinceyouof its great 
 
 excellency above the Levitical priefthood, the Jews fo 
 
 much boaft of. But I fear your prejudices are dill fuch, 
 
 that 
 
 Jj liXituSiH 
 
 of his flelh, when he 
 had offered up prayers 
 and fupplications, with 
 flrongcrying and tears, 
 unto him that was a- 
 ble to fave him from 
 death, and was heard, 
 in that he feared. 
 
 8 Though he were 
 a Son, yet * learned 
 he obedience, by the 
 things which he dif- 
 fered i 
 
 9 And being made 
 perfect, he became the 
 author of eternal fal- 
 
 . vation unto all them 
 that obey him ; 
 
 10 Called of God 
 arf high prieft after 
 the order of Melchi- 
 fedec. 
 
 have many things to 
 fay, and hard to be 
 uttered j feeing ye are 
 dull of hearing. 
 
 * [He learned obedience by the things, tec.'] tpafov may 
 fignify, not only to be inftrucled one's felf but to learn 
 others, anfwering to the Hebrew ID? rendered both by 'ipa- 
 Qi> and hMrxen, in the beptuagint. 
 
Chap. V. Epistle to the Hebrews. 23^ 
 
 that you will hardly *underftand and relifh them, though A - D - 6 3- 
 the things themfelves are intelligible and eafy enough. *— v— ' 
 
 12 For when for the 12 For indeed, though one 
 
 time ye ought to be would think you have had time e- 
 
 teachers, ye have need nough, from your firft converfion, 
 
 that one teach you a- ( e fpecially the Jewi/h converts, 
 
 gain which be the firft who have j before en j oyed the 
 
 principles of the ora- advant of the / and the __ 
 
 cles ot Lrod ; and are .» . n ° jaj A • 
 
 u r / 1 phets) to underltaad your Chri- 
 
 become iuch as have -C, . ' ,. . r .. J . 
 
 need of milk, and not ftian Te }^ n ^ ™ el ]> as '° be able 
 of ftrong meat. f° teach the hl g he ft doctrines of 
 
 it to others ; yet I find your Jew- 
 i/h notions and prejudices have made your improvement 
 fo fmall, that inftead of that, I had need go over with 
 you again, teach you the firft rudiments of it, and treat 
 you not like men but children. 
 
 13 For every one 13. &. 14. And, as milk is the 
 that ufeth milk, is un- proper food for children, fo, I am 
 fkilful in the word of afraid, the firft and plaineft articles 
 righteoufnefs : f for of Chriftianity would be fitter for 
 he is a babe. fuch flender proficients as 
 
 . * 4 ^^T 1 than thc hi § her doftrines of it, 
 
 belongethtothemthat , . , u ' °, , . • 
 
 are of full age, even wblcb 0U S h * *? be commumcat- 
 
 thofe who by reafon ed °. nl 7 t0 fuch ™ have already 
 
 of ufe have their fenfes attained to a good underftandmg 
 
 exercifed to difcern $ of the firft and fundamental 
 
 both good and evil*, points of their profeflion. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 * [Hard to be uttered] xiyog ^vcn^firnvrog. Hard for fuch 
 prejudiced people to underfland. The fame with St. Peter's 
 IvtrvoiTec. 2 Peter iii. 16. 
 
 f Ver. 13. [The word of righteoufnefs,] or *oy« <$ix.cctorv- 
 ns, the [doctrine of justification] — viz. by Chrift, in oppofi- 
 tion to that of or by the law. 
 
 \ Ver. 14. [Both good and evil] — is an Hebraifm to fig- 
 nify things in general. "To know good and evil, is to have a 
 very large knowledge, Gen. iii. 5. To fpeak neither good nor 
 evil, is to fay nothing at all. But the phrafe is here confine 
 ed to a particularya^7>c7 in religious matters, as the context 
 {bows, and as in the paraphrafe. 
 
340 A Paraphrase on the Chap. VI 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 
 The Apqftle promifeth them farther injlrutlions, particularly in 
 the Cotnparifon between Chrijl and Melchifedec. But, be- 
 fore he enters upon that Point, renews his Exhortation to 
 Conflancy and P erf ever ance, from the great Danger and Ha- 
 zard of ever recovering a Chrijlian Apoftate ,* and from 
 the Example of the Faith and Reward of Abraham, and 
 the Truth of the Divine Promifes, 
 
 A.D. 63. 1 'J'Herefore^ leav- 1. & 2. T>UT, notwitftanding 
 
 ^nr^ ing the princi- *-* that the fmall profi- 
 
 ^ pies of the f do&rine ciency you have made would make 
 
 Chap. v. f Chrift, let us go on i t not am if s f or me> * as J f a id, to 
 
 •"'^'unto perfeaion; not teach JOU) over again? the firft 
 
 laying again the foun- pr i nc i p l es f Chriftianity . fuch 
 
 dation of repentance Rg the neceffit of rtpentance and 
 
 irom dead works, and c • c-\-cc\^-[ m c' 
 
 ff ., , r* , reformation or hie ; or beliei in 
 
 or faith towards God. ^ , , ~. .,, c \ - 1 
 
 2 Of the dodrine God and Chnft 5 of being bap. 
 
 of baptiGns, and of tlzed Wlth water and the Ho1 / 
 laying on of hands, Ghoft 5 the unpofition of the a- 
 and of refurreaion of pollles hands, for receiving the 
 the dead, and of eter. Holy Ghoft after laptifms ; of 
 nal judgment. the belief of a future flat e and a 
 
 future judgment, and the like ; yet, for the better en- 
 couragement of thofe that ftill adhere to their profeilion* 
 in thefe general and fundamental points, I fhall wave 
 them, and purfue my propofal of inftrufting you fur- 
 ther and higher, particularly in the forementioned ana- 
 logy between the priefthood of Chrift, and that of Mel- 
 chifedec. 3. (Which 
 
 f Ver. 1, 2. The principles of the doarine of Chrift — ■ 
 the foundation of repentance — faith — %>aptifms, &c. 
 
 Note, Whoever, looks into the comments upon thefe two 
 verfes, will find to what a great uncertainty the learned are 
 reduced in their interpretations of thefe phrafes ; viz. Whe- 
 ther they be principles and fundamentals of the Jewifh reli- 
 gion (originally defigned to lead men to the doclrines of 
 Chrift) or doclrines of Chriflianity itfelf. I have followed 
 the latter fentiment J the reader may confult Mr. Pierce for 
 the arguments that countenance the former. 
 
Chap. Ttl. Epistle to the Hebrews. 
 
 241 
 
 .3 And this will we 
 do it God permit. 
 
 3. (Which I fhall partly now do 
 
 in the fequel of this epiille, and 
 
 more fully (God willing) when I fee you again.) 
 
 A.D.63. 
 
 4 For it is impof- 
 fible for thofe who 
 were once enlightned, 
 and have tailed of the 
 heavenly gift, and 
 were made partakers 
 of the Holy Ghoft, 
 
 5 And have tatted 
 the good word of God, 
 and f the powers of 
 the world to come •, 
 
 6 If they ihall fall 
 away, to renew them 
 again unto repentance : 
 feeing they crucify to 
 themielves the Son of 
 God afrefh, and put 
 him to an open fhame. 
 
 4, 5. & 6. I will do this, I fay, 
 for the fake of thofe who dill per- 
 fevere in the've Cbri/tian profeilion. 
 For indeed, it would be 1 vain * 
 and endlefs undertaking for me to 
 begin again and reconvert tjiofe 
 among you, who, againil the moil 
 foleinn engagements of their bap- 
 tifm y and the happy experience of 
 the gifts of the Holy Ghoft, con- 
 ferred from heaven upon them ; 
 againft all the fenfe they had of 
 the great mercies of the laws and 
 privileges of the go/pel ; and, in 
 defiance of all thofe powerful f 
 demonitrations,wherebythewhole 
 religion of Chriit has been fo am- 
 ply conferred to them ; have wil- 
 fully revolted, and thrown off their Chriitianity, to em- 
 brace the yewifj and heatheni/b religion again. Becaufe 
 fiich people have already refilled the utmoft evidences 
 that can ever be offered for their conviction, and done 
 as perfect and public a X difhonour to Chrift and his re- 
 ligion, as if they had crucified him anew as a malefactor. 
 7 For the earth 7. & 8. So that, as that ground 
 
 which drinketh in the only which is likely to anfwer the 
 colt bellowed on it, by bearing a 
 good crop, is worth a man's pains 
 to manure and cultivate ; whereas, 
 that which fpoils the feed thrown 
 into it, and returns the hufband- 
 man nothing but rubbilh initead 
 R o 
 
 rain that cometh oft 
 upon it, and bringeth 
 forth herbs meet for 
 them by whom it is 
 dreiled, receivethblef- 
 fing from God : 
 
 Vol. II. 
 
 poling 
 him to 
 iuiainy, 
 
 * Humrot. Not ftriclly impojjible, but only highly impro- 
 bable or difficult. 
 
 + [The powers of the world to come] — &&*/*•* rs t* //txitY" 
 to; kwZvos. N t of the future Jl ate, but the miracles ( Awupett ) 
 wrought in confirmation of the religion of the MeiTiah, who 
 tv'as to come in the future or lajl age of the w rld, 
 
2 4 2 
 
 A Paraphrase ok the 
 
 Chap. Vf, 
 
 D. 63. g Bat that which 
 ■V— — 'beareth thorns, and 
 briers, is rejected, and 
 is nigh unto carfing : 
 whofe end is to be 
 burned. 
 
 of corn, is fit for nothing, but to- 
 be left wild and barren, or elfe to 
 be flubbed up and burnt : fo thefe 
 obftinate and wilful apojlates de- 
 ferve no further means of convic- 
 tion, but are to be left to the ef- 
 fects of their ingratitude and incurable infidelity. 
 
 9 But beloved, we 
 are perfuaded better 
 I Compare things of f you, and 
 things that accompa- 
 ny ialvation, though 
 we thus fpeak. 
 
 2 Theff. ii. 
 
 12. 13- 
 Ephef. iv. 
 ao. Rom. 
 viii. 9. 
 
 +• Chap, 
 33> 34- 
 
 ro For God is not 
 unrighteous to for- 
 get your work and la- 
 bour of love, which ye 
 have fhowed toward 
 his name, in that ye 
 have miniftered to the 
 faints, and do mini- 
 x. fter t 
 
 merly have, and ft ill 
 Chriftians of your country 
 
 1 1 And we deiire, 
 that every one of you, 
 do (how the fame dili- 
 gence, to the full af- 
 furance of hope unto 
 the end. 
 
 12 That ye be not 
 flothful, but followers 
 of them who through 
 faith and patience in- 
 herit the promifes. 
 
 holy men, who have 
 
 9. But I hope, dear brethren, 
 this is not your cafe, at leaft, not 
 of many of you ; and therefore I 
 give you this, only as a very ear- 
 ned and necefTary caution of the 
 great danger of falling from your 
 Chriftian profefiion. 
 
 10. And be allured, that what- 
 ever our prefiures and' afflictions 
 may at prefent be ; if you be not 
 wanting to yourfelves, God will 
 fupport you under them all. And 
 I am the more confident of his 
 fpecial affiftance towards you, as a 
 juft reward for that eminent de- 
 gree of charity, which you for- 
 do fliow to the poor diftrefied 
 
 God, by the fame means. 
 
 1 1 . Let me, therefore, exhort 
 you all conftantly to perfevere in 
 that good difpofition and practice, 
 in full affurance of fo glorious a 
 reward. 
 
 12. To be diligent and coura- 
 geous in every branch of your 
 Chriftian duty, and patient under 
 all fufTerings for the fake of it ; 
 in imitation of all thofc great and 
 
 reaped the promifed bleffings of 
 
 13 For when God 
 
 made promife to A- 
 
 braham, becaufe he 
 
 could fweav by no 
 
 greater, 
 
 13. & 14. Remember, in par- 
 ticular, how punctually true God 
 was in his great promife made to 
 Abraham, of a numerous pofte- 
 
 5 *fef* 
 
Chap. VI. Epistle to the Hebrews, 
 
 :43 
 
 greater, he fware by 
 himfelf, 
 
 14 Saying, Surely, 
 blefling, I will blefs 
 thee, and multiplying, 
 I will multiply thee. 
 
 from whom Chrift, the Sa- A. D. 63. 
 
 nty, 
 
 viour of mankind (the promifed' ' 
 feed) was to come. Howfolemn- 
 ly he was pleafed to conlirm it, 
 by fwearing by himfelf •, Gen. 
 xxii. 16, 17. " By myfelf have I 
 fworn, That in bleiling, I wiil blefs (i. e. moll aiTuredly 
 and greatly blefs) thee, and in multiplying, I will mul- 
 tiply (i. e. molt aiTuredly and greatly multiply) thee" 
 
 15 And fo after he 15. And accordingly, Abraham 
 had patiently endur- actually lived to fee a numerous 
 cd, he obtained the ( a t lealt a very profperous) fa- 
 promife. mily \ of his own, as a prefent re-f Gen.xxiv, 
 
 ward of his faith and patience. But the promile was I — 35* 
 further performed, by God's merciful and wondrous 
 difpenfations toward the JeivifJj church ; and is now ab- 
 folutely completed to all mankind, by the ble flings of the 
 Chriflian religion. 
 
 16. & 1 7. Thus God was pleafed 
 
 16 For men verily 
 fwear by the greater, 
 and an oath for con- 
 firmation is to them 
 an end of all itrife. 
 
 17 Wherein God 
 willing more abun- 
 dantly to (how unto 
 the heirs of promife 
 the immutability of 
 his counfel, confirmed 
 it by an oath. 
 
 18 That by two 
 immutable things, in 
 whifch it was impofli- 
 ble for God to lie, we 
 might have a llrong 
 confolation, who have 
 fled for refuge to lay 
 hold upon the hope 
 fet before us. 
 
 19 Which hope we 
 have as an anchor of 
 the foul, both fure and 
 
 ftedfaft, 
 
 to condefcend to the manner of us 
 men, for our greater and more per- 
 fect fatisf action. For an oath is the 
 higheit and molt decifive evidence 
 that can be given or defired, in any 
 human court. And becaufe God 
 could not appeal to any greater 
 than himfelf, as men do when they 
 fwear by himfelf V* the Author and 
 Fountain of truth, (ver. 13.) 
 
 18. So that the afTurance we 
 Chriftians have of a future and 
 eternal falvation, on condition of 
 our faith and patient obedience, 
 is upon the fureft grounds that 
 Heaven itfelf can give ; being 
 founded both upon tiiipromife and 
 the oath of God : In either of 
 which it is impolTible for him to 
 deceive us, who is truth itfelf. 
 
 19. This allured hope of ours, 
 like a ftrong anchor to a ihip, 
 holds up our minds againft all the 
 
 R % ftormi 
 
'Mi* 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. VI. 
 
 a. D. 63. ftedfaft, and which en- and billows of this world ; mount- 
 
 —""V—'tereth into that with- ing our thoughts, and raifmg our 
 
 in the vail, views above its prefent cares and 
 
 fears ; and preferring us with a lively profpett of future 
 
 and eternal felicity. 
 
 20. Even of that glorious hap- 
 pinefs, to which jefus Chrift our 
 Head is now exalted, as an ear- 
 nest, that we his true members 
 are hereafter to follow him, who 
 is thus become our High Priefi ; 
 not like thofe mortal and temporary ones among the 
 jews *, but, like Melchifedec, an eternal Interceffbr, 
 Prince and Saviour to us. The particulars of which 
 comparifon, I come now, according to my propofal, to 
 explain. 
 
 20 Whither the 
 forerunner is for us 
 entered, even Jefus, 
 made an high prieft 
 for ever, after the or- 
 der of Melchifedec. 
 
 CHAP. VII. 
 
 In what Refpecls the Priefhood of ChrM refembles that of 
 Melchifedec. Thence the Dignity and Excellency of it 
 above the Levhical. And by the Change of the Priefhood. 
 is demon/I rated the Sufpenfon of the Jewiffj Religion, and of 
 the Obligation to the Ceremonial Law. 
 
 * 1 JTOR this Mel- 
 chifedec king 
 of Salem, prieft of the 
 mod high God, who 
 met Abraham return- 
 ing from the flaugh- 
 ter of the kings, and 
 bleffed hira : 
 
 2 To whom alfo 
 Abraham gave a te"»,th 
 part of alt: firft be- 
 ing 
 
 I. & 2. r T , Omowyou, then, the 
 -*- particular analogy 
 between the prieflhood of Chrilt 
 and that of * Melchifedec, and 
 from thence the dignity of it a- 
 bove the Levitical priefthood : 
 Now the firfl part of the refem- 
 blance lies in their titles and cha- 
 racters ; the word Melchifedec 
 fignifying as, a jujl and righteous 
 king ; and Salem the place 
 whereof 
 
 * [For this Melchifedec, &c] or thus **<>! y*% Ma^/riSe*. 
 For he (7. e. Chrift) is the Melchifedec — /. e. The antitype 
 
 of that Melchifedec who was king of Salens 
 
"Chap. VII. Epistle to the Hebrews. z%$. 
 
 ing by interpretation whereof he was king, denoting A. D. 63.] 
 
 king of Rigfeteoufnefsr, PEACE. He was aifo a prie/T * J 
 
 and after that aJfo, over his people, us well as a king; 
 king of Salem, which a frnteere wOrflnppe* of the true 
 is king of peace ; Goc}) and appr0V ed f ty him in 
 
 that high office *, and was in fuch eiteem and authority, 
 •that the great patriarch Abraham, at his return from 
 the (laughter of the four kings (Gen. xiv.) received his 
 blefling, and paid him a tenth of the fpoils he had tak- 
 en. And thus he was a proper type and figure of 
 Chrjft the Lord our R$ght$6i/f fiefs, our Jiffer, Peace- 
 maker, and Great High Prie!-. 
 
 3 * Without father, o. Again, the fcripture records 
 without mother, with- give no" account of Mclchiiedec's 
 out deicent, having pedigree. He li.xd no defeent from 
 neither beginning ot y Abraham, or was born of any ;| See vert 
 days, nor end ot life ; -prigl* family, The Scriptures fay 6. 
 but made like unto the nothing either of the beginning or 
 Son tf God, -I abided ^ J ^ ^ Ror Q f ^ ^ 
 a pneic continually. wfe j hc ^^ Qn h{fl ^^ 
 
 or when he left it. And thus he, fo far, figuratively 
 rep-relents our Jefus, the Son cf God, who was in the be- 
 ginning +, before all things, who abideih for ever ; and j John i. 
 who, by his rfurreclion and afcstfion into heaven, is be- 1 - andv1 ^ 
 come the Eternal Lord and Governor of his church, an 35> 3 ' 
 everlafting High Pfieft and Interceffor for all true be- 
 lievers. 
 
 R 3 4. Now 
 
 * 'AyinoXcynroi, — Without any catalogue or verifier cf an- 
 cellors. [ V\ ithout father, without mother,] The care that 
 men of figure, in all ancient countries, t.x»k in registering 
 their ancefiors (and the Jews for particular reafons above 
 any other), made it a common mode of fpeech. to call fuch 
 perfons, whofe pedigree was either oh/cure or loftyfatberlefs 
 and mothrrlefs. Thus, 
 
 Patre NulJo. Matre Servfi. Liv. Lfb. IV. 
 — Nullis Majoribus brtu's. Horat. Serm. Lib. I. Sat. 6. 
 
 Duos Romanos Reges e.ffe quorum alter patrem non ha- 
 bet, alter raatrem— Nam de Servii ivlatre dubitatur, Anci 
 Pater nullus. Sen. Epift. 108. 
 
 f [Abideth a prieil for ever.] — Not Melchifedec alia- 
 eth a prieft for ever, but Melchifedec refembles Chrift 
 
 0) abideth, &c. It is an e/Ii/fs and U is undetftoO 
 Revel, i. 4, 5. where the like tllipjh may be iV a. 
 
246 A Paraphrase on the Chap. VII. 
 
 A. D 6j. 4 Nowconfiderhow 4. Now, if you confider what 
 'great this man wets, un- great refpects were paid to this 
 to whom even the pa- Melchifedec, even by your great 
 triarch Abraham gave father Abraham himielf, the very 
 the tenth of the fpoils. head of the Jewifl nation; you 
 cannot but conclude Chriit (of whom be was but a mere 
 type) to be a prieft of rar greater dignity than any *Je<u)- 
 ifb prieft can pretend to be. 
 
 5 And verily they 5. & 6. For obferve, the Jew-. 
 that are of the fons ifh priefts were appointed to take 
 of Levi, who receive tithes of their brethren, the people 
 the office of the prieft- that were defcended from Abra- 
 bood, have a com- } lam as wt \\ as t j iev . anc i fo ' m 
 mandment to take all other re f pe as on the level with 
 tithes of the people them> whereas Melchifedec, who 
 according to the law, was nQt of that fam ;f had t 
 that is, of their bre- ^ honours ; d h[ b the 
 
 tnren, though they 7 , 1 r i r v 
 
 f *\ , . J very head and iatner or it, even 
 
 come out ot the loins 1 ; A , , -, • r , f .1 . r ; 
 
 c \ 1 i by Abraham himielr. that friend 
 
 01 Abraham : J. ^ , , . , r ,' . .•' 
 
 6 But he whofe de 8^ ®* * at hr ' d fu ° h U ° ble P 10 " 
 fcent is not counted m>f« made to him. 
 from them, received tithes of Abraham, and bltffed him 
 that had the promifes. 
 
 7 And without all 7. From whence it is clear, he 
 contradiction, the lefs muft be a greater perfon than 
 is bUffed of the bet- Abraham (for it is ah undoubted 
 ter * maxim, That he that receives a fo- 
 lejnn bUJJtng from another perfon, mujt be inferior to him) 
 and if io, then how much more excellent mud Chriil 
 be, above all other priefts, when even Melchifedec him- 
 felf was but his mere type and refemblance ? 
 
 8 And here men 8. A^ain, the JeivifJj priefts, 
 that dicreceive tithes: you know, are but mortal wen, 
 but there he receiyeth and their pric fihood of a fhort 
 them, of whom it is duration. Whereas, of Chriil 
 
 ffed that he liv- ( thc perfeft Melchifedec) it is 
 
 et "' . That he is a prieft for ever, 
 
 . ; Pfal. ex. 4. 
 
 9 And 9. & 10. And 
 
Chap. VII. 
 
 Epistle to the Hebrews. 
 
 247 
 
 9 And * as I may 
 fo fay, Levi alfo who 
 receiveth tithes, paid 
 tithes to Abraham. 
 
 10 For he was yet 
 in the loins of his fa- 
 ther when Melchiie- 
 dec met him. 
 
 9. & 10. And # indeed all the A. D. 63. 
 
 Jcwfi priefts that ever were, ** 
 
 may properly enough be faid to 
 have paid tithes to, and received 
 bleiling from Melchifedec, when 
 Abrahani did it, whofe defcend- 
 ants they all were. And confe- 
 quently mud, in their office, be 
 inferior to him ; and therefore much more to Chrift. 
 
 t 1 If therefore per- 11. Now, from all this it plairr- 
 
 fection were by the ly appears, that the Mofaical 
 Levitical priefthood priefthood, and the Sacrifices of 
 the Jewijh law, were not defigncd 
 by God as the only and fuflicient 
 means of pardon, and expiation 
 for the fins of mankind •, no, nor 
 for that of the Jews themfelves : 
 
 (for under it the peo- 
 ple received the law) 
 what further need was 
 /£<?n?thatanotherprieit 
 (hould rife aftei the 
 order of Melchifedec, 
 and not be called after 
 the order of Aaron ? 
 
 for if fo, it was to no manner of 
 
 12, 13. 
 
 there is now 
 
 14. And whereas 
 fuch a change for 
 
 purpofe for God to appoint ano- 
 ther Great High Prieit like Mel- 
 chifedec, when the Levitical priefts and facrifices would 
 have done without him. 
 
 12 For the prieit- I2» IT. & 
 hood being changed, 
 there is made of ne- 
 ceifity a change alfo 
 of the law. 
 
 13 For he of whom 
 thefe things are fpok- 
 en, pertainetii ro ano- 
 ther tribe, of which 
 110 man gave attend- 
 ance at the altar. 
 
 14 For it is evident 
 that our Lord fprang 
 out of Juda : of which tribe Moies fpai^e nothing concern- 
 ing prieithuod. 
 
 R 4 15 And 
 
 the better made in the priefthood^ 
 that the fucceflion in the Aaronical 
 family, and the tribe of Levi is 
 quite out of date (as it is clear 
 from Chriit, the new and Great 
 High Pntji's not being born of 
 the tribe of Levi, but Judah) it 
 mufl thence follow, that God mufl 
 be thought to make a proportion- 
 able alteration in the religion too. 
 
 * Ver. 9. [A? I may fo fav : or «« %•* &*&*, to fpeak the 
 truth.] -. C ait II. chap. 2. But 
 
 «ur own translation is very agreeable. 
 
24$ 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. VII. 
 
 A. D. $3. 15 And it is yet 
 V " v far more evident •, for 
 that after the fimili- 
 tude of Melchifcdec 
 there arifeth another 
 pi i eft, 
 
 16 Who is made, 
 not after the law of a 
 ca al commandment, 
 b..t after the power 
 of an endlefs life. 
 
 For nothing can be 
 
 15. & 16. 
 more abfurd, than to fuppofe fo 
 coniiderable a change and ad- 
 vancement in the nature of the 
 prieflhood, without a. proportionable 
 excellency and improvement in 
 the fervices to be performed: that 
 God, in the room of a fet of frail 
 and imperfect Levites, mould fo- 
 lemnly appoint one completely 
 perfecl, powerful and immortal 
 High Pr'ufl, as Chrift island yet, that the facrifice he 
 offers, ahd the religion he inftitutes, mould be of no bet- 
 ter kind than the Mffaical one was. 
 
 17 For he teftifi- 17. To fuppofe this, would be 
 eth, Thou art a pried to lofe all the importance of the 
 for ever after the or- forementioned prophecy conce?n- 
 der of Melchifedec. mg Chrift : Thou art a Priejl for 
 ever after the order of Melchifcdec. (See chap. v. 6, 9, 10.) 
 
 18 For there .is 18. & ig. So that the very ap- 
 verily a difannulling pointment of Chrift, as zprief, is 
 
 the commandment an evident declaration that the 
 Levitical priefthood is to be now 
 abolifhed, as too imperfeel: to an- 
 fwer the great end of expiating 
 for the fins of mankind : and that 
 the Ixlcfaical facrifices and cere- 
 monies were nothing but figures 
 and introductions to that great 
 facrifice of Chrift, that procures 
 us a perfect redemption and ac- 
 ceptance with God ; and to his religion,' which confrfts 
 of complete laws, hopes and promifes. 
 
 20 And in as much 20, 21. & 22 And indeed that 
 
 as not without an oath folemn oath whereby God is faid 
 to have confirmed and ratified the 
 priefthood of Chrift (a thing never 
 ufed at the confecration of Aaron 
 or any of his fucceffors),fufHciently 
 proves, that he was to be a prieftof 
 greater dignity, and a mediator of 
 a covenant and religion far more 
 excellen 
 
 going before, for the 
 weaknefs and unpro- 
 fitableness thereof. 
 
 • 19 For the law 
 made nothing perfect, 
 but the bringing in of 
 a' better hope did ; by 
 which we draw nigh 
 unto God. 
 
 he. was made pricf. 
 
 21 (For thofe priefts 
 were made without 
 an oath: but this with 
 an oath, by him that 
 fcid unto him, The 
 Lord fware, and will 
 riot repent, Thou art 
 a prieft 
 
Chap. VII. 
 
 Efistle to the Hebrews. 
 
 249 
 
 a prleft for ever after 
 the order of Mclchi- 
 fedec). 
 
 22 By fo much was 
 Je-fus made a furety of 
 a better tellament. 
 
 23 And they truly 
 were many pnclts,be- 
 caufe they were not 
 fiiiTered to continue 
 by realon of death : 
 
 24 Eut this man, 
 becaufe he continueth 
 ever, hath an un- 
 changeable prieft- 
 hood. 
 
 25 Wherefore he is 
 able alio to fave them 
 to the uttermoft, that 
 come unto God by 
 him, feeing he ever 
 liveth to make inter- 
 cefilon for them. 
 
 26 For fuch an high 
 rielt became us, who 
 
 is holy, harmlefs, un- 
 dented, feparate from 
 fmners,and made high- 
 er than the heavens j 
 
 excellent than that of Mofes. For 
 no lefs than this can be implied " 
 in that expreffion, f € The Lord 
 fwarc, and will not repent, Thou 
 art a prieft for ever after the or- 
 der of Melchiledec," Pfal. ex. 4. 
 23. & 24. And when you con- 
 rider the Jcwi/lj frlefts to be mere 
 mortal men, dying and fucceeding 
 one another ; but Chnft, on the 
 contrary, to be exalted into heaven t 
 there to remain our eternal High 
 Piaeft f and cohftant Interceflbr with 
 God-, this will convince you of 
 the mighty difference in point of 
 excellency, between one and the 
 other. 
 
 25. This will abundantly fatis- 
 fy you in how happy a ftate we 
 Chriftians are above the Jews, in 
 having the fame Saviour that died 
 for our fins now fitting at the 
 right hand of God, as the perfect 
 Saviour and eternal IntercerTcr 
 for all his true difciples. 
 
 26. And thus is Chrift a High 
 Prieft moil exactly fuited to the 
 great purpofe of atoning for the 
 fins, and procuring the falvation 
 of mankind. Which could never 
 have been accomplished by the 
 
 external fervice of a mortal and fmful man, offering up 
 the blood of a beajl in our behalf. But is completely 
 effected by bun, who, by the undefined purity of his life, 
 and the fpotlefs innocency of his death, is our perfect 
 High Prieft ; and by his exaltation to the utmoft height 
 of heavenly glory and majefty, is become our powerful 
 and conftant InterceJJbr. 
 
 27. Such a one mult the Sa- 
 viour of mankind be, who has no 
 fins of his own to expiate for, be- 
 fore he atones for others ; nor, 
 
 that 
 
 ! I 
 
 27 Who needeth 
 
 not daily, as thofe 
 
 high priefes, to offer 
 
 up fac rifle e fir ft for 
 
 his 
 
25© A Paraphrase on the Chap. VIL 
 
 A. D. 63. his own fins, and then that offers fuch a facrifice as need 
 
 *—— v— - for the peoples : for to be repeated again and again ; 
 
 this he did once, when but one that completely redeems 
 
 he offered up himfelf. us nce for all; as Chrift did, by 
 
 the facrifice of himfelf. 
 
 28 For the law ma- 28. And accordingly, you fee 
 
 keth men high pricfts the wide difference in point of ex- 
 
 which la e infirmity •, cellency, between thofe infirm and 
 
 bat the word of the mortal priefts of the Jeivijh law, 
 
 oath which nasfmce an j fo m t \ ie Son cf God, whom 
 
 the law, maheth the t h e pf a l m ]Jl ( m wor ds fpoken 
 
 Son, who h conlecra- j ong a f tdr the law was given ) de ^ 
 
 ted for evermore. dares God the Father tQ hayc 
 
 made the only and all-fufficient Prieft, the Eternal Sa- 
 viour and IntercelTor of mankind. 
 
 CHAP. VIIL 
 
 The foregoing Arguments \ with the Inferences from them fum- 
 med up, viz. that the Priejihocd and Sacrifce of ChrJI d* 
 excccduvjiy much excel and confequentiy. have fuperfeded and 
 difv.nhuiied tvofe of the Mofaicnl Law. "That it was de- 
 fined to be fo, further proved from the Prophecies of the 
 Old Tijlament. 
 
 1 J^OW of the 1. & 2. T^HE fum* then of what 
 
 things which we ■* we are to infer from 
 
 h^ve (yoken, this is the foregoing compprifon bet wc n 
 
 the iura :, We have Chrift and Melchifedec, is this 5 
 
 fuch an high prieft, tnat we Chriftians are exceeding- 
 
 who is fet on the ly m0 re happy than the Jews could 
 
 right hand of ^ the be, in having Chrift for a High 
 
 tin ore of the- Majeity p r ; cft . not H ke thofe wea k and 
 
 in the heavens : ^^ ^ feryed - ^ 
 
 2 A mincer of the fi tiv€ fabricg of the uhc r- 
 
 fanctuaiv, and o\ the G , u - 1 1 -^ i A u 
 
 true tabernacle, which naclc ■ and temple, built by the 
 
 the hand s 
 
 * Ver. f. This is the fum : or mfakdiov, the chief and 
 principal thing. 
 
Chap. VIII. 
 
 Episti.e to the Hebrews. 
 
 2?I 
 
 the Lord pitched, and hands of men ; but one that is ex- A. D 6$. 
 
 not man. alted into heaven , the very throne 1 — y— — ' 
 and habitation of God, there to intercede for us. 
 
 3 For every high 3. & 4. Thus is he, in the mod 
 
 prieft is ordained to effectual and happy fenfe, our 
 
 offer gifts and facrifi- High Priclty////. For as the Jem* 
 
 ces: wherefore it is of jfi priefts are daily and yearly re- 
 
 necefiity that this man peating their imperfect facriiices 
 
 have fomewhat 
 to offer. 
 
 4 For if he were 
 on earth, he mould 
 not be a pried, feeing 
 
 that^there are priefts 
 that offer gifts accord- 
 ing to the law : 
 
 a "° in the temple here below ; fo does 
 he there, continually and moil 
 prevailingly offer himfelf to God 
 the Father for us. A fervice of 
 infinitely greater necelfity and ad- 
 vantage than the offering of thofe 
 earthly gifts and facrifices : a fer- 
 vice to be performed in heaven^ 
 not upon earth, like the Jeivi/Jj Cervices ; for Jewijh 
 priefts are fufficient enough for fuch kind of perform- 
 ances, as are fo imperfect as to leave the confcience of 
 the fmner frill guilty and impure. 
 
 5. Thefe JeiuiJJj priefts minif- 
 ter in a tabernacle that was only 
 an imitation* anrifhadov of what 
 God fhowed to Mofes from hea- 
 ven, on the Mount. And as this 
 tabernacle was but a mere copy 
 of fomcthing mown before ; fa 
 the fcrvices performed in it can, 
 at fart! ieft ? be no more th: .1 
 mere fhadow of fomcthing letter 
 to be hereafter. 
 
 5 Who ferve unto 
 the example * and 
 fhadow of heavenly 
 things, as Mofes was 
 admonifhed of God 
 when he was about to 
 make the tabernacle. 
 For fee (faith he) that 
 thou make all things 
 according to the pat- 
 tern mowed to thee in 
 the Mount. 
 
 6 But now hath he 
 obtained a more ex- 
 cellent mini (Iry, by 
 how much ajfo he \J 
 the mediator of a bet- 
 ter covenant, which 
 was eftablifhed upon 
 better promifes. 
 
 6. Well, then, may this Prieft- 
 hood of Chrift be more excellent, 
 and his interceffion niore effeftn- 
 al than the Moi deal, as he is J\c 
 Mediator of a covenant, and the 
 Author of a religion, fo much 
 greater in its promifes, bieflings 
 and privileges. 
 
 * Ver. <. Unto the example and fhadow, fatty/urn war*,*. 
 to, or in the copy or fhadow. 
 
-5 2 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. VIII. 
 
 A. D. 
 
 Foi 
 
 covenant 
 
 7. For, that the Mofaical re- 
 ligion was an imperfect and tem- 
 porary difpenfation, is demon- 
 ftrable from this, thai if it had 
 not been fo, there had been no 
 ■occafion for God to have fo exprefsly promifed to intro- 
 duce another and a better. 
 
 if that firft 
 had been 
 fruitless, then mould 
 no place have been 
 loaght for the fecond # 
 
 8 For finding* fault 
 with them, he faith, 
 Heboid, the days come 
 (faith the Lord) when 
 1 will make a new 
 -covenant with the 
 houfe of lira el and 
 the houfe of Judah : 
 
 9 Not a<?cpi-<3iri$ to 
 the covenant that I 
 made with their fa- 
 thers in the day when 
 I took them by the 
 hand to lead them out 
 
 3. & 9. Whereas the prophet 
 Jeremy (Jer. xxxi. 31.) after ha- 
 ving reproached die Jetvi/b na- 
 tion for their irregularities, in 
 plain words promifed them, 
 " That in after times God would" 
 give them a new and more peyfecb 
 difpenfation of religion, far fupe- 
 rior to that external and figurative 
 fervice appointed at Mount Sinai, 
 which they had fo often neglect- 
 ed, and thereby forfeited the pro- 
 tection f and favour of God. 
 
 of the land of Egypt, 
 
 becaafe tKey continued not in my covenant, f and I re- 
 garded them not, faith the Lord. 
 
 \o For this is the 10. " A religion that fhould 
 
 covenant that I will £onfi ft of laws and privileges pure- 
 ly moral and fpiritual, and per- 
 fectly agreeable to rational minds; 
 by obedience to whichj they mould 
 obtain the perfect favour of God, 
 and become his true church and 
 beloved people. 
 
 make with the 
 of Ifrael after 
 
 rays, 
 
 houfe 
 thofe 
 faith the Lord, 
 I will put 'my laws 
 into their mine, and 
 -write them in their 
 hearts : and I will be 
 to them a God and 
 they fhall be to me a people. 
 
 11. A 
 
 * Ver. 8. [For finding fault with them he faith] — Or, 
 perhaps, more tr'.ly, and agreeable to the foregoing ver'e- • 
 vipfoftiw yk(>, itttrois ?.iyu, finding fault (with that Jhji cove- 
 nant) hejaitb to them (to the Jews). 
 
 f [And I regarded them not.] So the Septuagint, which 
 the apoftle follows. We tranflate the Hebrew — Though / 
 mas a bujbnnd unto them The fame word V*6j.D being ta- 
 ken in both ienies. Pocock Mifcal. Chap. i. and in Micah, 
 
"hap. VIII. Epistle to the Hebrews. 
 
 *St 
 
 ii And they (hall 
 not teach every man 
 his neighbour, and e- 
 very man his brother, 
 laying, Know the 
 Lord ? for all fhall 
 know me from the 
 leail to the greateft. 
 
 12 For I will be 
 merciful to their uh- 
 righteoufnefs.andrheir 
 fins and their iniqui- 
 ties will I remember 
 no more. 
 
 13 In that he faith, 
 A new covenant, he 
 hath made the firft 
 old. Now that which 
 decayeth and waxeth 
 old is * ready to va- 
 nifh away. 
 
 1 1 . " A religion that mould be A - D - 6 3- 
 neither difficult to undei (land, nor ^^r**^ 
 encumbered with fuch numerous 
 ceremonies as would render it 
 hard, coitly, or tedious to prac- 
 tife ; but by its purity and plain- 
 nefs, fliould be natural and agree- 
 able to every mind, and conde- 
 scending to men of ail circum- 
 flances and capacities. 
 
 12. " In fine, a religion, the 
 fervices whereof would not leave 
 the confeiences of its worihippers 
 uncleared of guilt, as the Jeivrjb 
 facrifices did ; but would provide 
 for the full and complete expia- 
 tion for the fins of all true peni- 
 tent believers." 
 
 13. Now, it is mod evident, 
 that by promiling a new and bet- 
 ter difpenfation, God muft intend 
 to abrogate the old and more im- 
 perfect one. And accordingly the 
 ceremonial religion of the J ews is 
 now going to be * quite laid afide, 
 and the Chrijllan to fucceed in its 
 room. 
 
 C H A P, 
 
 * [Ready to vanifh away.] Which was perfectly fulfilled 
 at the deitruction of Jerufalem, and the. temple j about 
 /even years after the date of this epiille. 
 
vg4 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. IX, 
 
 CHAP. IX. 
 
 7 he Argument of Chap. viii. 5. &c. continued, viz. Proving 
 the Jewifh Tabernacle and Temple , with the Services per' 
 formed therein, to have been figurative ofChri/t, his Suffer, 
 thgs and Religion . The comparifon between them enlarged 
 upon, and the excellence of one above the ether farther de- 
 monfi rated. 
 
 A. D. 63. 1 'J'HEN verily the 
 *• V*' firlt covenant had 
 
 alfo ordinances of di- 
 vine fervice, and a 
 worldly fanftuary. 
 
 is apparent from the 
 
 T>UT to proceed. 
 *-* Mofakal* covena 
 
 That the 
 ' Mofaical * covenant and re-» 
 ligion was only typical, tempo- 
 rary, and introductory to Chrift, 
 and his more perfect difpehfation, 
 nature of the whole fervice, and 
 
 the tabernacle wherein it was performed. 
 
 2 For there was a 
 
 tabernacle made, the 
 firlt wherein was the 
 candleiiick, and the 
 table, and the (hew- 
 bre?.d ; which is call- 
 
 ed the lanftm 
 
 ■y- 
 
 2. Which tabernacle (and fo 
 the temple afterward), confined 
 of two principal parts ; the firfh 
 whereof had the golden candle- 
 ftick, and the table with the fhew- 
 bread on it : and this was called 
 the holy place, i. e. the common 
 
 place of public worfhip, (Exod. xxvi. Numb, vii.) 
 
 3. And after the fe- 
 cond vail, the taber- 
 nacle, which is called 
 the holieft of all j 
 
 4 Which had the 
 golden cenfer, and the 
 ark of the covenant 
 overlaid round about 
 ■with gold, wherein 
 
 3, 4. & 5. In the fecond, which 
 was parted from the former by a 
 large curtain, were placed the 
 golden cenfer (made ufe of only 
 upon the great day of expiation) 
 and the ark, plated Over with 
 gold; in the fide chefts where- 
 of were put the two tables of 
 
 the 
 
 * Some copies read X»n»*i, others Aw^n, without any- 
 material difference in the fenfe, 
 
Chap. IX. 
 
 Efistle to the Hebrews. 
 
 *# 
 
 was the golden pot 
 that had manna, and 
 Aaron's rod that bud- 
 tables of 
 * . 
 
 the law, the golden pot of man- A. D 63. 
 na, and Aaron's rod that budded "-— v"-—* 
 
 ed, and the 
 the covenant 
 
 5 And over it the 
 cherubims of glory 
 fhadowing the mercy- 
 feat : of which we 
 cannot nowfpeak par- 
 ticularly. 
 
 (Numb. xvii. Exod. xxv.) Over 
 which ark were placed the cheru- 
 bims, that covered the mercy-feat 
 with their wings (from whence 
 God was pleafed to make the fe- 
 veral manifestations of himfelf in 
 a cloud and light of fire). The 
 figurative fignincations of all 
 which particulars I have no time 
 
 now to explain. And this fecond part of the tabernacle 
 
 was called the Holy of Holies, i. e. The mojl holy, or the 
 
 place of extror dinar y worfhip. 
 
 6 Now when thefe 6. & 7. The firft of thefe (an- 
 
 things were thus or- fwering to the Ifraelites court in 
 the temple) was the place where 
 the priefts performed the daily fa- 
 crifices and fervices : But the lat- 
 ter (and the fame in the temple) 
 was never ufed but one day in a 
 
 dained, the priefts 
 went always into the 
 firft tabernacle, ac- 
 complifhing the fer- 
 vice of God. 
 
 7 But into the fe- 
 cond went the hig£ 
 prieft alone once eve- 
 ry year, not without 
 blood, which he of- 
 1 erred for himfelf and 
 for the errors of the 
 people. 
 
 8 The 
 
 year, the great day of expiation, 
 
 by the 
 
 high 
 
 prieft alone ; who 
 
 there offered up the blood of a 
 facrificed bead, fir It for himfifi, 
 and then another for the whole 
 congregation. 
 
 8. Now. 
 
 * Ver. 4. [Wherein was the golden pot that had man- 
 na.] Note, Bv the word wherein, cannot be meant within the 
 body of the ark it felf. For, betide other plain reafons, the 
 copy of the law muft then have been doled up, and never 
 taken out more; contrary o the very defign of laying it 
 there, a% an authentic original, ft muft, therefore, mean the 
 fide of the ark. as the word (mifefsad) in Dent. xxxi. 26. 
 lignifies, as appears by comparing it with 1 Sam. vi. 8. and 
 paraphra'ed by the Chaldee Paranhrafe, in that very place 
 of Deuteronorov. See the excellent Dr, Prideaux's Con- 
 nexion of the Old and New Teltament, Book 111. p. 146, 
 147. ift Edit. But indeed the word wherein, l»5 may very 
 well ralate not to *'S & ™ the ark. but to the '*** * Uycftw 
 *y>* before mentioned the fecond tabernacle called the mqft 
 holy ; in which ali thefe facred utenfils were 5 and whereby 
 all objections are obviated. 
 
256 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. IX 
 
 A. D 63. 8 The Holy Ghoft 
 '/"—"" ' thus fignifying, that 
 the way into the ho- 
 lieft of all, was not 
 yet made manifell, 
 while as the fir ft ta- 
 bernacle was yet 
 ftandin£ : 
 
 8. Now, that mojl holy place 
 may be an emblem of heaven. 
 And the meaning of the 
 prieJFs being fuffered alone, and 
 but once a year to enter that fo- 
 lemn apartment, and the reft of 
 the priefts and people being whol- 
 ly excluded from it, could be on- 
 ly this, viz. That the true and perfect manner of mens 
 attainment of heaven and true happinefs by the full 
 pardon of their fins, and the complete difpetiihtlon of 
 religion, was not yet clearly manifcded under the jewi/b 
 economy. 
 
 9 Which was a fi- 9. & 1 o. And for the fame rea- 
 fon, neither is it fo fiotv, * under 
 the temple ferviee, which is no- 
 thing but a mere fplendid conti- 
 nuation of that of the tabernacle, 
 confiding of external and figura- 
 tive facrifices and ceremonies, that 
 have nothing in them to expiate 
 the guilt, and clear the confeience 
 of a fmner -, but are only intro- 
 duclhns to that great facrifice, 
 and moll perfect difpenfation of 
 Jefus Chrift the Mejjiah. 
 
 gure for the time * 
 then prefent, in which 
 were offered both gifts 
 and facrifices, that 
 could not make him 
 that did the ferviee 
 perfect, as pertaining 
 to the confeience. 
 
 10 Which flood on- 
 ly in meats and drinks, 
 and divers warnings, 
 and carnal ordinances 
 impofed on them un- 
 til the time of refor- 
 mation. 
 
 11 But Chrift be- 
 ing come an high 
 pried of good things 
 to come, by a greater 
 and more perfect ta- 
 bernacle, not made 
 with hands ; that is to 
 fay, not of this huild- 
 
 12 Neither 
 
 11. & 12. For he, indeed, by 
 meddinghisownpreuousandinno- 
 cent blood for usjias perfected that 
 expiation for our fins, which the 
 blood of all the beads upon earth, 
 could no way have obtained : And 
 by being exalted into heaven itfelf, 
 and become our Interceffbr there, he 
 is a high pried of that dignity, and 
 eternal 
 
 r,<r:s vrctpa£o\h it; rtirov Jtainiv Tivhi-n kstk. Which figure re- 
 
 mains to this prefent time. 
 
Cliap. IX. Efistle Td the Hebrews. 
 
 12 Neither by the 
 blood of goats and 
 calves : but by his own 
 blood he entered in 
 once into the holy 
 place, having obtain- 
 ed eternal redemption 
 for us. 
 
 13 For if the blood 
 of bulls and of goats, 
 and the a^es of an 
 heifer, fprinkling the 
 unclean, fanclifieth to 
 the purifying of the 
 riefh; 
 
 1 4 How much more 
 {hall the blood of 
 Chrift, who through 
 the Eternal * Spirit of- 
 fered himfelf without 
 fyot to God, purge 
 your confeience from 
 dead works to ferve 
 the living; God ? 
 
 eternal prevalcncy, which the Jew- A 
 iJJj pricft, in his little earthly fa- 
 bric, with his figurative fervices, 
 can bear no companion with: The 
 difference being as wide as that 
 between the JJjjJoiv and fubfiance y 
 or as heaven is from earth. 
 
 13. & 14. For if thofe merely 
 external and typical performances 
 of facrificing, kvafiings, fprink* 
 lings , &c. were allowed fufficient 
 to cleanfe the Jews from legal de- 
 filements, and procure them rc- 
 admiilion to the fervice of the ta- 
 bernacle and temple (which was 
 the utmdft they could do) *, How 
 much more available, in propor- 
 tion, mull be the facrifice of 
 Chrift's blood, a perfou of the 
 higheit dignity, and unfpotted in- 
 nocence, raifed from the dead by 
 the power of the Eternal Spirit : 
 The Spirit under whofe conduct and direction he was, 
 and by which he was demonflrated to be indeed the Son 
 of God with poiver ; lived a fpotlefs life, offering him- 
 ielf an immaculate facrifice to God ; and then, by the 
 power of the fame Spirit, was exalted into heaven, there 
 prefenting himfelf as an InterceJJbr with the Father, to 
 expiate all thofe fins that render us obnoxious to death 
 and miiery, and to make us the true church and fer- 
 yants of God, worthy to ferve him here, and to enjoy 
 him in his heavenly fanttuary hereafter ? 
 
 2$7 
 D. 63. 
 
 15 And for this f 
 caule he is the media- 
 tor of the New Te {la- 
 ment, that by means 
 of death, for the re- 
 demption of the tranf- 
 greihons that were 
 under 
 
 Vol. II; • 
 
 15. Thus f is Chrift the Medi- \ hi *Sr$. 
 ator of the new and better cove- B y tnis ^ oc/ ' 
 riant than that of Mofes. By his 
 death are all thofe tranfgrefiions 
 forgiven, which would have en- 
 tailed death upon us, notwith- 
 flanding the expiation of the Jew- 
 is ijb 
 
 * Ver. 14. [The Eternal Spirit.] See and compare Gen. 
 xiix. 26. Habak. iii. 6. Note alfo,that many MSS. read it 
 tvytM, the Holy Spirit ; and fo the Vulgar Latin. 
 
2 S $ 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. IXc 
 
 A. D. 63. under the firft terra- 
 
 ~— ""V""— ^ment, they which are 
 
 called, might receive 
 
 the promife of eternal 
 
 inheritance. 
 
 36 For where a tef- 
 tament is, there muft 
 alfo of neccfilty be the 
 death of the teitator. 
 
 17 For a teftament 
 is of force after men 
 are dead : otherwife 
 it is of no ftrength at 
 all while the teftator 
 
 X\y2 '" the 
 
 ifh facrifices ; and all true Chrif- 
 tian believers^ vi%. whether Jews 
 under tliefifi teftament or cove- 
 nant, or Gentile believers under 
 this fecond, are blefl with the pro- 
 mife of eternal life and happinefs. 
 16. & 17. To his deaths I fay, 
 is all this owing ; nor could we 
 enjoy it, till his fufferings were 
 pad, any more than the laft will 
 and teftament of any man can be 
 valid, till the teitator be dead. 
 For thus may the bleftings of 
 Chriflianity be coniidered, either 
 as a |] covenant of God the Father, 
 that was to receive its ratification 
 Hebrew, by the blood of Chrift.r Or as the will and teftament of 
 Chrift himfeify that could not take place but at, and by 
 his death *. 
 
 18 Whereupon, nei- 1 3. And in this it agrees with 
 the Mofaical covenant, which was 
 confirmed f and ratified by fprink- 
 ling the people with the blood of 
 
 flain beafts : Thereby figuratively Jhowing the necejfity of 
 Chr'yfs bloc d for the redemption of mankind. 
 
 19 For when Mofes 
 had fpoken every pre- account in Jixod. xxiv. 
 
 after Mofes had read over the law 
 to the people, he took the blood 
 of calves and goats y mixing the 
 blood with water (to keep it from 
 congealing) ; and taking fcarlet 
 wool (to imbibe) ; and hyfiop (to 
 fprinkle it) - t and with it he 
 fprinkled the book of the law, 
 and had it (by degrees |) fprink- 
 led 
 
 ther the firft teftament 
 was f dedicated with- 
 out blood. 
 
 cept to all the people, 
 according to the law, 
 he took the blood of 
 calves and of goats, 
 with water and fcar- 
 let wool, and hyffop, 
 and fprinkled both the 
 book and all the peo- 
 pie. 
 
 19. & 20. According to that 
 account in Exod. xxiv. " That 
 
 * Ver, 25, 16, ry, 6'r. Note, I have here exprelled the 
 two acceptations whereof the words AixI^kvi, covenant or tefi 
 iament, and Atetfysiti, the teftator or pacifier, are capable of 
 in this difficult paiTage. The more critical reader may con- 
 fult the learned Mr. Pierce. 
 
 f Not dedicated without blood, lyxiKscmcrrat, i. e. Bitxm 
 y'iyow ixrv%*fa, Chryfoftom. So the Syraic Verfion. 
 
 t Jofephus Archajol, Lib, III. p. 8$. . • 
 
Chap. IX. 
 
 Epistle to the Hebrews,. 
 
 259 
 
 20 Saying, This is led upon all the people, at leaf A.D. 63. 
 the blood of the tefta- all the chief heads and reprefenta- 
 ment which God hath tives of them ; faying, " This is 
 enjoined unto you. tne blood of the covenant which 
 God hath enjoined to you ;" i. e. by this ceremony uf- 
 ed in making covenants and contracts, God on his part 
 engages to perform the promifes, and on your part to ob- 
 ferve the laws of this covenant. 
 
 21 Moreover, he a I. " In like manner, after the 
 fprinkled with blood tabernacle was built, he fprinkled 
 
 the whole tabernacle, and all the 
 utenfils of divine fervice belong- 
 
 both the tabernacle, 
 and all the veflfels of 
 the miniftry. 
 
 22 And almoft all 
 things are by the law 
 purged with blood : 
 and without fhedding 
 of blood is no remif- 
 fion. 
 
 2 2 . x\nd, you know, that accord- 
 ing to that law, all kinds of veffels 
 and appurtenances of the taber- 
 nacle whatever, were purified and 
 confecrated by being fprinkled 
 with blood (excepting fome vef- 
 fels of metal that would abide the fire, and clothes that 
 were warned in water.) And that no perfon whatever 
 was cleanfed, and legally abfolved from his fins or de- 
 filements, without a bloody facrifice. 
 
 23 It was therefore 23. Thus men obtained admif- 
 necelTary that the pa- fion to that fanftuary here below : 
 But as to heaven itfelf, we can 
 gain no entrance into that, but by- 
 being redeemed and purified by 
 the great facrifice of Chrift, in a 
 perfect and ejfeclual manner, as 
 Jewfh things and perfons were 
 jn a figurative one. 
 
 24. And thisChrift has done, by 
 his afcenfion into heaven, and be- 
 coming our Advocate with the Fa- 
 ther there ; in comparifon of which, 
 the entrance of the high pricft in- 
 S 2 to 
 
 terns of things in the 
 heavens fhould be pu- 
 rified with thefe, but 
 the heavenly things 
 therafelves with better 
 facrifices than thefe. 
 
 24 For Chrift is 
 not entered into the 
 holy places made with 
 hands, which are the 
 figures of the true, but 
 into 
 
 * Ver. 21. [Sprinkling the tabernacle.] See and compare 
 what is faid in Exod. xxiv. and xl. chapters \ in which lajl 
 chapter, ver. 9 — 11. the word fpriniiing is not indeed ex- 
 preiTed, but is (molt probably; included in the phrafes ha/- 
 lowing, fan&ifying, &c. — Compare alfo ver. 12. & 33. of 
 that chapter, with Exod. xxviii. 40, xxix, I— 20, 21 and 
 Levit, xvi. 16 — 20. 
 
£6a 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. IX. 
 
 A. D. 63. into heaven itfelf, now 
 ^z*^**-* to appear in the pre- 
 fence of God for us. 
 
 25 Nor yet that he 
 fhould offer himfclf of- 
 ten, as the high pried 
 entereth into the holy- 
 place every year with 
 the blood of others : 
 
 16 For then muft 
 he often have fuffered 
 fince the foundation 
 of the world : but * 
 now once in the end 
 of the world, hath he 
 appeared to put away 
 fin by the facrifice of 
 himfelf. 
 
 27 And as it is ap- 
 pointed unto menonce 
 to die, but after this 
 the judgment : 
 
 28 So Chrift was 
 once offered to bear 
 the fins of many ; and 
 unto them that look 
 for him fhall he ap- 
 pear the fecond time, 
 t without fin unto fal- 
 vatiori. 
 
 to the fecond tabernacle, the tnofi 
 holy place, was nothing but d 
 mere fhadow, and a figurative re- 
 femblance. 
 
 25. & 26. And fo effeclualty 
 fufficient is this his entrance into 
 heaven, to prefent himfelf to God 
 for us, that neither it, nor his 
 death in order to itj need ever be 
 repeated, as thofe of the legal 
 priefts were, every year. For 
 the one attonement he has made, 
 in this laft * and great difpenfa- 
 tion of the go/pel, by the facri- 
 fice of himfelf, is abundantly e- 
 nough for the pardon and falva- 
 tion of all mankind. 
 
 27. & 28 And thus, fo far, the 
 death of Chrift is like that of all 
 other men, viz. That as they die 
 but once, and are then to receive an 
 eternal recompenfc for what they 
 have done in this life •, fo Chrift, 
 after once dying for our fins, has 
 no more fufferings to undergo, no 
 further facrifice -j- to make, and is 
 to appear no more upon earth, till, 
 at the folemn day of judgment, he 
 comes to crown and reward all 
 his true difciples. 
 
 CHAP 
 
 * [Now in the end of the world :] \m\ rorr&.etet tav kimav. 
 In the laft age or difpenfation. 
 
 Ibid, Ver. 26. [Now once : «?me|, once for all ;] in the 
 fame fenfe with atpdirxZ, it being fo ufed in this, and in many 
 other paffages of the Nevr Teftament and LXX, with this 
 emphajis, not taken notice of by interpreters. Compare 
 1 Pet. iii. 20. Jude ver. 3. Heb. vi. 4. — vii. 27. — x. 10. 
 Pfal. lxxxix. 36. Job xl. 4. Efther iv. n. 
 
 f Appear — without Jin ; #«g/$ apx^rUs, without any fur- 
 ther offering for fin. As in 2 Cor. v. 21. Or elfe referring 
 thefe words to tt.Trix%nyjt>yXv<n.<i, [Thofe that look for him with- 
 out fin, are good and pure Christians,] if this be not too hard 
 a tranfpofition. Befide that, y^^iq upx^rixs, is naturally con- 
 nected to ik hv^x, as ocvmyxsTv ccuet£T(K$ is to »7r£* foregoing, 
 
Chap. X. Epistle to the Hebrews. 
 
 261 
 
 CHAP. X. 
 
 Thefecond Argument fill continued, vi%. Judaifm was but a 
 'figurative Introduction to Christianity. The Infufiiciency of 
 the legal Sacrifices, for the complete Atonement of Sin. 
 The Death of Chrijl, the full and final Sacrifice further 
 proved from the Old Tejlament. It gives all good Chriflians. 
 a full Affurance of Heavenly Happinefs, and is the mo/l 
 comfortable Argument for their final P erf ever ence in their 
 Profefiion. The Jewifh Chriflians again particularly ex- 
 horted to Confiancy and Patience under their Sufferings ; 
 from the great Danger of wilful Apojlacy ; from the fenfe 
 of their former Courage, and the Profpetl of their certain, 
 andfpsedy Deliverance from their Perfections. 
 
 1 JTQR the law ha- 
 ving a fhadow of 
 good * things to come, 
 and not the very image 
 of the things, can ne- 
 ver with thofe facri- 
 fices which they of- 
 fered year by year 
 continually, make the 
 comers thereunto per- 
 
 f e a. 
 
 1 For then would 
 
 they not have ceafed 
 
 to be offered? becaufe 
 
 that 
 
 1. "\TTELL then, it plainly ap- A. D. 63. 
 
 V * pears by what I have al-' •— — * 
 
 ready * faid, that the Mofaical* Cap.*iii. 
 
 priefthood and lacrifices were no- 5 ' lx " ' 9 ' 
 thing but types and fhadows of a 
 future and more perfect atone- 
 ment for the fins of mankind : 
 and therefore, though never fa 
 often repeated, they could not of 
 themf elves ^ cleanfe any fenvijh wor- 
 fliipper from his fms, and open the 
 way to heaven for him. 
 / 2. & 3. For indeed, had thofe 
 facrifices (particularly that upon 
 the great expiation day) any real 
 S 3 vir- 
 
 * [Of good things to come—] That is, fay moft inter- 
 preters, [Of the bleflings of the gofpel-religion j] Some un- 
 deriland it of Heaven, the true Holy of Holies. I have ex- 
 preffed both fenfes. 
 
 Ibid. Not the very image: xvrh rijv itxe/tm, the original, 
 the very truth of the thing.] Chryfof, Syr. Verf. Rom. i. 23. 
 
i6% 
 
 A Paraphrase oh the 
 
 Chap. X. 
 
 A. D. 63. that the worfhippers 
 ""—"Y"— —'once purged, fhould 
 have had no more 
 confcience of fins. 
 
 3 But in thofe fa~ 
 crtfices there is a re- 
 xnembranceagainmtfd? 
 of fins every year. 
 
 Whereas, upon that 
 
 virtue to that effect, they need 
 not have been # repeated fo often ; 
 when the thing was once perfect- 
 ly done, had been done for ever. 
 And again, if that repetition were 
 effectual, there could be no occa- 
 fion to abrogate them, and in- 
 troduce another in their room, 
 great annual day, the high prieft 
 
 commemorates and deplores the paft fins, both of that 
 and the foregoing years*, a plain demonftration that they 
 were not perfectly atoned for by the former facrifices. 
 
 4. And the truth is, there is 
 nothing in the blood of any beajl y 
 that can anfwer the Divine Wif- 
 dom and Juftice in demanding an 
 atonement for the fins of mankind. 
 c, 6. & 7. Accordingly the Pfal- 
 mij} (Pfal. xl.), prophetically re- 
 prefenting Chrift, as coming into 
 the world, brings him in thus ad- 
 dreflngto God the Father: " That 
 whereas the facrifices of the Jeiu- 
 iJJj law were but mere figures, no 
 way acceptable to him as a pro- 
 pitiation for the fins of mankind •, 
 the time was now come, wherein 
 he (the Son of God) was now fully 
 to accomplifh it by being made man, 
 and by yielding himfelf to fuffer, 
 in perfect fubmiffion and obedi- 
 
 4 For it is not pof- 
 fible that the blood 
 of bulls and of goats 
 mould take away fins. 
 
 5 "Wherefore when 
 he cometh into the 
 world, he faith. Sacri- 
 fice and offering thou 
 wouldft not, but % a 
 body haft thou pre- 
 pared me. 
 
 6 In burnt offerings 
 and facrifces for fin 
 thou haft had no 
 pleafure : 
 
 7 Then faid I, Lo, 
 I come (in the vo- 
 lume of the book it is 
 written of me) to do 
 thy will, O God. 
 
 ence to the Divine Will of the Fa- 
 ther :' and that he was actually mod ready, and free to 
 do it, as the fcriptures had foretold %." 
 
 8. &: 9. Now 
 
 * [For then would they not have ceafed to be offered.] 
 The 5k is not in fome copies j but it makes no material al- 
 teration in the fenfe, which I have expreffcd both ways. 
 
 X [A body haft thou prepared me.] See Dr. Allix's fenfe 
 of the Jewifh Church, &c. Chap. 27. And Bifhop Kidder, 
 Dem. Meff. Vol. II. p. 268, 269, &.c. for a full vindication 
 of this paffage, from the exceptions of the Jews. See alfo 
 the note on Chap, xi, 2i» 
 
Chap. X. 
 
 Epistle to the Hebrews, 
 
 263 
 
 8 Above, when he 8. & 9. Now thcfe words are a A. D. 6 3 . 
 faid, Sacrifice, and of- plain declaration of the utter in-'^—— v— ■ 
 fering, and burnt of- fufficiency of the Jeiutjb iacri- 
 ferings, and offering fi ces ; when Chriit 'puts his own 
 
 for fin thou wouldtt fufferings and facrifice to fupplv 
 not, neither hadft plea- t h e ir defefts. And, by doing the 
 fure therein (which are ^ ] ie abrogates ail further uie of 
 offered by the law) : t \^ ot her. 
 
 9 Then faid he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He 
 taketh away the firft, * that he may eilabli(h the iecend. 
 
 io. And, confequently, we are 
 not to regard them as the means of 
 ourjuftification and happinefs \ but 
 to rely upon this obedient act of 
 jChrift fufrering in ourfleuV, an a eft 
 that need never be repeated ; having, once f and for ever, 
 procured the pardon and falvation of all true believers. 
 ii And every prieft n, 12, 13. & 14. Confider a~ 
 
 gain, therefore, the great differ- 
 ence between the happy and glo- 
 rious effects of this office of Chriit 
 and that of the Jewtjfb prielts. 
 They were obliged to repeat their 
 iacrifices every day or year. A 
 clear evidence that their efficacy 
 for the perfect pardon of fin was 
 but fmall : whereas Chrift, by 
 once offering his own life, was fo 
 acceptable to God, as to be raifed 
 again from the dead, exalted to 
 the higheft degree of heavenly 
 glory and majefty, inverted with 
 the full dominion over all his and 
 S 4 
 
 10 By the which 
 will we are fanctified, 
 through the offering 
 of the body of Jefus 
 Chrift. once for a//j- % 
 
 rtandeth daily % mi- 
 niftring and offering 
 oftentimes the fame 
 iacrihees, which can 
 never take away fins : 
 
 12 But this man 
 after he had offered 
 one facrifice for fins, 
 for ever fat down on 
 the right hand of 
 
 God y 
 
 13 From hence- 
 forth expecling till 
 his enemies be made 
 his footftool. 
 
 our 
 
 * Ver. 9. [Taketh. away the firftJ \ i. e. He abrogate s 
 the firft will or law of God, viz. the law of Jewifti facri- 
 fice*, and eftablifhes the fecond will, viz. the facrifice of 
 Chrift — [By the which will we are fan&ified, &c] in the 
 following w T ords. Thus the ingenious Mr. Pierce has cou- 
 necled the fenfe; with which my paraphrafe fully agrees, 
 though the empnafis be not laid upon the fame fubftantive. 
 
 f Note, [Once for all.] See Chap. ix. 26. — vi. 4. — x. 
 IO. 1 Pet. i. 12. — iii. 18, 20. Jude, ver. 3. 
 
 % Ver. 11. [Daily miniftring K*6>if&{*v, from time to 
 time, — i. e. yearly upon the great expiation day. 
 
26*4 
 
 A Faraphhase ON TH5 
 
 Chap. X, 
 
 A. D. 6$. 14 For by one of- 
 *— ~v — fering be hrtth per- 
 fect ed for ;yei them 
 thil are fanctified. 
 
 i , H^/vo/the Holy 
 Gholl alfo is a witnefs 
 to us : for after that 
 I! Cap. viii. jjg ^ ac i f a jd before, 
 8,9,&c. l6 This is the co- 
 
 venant that I will 
 make with them af- 
 ter thofe days, faith 
 the Lord, I will put my 
 Jaws into their hearts, 
 and in their minds 
 will I write them : 
 
 our enemies, fin, Satan, wicked 
 men, and death itfelf; and fo is 
 the complete Redeemer of all that 
 embrace his religion. 
 
 15, 16. & 17. For this and no 
 other, is the fenfe of that fore- 
 mentioned || divine prophecy (Jer. 
 xxx i.), where, after having ex-* 
 prejfed the excellency , plainnefsy and 
 fimplicity of the gofpel religion, it 
 
 is added, " and their fins and ini- 
 quities will I remember no more y 
 i. e. There fhail be one perfecl 
 and complete atonement made for 
 them. 
 
 17 And their fins and iniquities will I remember no more. 
 38 Now where re- 18. And if fo, there can be no 
 
 miffion of thefe is, further occafion for thefe legal fa- 
 there is no more offer- crihees and ceremonies which the 
 ing for fin. Jews and many of the Jewijfc 
 
 Ghriftians are fo excelTiveiy zealous for. 
 
 19 Having, there- 19, 20. Sc 21. Wherefore, dear 
 
 fore, brethren, bold- brethren, fince our pardon and en- 
 trance into the heavenly (late of 
 happinefs is thus fully procured, 
 by fo wife and efTe&ual a method 
 as this of Chrift's death ; fince he 
 has taken down the partition, f 
 and prepared the way by fullering 
 upon earth, and by being exalted 
 into heaven, and becoming the 
 High Prieft, Governor and Inter- 
 ceiTor for the Chriftian church ; 
 22. & 23. 
 
 nefs to enter into the 
 holieft by the blood 
 of Jeftss, 
 
 20 By a * new and 
 living way f which he 
 hath confecrated for 
 •us through the vail, 
 that is to fay, his flem 5 
 
 21 And having an 
 high prieft over the 
 houfe of God : 
 
 * Ver. 20. [By a new and living way.] A mod empha- 
 tical expreflion to denote the happy difference between the 
 jfewi/h entrance into the mo/l holy place of the temple^ and 
 a Chriftiari's entrance into heaven. If any Ifraelite, befide 
 the high priejl, dared to enter into that inner fancluary, he 
 buffered death: every Chrijlian's entrance into heaven gives 
 him eternal life. 
 
 -f- [Which he hath confecrated - ,] %t\nxcdtivtt t which .:e 
 hath prepared, w x«T«w%svfl6re», %<; jj'{|«t«. Chryfoft. and which 
 he himfelf began to enter by. 
 
Chap. X. Epistle to the Hebiews. 
 
 26| 
 
 22 Let us draw 
 near with a true heart, 
 in full affurance of 
 faith, having our 
 hearts fprinkled from 
 an evil conference, 
 and our bodies warned 
 
 22. & 23. How fteadily ought A. D. 63. 
 we to embrace his religion, where- *""— " v— * 
 by fo perfect a reconciliation is 
 obtained for us; worshipping God 
 through him, with full and unfha- 
 ken confidence in thofe promifes 
 that can never fail and deceive 
 
 ? 
 
 us r 
 
 with pure water 
 
 23 Let us hold faft 
 the profeilion of our faith without wavering (for he is 
 faithful that promifeth.J 
 
 24 And let us con- 24. And, as this ought to efta- 
 fider one another, to blifh your faith in God and Chrift, 
 provoke unto love, under all your perfecutions y fo 
 and to good works : ought it to make you, by your 
 exemplary practice, to encourage and fpirit up one ano- 
 ther to perfect love and charity towards all your Chrif- 
 tian brethren; without any further partial diitinction 
 between Jeiuj/h and Gentile believers. 
 
 25 Not forfaking 
 the afiembling of our* 
 felves together, as the 
 manner of fome is ; 
 but exhorting one ano- 
 ther: and fo much the 
 more as you fee the 
 day approaching. 
 
 25. In fine, it ought to bv 
 
 prefervative again!! the coward- 
 ice, the Jewifb Chriftians now too 
 commonly difcover, by forfaking 
 the profeiuon and || worihip of ]| ktpvm* 
 Chriflianity, and returning to thaty*?*-?. 
 of the fynagague and temple i for 
 fear of perfecution ; and cure them 
 of that prejudice againft the Gentik Christians, which 
 they carry fo far as to refufc to join with them in their 
 worfhip and devotion. And it ihould be the ftrongev 
 argument upon them to remember how near the time 
 is drawing, wherein our Lord himfelf has declared there 
 ihould be an end put even to the temple, and the whole 
 Jeivi/h difpenfation t> / J Sec Matt. 
 
 26 For if we fin 26. Sc 27. Let me again * re- xxiv - J ob 
 wilfully after that we rnind you of the fatal confequence f^* %-^ 
 of wilfully and deliberately re- 5, 6, 7. 
 nouncing a religion fo clearly at- 
 tended and confirmed to you. If 
 you flight, and once neglect the 
 means of falvation now offered 
 you by Chrift, you lofe the lafl 
 and only method God will eve 
 propofe for your redemption; and 
 
 mui*. 
 
 have received the 
 knowledge of the 
 truth, there rernain- 
 cth no mere facriiice 
 for fins, 
 
 27 But a certain 
 
 fearful looking for of 
 
 judgment and fiery 
 
 indignation, which 
 
 fhftU 
 
i66 
 
 A Paraphrase <5n the 
 
 Chap. X. 
 
 A.D. 63. fhall devour the ad- muft expect to perifh by that di- 
 v "'verfaries. vine wrath and vengeance, that 
 
 awaits the obflinate adverfaries of true religion. 
 
 Aith- 
 two 
 
 28 He that d 
 Mofes law, diet 
 out mercy, urd 
 or three witneffes : 
 Cap.ii.3. 20 Of how much 
 forer puniihment, fup- 
 pofe ye, fhall he be 
 thought worthy, who 
 hathtrodden underfoot 
 the Son of God, and 
 hath counted the blood 
 of the covenant where- 
 with he was fanclified, 
 an unholy thing, and 
 hath done defpite unto 
 the Spirit of grace ? 
 
 28. & 29. And how great that 
 will be, you may conclude from 
 God's dealing with apoflates, and 
 prefumptuous * offenders again!! 
 the Jciui/b law. Whoever was 
 icted of fuch a crime by the 
 teitimony of two or three witnef- 
 fes, was ordered to bejlain with- 
 out mercy, Numb. xv. Deut. xvii. 
 How much more dreadful and ex- 
 emplary do you think, muft be 
 thayW/deflruclion of thofe, who 
 now, contemptuoully,and againft 
 the cleared: evidences, reject the 
 'authority of Chrift the MeJ/iah, 
 the very Son of God, profaning and treating his pre- 
 cious blood, that ratified this gracious covenant of their 
 redemption, as the blood of an ordinary perfon, nay, of 
 a malefa&or ; and doing the utmoft contempt to *the 
 Holy Spirit fo gracioufly given ; by undervaluing the 
 great and miraculous powers, which fo amply demon- 
 strated the truth of their holy profeflion ? 
 
 30 For we know 30. Remember thofe fevere 
 him that hath faid, words (Deut. xxxii. 35, 36.), 
 Vengeance belongeth wherein God declares, that " To. 
 him belongeth vengeance and re- 
 compence." And again, " The 
 Lord will judge his (difobedient) 
 people." 
 
 unto me, 
 
 compenfe 
 
 I will re- 
 faith the 
 Lord. And again, 
 The Lord fhall judge 
 his people. 
 
 31 It is a fearful 
 thing to fall into the 
 hands of the living 
 God. 
 
 3 1 . Confider duly, and in time, 
 how fearful a thing it is to fall 
 under the final difpleafure of an 
 infinite Governor, whokjitfth-e, 
 
 upon obflinate and incurable offenders, is eternally dur- 
 able, as his exijtence is. 
 
 32. And, the better to fupport 
 yourfelves under your prefent 
 perfecutions, recollect and com- 
 fort your fpirits with a fenfe of 
 
 that 
 
 32 But call to re- 
 membrance the former 
 days, in which after ye 
 were illuminated, ye 
 endured 
 
Chap. X. EnsTLE to the Hebrews* 267 
 
 endured a great fight that generous Chriftian courage A- P, _ 63 -, 
 
 of afflictions : that carried you through the fuf- A # sviii 
 ferings which befel you || at your firft converfion. ". 
 
 33 Partly whilft ye 33. When you were expofed, * Thef - 11 ' 
 
 were made a gazing- vilified and abufed, by the raging 4 ' 
 
 flock, both by re- malice of the Jews •, and bravely 
 
 proaches and affliai- adhered to us tlie apojllcs of Chrift, 
 
 ons ; and partly whilft t h at wcre tne n treated in the fame 
 
 ye became compani- manner , Acts v. 41.— Chap. xiv. 
 
 ons of them that were ^ ^ and _Chap. xvii. 10,14, 15. 
 
 34 For ye had 34. When you were fo truly 
 compalTion of me in courageous, as to own and relieve 
 my bonds, and took thofe apojtles (and me in particu- 
 joyfully the fpoiling hr) that were imprifoned in Ju- 
 of your goods, know- dea for Chrift's * religion ; and 
 ing in yourfelves * were fo entirely convinced of the 
 that ye have in hea- certa i nt y f that eternal happinefs 
 ven a better and an of heaven> prcm if ed in the go f pd 
 enduring fubftance. as cheerfu]ly to part wkh ali you 
 
 had in this world for the fake of it. 
 
 35 Caft not away 35. After fuch fignal inftances, 
 therefore your confi- therefore, of courage and refolu- 
 dence, which hath ticn, in owning a religion you 
 great recompence of know to be attended with fuch 
 reward. ample and glorious rewards ; how 
 little and mean would it now be, to flirink back and for- 
 feit fuch hopes ! 
 
 36 For ye have 36. Confider, that courage and 
 
 need of patience ; that patience is the only thing that is 
 after ye have done the to carry you through, and bring 
 will of God, ye might you to the heavenly (late ; which 
 receive the promife. . is the recompence for fubmitting 
 37 For to theDivineWill and Providence. 
 
 37, Nor 
 
 * Ver. 34. [Knowing in yourfelves, or rather knowing 
 that you yourfelves (that are thus perfecuted) have in hea- 
 ven a better—fubftance.] So the Alexand. MSS. read it 
 fcprfc, as alfo the Syr. ^rab. and Clem. Alexandrinus. 
 
A Paraphrase on the Chap. X 
 
 37 For yet a little 37. Norbedifcouraged,thatyou 
 'while, and f he that are not immediately refcued from 
 (hall come, will come, your perfections ; for though it 
 and % will not tarry. be not immediate, yet be allured, 
 your deliverence will not only be certain, but fpeedy 
 enough too. According to tliofe words of the prophet, 
 Hab. ii. 3. fpoken of the coming of Chrift, " Though 
 he tarry, wait for him. For he that cometh (i. e. 
 I Chrift) will come, and will not tarry % long." 
 
 38 Now the juft. 38. And forget not the follow- 
 fhall live by faith, but ing words, ver. 4. " Now the juft 
 if any man draw back, fhall live by his faith," i. e. By a 
 xny foul {hall have no fi rm an d refolute belief of, and ad- 
 pleafure in him. herence to the revelation of God's 
 will, when fufficiently made to him, and by a faithful 
 perfeverance in a practice agreeable to fuch belief. " But 
 if any man draw ]) back, my foul fhall have no pleafure 
 in him," i. e. Whoever, after the entertainment of di- 
 vine truth, hypocritically conceals, or cowardly re- 
 nounces the profeftion of it, {hall forfeit all the blef- 
 fings to which it entitled him. 
 
 39 But we are not 39. And, brethren, I hope the 
 Cip.vi.9-0f them who draw generality of * you, that have thus 
 
 back unto perdition : f ar flood out, under your former 
 
 but of them that be- perfections, will not now at laft 
 
 lieve, to the faving of be loft for want of courage, but 
 
 the foul. w ju rea p t he final falvation pro- 
 
 mifed in the gofpel, by a fteady perfeverance in its 
 faith and principles. 
 
 6 CHAP, 
 
 f [He that cometh]. See Mat. xi. 3. Luke vii. 19. 
 
 t [Will not tarry : * %g»w'£, 'will not (lay too long.] Sept, 
 
 (J in* •j'xofiiMTM, if, or whenever, he draws back. 
 
Chap. XL Epistle to the Hebrew** 269 
 
 CHAP. XL 
 
 The Apojlle's Third Argument, for encouraging the Chrijlians 
 ofjudea to Perfeverance in their ProfeJJion, under all their 
 P erf edition, viz. The numerous Examples of all the Pa- 
 triarchs and holy Men recorded in Scripture, or in the Apo- 
 cryphal Writings, as the mofl eminent Servants of God, 
 That they all were jujlified by the fame Principle of Faith 
 in God's Revelation •, for fuffering under the fame Hopes 
 of future and invi/ible Bleflings, that Chriftianity now pro- 
 pofeth : and for the very fame, fhall they, and all good 
 Chrifiians, be finally and completely rewarded together at the 
 Great Day of Judgment. 
 
 1 J^OW faith is the 1. T Said f, it was a fteady faith a.D. 63. 
 
 fubftance * of A in Chrift, and a refolute' /-— 
 
 things hoped for, the profeflion of his religion, that mud f Chap.s 
 evidence of things not procure your falvation. And* 9 * 
 ** een - whereas the Jewijh zealots are 
 
 wont to affright you, by confidently affirming, " That 
 to embrace Chriftianity, is to apoftatize from Mofes and 
 from God :" it will be enough to filence that vain pre- 
 tence, to confider, that to be a Chriftian, is the erercife 
 and refult of no other principle of faith, but what jufti- 
 fied all the patriarchs, and holy men of old ; viz, " Such 
 a rational and fteady belief," either of things long fince 
 paft, " or of the invisible bleflings of a future life, pro- 
 portionable to the evidences God has given us of them, 
 as will a£luate us into obedience, and make us ready 
 to fufFer for the profeflion of fuch a belief." 
 
 2. For 
 
 * Ver. 1. [The fubftance of things hoped for : £?!••«•««$, 
 The firm aiTurance, or expectation.] So this word is trul j 
 rendered, Pfal. xxxix. 7. Ruth i. 12. Ezek. xix. 5, in the 
 LXX. and Chap. iii. 14. of this epiftle. 
 
S7° 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap, XL 
 
 
 2 For by it the el- 
 'ders obtained a good 
 report. 
 
 
 3 Through faith 
 we underftand that 
 the worlds were fram- 
 ed by the word of 
 God, fo that things 
 which are feen were 
 f <bpvip.x. not made of things 
 which do appear. 
 
 % Gen. i. 2. now fee it, by Chrifl J the Word, and S 
 &c.johni. verns all the difpenfations of it ? 
 
 2. For this great virtue the an- 
 ceftors of your nation (land re- 
 corded, as fuch eminent examples 
 of piety and true religion. 
 
 3. What is it, but divine reve- 
 lation, that makes us abfolutely 
 certain, that the world * was not 
 by chance, nor a fortuitous jum- 
 ble of pre-exiiting matter, but 
 made in time, by the power and 
 command f of God, and put into 
 this beauteous form wherein we 
 
 on of God, who go- 
 
 4. Ac- 
 
 yes- 
 
 4 By faith Abel of- 
 fered unto God a 
 more excellent facri- 
 fice than Cain, by 
 which he obtained 
 witnefs that he was 
 righteous, God teffci- 
 fying of his gifts : and 
 by it he being dead, 
 yet fpeaketh. 
 
 the principle that makes 
 
 5 By faith Enoch 
 was tranflated, that he 
 mould not fee death, 
 and was not found, be- 
 caufe God had tranf- 
 
 4. The ferious belief of divine 
 revelation rendered the facrifice of 
 Abel acceptable, and the want of 
 it caufed Cain's to be rejected. 
 God demonftrating his acceptance 
 of him as a pious and good man, 
 by caufmg fire from |{ heaven to 
 confume his facrifice. And though 
 Abel be dead, yet is his facrifice 
 a {landing evidence, That this is 
 
 our fer vices acceptable to God, 
 
 5 . As a reward of this very fame 
 virtue, was Enoch tranflated from 
 earth, without dying according to 
 the common couri'e of nature. 
 Gen. v. 22. 24. 
 
 §iSeever.l 
 
 lated him : for before 
 
 his tranilation fee had this teftimony, that he pleafed GxL 
 6. And indeed, nothing is plain- 
 er, than that a firm perfuafion of 
 the exi/lence of God (though he be 
 § invifible to us), and a lively 
 hope andafTurance, proportionable 
 
 6 But without faith 
 it is impoiiible to 
 plcafe him : for he 
 that ccmeth to God, 
 muft believe that he 
 is, and that he is a re- 
 
 warder of them that 
 diligently feek. him. 
 
 to the knowledge men have of 
 his nature and will, that he will 
 reward 
 
 [| 'EnTT^wi. Verfion, Theodof. See Gen. xv. 17. Lev. ix, 
 24. Pfal. xx. 3, 
 
Chap. XL Epistle to the Hebrews. 271 
 
 reward all his true and fincere worfhippers (though that A. D. 63. 
 reward h& future and at a diftance), is the firft and molt' v m *. 
 neceflary principle of all true religion. 
 
 7 By faith Noah be- 7. Upon this it was, that Noah 
 ing warned of God prepared the ark, faved himfelf 
 of things not feen as f rom the deftruction of this world, 
 yet, moved with fear, and obtained the happinefs of the 
 prepared an ark to the mxt; while the reft of mankind 
 laving of his houfe, were juflly left to perifti in their 
 by the which he con- unreafonable mfide li ty . 
 dernnedthe wond, and J 
 
 became heir of the righteoufnefs which is by faith. 
 
 8 By faith * Abra- 8. & 9. By this Abraham left 
 ham when he was call- his native country, went and dwelt 
 ed to go out into a a s a ftranger, in a mean and ob- 
 place which he mould f cure manner, in a foreign land ; 
 after receive for an even before he knew what the 
 inheritance, obeyed, knd waS) or was acquainted with 
 and he went out, not the - f ^ ^ n • 
 knowing whither he ^ { J y ^^ ^ ^ J 
 
 "™ By faith he fo- Gen :. xii ' x * with Gen * xxvi ' 3- 
 journed in the land Xxv111, ?3- 
 
 of promife, as in a ftrange country, dwelling in tabernacles 
 with Ifaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the fame pro- 
 mife. 
 
 10 For he looked I o. It was fufficient to that rea- 
 for a city which hath fonable and good man, that God 
 foundations, whofe had promifed him, in general, To 
 builder and maker is be his Jhield and exceeding great re- 
 God, ward, Gen. xv. 1. And his eye was 
 upon the certain and unchangeable ftate of future happi- 
 nefs. 
 
 11 Through faith r 1 1. & 12. In reward of the fame 
 alfo Sarah herfelf re- faith in the repeated promife of 
 ceivedftrengthtocon- God, Sarah was enabled to con- 
 ceive feed, and was ce i ve and bear a fon, when both 
 delivered of a child fhe and her hulband were natural- 
 when me was pail age, ly incapa hl e of fuch a thing, 
 
 be " through 
 
 * Ver. 8. [Abraham when he was called, or 9 xctteptvos *A~ 
 Ggxxp, he that was called Abraham.] The words have a 
 great emphafis : he whom God was pleafed to call The 
 Great Father, The Father of many Nations, The Father of 
 the Faithful. See Gtn. xvii. 3, 4, 5, 6. with my paraphraf- 
 and note there. 
 
27' 
 
 A PARA7H&ASE Otf THE 
 
 Chap. XI. 
 
 A. D> 63. becaufefhe judged him 
 v — v— ' faithful who hath pro- 
 mifed. 
 
 12 Therefore fprang 
 there even of * one, 
 and him as good as 
 dead, fo many as the 
 ftars of the fky in 
 multitude, and as the 
 
 through their great age : And 
 from them came an innumerable 
 poflerity, which, without an ex- 
 traordinary ac"r. of divine power, 
 could no more have been expect- 
 ed from two fuch fuperannuatcd 
 people, than if they had been ac- 
 tually dead *. 
 
 fand which is by the fea fiiore innumerable. 
 
 13 Thefe all died 
 in faith, not having 
 received the promif- 
 es, but having feen 
 them afar off, and 
 were pcrfuaded of 
 them, and embraced 
 them, and confefled 
 that they were Gran- 
 gers and pilgrims on 
 
 13. & 14. All thefe foremention- 
 ed worthies died in this noble prin- 
 ciple » full of the hopes, and pof- 
 ftffed with the profpecl: of future 
 and eternal felicities. Upon thefe 
 dijlant joys they a£ted ; for thefe 
 they gave up all worldly enjoy- 
 ments, and looked upon the pre- 
 fent life as nothing but a paflage 
 into a better. 
 
 the earth. 
 
 14 For they that fay fuch things, decla're plainly that they 
 
 feek a f country. 
 
 15. & 16. For it is very clear, it 
 could not be temporal hopes, thefe 
 great fouls were acted by; becaufe 
 Abraham, for inftance,had a much 
 more fair and natural profpecl: of 
 that kind, in his own native coun- 
 try, than he could be fuppofed to 
 have in a foreign land, among a 
 barbarous and uncultivated people. 
 Nor could it amount to much, for 
 God to ftyle himfelf their God§, 
 u e. in an eminent ft nfe y their Great 
 Protector and. Re warder; if he had 
 nothing 
 
 15 And truly if 
 they had been mind- 
 ful of that country, 
 from whence they 
 came out, they might 
 have had opportunity 
 to have returned : 
 
 16 But now they 
 defire a better coun- 
 try, that is an hea- 
 venly : wherefore God 
 
 {See Mat. is not afhamed to be 
 *ai. 3*- called their God; for 
 
 he hath prepared for 
 
 them a city. 
 
 * Ver. 1 2. £JEven of one, a<p evos, from that fingle per- 
 fon, and from him in a manner dead.]— ——So the word 
 hi is ufed, Gal. iii. 20. and in many other paiTages. 
 
 f Ver. 14. [That they feek a country.] — A very flat tran- 
 flation ! It is Uxt^x, [A country ©f their father's, their na- 
 tive and proper home] : So heaven is the proper country or 
 habitation of grod men } the place where (God) their Father 
 (dwells. 
 
Chap. XI. Epistle to the Hebrews. 
 
 *7; 
 
 nothing to beftow on them but a few iemppral bleflings, ^r>. 63. 
 and thofe too mixed up with many troubles and amic-*"" — v~~ 
 tions common to human life. All their proceedings, 
 therefore, befpeak their main and ultimate hopes to 
 have been in the future and invifible glories of another 
 world, even the very fame that the go/pel now more 
 explicitly propofes to us Qhrifiians, 
 
 17 By faith Abra- 17. & t8. To proceed, there- 
 
 ham, when he was tri- fore : This ferious perfuafion of 
 the divine truth and Providence, 
 made Abraham, at the inftance 
 of the divine command, ready, 
 with his own hands, to facrifice 
 the very fori, in whom alone he 
 expecled to fee the great promife 
 fulfilled to him. 
 
 19. Mod dutifully and ration- 
 ally confidering that the fame Di- 
 vine Power that caufed Ifaac to 
 be conceived and born, in a man- 
 ner as wonderful as that of raif- 
 ing the dead to life again, could 
 either reftore him to him again, or elfe fulfil the pro- 
 mife in fome other way, that would be as good and 
 happy for him. And accordingly, as the birth of Ifaac 
 from the dead womb of Sarah "was a gift of new and 
 miraculous life ; fo the refcue of Ifaac, by the voice of 
 an angel, was the fame thing to Abraham as if he had 
 been actually flain, and then reftored to life. 
 
 20 By faith Ifaac 20. &, 21. With this firm af- 
 bleffed Jacob and Efau furance, That God would make 
 .good ail his benedictions (though 
 perhaps he knew not precifely 
 when) did ffaac, in a propheti- 
 cal way, and with religious re- 
 verence, pronounce the bleffings 
 on his fons Jacob and Efau ; as 
 Jacob did afterwards upon Eph- 
 raim and Mariaffes f. fQ.« 
 
 T 22. So3°- 
 
 ed, offered up Ifaac 
 and he that had re- 
 ceived the promifes, 
 offered up his only be- 
 gotten fon : 
 
 18 Of whom it was 
 faid, that in Ifaac (hall 
 thy feed be called. 
 
 19 Accounting that 
 God was able to raife 
 him up, even from the 
 dead : from whence al- 
 io he received him in 
 a figure. 
 
 concerning things to 
 come. 
 
 21 By faith Jacob, 
 when he was dying, 
 bleiTed both the fons 
 of Jofeph, and wor- 
 shipped * leaning up- 
 on the top of his Ilatf. 
 
 Vol. II. 
 
 * Ver. 21. [Leaning upon the top of his ffoif.J In the 
 Hebrew it is, " Ifrael bowed himfelf upon his bed's head." 
 The word HI0D> by l ^ e change of one point, fignifying eu 
 
 the* 
 
274 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Ghap.X 
 
 A.D. 63. 22 By faith Jofeph, 
 *"*^ r **J when he died, made 
 mention of the depart- 
 ing of the children of 
 Ifrael : and gave com- 
 mandment concerning 
 his bones. 
 
 23 By faith Mofes, 
 when he was born, 
 was hid three months 
 of his parents, becaufe 
 they faw he was a 
 proper child, and they 
 were not afraid of the 
 kings commandment. 
 
 24 By faith Mofes, 
 when he was come to 
 years, refufed to be 
 called the fon of Pha- 
 raoh's daughter : 
 
 25 Choofing rather 
 to fuffer affliction with 
 the people of God, than 
 to enjoy the pleafures 
 of fin for a feafon 3 
 
 26 Efleeming the 
 
 reproach * of Chrift 
 
 greater 
 
 22. So did Jofeph, juft before 
 his death, foretel the deliverance 
 of the Ifraelites out of Egypt, 
 and ordered his own bones to be 
 carried with them into Canaan, 
 as a teftimony how fully he af- 
 fured himfelf of theirarrival there, 
 according to the divine promife. 
 
 23. Thus Mofes's parents, in 
 defiance of that barbarous edicl: 
 of Pharaoh, refolved not to deli- 
 ver up fo lovely and beautiful a 
 child, but hid him three months 
 by the fide of the river Nile, in 
 hopes that God would providen- 
 tially provide for his efcape. 
 
 24. 25. & 26. Thus Mofes, 
 when he came at age, refufed the 
 great privilege of being adopted 
 into the royal family of the E- 
 gyptian monarchs, owned himfelf 
 to be a Hebrew born, and not 
 Pharaoh's grandchild ; choofing 
 rather to (hare in all the difficul- 
 ties the Ifraelites, * whom he 
 knew to be God's true church 
 and peorjle, were to undergo, than 
 to enjoy the vicious and tempo- 
 rary 
 
 ther a bed, or a faff, the LXX. read it in the latter fenfe : 
 And it was that verfion the writers of the New Teftament 
 generally made ufe of. Of their method of quoting the Old 
 Teframent paffages, though not abfolutely verbatim, yet ever 
 fo as to make no alteration in the fenfe and purpofe they are 
 quoted for. The learned reader may confult Glaffius Philog. 
 Sac. p. 1472, &c edit Francof. 1653. -^ ut indeed the more 
 true rendering mould be " w T or(hippiog upon the top of his 
 rtaff." See Mr. Hallet's Supplement to Mr. Pierce on the 
 Hebrews, in loc. 
 
 * [The reproach of Chrifl::] t« Xg<d? ■, of the anointed 
 (people) i. e. the Ifraelites, Pfal. cv. Or rather thus, of 
 Chrifl, i. e. fuch reproaches as Chrifl ians now fuffer for the 
 fake of Chrift and his religion ; or iuch reproaches as Chriit, 
 himfelf fuffered while he was upon earth ; or, lqftiy % the re- 
 proach Mofes was likely to fuffer for thus acting from a 
 principle of faith in the fyUJJiab to come. 
 
Chap. XI. 
 
 Epistle to the Hebrews. 
 
 75 
 
 greater riches than the rary pleafures of the Egyptian A - D. 63. 
 treafures in Egypt: for court. And, with what view was' v ' 
 he had refpeft unto the this? Not of any worldly ad- 
 reward, vantage or prefent happinefs: for 
 Mofes refufed thehighelt of thefe, by flighting the glories 
 of Egypt. And as for the land of Canaan, he faw it at 
 a diftance, but never enjoyed it. His aim, therefore, was 
 at heaven, then, as that of all good Chriftians is now. 
 
 27 By faith he for- 27, 28. &c 29. With this reli- 
 
 fook Egypt, not fear. g,' us faith in the revelations of 
 
 the invihble f God, he led thef See ver.i. 
 Israelites out of Egypt ; dreaded 
 not the powerful army that pur- 
 fued him ; kept the pafiover, or- 
 dered the blood to be fprinkled 
 oh the door-pofts of each houfe, 
 as a fure tokeri of their exemp- 
 tion from the plague that raged 
 around them ; had the Red Sea 
 miraculoufly divided for his paf« 
 fage ; and the return of the wa- 
 ters to deftroy his purfuers. 
 
 ing the wrath of the 
 king, for he endured, 
 
 feeii 
 
 ho is 
 
 lrfvifible. 
 
 28 Through faith 
 he kept the paflover, 
 and the fprinkling of 
 blood, left he that de- 
 ilroyed the firft-born 
 fhould touch them. 
 
 29 By faith they 
 patted through the Red 
 Sea, as by dry land, 
 
 which the Egyptians affaying to do, were drowned. 
 
 30 By faith the 
 walls of Jericho fell 
 down after they were 
 Compared about feven 
 days. 
 
 31 By faith the har- 
 lot Rahab perimed not 
 with them that believ- 
 
 30. & 31. God, in reward of 
 the Ifraelites faith in the divine 
 promifes, made the walls of Jeri- 
 cho fall (Jo(h. vi. 5.) And by 
 owning the true God, upon fuffi- 
 cient teflimonies given her, the 
 very harlot Rahab faved her life. 
 
 cd net, when fhe had 
 received the fpies with peace. 
 
 32 And what (hall 32,33, 34, 35, 36, 37. & 38. In 
 fine) it would be endlefs for me to 
 go through the nunaberlefs inftan- 
 ces of the like kind, recorded in 
 the Old Tell am en t. The miracu- 
 lous victories obtained by fome, 
 the marvellous deliverances of o- 
 thers, and the wonderful and di- 
 T a- via* 
 
 I more fay ? for the 
 time would fail me to 
 tell of Gideon, and of 
 Barak, and of Samp- 
 fon, and of Jephthah, 
 of David alfo and Sa- 
 muel, and of the pro- 
 phets. 
 
 33 Who 
 
276 A Paraphrase on the Chap. XT, 
 
 A. D. 63. 33 Who through vine courage expreiTed by the 
 
 **^r*J faith fubdued king- reft, under the nioft terrible af- 
 
 doms, wrought righ- fliaions, and moil exquifite fuf- 
 
 teoufnefs, obtained f er ings for the fake of God and 
 
 promiics, flopped the religion . be ; ug all the re f u lt of 
 
 mouths of lions. Ms ^ feme principle .< of a 
 
 24 Ouenched toe c 1% r m - . t .-*• • 
 
 . .^ ^- r r r realonaole faith in the divine re- 
 
 violence or lire, eica- . . A . r ., . 
 
 ped the edge of the velation and promifes ; ' the verv 
 fword, out' of weak- thing now required to make you 
 nefs were made ftrong, Chriflians *. 
 waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 
 
 35 Women received their dead raifed to life again : and 
 others were tortured, not accepting deliverance : that they 
 might obtain a better refurreclion f . 
 
 36 And others had trials of cruel ■ mockings, and fcourg- 
 logs, yea, moreover, of bonds and imprifonment. 
 
 37 They were ltoned,they were fawn afunder, were tempt- 
 ed, were tlain with the fword : they wandered about in flieep- 
 fkins, and goat-fkins, being destitute, afflicled, tormented : 
 
 38 Of whom the world was not worthy : they wandered 
 in deferts, in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 
 
 39 And thefe all 39. Thus all your pious ancef- 
 
 having obtained a good tors (land upon record as fucb, 
 report through faith, by the firm and rational belief 
 f Ver. 11. revived not the pro- 6tfuture% and invifihle bleffings. 
 ni * e : . Things they actually favv not, 
 
 while they lived ; and though they have all been, long 
 fince, in a Hate of reft and happinefs, it is but a fiate 
 of bleffed expectation. They have not, as yet, the full 
 and complete enjoyment of that celefial glory. 
 
 40 God having 40. It being the good pleafure, 
 
 provided fome better and wife appointment of God, to 
 
 thing defer 
 
 * Ver. 32, &c. [Of Gideon, and Barak, and Sampfon, 
 &c. For the particular ^mflarices of the faith and exploits 
 of the feveral pcrfons named or not named in thefe verfes, 
 to the 39th verfe, let the reader confult Mr. Hallet's Sup- 
 plement to Mr. Pierce, in lac. 
 
 j Ver. 2>S' C^ letter refurreclion,] i. e. a future refur- 
 reclion to eternal life, far better than the refurreclion of the 
 
 men's children, before-mentioned, or than that of the per- 
 fons tortured, would have been. The one being a reftoratioiT 
 to the yttUnt Jhort life, the other to an eternal one. 
 
Chap. XI. Efistle to the Hebrews. 27? 
 
 thing for Us : -that they defer that, till the perfect and A. D. 63. 
 
 without us fhould nor. complete || revelation of the gqf- JT, 
 be made perfcel. pd W ere made to ui Ohritlians, 
 
 and the lad and great difpenfation of the mejjiah be 
 paft : that (a, both they patriarchs, prophets^ (porks, 
 and all fincere Chriilians, whether fewyh or Gent. 
 ones, may for the courageous exercife of the facne ex- 
 cellent and virtuous principle^ be all rewarded and 
 crowned together, with the happinefs both of body and 
 foul, at the final day of judgment. 
 
 CHAP. XII. 
 
 The Inference from the foregoing Argument ; vista That as the 
 Behaviour of the Patriarchs ami Ihly Men of old ^ do vindi- 
 cate the Reafonahlcnefs of the Chriftia'n Faith, fo ought it to 
 he the mojl exemplary Encouragement, to fpirit up a/i Chri- 
 flians under their Sufferings for it. The fame Encourage* 
 ment further enforced, from the Example of Chrifi h'mifelf. 
 The. great Reafonahlenefs and Advantage offufferingfor true 
 Religion, The Danger of relapfing from Chriitianity : efpe- 
 cially to the Jewiih Converts, from the apparent Excellency 
 and Greatnefs of the Chriilian Religion, when compared 
 with the Jewiih Law. 
 
 1 ^Y Herefore ' ** ee " *• XJAving therefore ftich * a- * Chap 
 
 ing we alfo are -H. bundant testimonies, 
 
 compaffed about with « t h at your Chriitian faith is the 
 fo great a cloud cf exercife of the fame virtuous prin- 
 witneOes, let us lay ciple for which all vour pious an- 
 afide every weight, ^ n a , .- c n L 7 
 
 , ., -. P. ,' ceitors itancl lo lamouny record- 
 
 and the lin which , ,, . .. , J , 
 
 doth fo eafiiy befet ed n ' ^t inch numerous anc ex- 
 us, and let "us run c f ^examples* imfey&i above ^ 
 with patience the race aI1 fcars and Plexites, fpirit * 
 tb,at is fet before us, vou on ln J 0Ui ' Chriilian courfe, 
 
 and keep you from that cowardly 
 apoftacy, f to tvhicH your prefent fufieViugs are fo apt ^ 
 to tempt and draw you. s-«™« 
 
 T 3 3. And/"** 7 '* 
 
 
27S 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. XII. 
 
 A.D 63. 
 
 Jefus 
 
 Looking 
 
 
 unto 
 the author and 
 rii.'iher of our faith; 
 who for the joy that 
 was fet before him, 
 •endured the crofs, de- 
 fpifing the lhame, 
 is fet down at 
 right hand of 
 throne of God. 
 
 and 
 the 
 
 the 
 
 2. And, for jour ftill higher 
 encouragement, confider the moft 
 perfect example of Jefus Chrift, 
 -nirnielf, the author of your reli- 
 gion, and the great rewarder of 
 its true profeffors ; who for the 
 joyful profpec! of being exalted 
 as the Redeemer and Saviour of 
 mankind, with abfolute patience 
 endured the pains, and with in- 
 expreflible height of mind defpifed the fcandal of dying 
 like a malefactor upon the crofs : and is now according- 
 ly rewarded for it with the utmolt degree of heavenly 
 glory and majefty. 
 
 3. Weigh || and compare his 
 fufferings with your own; and fee 
 if the blafphemies againlt his doc- 
 trine, the reproaches u^onhis per- 
 fon, and the malicious attempts 
 upon his life, be not lufficient to 
 buoy^'owup under all the conflicts you endure forhis fake. 
 
 4 * Ye have not 4. Remember you have not yet 
 yet refilled unto blood, fuifered the word, '* from thefe 
 atnving againft fin. maliciousadverfaries; and to give 
 out before you have done as much as thofe great wor- 
 thies, and Chriit hirnfelf has done before you, would be 
 10 come fhort, and lofe the power of their examples. 
 
 5 And ye have fcr- 5. &c 6. Thofe converts among 
 gotten the f exhorta- you, that fhrink and faint, already 
 
 under their perfecutions, feem to 
 haye forgotten the wife purpofes, 
 and great advantages the fcrip- 
 tures mention of God's permu- 
 ting afflictions to befal his true 
 fervants : particularly that of 
 
 Prov. 
 
 For con rider hirn 
 that endured fuch con- 
 tradiction ox finners 
 againft hirnfelf, left ye 
 be wearied and faint 
 in your minds. 
 
 lion, which fpeaketh 
 unto you, as unto chil- 
 dren, My fon, defpife 
 not thou the chaften- 
 ing of the Lord, nor 
 faint when thou art 
 rebuked of him. 
 
 6 For 
 
 * [Not yet refilled unto blood.] Perhaps it may be an 
 agonift He al term : it being the molt fcandalous thing for any 
 combatant to give out before any blood was drawn : as Ja- 
 cobus Lydius obferves, Agoniit. Sat. 
 
 f Ver. 5. [And ye have forgotten the exhortation — ] It 
 may perhaps be beft to take thefe words interrogatively ; &xt 
 kKX&yj&qTiv-3rx°uKhww;,[Hwc ye forgotten the exhortation ? 
 
Chap. XII. 
 
 Epistle to the Hebrews, 
 
 279 
 
 4 6 For whom the 
 Lord loveth, he chaf- 
 teneth, and fcourg- 
 eth every Con whom 
 he receiveth. 
 
 7 If ye endure chaf- 
 tening, God dealeth 
 with you as with fons: 
 for what fon is he 
 whom the father chaf- 
 teneth not P 
 
 8 But if ye be 
 without challifement, 
 whereof all are par- 
 takers, then are ye 
 baftards, and not fons. 
 
 9 Furthermore, we 
 have had fathers of 
 our flefh which cor- 
 rected us, and we 
 gave them reverence : 
 fhall we not much ra- 
 ther be in fubjection 
 unto the Father of 
 fpirits, and live ? 
 
 Prov. iii. 11, & 12. "My fon, A.D.63. 
 defpife not thou the chaftening of^ - ^ Y ^* fc ' 
 the Lord, nor faint when thou art 
 rebuked of him : for whom the 
 Lord loveth he chafteneth, &c." 
 7. & 8. In laying prefent af- 
 flictions on us, God acts only the 
 part of a prudent/fl^r; training 
 us up, by fuch methods, as may- 
 belt work our tempers into a du- 
 tiful and patient obedience. And, 
 mould he wholly neglect thefe 
 means, and indulge us in uninter- 
 rupted eafe, and prefent prospe- 
 rity, he would be wanting in 
 one of the proper inftances of a 
 careful and tender lather. 
 
 You all own, that the pru- 
 
 dent feverities and ftridtdifcipline 
 of a natural parent are fo far 
 from difcouraging, that they 
 gain greater refpect and reverence 
 from the child. How infinitely 
 more advantageous, then, mull it 
 be for us men, but efpecially 
 Chriftians, tobe under theprefent 
 difcipline of a wife and good Creator, that will reward 
 our iufferings with eternal life and happinefs ? 
 
 10 For they verily 10. For, while the corrections of 
 for a few days chaf- our earthly parents may, through 
 tened us after their human weaknefs, be fometimes 
 own pleafure \ but he paffionate and humourfome, and, 
 for our profit, that we at he[ ^ do chiefly tend to our con- 
 might be partakers of du& [n a q^ and tran f ltorv life . 
 his holmefs. the chaftifernent3 f Q od are full 
 
 of reafon, and levelled at our higheft advantage ; being 
 defigned to work thofetlifpofitions in us, that will ren- 
 der us like to God, and for ever happy in the enjoy- 
 ment of him. 
 
 11. Be not, therefore, difcou- 
 
 raged at the fharpnefs of your 
 
 prefent fufferings. Afflictions in- 
 
 T 4 deed 
 
 11 Now no chaften- 
 ing for the prefent 
 feeraeth to be joyous, 
 but 
 
s8o 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. X1L 
 
 A. D. 65. but grievous; never- 
 L — - v— 'thelefs, afterward it 
 yieldeth the peaceable 
 fruit of righteoufnefs 
 unto them which are 
 exercifed thereby. 
 
 12 Wherefore lift 
 up the hands which 
 hang 
 
 and the 
 
 ftraight 
 
 deed ate always troublefome, and 
 foinetimes prefs very hard ; but 
 the great advantage a good Chri- 
 ftian may reap from a wife and 
 courageous behaviour under 
 them, is infinitely able to balance 
 that account. 
 
 1 2. &. 13. Wherefore, like true 
 combatants, hold out and (land 
 firm to the laft. Encourage the 
 faint-hearted, and fupport fuch as 
 you find weak and feeble under 
 their afflictions. Remove all ob- 
 jections * and obftacles out of the 
 way of fuch as you find apt to be 
 prejudiced, and drawn aficle; and, 
 by a prudent behaviour toward 
 them, endeavour to rectify their 
 
 judgments, uphold their fpirits, and keep them firm to 
 
 their profeflion. 
 
 14. Be careful to practife that 
 cbaflity and purity of life, with- 
 out which none can enjoy the fa- 
 vour of God, nor be happy in his 
 prefence. And remember that a 
 
 peaceable carnage, and a gentle difpofition toward all 
 mankind, is one of the main branches of our Chriftian 
 duty. 
 
 1 5 . Have a careful eye to your- 
 felves, and to one \ another, to 
 prevent, if poffible, any from re- 
 hiring from Christianity, and for- 
 feiting all its bledings ; for fear 
 any fuch apofiaie mould prove 
 like a poifonous herb ; and fo 
 taint || and infect others with his 
 cowardly and bafe principles. 
 
 16, For 
 
 down 
 feeble knees. 
 
 And "make 
 * paths for 
 your feet, left that 
 which is lame be turn- 
 ed f out of the way, 
 but let it rather be 
 healed. 
 
 14 Follow peace 
 with all men, and ho- 
 linefs, without which 
 no man fliall fee the 
 Lord : 
 
 15 Looking dili- 
 gently, left any man 
 
 f'V*«B-«-/aii °f tne grace of 
 God ; left any root 
 of bittcrnefs fpringing 
 up, trouble you, and 
 thereby may be defil- 
 
 USeeDeut. ed : 
 
 xxix. 18. 
 
 16 Left 
 
 * Ver. 13. [Make ftraight paths : or rather r^yjxs ?g0«?, 
 fniCoth, even paths..] 
 
 f [Be turned out of the way ; UrgaW', mould be put 
 .. out of joint. — ] 
 
Chap. XII. Epistle to the Hebrews. 281 
 
 16 Left there &any 16. For fear any Chriftian, for A.D.63. 
 fornicator, or f pro- the gratification of any * finful ^^^^ 
 fane perfon, as Efau, lulls, or fecuring his worldly ad- 
 
 who for one morfel vantages, iliould prove as thought- 
 of meat fold his birth- j e r s an( i profane f as Efau was, 
 right. when, to fatisfy his prefent hun- 
 
 ger, he refigned up his birth-right, to which fuch excel- 
 lent privileges were annexed. - 
 
 17 For ye know 17. Let them learn by his ex- 
 how that afterward ample, that blemngs, once loft, 
 when he would have mav not be recoverable by the 
 inherited the Lleffing, utrno ft importunity and concern, 
 he was rejeded : for And as ^ tears cculd avai j n0- 
 
 he found no place of th ; toward ret rieving the birth- 
 repentance, though he | ^ h ^ fookd fo ^ 
 
 fought it carerutfytfith ^ ^ ^ exceeding £ rd ,| if || Chap, vi, 
 
 not impoffible thing, for wilful 4 ' 5 ' 6, 
 apqfiatcs from Chriftiar.it y, to be ever reduced again to 
 true religion and happinefs. 
 
 18 For ye are not i3, 19, 20. &21. And this dan- 
 come unto the mount ger will appear the greater, by con- 
 that might be % touch- ftdering, they forfake a religion fo 
 
 ec *> much 
 
 * Ver. 16. Any fornicator : ui ng 7rcgios. That there be 
 no whoremonger, of any kind, amongft you. 
 
 t Ver. 16. [Profane perfons as Efau:] for refigning the 
 chief priefihood, which was the office and privilege of the 
 eldejl of the family, fay moil interpreters. Or elfe, for 
 flighting the folemn prayers an .'ions of his father, 
 
 with which the birth-right of the eideit foil was conferred 
 upon, and confirmed to him, as IVIr. Le Clerc thinks. But 
 the true and immediate notion of this profanenefs of Efau 
 appears beft from the words of the hillory, Gen. xxv. 23. 
 " He did eat and drink, and rofe up, and went his way," i. e. 
 carelefs and unconcerned ; thus Efau defpifed his birth-right — 
 defpifed ; the Hebrew word fignifies profanely contemned. And 
 the privilege of the birth-right feems very plainly to have been 
 the rule or headfhip of the family, according to thofe words 
 of Gen. xxvii. 28, 29. " Be lord over thy brethren, &.c." 
 
 % Ver. 18. [Unto the mount that might be touched,] 
 i. e. ?xi earthly, corporal and fenfi hie one, denoting the exter- 
 nal and carnal nature of the ceremonial law, from thence de- 
 livered. Yet I make a query, whether the true reading 
 
 fhould 
 
28l 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. XIL 
 
 A. D. 63. ed, and that burned 
 ^ " ' v """ 'with fire, nor unto 
 blacknefs, and dark- 
 nefs, and tempeft. 
 
 19 And the found 
 of a trumpet, and the 
 voice of words, which 
 voice they that heard, 
 entreated that the word 
 mould not be fpoken 
 
 much more mild and gracious ; 
 privileges and bleffings fo much 
 nobler than thofe of the Jewi/b 
 law. That law was delivered to 
 your forefathers in a manner fo 
 dreadful, and with circumftances 
 fo tremenduous and affrighting, 
 that neither the people nor Mofes 
 himfelf could bear them, without 
 horror and aftonifhment. 
 
 to them any more : 
 
 20 (For they could not endure that which was command- 
 ed : And if fo much as a beafl touch the mountain, it Ihall 
 be ftoned, or thruft through with a dart. 
 
 21 And (o terrible was the 
 ceedingly fear and quake.) 
 
 22 But ye are come 
 -unto mount Sion, and 
 unto the city of the 
 living God, the hea- 
 venly Jerufalem, and 
 to an innumerable com- 
 pany of angels. 
 
 23 To the general 
 affembly and church 
 of the firft-born which 
 are written in * hea- 
 ven, and to God the 
 judge of all, and to 
 the fpirits of juft men 
 i made perfect, 
 
 24 And to Jefus 
 the mediator of the 
 new covenant, and to 
 the blood of fprink- 
 
 lins: 
 
 fight, 
 
 that Mofes faid, I 
 
 ex. 
 
 22, 23. &. 24. On the contrary, 
 you Chrijtian religion, without 
 any fuch terrible introductions, 
 upon only the gracious and rea- 
 fonable conditions of repentance, 
 and true faith, makes you mem- 
 bers of that ipiritual and heaven- 
 ly fociety, whereof all good and 
 holy men * (whether circumcifed 
 or uncircumcifecl), glorified faints, 
 and even angels t.emlelves are a 
 part, under Chriir their univer- 
 sal Head, the Mediator of this 
 new and gratiovis covenant of the 
 go/pel ; who has redeemed and 
 cleanfed us by the facrifice of his 
 blood. A facrifice infinitely more 
 pleafing to God than that of 
 Abel, though offered with the 
 
 moft 
 
 fhould not be (mi 4<YiXx$wpivu> o%&, '* the mountain 
 ?' not be touched." This being perfectly true, as to the time 
 of the delivery of the law, and a circumftance exactly a- 
 greeable to the reft, as mentioned by the apojlle, in this paf- 
 fage. But finding no copies to warrant this reading, I leave 
 it only as a conjecture. 
 
 * [Whofe names are written in heaven.] See Phil. iv. 3. 
 the note there. 
 
 t Ver. 23. [The fpirits of juft men made perfect 5 that is, 
 who have perfected and finifhed their courfe,j having efcap- 
 cd all the dangers and temptations of the prefent w o rid. 
 
Chap. XII. Epistle to the Hebreuts. 283 
 
 ling, that fpeaketh bet- perfect faith*; and a bloodflied A - D 6 3- 
 
 ter things * than that -dire&ly oppoiite in its effects to u ~~v— *> 
 
 or Abel. fcfo . procuring us perfect mercy 
 
 andforgiuenefs ; while Abel's called for nothing but ven- 
 geance. 
 
 25 See that ye re- 25. Take heed then that you 
 
 fufe not him f that fall not off from the religion of 
 
 fpeaketh : For if they t h e Son of God. For if apojlates 
 
 efcaped not^ who re- from the /aw delivered only from 
 
 fufed him that fpake mount ,. g ina j and b Mof who „ Tay w 
 
 on earth, much more • " r r i tS«'»vSs *««- 
 
 ,, j, *• r > e was but a ?m«, were fo feverely vs > 7 * s ^** 
 
 hall not we el cape, if -n j • i_ j li (Mtri^nr*. 
 
 we turn away from Punned with death ; how more 
 him t\izt fpeaketh from ternble Wl11 b « ^*f pumfhment, 
 heaven : • wno renounce a religion that was 
 
 immediately revealed by the Sen 
 
 of God from heaven ? 
 
 26 Whofe voice 26, For, as great a defpenfation 
 
 then (hook the earth : as tne Jc-ivi/h law ma/ feem to 
 
 but now he hath pro- be, by the folemnity wherewith it 
 
 imfed faying, Yet once was at firft delivered . yet it is 
 
 more I (hake not the no tcomparable,eitherforits^^ 
 earth only, but alio r \ ;• * , f ,\ -n 
 
 t ■" fl^Af or duration, to that 01 Lhriiu 
 
 heaven . . 
 
 At the giving of that law indeed, 
 
 the earth was faid to tremble, Pfal. lxviii. 8. And the 
 moft remarkable dealings of God toward the Jewzfj-peo* 
 pie, are exprefled in fcripture, by his fhaking the earth. 
 But when the prophets defcribe the great changes and 
 involutions that mould forerun, and the mighty pow- 
 er that mould accompany the laft and perfect difpenfa- 
 
 tioii 
 
 * [Than that of Abel : **p« ?h 'a&a, than Abel."} It 
 not being agreed on by interpreters, whether thefe words 
 relate to the facrlfce offered by Abel, or his blood fpilt by 
 (Cain *, I have expreffed both fenfes. 
 
 f Ver. 25. [Him that fpeaketh — and him that fpeaketh 
 from heaven — ] Note, I interpret this of the Son of God • 
 The learned Mr. Pierce thinks it was God the Father. The 
 difference cannot be great j lince we all allow, it was the 
 fame God who fpake by the angels and Mofes, at mount Si- 
 nai on earth, and by his Son from heaven. And the words 
 of the prophet Haggai exprefs no more than the degree of 
 the folemnity or change made by either of thefe voices. But. 
 ict the reader judire. 
 
2 S 4 A Paraphrase on the Chap. XII. 
 
 Al) . 63. tion of Chrifl the Mcjiah, they reprefent it by God's 
 •^r^r^J Jha/king both heaven and earth. Hag. ii. 7, 8. Yet once 
 
 more (lays God) and I willfiake heaven and earth ; i. e. 
 
 make a thorough revolution, and eftabliih a lading dif- 
 
 penfation of reiigion to all mankind*. 
 
 27 And this word, 27. Now theie words, yet once 
 Yet once more, figni- ?nore, ire a plain declaration, that 
 fieth the removing of the Jewi/h religion was to be al- 
 tbofe things that are ter<JC j anc j abolifhed, and a moije 
 ihaken, as of things pei f e a and lajiing one to fucceed 
 that f are made, that {n hs r0Qm# 
 
 thofe things which can- 
 not be ihaken may remain. 
 
 28 Wherefore we 28. Seeing, therefore, we thru 
 receiving a kingdom Jlians are actually become mem- 
 which cannot be mov- bers of this excellent and unalter- 
 ed, let us have % grace, a ble religion, let us keep firm and 
 whereby we may ftrve £ fteady to it ; and worihip God 
 God acceptably, with with that religious reverence, 
 reverence and godly whi(?h cannot fail tQ make us ^ 
 
 f ear * ceptable to him. 
 
 29 For our God is 29. Remembering that, if we 
 a con faming fire. do otherwife, he will, one day, 
 confume and deftroy us, in a more terrible manner 
 than he did the rebellious 1/raelites, Dcut. iv. 24. and 
 chap. ix. 3. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 See Matt. xxiv. 30. Mark xiii. 25. Luke xxi. 26. 
 
 f Ver 27. [Of the things that are made — u% yrhrvifiFivm, 
 Of the things appointed] j i. e. formerly appointed, but now 
 to be changed and abolijhed. See Mr. Pierce. 
 
 t V.er. 28. [Let us have grace : i%*>i*iv zdeiv, Let us hold 
 fait the grace,] i. e. the go/pel religion 'i^u being often the 
 fame with *«*$£», as in 1 Cor. vii. 2. 2 Tim. i. 13. See 
 GlaOius Philolog. Sac. Tra6t. de Verbo Can. 1. 
 
Chap. XIII. Epistle to the Hebrews. 185 
 
 C H A P. XIII. 
 
 The Apofde concludes with Exhortations to federal Chriflian 
 Duties, fitch especially as the Jewifli Chrifiians wanted mq/i 
 to have inculcated upon them ; viz. to Charity, Hofpitality, 
 and Beneficence to their Fellow- Chriftians in imprifonment. 
 To a due Efleem of the lavfulnefs of Marriage, and to ab~ 
 fiinence from all Uncleannefs. To Contentment in their 
 word ly Condition. To a jufl efleem and imititation of their 
 Spiritual Guides. In fine, to Conflancy in the true Dotlrine, 
 and ' Worfjip c/'Chriftianity, as far furpajjing the External 
 Ceremonies of the Jewiih Religion. Defires their Prayers 
 for him. Prays for them. The Salutation and Conclufion. 
 
 i T E T brotherly l.TTAving thus fiiown you the A. B.63. 
 love continue. ^1 great obligations and ad- <-"V*»? 
 
 vantages of refolutely adhering to your profeffion, I 
 fhall conclude with exhorting you to the practice of 
 fuch of its elTential duties, as you fewifo Chriftians are 
 molt apt to be wanting in. Remembering, then, in the 
 firft place, that universal love and charity to all your 
 fellow Chriftians, is one of the fpecial duties of the go- 
 [pel. No partial diftinclion ought to be made between 
 fewifil) and Gentile brethren. 
 
 2 Be not forgetful 2. In particular be mindful of 
 to entertain ftrangers : that part of charity, that conftfts 
 fur thereby fome have j n hofpitality toflrangers. Re- 
 entertained angels un- me mber how happy Lot and A- 
 awsres. braham were, in entertaining an- 
 
 gels *, whom they at firft took to be but men. * Gen.xvii, 
 
 3 Remember them 3. Have a fpecial regard and an X1X * 
 that are in bonds, as companion to fuch Chriftians as 
 bound with them -, are UR der imprifonment for their 
 
 an " religion, 
 
£B6 
 
 A Paraphrase on ths 
 
 Chap. XIH. 
 
 A. D. 63. a n d them which fuf- 
 
 K ^^^ r *^ fer adverfity, as being 
 
 yourfelves alfo in the 
 
 body *. 
 
 4 f Marriage is ho- 
 nourable in all, and 
 the bed undented : but 
 whoremongers and a- 
 dulterers God will 
 judge. 
 
 religion. Confider yourfelves as 
 liable to the fame afflictions. 
 
 ||SeciTim. 
 jv. 3. and 
 chap. iii. 15 
 
 4. And whereas the || Jewi/b 
 zealots would perfuade you, un- 
 der pretence of greater purity, 
 that marriage is an unclean (late, 
 and inconfiitent with the perfec- 
 tion of religion ; be allured there 
 
 is no fuch matter. God condemns none but irregular 
 and unlawful pleafures ; and the marriage-bed is f as 
 honourable and pure to a Chrifian as to any other man. 
 
 5. Difcover no immoderate de- 
 fire of worldly gain in your deal- 
 ings and converfation : But reft 
 yourfelves contented with what 
 Providence and your own honeft 
 induftry provides for you. For 
 Chriftians, while they do their 
 duty, may, with ft ill greater rea- 
 
 fon, depend upon that promife of God to his church 
 and people, Deut. xxxi. 6. Jof. xv. He will not fail 
 thee nor forfake thee, 
 
 6 So that we may 
 boldly fay, The Lord 
 is my helper, and I 
 will not fear what 
 man fiiall do unto me. 
 7 Re- 
 
 5 Let your conver- 
 fation be without co- 
 vetoufnefs: and be con- 
 tent with fuch things 
 as ye have. For he 
 hath faid, I will never 
 leave thee nor forfake 
 thee. 
 
 6. And may with the Pfalmifl 
 confidently fay, The Lord is my 
 helper, I will not fear what man 
 fall do unto ?ne. 
 
 7. Pay 
 
 * Ver. 3. [In the body : 05 >£ olrot om? lv ?a a-cvexxt, — or 
 confidering yourfelves as {members) of the fame body,] as 
 fome think, it mould be rendered. But this is not the ufe 
 of the phrafe in other paffages, 2 Cor. xii. 3. and elfewhere. 
 
 t [Marriage is honourable, &c] The phrafe feems to me 
 to be the molt natural fenfe of theapoftle : But, if the read- 
 er like it not, he may underftand the verfe as imperative, 
 like the preceding and following ones, ifai being underftood, 
 *' Let marriage be kept honourable, and the bed undefiled. 
 For whoremongers, ckc. 2s." The like expreflion is found 
 In the following verfe — '* let your converfation be, &c. ,> 
 *J#*A«£fv£9tf T$<>7ro<;; where tret is plainly underfto»do 
 
Chap' XIIL Epistle to the Hebrews. z$7 
 
 7 Remember them 7. Pay a due refpeft to the me- t AD - 6 3^ 
 which have the rule mory, and follow the example of ,r " 
 over you *, who have f ucn as have been our fpiritual 
 fpoken unto you the guides and governors. Remember 
 
 word of God : whofe w ; th what con ft. ncv t hey profeff- 
 faith follow, confider- ed and t ht tbe Chriftian 
 
 ing the end of their faith with w hat patience and con- 
 converlation. ^ ,. , , , J, 
 
 rage they died, and how they are 
 
 now crowned and rewarded for it. 
 
 8 f Jefus Chrift the 8> And con fider, that as Jefus 
 fame yefterday, and to- Chrift % for eyer fteady and un- 
 day, and for ever. change able in the promifes he has 
 made, f fo you ought to be immutably conflant in pre- 
 ferving the doctrines of his religion pure and untainted: 
 Remembering that his go/pel is the fame gofpel to your 
 teachers ?xjirj}, and to you now, and to all generations 
 that are to come hereafter, 
 
 9 Be not carried a- 9. Be not, therefore, deceived, 
 
 bout with divers and an d led away by the falfe notions 
 
 itrange doarines : for f tne Jewifh doftors, about the 
 
 J it is a good thing that aD f lute neceffity of their ceremo- 
 
 the heart be eftabliih- n{al law# For j( ig of much j 
 
 ed with || grace, not er advantage t0 be firm and 
 
 meats, which have not X t - u a.- c *u 
 
 c j -u *t- .l Heady in the practice or the mo- 
 
 pronted them that have , J . P , * .. r , , 
 
 been occupied there, f 1 rules ° f ^.{ffff 1 ; than l ° 
 j n be never fo itricuy oblervant ot 
 
 the Jewifli ceremonies and facri- 
 
 flees, that render a man not a whit inwardly better than 
 
 he was without them. 
 
 10. Certainly 
 
 * Ver. 7. [Who have had rule over you, &.c] It is 
 very probable that the perfons here meant, and recommend- 
 ed as examples of faith and conftancy, were, in general, the 
 elders of the church at Jerufalem, and in particular St. 
 James their bifhop, lately martyred there. See Mill. Pro- 
 legom. § 83, 84. 
 
 f [Jefus Chrift the fame yefterday, &c] That this is not 
 meant of the perfon, but the promifes and doSrine of Chrift, 
 is not only agreeable to the context, but to many other paf- 
 fages of like nature. See Acts v. 42. 2 Cor. iv. 5. 1 Cor. 
 i. 24, &c. 
 
 % [It is good, xxlcv, much better.] See Matt, xviii. 8, 9. 
 
 || [Witlj grace.] See 1 Tim. vi. 3. Where found words. 
 and the doctrines of Chrift, arc oppoled to flrangc doElrines, 
 zs-grace is in this place. 
 
2$3 A Paraphrase on the Chsp. XIII. 
 
 A. D. 6.?. ic We have an altar 10. Certainly the benefits we 
 
 ■"""T whereof they have no Chriftians receive, by the great 
 
 right to eat which ferve f acr ifice of Chrifl's death, are 
 
 the tabernacle. infinitely preferable to the exter- 
 
 f«-;;<rx»;y;>na! fervices of the jfewi/h law, or the privileges of its f 
 
 *****"*' priefts. But fuch as dill adhere to that law, 'rault lofe 
 
 all the bleiHngs and advantages of this religion of Chriih 
 
 ii For the bodies H.&12. For, as the flefh of 
 
 of thofe bcafb, whofc thofe beaits, whofe blood was of- 
 
 blood is brought into f ere( j U p on tne great day of ex- 
 
 the fanauary by the pj at i onf was ordered to be wholly 
 
 high prieft, for fin, are bunu without the camp ( whi]ft 
 
 burnt without the ^ tabcrnade ftood) and after _ 
 
 tttu c t wards without the gates of the 
 
 12 Wherefore Te- . - ? 
 
 fus alfo, that he mi^ht "V > aTld none of the P nefts or 
 fandify the people with P eo P le permitted to eat it : So in 
 his own blood, differ: like manner, Chnfl our .great Sa- 
 ed without the gate. criiice was for our redemption, 
 crucified without the gates of Je- 
 rufalem ; and accordingly' none can partake of the blef- 
 fings of his facrifice and religion, till they come entirely 
 off from the Jewijh ceremonies, and become true ChrU 
 Jlians, 
 
 13 Let us go forth 1 3. Let us, therefore, leave the 
 therefore unto him Jewi/Jj camp, i. e. * the Jewifh 
 * without the camp ceremonial religion, and entirely 
 bearing his reproach. emDr ace his more excellent dif- 
 penfation. Let us carry his crofs, and after his exam- 
 ple, patiently fuller the reproaches and perfecutions of 
 our adverfaries. 
 
 14 For here have 14-Nor be difcou raged, though 
 we no continuing city, a t prcient, you live in an unfettled 
 but we feck one to condition, and are perfecuted from 
 come ^ place to place. This world, at 
 beft, is not defigned as a conftant refidence ; it is heaven 
 we are to look on as our eternal city, and lafting home, 
 
 *s- By 
 
 * [Without the camp :] 1|«t« H>/.ra vouov ytmptifa zroXur&ots, 
 i. <?. we ought to think ourfelves under the Jeivijh difpenfa- 
 lion no longer. Theodoret. 
 
Chap. XIII. Epistle to the Hebrews 
 
 28$ 
 
 ij; By him there- 
 fore let us offer the 
 facrifice of praife to 
 God continually, that 
 is, the fruit of our 
 lips, giving thanks to 
 his name. 
 
 16 But to do good 
 and to communicate, 
 forget not, for with 
 fuch facrifices God is 
 well pleafed. 
 
 15. By him therefore, as your A - D - 6 3^ 
 perfect High Priejl and Inter cejfor} *-" J 
 offer up your conftant prayers and 
 thankfgivings to God ; which the 
 prophet calls, " The calves, or 
 fruits of our lips," tiof. xiv. 2. 
 
 1 6. And, to your Chriftian pray- 
 ers and praifes, be fure to add that 
 great duty of charity and benefit 
 tente toward each other, without 
 partiality and diftinction ; a facri- 
 
 £ce far better and more acceptable to God than all 
 
 the burnt-offerings upon the yewijh altar. 
 
 17 Obey them that 17. Pay all juft regard to the 
 have the rule over rules and admonitions of your 
 
 prefent [| bifhops and fpiritualliSeeVer.7. 
 guides. Remember how great 
 their charge over you is. Be 
 therefore fo tradable under their 
 difcipline and admonitions, that 
 they may have the comfort of 
 giving a good account of you, at 
 the great day of judgment ; and* 
 not fee all their pains loft upon 
 
 you ; which would be a mod fatal * thing to your- 
 
 felves, as well as a mortification to them. 
 
 18 Pray for us: for 18. &. 19. Let me have a fpe- 
 cial fhare in your prayers. Be- 
 feech God for fuccefs in my mi- 
 niflry, and deliverance from my 
 adversaries. And though I make 
 no queftion, but to go through my 
 
 U apojilejhip, 
 
 you, and fubmit your- 
 felves : for they watch 
 for your fouls, as they 
 that mull give ac- 
 count, that they may 
 do it with joy, and 
 not with grief: for 
 that is unprofitable for 
 w you . 
 
 we truft we have a 
 good f confcience in 
 all things, willing to 
 live honeftly. 
 
 19 But I befeech 
 you the rather to do 
 
 Vol. II. 
 
 * [For that would be unprofitable for you ;] *Xvnr&U 9 
 very flatly tranflated, it bears the fame fenfe with to, yM net- 
 tn&iTti, Rom. ii. 28. As that is to be rendered abominable 
 things, fo this fignifies a mofl dangerous and fatal thing. See 
 Ephef. v. 11. the note there. And compare Rom. iii. 12, 
 
 f Ver. 18. [We truft we have a good confcience — j It is 
 a very elliptical expreflion. His meaning is thus to be fup- 
 plied ; viz. *' In preaching, both to Jews and Gentiles, J 
 aflure myfelf, I act agreeably to my apoftolic commiflion| 
 whatever hard centres fome zealots may pais upon me.!- 
 
290 
 
 A Paraphrase &c. 
 
 Chap. XIIL 
 
 A-®- 6 3- this that I may be apofllejhip, with a good conference, 
 '^^ reftored to you the and an undaunted courage ; yet I 
 fooner. defire the concurrence of your 
 
 prayers, which may tend to procure my deliverance 
 from feveral approaching dangers, and bring me the 
 mure fpeedily to you. 
 
 20 Now the God 10. & 2T. And, in the mean 
 of peace, that brought t i me> may God, the Author of all 
 
 again from the dead 
 our Lord Jefus, that 
 great Shepherd of the 
 iheep, through the 
 blood of the everlaft- 
 ing covenant, 
 
 21 Make you per- 
 fect in every good 
 work to do his will, 
 working in you that 
 which is well pleafing 
 in his light, through 
 Jefus Chrift, to whom 
 be glory for ever and 
 ever. Amen. 
 
 I 
 
 22 And 
 you, brethren 
 
 befeech 
 fuffer 
 
 the word of exhorta- 
 tion, for I havs writ- 
 ten a letter unto you 
 in a few words. 
 
 peace and happinefs, who raifed 
 up our Lord Jefus Chrifl from the 
 dead, and thereby declared him 
 the Saviour and Governor of his 
 church, accepting of his blood as 
 the ratification of the new and 
 gracious covenant of the go/pel, 
 for our perfect pardon and re- 
 demption : may he confirm and 
 ftrengthen y r ou in all true obedi- 
 ence, giving you all the means and 
 advantages of faving religion, by 
 Jefus Chrift ; to whom be afcrib- 
 ed all honour and glory for ever. 
 Amen. 
 
 22. I requeft, dear brethren, 
 you would not think the argu- 
 ments I have here ufed, for your 
 conflant perfeverance in Chrifti- 
 
 anity, too long and tedious. I 
 have couched them in as fhort a 
 
 compafs as the importance of the matter, and my great 
 
 affedtion to you would permit. 
 
 23 Know ye that 
 our brother Timothy 
 is fet at liberty, with 
 whom if he come 
 fhortly, I fhall fee you. 
 
 24 Salute all them 
 that have the rule over 
 you, and all the faints. 
 They of Italy falute 
 you. 
 
 25 Grace be with 
 you all. Amen. 
 
 23. Take notice, that our Chri- 
 ftian brother Timothy is releafed 
 from his confinement : and I am in 
 hopes, we may fhortly come toge- 
 ther, and pay avifit toy our church, 
 
 24. My hearty Chrift ian love to 
 all your fpirituai governors. AH 
 the Chriftians of Rome, and other 
 parts of Italy, falute you all. 
 
 25. The Divine Love and favour 
 be with your wholechurch. Amen. 
 
 A PARA^ 
 
PARAPHRASE 
 
 ON THE 
 
 GENERAL EPISTLE 
 
 OF 
 
 St. JAMES. 
 
 THE PREFACE. 
 
 § i. r | ^HE clear eft accounts from antiquity, afcribe The 
 
 I this epiftle to James the fon of Alpheus, or Author. 
 Cleopas, the brother of Jude, and confequently counn- 
 german to our blefied Lord, being called the Lord's bro- 
 ther, as that word in the Jewi/h language was ufually 
 appropriated to all near relations. He was, moreover, 
 flyled James the Lefts, to diftinguifh him from the other 
 James, who, from his great age, was denominated James 
 the Greater, or Elder, And, laftly, From his extraor- 
 dinary fanctity and devotion, he went under the charac- 
 ter of James the Juft ; and was by the apoftles, chofen 
 hi/hop of Jerufalem. 
 
 § l. The exacl; diftinction of the per/on, helps much The Time, 
 to determine the date of his epiftle : it being certain, 
 from Jofephus, that this James fuffered martyrdom, 
 under the high-priefthood of Ananus, and procurator- 
 fhip of Albinus, viz. in the year of Chrift LX1I. This 
 epiftle muft bear date before that time ; and is moft 
 probably placed by Dr. Mills in, or juft before, the 
 vear LX. 
 
 U a § 3. About 
 
2 9* Preface to the 
 
 n^r $ 3' About this time the predictions of our Saviour^ 
 
 ' and of St. Paul, in his fecond epiftle to the TheiTaloni- 
 ans, concerning the temper and behaviour of the Jewijh 
 nation, as tokens of their approaching deftruclion, were 
 growing on apace towards an accomplimment. Falfe 
 prophets and pretended MeJJiahs were numberlefs ; their 
 furious perfecution againft the Chriitians was either ac- 
 tually begun, or drew very near ; and as their rage im- 
 proved to its utmoft heat, " the love of many Christians 
 began to wax cold." In fine, they had fo corrupted their 
 own religion, became fo furious againft all other people, 
 and fo malicious, even to one another, that it could not 
 but be a certain conclufion, " The Judge was not far 
 from the door." Thefe circumftances gave occalion to 
 this apqftle the rejidetitiary of the circumcifion in Judea 5 
 to indite this epiftle, partly to the infidel, and partly to 
 the believing, Jews. With the former, his purpofe was, 
 to correct their haughty errors, foften their ungoverned 
 zeal, and reform their indecent ufages in religion. The 
 latter he was to comfort, under the hardfhips they then 
 did, or fhortly were to fuffer for their Chriftianity ; to 
 warn them from feveral of the prejudices and practices 
 of their perfecutors ; to which their former education, 
 or prefent afflictions might render them too prone ; and 
 • to fpirit them up to a pure and patient profeffion of the 
 go/pel. The feveral turns and applications of his argu- 
 ment to one, or the other, of thele parties, ihall be ob- 
 served, with as much clearnefs, as can be gathered from 
 the context of each palTage ; feveral whereof, after the 
 manner of eajlern writing, may, at flrft, feem directed 
 to them both, promifcuoufly, and without diftinction. 
 
 There is one particular pafTage (Chap. ii. 14. to the 
 end) that feems clearly levelled againft the doctrine of 
 the heretics, called Simonians, or followers of Simon 
 Magus, who, as Irenaeus tells us (Lib. II. cap. 2®.) af- 
 5rmed, " Liberos eos effe agere quae velint ; fecundum 
 enim Gratiam Salvari Homines non fecundum juftas 
 Operas ;" i. e. " That they might live and act as they 
 pleafed, becaufe men were to be faved by grace, and 
 not according to their good works." 
 To whom? § 4. It was directed to the Jews and JewiJJj converts. 
 ' of the difperfion : yet, as that to the Hebrews was in- 
 tended 
 
General Epistle of St. James. 293 
 
 tended for the general benefit of all the feat tered tribes, 
 * though directed to the natives of the Holy Land ; fo,*SeePref 
 no doubt, this had an equal refpecT: to them, over whom t ° theHeb 
 St. James immediately prefided in the fpecial charader *' 
 of their bifhop. 
 
 § 5. And laftly, As this, and the following epiftles Whycalled 
 were written, not to any one, but to fever a/ Chriftian General? 
 churches ; it is upon that account, commonly thought, 
 they are called catholic, or general epiftles. 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 The Title ana 7 Salutation, to the foreign Jews, and Jewifh Chri* 
 fiians. He begins with the latter, exhorting them to a 
 cheerful and good Improvement of prefent Troubles and Per- 
 fections, as the highejl Perfeclion of a Chriftian Life. 
 Prayer, withfteady Faith in God, through Chnfi, the means 
 to attain that PerfeBwn. Advice to the Poor, and tofuch as 
 are defpoiled of their Riches, for the fake of Chriftianity. 
 The Uncertainty of Riches, and the Benefit of well improved 
 Trials and Temptations. A Warning net to impute any Sin 
 (particularly that o/Apoftacy) to God, who permits Temp, 
 tations to befal them; but to the wilful Indulgence of their 
 own worldly and vicious Inclinations. God, the Author of all 
 fpintual Blefiings, cannot be anfwer able for the Cowardice 
 and Defaults of Men. An Inference from thence, againfi 
 the furious Temper, and violent Difputes offome Judaizing 
 Chr fiians. Againfi the pernicious Error of the Jewifh 
 Zealots, about the Efficacy of mere Faith, or external Pro- 
 feffion of Religion without a fuitable Practice. Againfi 
 Railing and Contention. Charity in Words and Aclions, a 
 principal Branch of true Religion. 
 
 1 TAmes a fervant of 1. TAmes, bifhop of Jerufalem, a Written 
 J God, and of the J worfhipper of the true God, A - D ^ 
 
 Lord Jefus Chrifl ., to an d an apoftle of Jefus Chrift our ' 
 ihetwelvetnbeswhich Lord and Saviour, fendeth this e. 
 
 U 3 piftls 
 
294 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. I. 
 
 roQta. 
 
 2. & 3. My dear brethren, 1 
 
 A- D. 6c. are fcattered abroad, piftle to the Jews and the Jeivi/b 
 
 1 v greeting. Chriftians, particularly to thofe 
 
 of the difperfion in foreign countries, wifhing you all 
 
 blefling and happinefs 
 
 2 My brethren, 
 count it all joy when am truly feniible of the hardfhips 
 ye (hall fall into divers an d perfections that are to be 
 undergone by fuch of you as have 
 embraced the Chrifiian faith. And 
 I earneftly exhort you, not to be 
 difcouraged at them ; as being the 
 happy means and opportunities of 
 
 that 
 
 Knowing this, 
 the trying of 
 
 your faith worketh 
 
 patience. 
 
 improving your patience, and working you up to that 
 
 noble difpofition of a 
 Will and Providence. 
 
 4 But let patience 
 have her perfect 
 work, that ye may 
 be perfect and entire, 
 wanting nothing. 
 
 5 If any of you 
 lack wifdom, let him 
 afk of C od, that giv- 
 eth to all men liberal- 
 ly and upbraideth not, 
 and it mall be given 
 him. 
 
 perfect fubmiilion to the Divine 
 
 4. This is the temper that ren- 
 ders us complete difciples, and 
 is the perfection of a Chrifiian 
 life. 
 
 5. In order to attain * which, 
 
 6 But let him afk 
 in faith nothing wa- 
 vering : for he that 
 £ h 7T>f^. Wavereth is like a 
 wave of the fea, dri- 
 ven with the wind, 
 and toffed. 
 
 7' For let not that 
 man think that he 
 fhall receive any thing 
 of the Lord. 
 
 8 A double mind- 
 ed man is unliable in 
 all his ways. 
 will flick clofe to 
 
 let every perfecuted Chrifiian 
 have recourfe to God, in prayer, 
 as to a mod bountiful and free 
 benefactor, that will not fail to 
 grant him all feafonable afiiftance 
 toward a prudent and courageous 
 behaviour under his diftrefs. 
 
 6, 7. & 8. But thefe prayers 
 mufl be offered up with a full 
 perfuafion of, and reliance upon, 
 the Divine Power and Goodnefs |, 
 with a firm conviction of the fit- 
 nefs and lawfulnefs of the things 
 he prays for — an entire fubmifiion 
 to the heavenly Providence, and 
 a fincere purpofe of adhering to 
 the duties of your profejjion. 
 For a man that is divided in his 
 thoughts and religious principles, 
 has really no folid principle at all, 
 no meafures of duty and virtue - y 
 
 which will defeat all the fuccefs of his prayers. 
 6 9. 
 
 With 
 
Chap. I. General Epistle of St. James. 295 
 
 9 Let the brother 9. With this fteady faith and A. D. 60. 
 of low degree rejoice refolution, let the poor Chriftian, ^T^^ 
 in that he is exalted : that has * always lived in mean '/ T "™~ 
 circumftances, think his poverty abundantly compen- 
 
 fated by the excellent privileges the ^q/jb^Z-religion has 
 advanced him to, and the opportunities he is furnifhed 
 with, for the advancement of his faith and virtue. 
 
 10 But the rich, in 10. & 11. And let fuch, who 
 that he is made low : for the fake of their religion are 
 becaufe as the flower fallen % from a wealthy and pro- f oVAij- 
 of the grafs he (hall fperous condition, be well pleafed nog; 
 pafs away. with a change, that gives them a 
 
 11 For the fun is tide tQ f ubftantial and e tcrnalh\z{- 
 no fooner nien with f inftead of ^ Umporal 
 
 a burning heat, but it r ° •' ,. , ■ • r f- • ,. r ,, 
 
 withereth the grafs • f P ent > r > whlch > m ltfelt > 1S as llable 
 
 and the flower thereof tc \ be ^«>y«* by a thonfand ac- 
 
 falleth, and the grace Cldents o£ human llfe > as a tender 
 
 of the falhion of it flower is by the heat of the fun. 
 periiheth j fo alfo fhall 
 
 the rich man fade away in his ways. 
 
 12 BlefTed is the 12. Happy therefore is the 
 man that endureth Chriftian that perseveres in bis 
 temptation : for when integrity, though at the expence 
 he is tried, he fhall of a u hls worldly enjoyments ; 
 receive the crown of fince he is fo certa i n f that f uture 
 life which the Lord an d complete reward, which the 
 
 hath promiled to them r^-j ' r f ' *i. 1. a *. x. 
 
 , f . . God ot truth has engaged to be- 
 
 that love him. n ii't>'r j 
 
 itow upon all his lincere and cour- 
 teous fervants. 
 
 13 Let no man fay 13. Let no perfon then, that is 
 
 when he is tempted, drawn into the commiffion of any 
 I am tempted of God: known fin (efpecially that of \\apo- 11 ^ ^V 
 for God cannot be a acy f rom his religion, for fear of " 
 tempted with evil, perfecution) prefume to attribute 
 neither tempteth he hIs m if carr i age to God, for fuf- 
 any man. fering temptations or afflictions to 
 
 befal him. For, as God cannot pofhbly commit any 
 moral evil himfelf, fo it is equally abfurd and impious 
 to imagine he mould be the caufe of fin in any of his 
 creatures. 
 
 U 4 14. Certainly 
 
296 A Paraphrase on the Chap. I, 
 
 A- D. 60. 14 But every man 14. Certainly the only proper 
 
 * 1 - 'is tempted, when he caufe of a man's forfaking his 
 
 is drawn away of his profeffion, or tranfgrefling the 
 
 own luft, and enticed, precepts of it, is, his wicked in- 
 dulgence of fome worldly and vicious principle. 
 
 15 Then when luft 1 5. It is nothing but his deli- 
 hath conceived he berate approbation of, and free 
 bringeth forth fin •, confent to, fuch irregular paffions, 
 and fin when it is fi- t hat draws him into the commif- 
 nifhed, bringeth forth £ on of fuch a aions as bring him 
 death, to death and condemnation. 
 
 16 Do not err my 1 6. &. 17. Do not therefore fa 
 beloved brethren. grofsly impofe upon yourfelves, 
 
 17 Every good gift, as to afcribe your wilful failings- 
 
 and every perfed gift t0 him^, t0 w hom we owe all that 
 
 is from above, and { s> or can ^ good j n us . W ^ Q 
 
 cometh down from has - n fuch le a fr lftance ^ 
 
 the Father of lights, and propofed fuch infinite re _ 
 
 with whom is no va- wwd for Qur ^^ and 
 
 riableneis; neither iha- c ^ , . , r 
 
 , ** ■ severance* lo him alone we owe 
 
 dow ot turning. ... ... , . n , 
 
 all that light and influence, that 
 
 guides the mind ; as much as the world does the lights 
 of the fun and moon. Nay, more excellent are his 
 heavenly gifts to the foul, than is the light of the hea~ 
 venly bodies to the world : for^ while thefe have their 
 turns and periods varying, and removing nearer, or far- 
 ther off from us ; God is always the fame, and his blef- 
 fings ever at hand to us. 
 
 18 Of his own will 18. In fine, fo infinitely far is 
 
 begat he us with the God from being the author of evil, 
 word of truth, that or f rom neceffitating us to any fin, 
 we mould be a kind or leaving us to the wild direc- 
 of nrft-fruits of his tion oi chance or defliny ; that he 
 creatures. has difplaved the moft won derful 
 
 inftance of divine care, and free mercy towards us, in 
 beflowing on us the bleffings and privileges of the go- 
 fpel db£trine and religion to guide our practices, and to 
 actuate our endeavours : making us of the Jewifh na- 
 tionfirjl converts to it, as an earneft of his calling the 
 refl of mankind, after us, to the fame bleffings : fo that 
 we, like the firft fruits under the law, ought to flrive 
 
 tm 
 
Chap. T. General Epistle of St. James. ,297 
 
 to be the left of our kind, and moft exemplary Chri- A. D. 60. 
 ftians, as being firji dedicated to his fervice. » 
 
 19 Wherefore, my 
 beloved brethren, let 
 every man be fwift to 
 hear, flow to fpeak, 
 flow to wrath. 
 
 19. And if you defire fo to ap- 
 prove yourfeives, you muft be 
 
 entirely weaned from that pride 
 and affectation of teaching, and 
 imperioufly diElating to other men; 
 from that fiercenefs in difputing for your own opinions 
 (a thing the Jewi/h doftors and zealots are fo addicted 
 to) and be of a tradable, meek, and peaceable difpo- 
 fition. 
 
 20. For the violence of human. 
 zeal is but a hindrance, inftead of 
 an advantage, to thofe principles 
 and practices that are to juftify 
 and fave us. 
 
 21. Strive, therefore, to get 
 rid of all thofe exorbitant pafiions, 
 that, like a multitude of proud 
 fuckers from a tree, will fpoil 
 your growth in Chriflian virtues, 
 which are always belt received 
 and improved by a calm and hum- 
 ble fpirit. 
 
 22. And, whereas the Jewl/h 
 zealots are wont to put all the 
 ftrefs of religion in mere outward 
 profeflion, and external obferv- 
 
 ances ; do not you treat the Chriflian religion in that 
 manner ; which would be to put the moll fatal cheat 
 mpon yourfelves. 
 
 23. & 240 For the go/pel doc- 
 trine is of the fame ufe to the 
 mind and conducl of men, as a glafs 
 is to the face. And as the glafs 
 is of no benefit to one that fees 
 the fpots of his face in it, but 
 takes no care to wipe them off; 
 fo the gofpel precepts can be of 
 no manner of advantage t» a Chri- 
 flian, 
 
 20 For the wrath 
 of man worketh not 
 the righteoufnefs of 
 God. 
 
 21 Wherefore lay 
 apart all filthinefs, and 
 fuperfluity of naugh- 
 tinefs, and receive 
 with meeknefs the in- 
 grafted word, which 
 is able to fave your 
 fouls. 
 
 22 But be ye doers 
 •f the word, and not 
 hearers only, deceiv- 
 ing your own felves. 
 
 23 For if any be a 
 hearer of the word, 
 and not a doer, he is 
 like unto a man be- 
 holding his natural 
 face in a glafs : 
 
 24 For he behold- 
 eth himfelf, and go- 
 «th his way, and 
 ♦raight way forge tteth 
 
 what 
 
29S 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. I. 
 
 A/D. 60. what manner of man ftian, that only externally pro- 
 he was. feffes and hears them, but negle£t3 
 to reform his pra&ice, and leads his life agreeable to 
 them. 
 
 1 5 But whofo look- 
 eth into the perfect 
 law of liberty, and 
 continueth (herein, he 
 being not a forgetful 
 hearer, but a doer of 
 the work, this man 
 mail be bleffed in his 
 deed. 
 
 25. He therefore is the only 
 perfon that truly edifies by the 
 Chrijlian doctrine, who embraceth 
 and ufeth it as a rule of aclion. 
 Then, indeed, it becomes a law 
 to him, a law that fets him free 
 from the flavifh obfervance of 
 Jewijb ceremonies ; and that man 
 will experience the go [pel to be a 
 difpenfation of more excellent liberties, immunities, 
 and privileges, than all that the zealot Jew can boaft of 
 his Mofaical inftitution. 
 
 26 If any man a- 26. Certainly, the mofl fpecious 
 
 raong you feem to be and loud pretences of external re- 
 ligion are but vain and infignin- 
 cant things, while a man gives 
 himfelf up to uncharitable {lan- 
 ders, revilings, and reproaches 
 againfl his brethren. 
 
 27. For the habitual practice of 
 charity and bounty toward the af- 
 flicted, the conqueft over all fen- 
 fual, worldly and partial inclina- 
 tions, and fuch like moral duties, 
 are the things in which true reli- 
 gion does chiefly and principally 
 confift. 
 
 religious, and bridleth 
 not his tongue, but 
 deceiveth his own 
 heart, this mans reli- 
 gion is vain. 
 
 27 Pure religion, 
 and undefiled before 
 God and the Father, 
 is this, to vifit the 
 fatherlefs and widows 
 in their affliction, and 
 to keep himfelf un- 
 fpottedfromthe world. 
 
 CHAP, 
 
Chap. II. General Epistle of St. James. 2.99 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 The Argument of the latter Fart of the foregoing Chapter con- 
 tinue.' ; viz. Tbtit the External Profeffion of Religion is 
 wholly fruitlefs. where Men live in the Breach of its Moral 
 and Subjlantial Duties. This jfhown in the Injlance of Par- 
 tial ity, and refpecl of Perfons, efpecially in Public and Ju- 
 dicial Caufes. Jewiih Christians are taxed with this Vice t 
 fo common among the Jews. 1 he evil and dangerous Con- 
 fequsnce of any one fuch known and wilful Sin. Moral 
 Pra&ices the bcjl, and only Evidence of Good Principles, 
 proved from the Examples of Abraham aud Rahab. All is 
 nothing without them. 
 
 1 J^ffY brethren, i.T^HE Jews, that now fo A. D. 60. 
 
 have not the ■*- much value themfelves,*—" —/"■— ' 
 
 faith of our Lord Je- an( l defpife all other people in 
 fus Chrifl the Lord of po i nt f religion, are become fo 
 glory, with refpecl of corrupt in their morals, i n their 
 P ons * private and public dealings, that 
 
 hardly any juftice is to be found, even in their courts 
 of judicature. All is carried amongfl them by wealth 
 and interejl : But for you, dear brethren, that profefs 
 the more perfect and glorious religion of Jefus Chrifl, 
 how monftrous muii it be to be guilty of a partiality 
 fo dire&ly oppofke to its fpirit and precepts ? 
 
 2 For !f there come 2. 3 , &4. Yov you to diflinguiih 
 untoyour * affembly a your refpe&s, and be partial in 
 man with a, gold ring, y ( . ur proceedings with any, but 
 in goodly apparel, and efpecially a Chriftian brother, in 
 there come in alio a a bHq c ^ * or b churcJj , 
 poor man in vile rai- a jj M U u account of his 
 
 ment : u~i ' 1 r 1 
 
 * 1 1 higher or lower fortunes in the 
 
 2 And ye have re- & . . . _ 
 
 fpea ,to him that W ° rld > hls circumftances and out- 
 
 weareth the gay cloth- Tv aid figure ; to carefs the rich, 
 
 ing, and fay unto him, and fll § ht the P oor '> would be to 
 
 Sit make 
 
 yu. 
 
A Paraphrase on the Chap. IL 
 
 make a mod unreafonable diflinc- 
 tion, where there ought to be none ; ; 
 and to mow yourfelves moll un» 
 thoughtful and unjuft judges. 
 
 not God chofen the 
 poor of this world, 
 rich in faith, and heirs 
 of the kingdom which 
 he hath promifed to 
 them that love him ? 
 
 A D. 60. Sit thou here in a 
 
 *— v— —good place : and fay- 
 to the poor, Stand 
 thou there, or fit here 
 under my footftool : * 
 
 4 Are ye not then partial in yourfelves, and are become 
 judges of * evil thoughts ? 
 
 5 Hearken, my be- 5. Confider ferioufly, dear bre- 
 loved brethren, Hath thren, upon this matter. Does 
 
 God make fuch partial differences 
 in his dealings with mankind, as 
 you do with one another ? How 
 many, that are mean in their out- 
 ward circumftances, but humble 
 in their tempers, have made the 
 bell Chriftians ? Did not God choofe the very apoflles 
 out of that number ? And have not they, and all their 
 poor, but humble followers, the furell title to eternal 
 life and happinefs ? 
 
 6. & 7. On the contrary, while 
 you are thus guilty of neglecting 
 your poor brethren, how forgetful 
 are you, that the Ach men, to 
 whole rank and quality you are 
 fo partial, are the perfons molt 
 apt to oppofe your holy religion ! 
 Who are they, but the richer forty 
 of both Jews and Gentiles, that 
 moll commonly blafpheme \ the 
 
 name of Chrift, and his religion ? 
 
 8 If ye fulfil the 8. Had you any juft regard to 
 
 royal law, according that noble and comprehensive du- 
 ty, of doing as you would be done 
 by, you would acl at another rate. 
 
 6 But ye have de- 
 fpifed the poor. Do 
 not rich men opprefs 
 you, and draw you 
 before the judgment- 
 feat ? 
 
 7 Do not they blaf- 
 pheme that worthy 
 name by the which 
 ye are called ? 
 
 to the fcripture, Thou 
 lhalt love thy neigh- 
 bour as thyfeif, ye do 
 well. 
 
 9 But 
 
 9. Whereas 
 
 * Ver. 4. [Judges of evil thoughts : or Sixtoyirpaiv 7rovt£av 2 
 judges that ufe wicked and unjuft arguments.] 
 
 t [That holy name by which you are called.] t#' tmzMiir' 
 i<p' vfczs i that is, called over you, or given to you„' 
 
Chap. II, General Epistle of St. James. $6i. 
 
 9 But if ye have 9. Whereas, by fuch an unjuft AD - 6o « 
 refpect to perfons, ye and partial proceeding, you vio- ^-T*»J 
 commit fin, and are ] a te and ftand convict, breaking 
 convinced of the law tfo w hole law refpecting your 
 
 as tranfgreflbrs. neighbour. 
 
 10 For whofoever 10. For, the wilful and habi- 
 fhall keep the whole tual breach of any one fuch prin- 
 * law, and yet offend c ip a l command, renders a man, in 
 in one point, he is a j u ft fenfe, a tranfgreflor of that 
 guilty of all. * whole table of the divine law, 
 though he were not guilty in other particular inftances. 
 
 1 1 For he that faid, 1 1 . Becaufe the fame divine au- 
 Do not commit adul- thority that forbids us any one act 
 tery, faid alfo, Do not f violating the rights of our 
 kill. Now if thou neighbour, forbids us all the reft, 
 commit no adultery, -j«he fame divine authority (for . 
 yet if thou kill, thou in ft ance ) that reftrains us from 
 art become a tranf- inyadi the pro perty of our 
 greffor of the law. neighbo * r » 8 hed> re ftrains us from 
 killing him. So that, though you do not actually at- 
 tempt his life, yet, if you commit adultery againft him, 
 you break in upon the whole divine authority, that 
 eftabliiheth all right between man and man. 
 
 12 So ipeak ye, 12. Deal by one another, there- 
 and fo do as they fore, both in words and actions, 
 that fhall be judged as men that expect hereafter to be 
 by the law of liberty, judged by the pure and perfeft 
 rule of Chrijlianity. A religion that while it is mod 
 Uriel in its moral obligations, debarring us from all 
 
 thofe licentious practices the J'ewi/b zealots f thinki «Agt>fo$<*. 
 themfelves privileged in ; yet, as I faid, chap. i. 5. it 
 is attended with immunities and bleffings far exceeding 
 what the Mofaical difpenfation can pretend to. 
 
 13 For he mail 13. For certainly, the man, of 
 have judgment with- what profeflion foever, that fhows 
 out mercy, that hath no tendernefs and impartiality 
 fhowedno mercy; and towar d s his brethren, fhall find 
 
 mercy feverity 
 
 * [The whole law — he is guilty of all :] ofov rev yopcv, the 
 fame as yo^ev BxnhiKh in verfe 8. viz, the royal law reflect- 
 ing our neighbour. 
 
3 oi 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. II. 
 
 A. D. 60. mercy rejoiceth a- feverity of juflice, without mercy, 
 
 1 /— 'gainft judgment*. at God's hands. And no perfon 
 
 can fo fecurely and cheerfully fland the great trial of 
 divine judgment, as he that has been kind, impartial, 
 and merciful to other men, without any unreafonable 
 diftinctions. 
 
 14. Thus, I fay, the actual and 
 careful practice of moral virtue, 
 is the fubftance and life of true 
 religion. Mere faith, and exter- 
 nal prof ejjion, without this, is of 
 no effect to any man's falvation. 
 
 15. & 16. Thus, when an indi- 
 gent brother prefents himfelf to 
 you, as an object of your charity; 
 to feed him with good words and 
 kind vjifhes, without giving him 
 any thing to clad his body, or fa- 
 tisfy his hunger, is to do juft no- 
 thing at all for him. 
 
 things which are needful to the body •, what do*h it profit ? 
 
 16 Even fo faith, 17. The cafe is the very fame 
 
 if it hath not works, with God, in all other instances 
 is dead, being alone. f religion ; the moll loud pre- 
 tences to faith, and the warmeft zeal for external acts of 
 his worfhip, is to pay him no real ftrvice, while the 
 practice of thofe duties are wanting, that are the main 
 purpofes of all religion. 
 
 18 Yea, amanmay 18. To fay you are the true 
 
 fay, Thou haft faith, members of God's church, be- 
 caufe you believe his word and 
 revelation, and are a mere pro- 
 feffor of his inftituted religion, is 
 to take a, thing for granted, with- 
 out full proof, and to give only 
 
 your 
 
 14 What doth it 
 profit, my brethren, 
 though a man fay he 
 hath faith, and have 
 not works ? can faith 
 fave him ? 
 
 15 If a brother or 
 filler be naked, and 
 deftitute of daily food; 
 
 16 And one of you 
 fay unto them, De- 
 part in peace, be you 
 warmed, and filled: 
 notwithftanding ye 
 give them not thofe 
 
 and I have works : 
 Show me thy faith 
 without thy works, 
 and I will fhow thee 
 my faith by my works. 
 
 * Ver. 13. [Mercy rejoiceth againft judgment :] Kutxkxv- 
 X&recl iteos wiaiaq, Mercy triumphs over condemnation - ? or 
 The merciful man triumphs at his judgment, or at his trial. 
 Mercy for the merciful man, as circumcifion is put for tk: 
 circumcifed perfon, Rom. ii. 26, 27. 
 
Chap. It. General Epistle of St. James. 3°3 
 
 your own word for it. Whereas, he that fhows the £J^j 
 fincerity of his faith and profefficn, by the good influ- 
 ences it has in the conduct of his life, concludes very 
 rightly ; as the caufe is demonftrated by the effecl. 
 
 19 Thou belie veit 19. The Jew magnifies himfelf 
 that there is one God-, above the Gentile, for his know- 
 thou doeft well : the ledge and belief of the one true 
 devils alio believe and Q oc j m if t j, at be all, the very 
 tremble. devils themfelves are upon the 
 level with him ; for they believe the fame, and trem- 
 ble at the apprehenfions of his divine power and juftice. 
 And, if your faith be no better than theirs, you have 
 the fame reafon to tremble as they have. 
 
 20 But wilt thou 20. & 21. But to convince you 
 know, (V vain man, an d them of the utter falfity of 
 that faith without t hi s principle; let the Jew tell 
 works is dead ? me what ' lt was t hat juitified A- 
 
 21 Was not Abra- braham, the father of his nation, 
 ham our father juiti- ^ of ^ faithfu] k ? Yo u 
 
 t u A Y T aV W cannot but know, by the exprefs 
 he had ottered liaac his . r , . -A - 
 
 fon upon the altar. ™> rds of ^^f 01 ?' " T $ r 
 
 his mere belief and periualion, 
 
 that God had ordered him to offer up his fon, or his 
 
 confident reliance upon God's promife, and his being in 
 
 covenant with him, but his actual entrance upon the 
 
 performance of what God had commanded him. 
 
 22 Seeft thou how 22. &. 23. Thus, that greats- 
 faith wrought with triarch demonftrated the excel- 
 his works, and by l e nce and fincerity of his inward 
 works was faith made principle, by the praBice of the 
 perfect . nobleft virtue, It was this pro- 
 
 ^ tas fulfiUed" CUred ^^ ^ ^^ character, 
 
 i> 1 r -.-u au ' " Abraham believed God, and it 
 
 whtcn iaith, Abra- . , , . r . . 
 
 ham believed God, was. .imputed to him for righte- 
 
 and it was imputed oufnefs, our he was railed the 
 
 unto him for righte- Friend of God." Gen. xv. 6. 
 oufnefs : and he was called the Friend or' God. 
 
 24 Ye fee then how 24. And if this was Abraham's 
 
 that by works a man. cale? i t is in vain for any Jew or 
 
 bjuftified, and not by Chrifiian to expeft to be faved, 
 
 .nth only. upon a d ;ff erent f 00t f rom that of 
 
 the father of the faithful. 
 
 25. Again, 
 
3°4 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. IF., 
 
 A. D. 60. 2$ Likewife alfo, 
 V^» t ^ / was not Rahab the 
 harlot juflified by- 
 works, when fhe had 
 jjjofti. ii. 1. received the raeffen- 
 and had fent 
 out another 
 way ? 
 
 them 
 
 25. Again, what was it that 
 rendered the harlot Rahab fo ac- 
 ceptable to God, as to fave her 
 life ? Not her mere conviclion 
 that the God of the Jews was the 
 true God\ \ ; but her aclual recep- 
 tion of the fpies, as his meneri- 
 gers ; as the genuine effect of 
 fuch a perfuafion. 
 
 26. From which in fiance, as a 
 confirmation of the reafon of the 
 thing itfelf ; it is exceeding plain, 
 that bare external privileges, and 
 
 outward profeffion can no more make a true Ifraelite 
 (much lefs a true Chrijliari) than a body without afoul 
 can make up a man. 
 
 16 For as the body 
 without the fpirit is 
 dead, fo faith without 
 works is dead alfo. 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 The Jewifh Chriflians are again particularly difuaded from 
 the Pride and Ambition of being called Doctors, and Teach- 
 ers - y and from that Spirit of Contemning, Reviling, Curjing, 
 and Calumniating, to which the Jewifh Zealots were fo much 
 addicled. The great Advantage of a gentle and peaceful 
 Temper, and the fatal Effects of a Cenforious and Unbridled 
 Tongue. 
 
 tChap.i.19. 1 ]yj Y brethren, be 
 SeeiTim.i. not many ma- 
 
 7. Rom. ii. fters> knowing that 
 I 9> zo * «>. {hall receive the 
 
 we 
 
 greatercondemnation 
 
 1 . T Have already % obferved to you, 
 ■*■ that you can never anfwer the 
 character of true Chriflians y while 
 you harbour that ambition of the 
 Jewijh zealots, of imperioufly fet- 
 ting up for teachers ; of ufurping an authority over the 
 confciences of others, and be guilty of the calumny and 
 cenforioufnefs that is confequent to fuch pride and af- 
 fectation,. Againft this notorious vice I mufl now more 
 particularly warn you. Confider then, the more know- 
 ledge and underflanding you pretend to, the more hei- 
 nous 
 
Chap. III. General Epistle of St. James. 
 
 3^5 
 
 2. The very beft of us have their A. D. 60. 
 flips and failings. But the liberties ^"V*^ 
 of the tongue, are what mod men 
 are too apt to tranfgrefs in, above 
 all meafure. And were thofe zea- 
 lots but free of the vices of that 
 very member, wherewith they pre- 
 tend to teach others, they had much better pretence to 
 the religious perfection than now they have. The govern T 
 ment of the tongue has a general good influence upon the 
 conducl: of human life. 
 
 2 For in many 
 things we offend all. 
 If any man offend not 
 in word, the fame is 
 a perfe£l man, and 
 able alfo to bridle the 
 whole body. 
 
 3. 4. & 5. And, as horfes ai c 
 managed by the bit, and mips (leer- 
 ed by the rudder, that is, but a 
 fmall piece, in comparifon of the 
 bulk of the vefTel ; fo the whole 
 conversation of a man is, in a man- 
 ner, guided and well-ordered by the 
 temperate ufe of that little mem- 
 ber. Which, whenever it flies out 
 into extravagant, uncharitable and 
 abufive expreflions, becomes like a 
 fpark amongfl combuftible mattery 
 blows up and confumes all before it. 
 
 nor lifteth. 
 
 5 Even fo the tongue is a little member, and boafteth 
 great things. Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth. 
 
 6 And the tongue 6. Well' may fuch a tongue be 
 is a fire, a world of compared to Jire> for its deiperate 
 
 and deflrucliive quality : It puts the 
 whole world into confufion and 
 
 3 Behold, we put 
 bits in the horfes 
 mouths, that they 
 may obey us -, and 
 we turn about their 
 whole body. 
 
 4 Behold alfo the 
 fhips, which though 
 they be fo great, and 
 are driven of fierce 
 winds, yet are they 
 turned about with a 
 very fmall helm, whi- 
 therfoever the gover- 
 
 iniquity : fo is the 
 tongue amongfl: our 
 members, that it de- 
 fileth the whole body, 
 and fetteth on fire the 
 courfe of nature \ and it is fet on fire of hell 
 
 diforder, and deflroys like a con- 
 flagration, begun from hell itielf. 
 
 7 For every kind 
 of beaits,and of birds, 
 and of ferpents, and 
 things in the fea, is 
 tamed, and hath been 
 Earned of mankind • 
 
 Vol, II. 
 
 7. & 8. When it once obtains, 
 and has got the maitery over a 
 man's conduct, it is unruly beyond 
 the molt favage creature we know 
 of: Its fiercenefs exceeds that of 
 X • the 
 
go6 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. HI. 
 
 A. D 60. $ But the tongue 
 { " " y— '^can no man tame, it 
 is an unruly evil : full 
 of deadly poifon. 
 
 9 Therewith blefs 
 we God, even the Fa- 
 ther : and therewith 
 curfe we men, which 
 are made after the fi- 
 militude of God. 
 
 10 Out of the fame 
 mouth proceedeth 
 blefling and curfing. 
 My brethren, thefe 
 things ought not fo 
 to be. 
 
 1 1 Doth a fountain 
 fend forth at the fame 
 place fweet water and 
 bitter ? 
 
 12 Can the fig-tree, 
 my brethren, bear 
 -olive berries ? either 
 
 a vine, figs ? fo can 
 no fountain both yield 
 fait water and frefh. 
 
 13 Who is a wife 
 man and endued with 
 knowledge amongft 
 you ? let him (how out 
 of a good converfa- 
 tion his works with 
 meeknefs of wifdom. 
 
 14 But if ye have 
 bitter envying and 
 Jtrife in your hearts, 
 glory not, and lie 
 not againft the truth. 
 
 15 This wifdom 
 defcendeth not from 
 above, but is earthly, 
 fenfual, devilifh. 
 
 16 For 
 
 the lion and tiger ; and its venom 
 beyond the worft of Jerpents. 
 
 9. & 10. It runs men into prac- 
 tices the moil abfurd as well as im- 
 pious j caufmg them to ufe that wry 
 member, that was given us to cele- 
 brate the praifes of God, to throw- 
 out curfes and imprecations againft 
 their brethren that were created like 
 themfelves in the image of God. 
 BlefTmg and curfing out of the fame 
 mouth ! How irrational and mon- 
 ftrous a thing to be guilty of ! 
 
 11. & 1 a. A thing as utterly in- 
 confiftent with true religion, as it is 
 to fuppofe the fame water, from the 
 fame part of a fpring, mould be 
 fait and frefh at the fame time ; 
 that a fig-tree mould bear olives, 
 or a vine produce figs, i. e. a per- 
 fect contradiction in the nature of 
 things. 
 
 13. Whatever Chriftian convert, 
 or Jewijh zealot, therefore, would 
 be indeed a mailer of religious wif- 
 dom, let hirn fhow his wifdom, firft 
 in the fuppreffion of this wretched 
 habit, and in reducing himfelf to a 
 meek and charitable difpofition to- 
 ward his brethren. 
 
 14. & 15. For as long "as ever 
 this haughty and contentious fpirit 
 in religious difputes, vents itfelf 
 through the tongue, his boafting is 
 but vanity, and his pretences hy- 
 pocrify. The wifdom he pretends 
 to, is the effect of nothing but fen- 
 fual and worldly principles, and a 
 perfect imitation of the devil and 
 wicked fpirits. 
 
 6 16. For 
 
Chap. III. General Epistle of St. James. 
 
 307 
 
 16 For where en- 
 vying and ftrife is, 
 there is confufion and 
 every evil work. 
 
 17 But the wifdom 
 that is from above is 
 firit pure, then peace- 
 able, gentle, and eafy 
 to be entreated, full 
 of mercy and good 
 fruits, without parti- 
 ality, and without hy- 
 pocrify. 
 
 18 And the fruit 
 of righteoufnefs is 
 fown in peace of them 
 that make peace. 
 
 16. For nothing but wickednefs A D- 60. 
 and diftra£tion can be the refult of""'* "' 
 a proud, cenforious, and conten- 
 tious difpofition. 
 
 1 7. Dire&ly contrary to this, the 
 wifdom and temper of true religion 
 exerts itfelf in a freedom from fen- 
 fual and worldly inclinations, in 
 rendering a man mild and courte- 
 ous, and perfuadable by reafon, 
 kind and charitable to the indigent, 
 generous, juft, and impartial to all 
 mankind, and fmcere in all religi- 
 ous pretences. 
 
 1 8. And whoever is of this peace- 
 able and good temper, and endea- 
 vours to perfuade others to it, will 
 not fail to reap the happy fruits and 
 blefled effects of it. 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 The Apqflle illujlrates the woful EffeBs of a turbulent and 
 malicious Temper, from the then prefent State and Condition 
 of the Jewi/h People. A fad Account of them. He en- 
 deavours to work their Cure, by perfuading them to Repent' 
 ance, and true Religion. Then diffuades the Chriflian Con- 
 verts from the notorious Vice of Slander and Calumny ; and 
 from an immoderate and confident Purfuit of worldly Pro- 
 jefls, without any pious Regard to } or Reliance upon, Divine 
 Providence. 
 
 1 JTROM whence 
 
 come wars, and 
 
 fightings among you ? 
 
 come they not hence, 
 
 even 
 
 I. WHAT I have * hitherto ob-, ch ; , 
 
 * w ferved, of the wretched X 6. 
 effe&s of a turbulent and conten- 
 tious fpirit, is, but too wofully de- 
 X % monltrable., 
 
%o$ A Paraphrase on the Chap. IV. 
 
 A. D. Co even of your lulls, that monftrable, from the prefent ftate 
 v- ^'" te 'war in your mem- and condition of the J.jwijh people, 
 bers * J^et any Jew tell me the real caufe 
 
 of all thofe calamities and defla- 
 tions, thofe foreign, civil, and domeftic broils, that are 
 now the general plagues of that nation. What is it, but 
 the fenfual and ambitious temper I have been defcribing ? 
 
 2 Ye luft, and have 2. Your hearts are entirely bent 
 not : ye kill, and de- upon temporal pleafure, and tem- 
 fire to have, and can- poral dominion ; you are impatient 
 riot obtain: ye fight under the government Providence has 
 and war, yet ye have fubjeaed your nation to. This puts 
 not, becaufe ye afk v0 ; u upon fditious practices, that 
 Ti0t ' can never gain your ends ; and your 
 inteftine difcords make your cafe Itill worfe. Nor can 
 God be fuppofed to profper a people, fo eftranged from 
 all true religion and devotion toward him. 
 
 3 Ye afk and re- 3. It is true, you keep up the 
 ceive not, becaufe ye external profeffion, and the form 
 afk amifs, that ye of worfhip' and prayer. But this 
 may confume it upon can ava i] vou little,, while the ftrefs 
 your lulls, f y 0ur defires is fixed on worldly 
 pleafures, and the view of all your very prayers is the 
 gratification of lullful and ambitious principles. 
 
 4 Ye adulterers 4, Q faithlefs and perverfe na- 
 and adultereffes, know tiofi ! How can you be fo ignorant, 
 ye not that the friend- as to imagine, the love of God and 
 ftip of the world is true religion can ever be confiftent 
 enmity with God ? ^fa this immoderate thirft after 
 whofoever therefore temp&rai riches land grandeur ! You 
 will be a > friend of muft ■ up Qnc QY ^ Qther# 
 the world, is the ene- . ■ ■ ■• - • 
 
 my of God. 
 
 5 * Do ye thinly 5. Sc 6. How contrary have the 
 that the fcripture faith fcriptures of the Qld Teftament de- 
 in vain, the fpirit that fcribed the temper of God's true 
 dwelleth in us lufteth fervants, to that envious and con- 
 to envy ? tentious fpirit that now reigns in 
 
 6 But he giveth t } ie generality of your nation ? Do 
 more grace 3 where- ' u p e rceive any fuch difpofition 
 fore he faith, God re- ' • . ' ^ 
 
 filteth 
 
 * Ver. 5. [Do you think the fcripture faith — the fpirit m 
 us — ] Thefe words are, byfome interpreters, thought to re- 
 fer 
 
Chap. IV. General Epistle of St.' James. 3°9 
 
 fifteth the proud, but and practice in us Chrijlians * So A D. 6ft. 
 X giveth grace unto far from it, that you behold nothing 1 — v ' a 
 the humble. b ut peaceablenefs and humility, 
 
 the genuine fruit of God's Spirit, and to which his fpeciat 
 favour and blefling is annexed ; according to thole words 
 of Solomon, (Prov. iii. 34.) Surely he fcometh the /corner s> 
 but he giveth grace J [or favour) to the lowly. 
 
 7 Submit yourfelves 7. 8. 9. & 10. And if you would 
 therefore to God : re- be cured of thofe wretched habits, 
 fift the devil, and he 'that are the caufes of your prefent 
 will flee from thee. calamities, and partake of the fame 
 
 8 Draw nigh to bleffings with us, you mull ferve 
 God, and he will God j n the fame tme and fmcere 
 draw nigh to you : mann£r a§ wg do fu£ tQ him for 
 
 cleanfe your hands, p ard on and falvation, by reforming 
 
 ye Tinners, and purify ,, . - J , & 
 
 J , r , J all your towering and prouc con- 
 
 your hearts, ye dou- ../ 1 * & . r r i 
 
 ble minded. Cei s > h ? hearty repentance for the 
 
 9 Be affiled, and vlolences f nd "Jjuftice you have 
 mourn, and weep: committed; and endeavouring to 
 
 let X 3 reaify 
 
 * e r to [Numb. xi. 29. Envieft thou for my fake ?] i. e. 
 ^ould the gifts of the Spirit, conferred upon one, move ano- 
 ther to envy? But as thofe words are very different from 
 *H James, who was not here fpeakirig of gifts and fpiritual 
 Pre-eminence at all ; I judge the paraphrafe to be the raoft 
 agreeable and coherent fenfe. For I think it will clear 
 this paffage of all difficulties, if we divide the fifth verfe into 
 two interrogations ; viz. [Do you think that the fcripture 
 fpeaks in vain ?] i. e. the fcripture quoted in the fxth verfe ; 
 or any of thofe fcriptures that fpeak againlt pride and envy. 
 Then [The fpirit that is in us lufteth (or lufterh it) to en- 
 vy ? in us ; i. e. in us apoftles, or Chriftians. No j far from 
 it \ it puts us into a far better way of obtaining God's grace 
 or favour ; viz. by peaceablenefs and humility. [Wherefore 
 (not he. but) it, the fcripture faith, God refiiteth the 
 proud, &c. 
 
 t Ver. 6. [Giveth grace,] i. e. Favour or blefling. %*y$ 
 anfwers to 1.T) in the Hebrew: its primary fenfe is favour ■; 
 which in the New Teftament is branched out into feveral ac- 
 ceptations, including either the blejjings of the go/pel in gene- 
 ral, or any principal branches of them. But is rarely (that I 
 can find") ufed to fignify any inward motions, or fecret opera- 
 thns of the Holy Spirit on the mind, unlefs when it exprefleth 
 the extraordinary gifts, and miraculous endowments "on the 
 apoftles zndf/jl Chriftians. 4 
 
$10 
 
 A Paraphrase on thjk 
 
 Chap. IV. 
 
 A. D. 6«. let your laughter be 
 1 " ' \i " 'turned to mourning, 
 
 and your joy to hea- 
 
 vinefs. 
 
 io Humble your- 
 
 felves in the fight of 
 
 the Lord, and he mail 
 
 lift you up. 
 
 4, io. 
 
 re&ify thofe corrupt inclinations, 
 that have hitherto divided you be- 
 tween God and the world : by thus 
 ftriving againlt the temptations of 
 the devil, you fhall be enabled to 
 overcome them ; and upon condi- 
 tion of fo thorough a humiliation 
 and repentance, God will be recon- 
 ciled to you, avert the judgments that hang over you, 
 and make you again, his beloved church and people. 
 
 1 1 . As to you , dear brethren, that 
 are already converted to Chriftiani- 
 ty, be fure to avoid that pernicious 
 Cuflom of fancier and rafh cenfure. 
 Remember, that whoever haftily and 
 unjuftly condemns another man, 
 reflects upon religion itfelf, fets up 
 for a judge, and makes himfelf wifer 
 than the divine law. And fuch a 
 one muft not pretend to be a true 
 difciple of that law, while he fets 
 himfelf above it. 
 
 12. Confider, that God alone, 
 * who gives us his laws, has the 
 right to judge and condemn us for 
 the breach of them : and how dare 
 any man take his work out of his 
 hands ! 
 
 13. Another thing, I would cor- 
 rect in you all is, that confidence, 
 and unthoughtful affitrance, with 
 which you are apt to purfue your 
 worldly projects 5 without a due 
 fen^t of, and pious dependence up- 
 on divine Providence. Some of you 
 
 Chriftian converts, I find, are too much tainted with the 
 Jewifh fpirit of worldly mindednefs. You cut out bufi- 
 nefs, and conclude upon the fuccefs, as if time and events 
 were at your difpofal. 
 
 14. & 15. You forget what 
 changes and difappointments 2 
 finglc day may produce : and that 
 
 life 
 
 n Speak not evil 
 one of another (bre- 
 thren) he that fpeak- 
 eth evil of his bro- 
 ther, and judgeth his 
 brother, fpeaketh evil 
 of the law, and judg- 
 eth the law : but if 
 thou judge the law, 
 thou art not a doer of 
 the law, but a judge. 
 
 12 There is one 
 * Rom.xlv, law S Iver > whois able 
 
 to fave, and to de- 
 ftroy: who art thou 
 that judgeil another ? 
 
 13 Go to now, ye 
 that fay, To-day or 
 to-morrow we will go 
 into fuch a city, and 
 continue there a year, 
 and buy and fell, and 
 get gain : 
 
 14 Whereas ye 
 
 know not what^/W/ 
 
 be on the morrow : for 
 
 what 
 
Chap. IV. General Epistle of St. James. jH 
 
 what is your life ? It life itfelf is as fleeting as a vapour. A. D. 6©. 
 is even a vapour, that A confideration, that ought to fill [ -^ >r ^ J 
 appeareth for a little us with the moft humble depend- 
 time, and then vanim- an ce upon the divine will, in all 
 eth away. events and expectations. 
 
 1 5 For that ye ought to fay, If the Lord will, we (hall 
 live, and do this, or that. 
 
 16 But now ye re- 16. And, therefore, fuch eager 
 joice in your boaft- defigns, and confident propofals, in 
 ings : all fuch rejoic- your temporal affairs, look as if you 
 ing is evil. thought yourfelves independent o£ 
 
 divine blefling and protection. 
 
 17 Therefore to 17. Now this or any other crime, 
 him that knoweth to muft be greater in a Chri/lzan, than 
 do good, and doth it in any other man ; becaufe he, by 
 not, to him it is fin. the clear revelation of the go/pel, 
 has (or eught to have) better notions of his duty, and a 
 ftronger fenfe of his religious obligations. 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 He turns himj "elf to the Jews, reproaching them with the jufl 
 and miferable Effects of their Avarice, Cruelty \ Lujl, and 
 tnjuflice. Then returns to the Jewifh Chriftians, exhorting 
 them to Patience and good Temper, under their Perfecutiont 
 from the Jews, in hopes of afpeedy Deliverance, by ajuji 
 Judgment upon that Nation. Warns them from the Sin of 
 rafh Swearing, Jo common among the Jews. Recommends 
 Prayer to the AffliBed, and Divine Praifes to fuch as are in 
 eefy and cheerful Circumjlances. Advifeth Anointing and the 
 devout Prayer of Irfpired Minijlers, to be ufedfor the Reco- 
 very of fuch as are jl ruck with Sicknefs, as a Punifhment for 
 fome notorious Sins. Such are enjoined to make fpecial Con- 
 feffion of the Sins they take to have been the Caufe of their 
 Diflemper. The great EffeU of the Prayers of Holy and 
 Infpired Minijlers, for th& Recovery of fuch People. The 
 happy Advantage of bringing a Sinner from Ignorance end 
 Vicious Courfes, to true Repentance. 
 
 x 4 
 
312 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. V. 
 
 A. D. 60. i (** O to now ye 
 * " ' v ■ ' " ' rich men, weep 
 
 II Chap. iv. anc j l low lfor your mi- 
 12,1?m feries that (hall come 
 
 1.2. & 3. TT is not without good 
 ■*• reafon that I warn 
 
 j| you all again ft a too eager and 
 confident purfuit after worldly 
 riches. For let the worldlings of 
 the Jewi/h nation confider now, 
 
 and behold, to what a lamentable 
 end thofe principles are likely, in a 
 fhort time, to reduce them •, when 
 their riches mall perifh, their gran- 
 deur be eclipfed, and themfelves be 
 deftroyed, by a judgment mod 
 dreadful and exemplary. 
 
 upon you. 
 
 2 Your riches are 
 corrupted, and your 
 garments moth-eaten. 
 
 3 Your gold and 
 filver is cankered, and 
 the ruft of them mail 
 be a witne r s againit 
 you, and fhall eat 
 your flefh as it were 
 £re: ye have heaped 
 treafure together for the laft days. 
 
 4 Eehold, the hire 4. You that to enrich yourfelves, 
 have defrauded and opprefled others, 
 even robbing the hireling of his 
 wages, will fhortly feel the efFec~ts 
 of fuch injufticejin the refentments 
 
 back by fraud, crieth, f a j uft and ^{.powerful God. 
 
 and the cries of them 
 
 which have reaped, 
 
 are entered into the ear's of the Lord of Sabaoth. 
 
 5 Ye have lived in 5. You that have abufed the 
 pleafure on the earth plentiful provifions of Providence, 
 
 to riot and excefs, will find you 
 have been but fatting yourfelves up, 
 like facrifices, for the day of {laugh- 
 ter *. 
 
 6. You that have crucified your 
 own innocent MelTiahand Saviour; 
 and (till, with unrelenting hearts, 
 are persecuting his dlfciplcs^ from 
 
 the 
 
 of the labourers, 
 which have reaped 
 down your fields, 
 which is of you kept 
 
 and been wanton : ye 
 have nouriflied your 
 hearts as in a day of 
 ilaughter. 
 
 6 Ye have con- 
 demned and killed the 
 juft, and he doth not 
 refift you f . 
 
 • * Ver. 5. — [As in a day of ilaughter.] Note, This phrafe 
 may, perhaps, more properly fignify, As men do in a time of 
 feaflin^ upon (lain facrifices. 
 
 \ Ver. 6. [And he doth not refiR you, or elfe interro- 
 gatively, k* avftrdc-hrxi vi/av $ Doth he not (in return) now 
 fet himfelf againit you ?] A much more confident and clearer 
 fenfe ; agreeable to chap. iv. 6. and 1 Pet. v. 5. See alfo 
 Dr. Bentley's Remarks upon Free Thinking; where there' is 
 given, by that admirable critic, a moft ingenious conjecture;, 
 for a yet clearer fcxife of this paffage. 
 
Chap. V. General Epistle of St. James. 313 
 
 the fame wicked principles, by which your forefathers A. P. 60.^ 
 flew the ancient prophets ; will loon experience the direful' k 
 coniequences of fuch incurable malice and ingratitude. 
 
 7 Be patient there- 
 fore, brethren, unto 
 the coming of the 
 Lord : behold, the 
 hufbandman waiteth 
 for the precious fruit 
 of the earth,, and hath 
 long patience for it, 
 until he receive the 
 early and latter rain. 
 
 8 Be ye alfo pa- 
 tient : ilabliih your 
 hearts, for the coming 
 of the Lord draweth 
 nigh. 
 
 9 Grudge not one 
 againii another, bre- 
 thren, left ye be con- 
 demned : behold * the 
 judge ftandeth before 
 the door. 
 
 7. & 8. Wherefore, my dear 
 brethren, that are converted to his 
 perfecuted religion, bear all your 
 prcfent fufFerings with courage and 
 patience. Imitate the induftrious 
 hufbandman, that patiently waits 
 the feafons of the year, to produce 
 him the fruits of his coil and labour. 
 With infinitely better aflurance, 
 may you depend upon Chrift for * 
 a lpeedy deliverance from thefe 
 your perfecutors, and a glorious 
 reward for your perfeverance. 
 
 9. Difcover no fretful impatience, 
 no thirft of revenge againii your 
 enemies, or one another. For that 
 would be to incur the fame punifh- 
 ment due to them. God himfelf will 
 very * (hortly be your juft avenger, 
 .and you have- no need to prevent him, in what he will fo 
 foon and certainly perform for you. 
 
 10 Take, my bre- 10. &, II. Let the courageous 
 
 thren, the prophets, examples of God's true prophets 
 in all ages, fpirit and fupport you. 
 Remember Job, that moil affli&ed 
 of all men ; how deeply he differ- 
 ed, and how amply he was recom- 
 penced. And from hence afTure 
 yourfelves, God can never fail, in 
 due time, to refcue and reward 
 every faithful fervant. 
 
 who have fpoken in 
 the name of the Lord, 
 for an example of buf- 
 fering, affliclion, and 
 of patience. 
 
 11 Behold, we count 
 them happy which en- 
 dure. Ye have heard 
 of the patience of 
 Job, and have feen 
 the end of the Lord : 
 tender mercy. 
 
 that the Lord is very pitiful, and of 
 
 12. And 
 
 * [The coming of the Lord draweth nigh. The Judge 
 itandeth before the door-,] viz. The deftruftion of Jerusa- 
 lem, which was but a few years after this epiftle was written. 
 
3*4 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. T. 
 
 60. 12 But above all 
 ——'things, my brethren, 
 fwear not, neither by 
 heaven, neither by 
 the earth, neither by 
 any other oath : but 
 let your yea, be yea, 
 and your nay, nay, * 
 left ye fall into con- 
 demnation. 
 
 12. Andlet me particularly warrs 
 you, that no examples, no provo* 
 cations whatever draw you into the 
 vice of common fwearing, and in- 
 voking the name of God upon light 
 and needlefs occafions. Swear not 
 fo much as by any creature of God, 
 in common converfation, as the 
 Jews accuflom themfelves to do, 
 and vainly pretend there is no evil 
 in fuch kind of * oaths. For no oath can be made by 
 any creature *, but rauft have an ultimate refpett to the 
 Creator, whofe creature it is. Be therefore careful, al- 
 ways to fpeak truth, and ufe no other means to gain be- 
 lief, than a modeft affirmation or plain denial. For every 
 degree beyond this, befpeaks fome % falfe defign, and is 
 finful \ and condemnable. 
 
 13 Is any among 
 you afflicted, let him 
 
 Jj *«*#ir«£«.pray : Is any merry, 
 
 let him fing pfalms. 
 $ sv$iy«£. qf e f fa tm tnat are 
 
 14 Is any fick a- 
 mong you ? let him 
 call for the elders of 
 the church, and let 
 them pray over him, 
 anointing him with 
 oil in the name of 
 the Lord : 
 
 15 And the prayer 
 of faith fhall fave the 
 fick, and the Lord 
 lhall raife him up 5 
 and if he have com- 
 mitted 
 
 13. Improve every condition of 
 life to a religious advantage. Let 
 prayer be the refuge of the || afflic- 
 ted \ and devout praifes y the exer- 
 
 in eafe § and profperity. 
 
 14. & 15. When any Chriftian is 
 vifited with ficknefs, efpecially any. 
 difeafe inflicted on him for fome 
 notorious Jin ; let no charms and 
 conjurations be ufed over him, as ; 
 the Jews are f now a-days wont td 
 do, when they anoint their fick 
 with oil : But let the Chriftian mi- 
 nijlers be fent for, to intercede with 
 God, by fervent prayer. They may 
 indeed, ufe the anointing as a na- 
 tural remedy, but not in a fuper- 
 
 jlitious 
 
 * £Nor by any other oath, pjrs dxxly nvx ogx,o*. Nor by any 
 fuch kind of oath.] So in Mark iv. 41. Luke viii. 25. Tss «g« 
 £r0?Ww, What manner of perfon is this. See Matth. v. 34. 3$. 
 
 X [Left ye fall into condemnation, or w »tw * $ *** , as fome 
 copies read it. 
 
 f See Lightfbot Harm. N. T. Burnet Artie, p. 289,- 
 
Chap. V. General Epistle of St. James. 
 
 3*3 
 
 mitted fins, they mall Jlitious way. Let them lay all the A - D * 6c - 
 be forgiven him. flrefs in the devout prayers of in-^ mmmm "* 
 
 fpired minifters, put up in Chrilt's name, for a blefiing 
 upon, that means. And thofe prayers lhaii become ef- 
 fectual for the recovery of a true penitent, and the for- 
 givenefs of thole fins that were the caufe of his diitem- 
 per *. 
 
 1 6. In all fuch extraordinary 
 ficknefTes as thefe, let the fick per- 
 fon freely acknowledge and confefs 
 to his minifler the particular fins he 
 hathreafon to conclude brought the 
 diitemper as a /pedal puniihment 
 upon him. And then let the mini- 
 
 16 Confefs your 
 faults one to another, 
 and pray one for ano 
 ther, that ye may be 
 healed : the effectual 
 fervent prayer of a 
 righteous man avail- 
 eth much. 
 
 iZZiS, 
 
 fter appoint and pray for him, as 
 before prefcrihed, ver. 1 4 . for God will have great refpec~t 
 to thefe prayers of X minijlers^ which now, in the firfk 1 2« 
 times of the go/pel, are directed and aflifted by the infpi- 
 rations || of the Holy Ghoft. || y ivrt? 
 
 17 Elias was a man 17. & 18. And, as the prayers of m £W»** 
 fubjeft to like pafilons Elijah who was but a mortal man^ '^JJ* 
 as we are, and he anymore than many Chrifli an mini- Chap. xi*. 
 prayed earneftly that fors are now), availed to Hop the *5»*7- 
 rains upon the land of Ifrael, for 
 three years and fix months together, 
 in the days of Ahab j and then to 
 
 it might not rain 
 and it rained not on 
 the earth by the fpace 
 of three years and fix 
 months. 
 
 1 8 And he prayed 
 again, and the hea- 
 vens gave rain, and 
 the earth brought 
 forth her fruit. 
 
 19 Brethren, if any 
 
 of you do err from 
 
 the 
 
 bring them again,; So fhall thefe 
 prayers of men infpired by the Holy 
 Spirit^ now under the gojpe/, be as 
 available for the cure of thefe dif- 
 tempers, or any fuch miraculous 
 event, as God fhall think conve- 
 nient, for the promotion and en- 
 couragement of his true religion. 
 
 19. & 20. And, to conclude, let 
 
 all Chriftians whatever (efpeciallr 
 
 minifters > 
 
 * [The fick.] — -The fame ficlnefs, and the fame kind of 
 /ins, as in Matth. ix 2,6,7. — x. 8. Mark vi. 13 iCorxi. 32. 
 See the paraphrafe fully vindicated, in the excellent Dr. Cla- 
 get, in his difcouife of Extreme Unclion % Part I, Printed in 
 
3 i6 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 06ap. Vo 
 
 T).6o. 
 
 one 
 
 miniflers, whofe * fpecial office it 
 is), remember, that for them to be 
 inflrumental in thus reducing a 
 finner to the fenfe of his mifcar- 
 riages, and to true repentance for 
 them, is the nobleft office they can 
 perform. Let them value them- 
 felves as inftruments of faving a 
 foul horn deftrucliion, and covering 
 all its fins ; an act of infinitely greater value than the restor- 
 ing a finner to his bodily health ; and as much prefera- 
 ble, as eternal is to temporal good, and, as the foul is to the 
 body f . 
 
 the truth, and 
 ^convert him, 
 
 20 Let him know, 
 that he which con- 
 verteth the finnerfrom 
 the error of his way, 
 fhall fave a foul from 
 death, and fhall * hide 
 a multitude of fins. 
 
 * tt\^oi — r/g — See Dr. Claget, Sup. p. 40, 41. 
 
 t [Shall hide a multitude of fins.] Both Dr. Hammond 
 and Dr. Whitby makes this refer to the fins of the perfon 
 who does, not who receives the charitable office of converfion. 
 But, as i have chofen to follow the fenfe of Dr. Claget, as 
 much more natural, I refer the reader to his own choice, 
 when he has feen how judicioufly he has cleared the fenfe 
 of thefe verfes. Extreme Un&ion, pag. 40, 41. 
 
 A PARA- 
 
PA RAP HRASE 
 
 ON 
 
 THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL 
 
 OF 
 
 St. PETER. 
 
 THE PREFACE. 
 
 § i. /CONCERNING the author o{ thefe two Epif- Author 
 
 \^4 ties, there can be no doubt, all ages having 
 afcribed them to the Apoftle St. Peter. 
 
 § 2. In the year of Chrift 67 or 68, in the latter end of Time 
 Nero's reign, St. Peter and St. Paul are agreed on to have 
 fuffered martyrdom at Rome. They having, therefore, 
 both of them declared their deaths, to be near at hand, 
 St. Paul, in 2 Tim. iv. 6. and St. Peter here, 2 Epiftle i. 
 14. makes it melt natural to conclude, the date of thefe 
 two epijilesy with that of 2 Tim. to have been in the year 
 66 or 67, as judicioufly ftated by Dr. Pearfon, Dr. Mills, 
 and Dr. Whitby •, to the eternal confutation of the Ro- 
 manifts, who in favour of their darling notion of St. Pe- 
 ter's being at Rome, and for 25 years hi/hop there, would 
 place it in the year 44, in direct contradiction to the hif- 
 tory of the Acts, and the molt evident paflages in thefe 
 epijlles themfelves. 
 
 § 3. They are dated from Rome, which, for its noto- Place, 
 rious degree of idolatry, vice, and fuperftition, is figura- 
 tively ftyled Babylon here, and in Rev. xvii. and xviii. (fee 
 note on cap. v. ver. 13.) 
 
 § 4. The defign of the apoftle, with relation to the Occafioa. 
 Ohriftians of thefe provinces, is evidently the fame with 
 
 that ' 
 
git Preface to the i Epis. Gen. of St. Peter.. 
 
 that of Sr. Paul to the Hebrev/s, and of St. James, to 
 their whole difperftcn, viz. The Jews being now, from 
 Judea to the utmoft bounds of their difperfion, arrived 
 to the utmoft degree of impiety, lull, rage, and diftrac- 
 tion ; their averfion to the Roman government prompting 
 them to /edition •, and their unbounded zeal for the cere- 
 monial law exciting them to perfecute all Chri/lia?is, with- 
 out any relentings of mercy or humanity, and to hearken 
 to the pretences of every falfe prophet ; gave occafion to 
 St. Peter's advices here directed, chiefly to the Jewi/b 
 converts, but not excluding fuch Gentile Chriftians as 
 had been either formerly profelyted to the Jewi/h reli- 
 * Sec cap. i. gion, or were newly converted from # heathen/fin to 
 28.— ii.io. Chriftianity. To fupport them under their heavy per* 
 aFfct? Li f ecut i° ns j to perfuade the Jewi/h converts particularly 
 ' to have no hand in the rebellion againft Cxfar, or his 
 officers ; and to fpirit them all to perfeverance in the 
 pure and peaceable profeflion of their Chriftianity ', againft 
 the falfe doctrines, and impure practices of the jewijh 
 zealots, or of fuch heretics as were then fpawned from 
 thofe people, as was Nicholas of Antioch (A6ts vi. 5.) 
 whofe lewd feci is taken notice of by St. John, Revel, 
 ii. 15. and is generally thought to be referred to, in 
 ibme paffages of thefe epi/lles. 
 
 j 5. I {hall only add, That the deftru&ion of Jeru- 
 falem drawing now very near, St. Peter prefents it in 
 the fame expreffions, taken in the fame latitude with 
 thofe of the ancient prophets, our Saviour and St. Paul, 
 upon the fame prudential reaibns : thofe phrafes, the day 
 of the Lord, the coming, or revelation ofjefus Chrifl, refer- 
 ring both to the particular judgments on the yewijh na- 
 tion, and to that of the whole world in general. For 
 which I refer the reader to the Preface to the Theffalo- 
 nians : and for what is here urged in the relative duties, I 
 refer him to the Preface of the Ephefians, § 4. Let the 
 learned reader alfo confult the great and learned Sir 
 Ifaac Newton's Obfervat. on the Apoc. cap. 1. where he 
 Will fee ftill a clearer light into the time, date, and defign, 
 of this and other epijlles> 
 
 CHAP. 
 
Chap. I. i Epistle General of St. Peter. 
 
 3*<> 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 The Diretlion and Salutation, The dpofille blcffeth God for. 
 the great Mercies and Privileges of the Go/pel Religion, 
 Comforts both jfewi/h and Gentile Chrifiians under their pre- 
 fent Perfections, from the Senfe of thofe happy Bleffmgsy 
 is the Truth and Certainty of them, as foretold by the An- 
 cient Prophets, and now exaclly fulfilled. Exhorts them to 
 the pure and fieady PraBice of their Religion, from the 
 great Confideration of their Redemption by the Blood of Je- 
 fus Chrifil. 
 
 a pETER an apof- 
 tle of Jcfus 
 Chrift , to the ftrangers 
 fcattered throughout 
 Pontus, Galatia, Cap- 
 padocia, Aiia, and 
 Bithynia, 
 
 2 Eleft according 
 to the foreknowledge 
 of God the Father, 
 through fan£tification 
 of the ipirit unto obe- 
 dience, and fprinkling 
 of the blood of Jefus 
 Chrift : Grace unto 
 you, and peace be 
 multiplied. 
 
 I. pETER, an apoftle of Jefus 
 
 A Chrift, fendeth this epiftle 
 to the converted Jews of the anci- 
 ent difperfio?i> in Pontus, Galatia, 
 Cappadocia, the provinces of the 
 Lefler Afia, and Bithynia. Not for- 
 getting the Gentile * Chriftians of 
 thofe parts. 
 
 2. To all you that have embrac- 
 ed the gracious covenant of the 
 gofpel ; a covenant that is ratified 
 £ and confirmed by the blood of 
 Chrift, and entitles you to the gifts 
 and graces of the Holy Spirit ; pri- 
 vileges that God originally design- 
 ed, and by his prophets formerly 
 promifed, to the Chrijlian church. 
 Wiihing you the abundance of 
 divine favour and happinefs. 
 
 3. & 4. Exprefling myhumbleft 
 thanks to God, the Father of our 
 Lord Jefus Chrift, for the inex- 
 preffible mercy of giving us Chrif- 
 tians fo fure a profpect of the ne- 
 ver-fading and eternal happinefs of 
 heaven, by the rem rection of Je- 
 fus Chrill, our Lord and Head. 
 
 5. And 
 irom the dead, 
 
 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that 
 
 fadeth not away, referved in heaven for you, 
 
 Written 
 A. D 66. 
 
 * See chap. 
 
 i.jS. iLlo « 
 
 iv. 3, 4' 5- 
 & a P et - «• 
 1. 
 
 See Hcb. 
 xii. 24 Ex- 
 od. xxiv. 8. 
 
 3 Bleffed be the 
 God and Father of 
 our Lord Jefus Chrift, 
 which according to 
 his abundant mercy, 
 hath begotten us a- 
 gain unto a lively 
 hope, by the refur- 
 reflion of Jefus Chrift 
 
320' 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. I. 
 
 A. D. 60. 5 Who are kept by 
 
 v ""•■'the power of God 
 
 through faith unto 
 
 falvation, ready to be 
 
 revealed in the lafl 
 
 {| i%xai$ time. 
 
 fr * Br "' fail of complete glory 
 judgment. 
 
 6 Wherein ye great- 
 ly rejoice, though 
 now for a feafon (if 
 need be) ye are in 
 heavinefs through ma- 
 nifold temptations. 
 
 7 That the trial of 
 your faith being much 
 more precious than of 
 gold that perifheth, 
 though it be tried 
 with fire, might be 
 found unto praife,and 
 honour, and glory, at 
 the appearing of Je- 
 us Chrift : 
 
 8 Whom having 
 not feen, ye love , in 
 whom, though now 
 ye fee him not, yet 
 believing, ye rejoice 
 with joy unfpeakable, 
 and full of glory. 
 
 9 Receiving the 
 end of your faith, 
 even the falvation of 
 your fouls. 
 
 10 Of which falva- 
 tion the prophets have 
 inquired and fearched 
 diligently, who pro- 
 phefied of the grace 
 that Jhould come unto 
 you ; 
 
 5, And for preferving and fup- 
 porting us, by his almighty power, 
 under all our affli&ions and tempt- 
 ations, to perfevere in the faith of 
 this his lafl |J and great difpenfation 
 of the go/pel, whereby we fhall not 
 and happinefs, at the final day of 
 
 6. & 7. This is what you y as 
 good Chriftians, cannot but make 
 the fubjecl: of your utmoft joy and 
 fatisfaclion. Looking on the word 
 of prefent evils as only fo many 
 happy opportunities of exerciiing 
 your faith, improving your virtue, 
 and brightening that future crown 
 you are then to receive ; and con- 
 sequently to be of more real ad- 
 vantage to you than all the riches 
 and fading glories this world can 
 afford. 
 
 8. & 9. Thus upon reafonable 
 and fufficient evidence, you em- 
 brace a MefTiah you never perfotial- 
 ly knew ; and believe the doctrine 
 and promifes of a Saviour you ne- 
 ver actually faw. This fills you 
 with tlje inexpreflible and glorious 
 hopes of that eternal falvation 
 which is the fure reward of fuch 
 as are poffcffed with a faith fo ra- 
 tional and well-grounded. 
 
 10. & 11. This is that gracious 
 difpenfation of religion for the 
 future happinefs of mankind, fo 
 exaclly defcribed and punctually 
 foretold by the ancient pro- 
 phets, men infpired by the Spirit 
 
 of 
 
Chap. I. i Epistle General of St. Peter. 
 
 3 2 
 
 ii Searching what, * of this very Chrift, to foretel A. D. 66. 
 or what manner of both the time and glorious fruits 
 time the Spirit * of f his fufte rings in relation to 
 Chrift v,hich was in himfelf, and all his true difciples. 
 them did fignify, when 
 
 it teftiried before-hand the fufTerings of Chrift, and the glo- 
 ry that fuould follow. 
 
 12. For, as to the time, they 
 knew and exprefsly declared it was 
 not to be tranfacted in their days, 
 but fpokeof it as future, reprefent- 
 ing it jail as it has now been actu- 
 ally revealed by Chrift himfelf, 
 and declared to you and all Ghri- 
 ftians, by us his apojlles, endow T ed 
 with the fame Holy Spirit for 
 that purpofe. And this difpen- 
 fation of the gofpel is fo abundant 
 in divine wifdom, juftice and mer- 
 cy toward mankind, that not on- 
 ly prophets, foretold it with plea- 
 fure, but the very angels themfelves cannot but con- 
 template upon it with delight and aftonifhment. 
 
 13 Wherefore gird 13. Let this coniideration then 
 
 up the loins of your arm you with vigilance, courage, 
 and conftancy in a profeffion at- 
 tended with fuch bleffings as thefe 
 of the Chriftian * religion are,*^^^ 
 which you are fo certain to en- xv^et 'i*~ 
 joy at the final appearance of * e-2 X^S. 
 Chrift to judgment. 
 
 14. & 15. Show yourfelves true 
 difciples cf Chrift, by reforming 
 ing yourfelves accord- t ] ie irregularities of your former 
 ing to the former liifts not i ns and practices, and imitating 
 in your ignorance : the diyine Author of yojir religion 
 
 15 But as he which . hoHnefs ^ ■ of lifc- 
 nath called you is ho- 
 ly, fo be ye holy in all manner of converfation 5 
 
 Vol. II. Y 16. For 
 
 12 Unto whom it 
 was revealed, that not 
 unto themfelves, but 
 unto us they did mini- 
 fter the things which 
 are now reported unto 
 you by them that 
 have preached the 
 gofpel unto you, with 
 the Holy Ghoft lent 
 .down from heaven j 
 which things the an- 
 gels defire to look in- 
 to. 
 
 mind, be fober, and 
 hope to the end, for 
 the grace that is to be 
 brought unto you at 
 the revelation of Je- 
 fus Chrift j 
 
 14 As obedient 
 children, not faihion- 
 
 11. [The fpiritof Chrift which was in them. J The 
 is. either the fame Spirit of God, which infpir- 
 
 *Ver 
 
 meaning .. 
 
 ed the prophets formerly, and dwelt in Chrift more fully 
 afterward : Or elfe, the Spirit by whofe infpirations the 
 prophets foretold the time and circumftances of Chrift's fuf- 
 ferings, and is therefore called the Spirit of Chrift. The 
 former feems to be the more natural fenfe, 
 
322 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. I, 
 
 17 And if you call 
 on the Father, who 
 ■without refpect of per- 
 fonsjudgcthaccording 
 to every man's work, 
 pais the time of your 
 iojourning here in 
 fear : 
 
 A. D. 66. 16 Becaufe it is 16. For thofe expreffions (Lev. 
 
 written, Be ye holy, ii.44.-_ „xix. 2 xx. 7,26.)where- 
 
 for I am holy. m tne y ew ij}j people are exhorted to 
 
 he holy as God is holy, are much more engaging upon us 
 of the Ghrijtictn church. 
 
 17. And this does moil fpecially 
 concern fuch of you as are newly- 
 converted from the heathen to the 
 Ghriftian religion, from the wor- 
 fhip'of idols to that of the one 
 true God. Now that you are re- 
 ceived into the true church of 
 God, with the fame goodnefs and 
 mercy as the yews themfelves are, and mail be judged 
 and rewarded equally with them; you are obliged to par- 
 ticular care and watchfulnefs over your future conduct. 
 18 Forafmvjchasye 18. & 19. You ought to confi- 
 
 know that ye were der yourfelves as captives redeem- 
 ed from a ft ate of ignorance and 
 idolatry, wherein you were origi- 
 nally educated. And that the 
 purchafe was not procured by the 
 moft valuable thing this world 
 could afford, but coft the blood 
 even of Chrift himfelf the Son of 
 God ; a perfon of moft exalted 
 dignity and perfecl: innocence. 
 
 i$l 
 
 v,ucc$, 
 
 ye were 
 not redeemed withcor- 
 ruptible things, as fil- 
 ver and, gold, from 
 yourvainconverfation 
 received by tradition 
 from your fathers : 
 
 19 But with the 
 precious blood of 
 Chrift, as of a lamb 
 without blemifn and 
 without fpot. 
 
 20 Who verily was 
 fore-ordained before 
 the foundation of the 
 world, but was mani- 
 fell in thefe lait times 
 for you y 
 
 21 Who by him do 
 believe in , God that 
 raifed him up from 
 the dead, and gave 
 him glory, that your 
 
 20. S_ 21. Even that Mejjiah, 
 originally defigned by God for the 
 redemption of all mankind ; but, 
 though promifed from the firft^ 
 and all along defcribed by the 
 Jewi/Jj prophets, to that people ; 
 yet was not actually fent into the 
 world for that purpofe, till this 
 laft and great difpenfation of the 
 gofpel ; wherein his religion was 
 
 intended to be propofed equally 
 to you f and them, by his apojlles, and demonftrated to 
 us all, by his refurre&ion from the dead, as a fure 
 pledge of our future happinefs, upon our fincere obedi- 
 ence. So that, by being Chrifiians, you do not forfake 
 
 God 
 
Chap. I. i General Epistle of St. Peter. 
 
 r*; 
 
 faith and hope might 
 be * in God. 
 
 22 Seeing ye have 
 purified your fouls in 
 obeying the truth 
 through the Spirit, 
 unto unfeigned love 
 of the brethren ; fee 
 that ye love one ano- 
 ther with a pure heart 
 fervently : 
 
 23 Being born a- 
 gain, not of corrup- 
 tible feed, but of in- 
 corruptible, by the 
 word of God, which 
 liveth and abideth for 
 ever. 
 
 God (as the obftinate yews vainly A D - 66 
 pretend) but do mod effectually 1 » ' 
 ,* believe in him. 
 
 22. And fince you have engaged 
 to reform your lives, by obedience 
 to this pure and fpiritual religion, 
 one of the chief duties whereof, is 
 an univerfal love and charity to all 
 your Chriftian brethren; be lure to 
 praffcife that principal virtue with 
 the utmcit ardour and fincerity, 
 
 23. Remember that by embra- 
 cing this profeffion, you become 
 the church and people of God, in 
 a fenfe much more excellent than 
 the Jews were by their natural 
 defcent from Abraham and the 
 putriat chs ; or than any profelyte 
 could be, by joining himfelf to their external and cere- 
 monial worfhip. You are regenerated and made the 
 children of God, by the belief of thofe go/pel doctrines, 
 the habitual practice whereof will work in you thofe 
 excellent graces and divine virtues, that will for ever 
 adorn and make you happy ||. jj See John I 
 
 24 For all flelh is 24. & 25. Thofe privileges of I2 » r 3- a » d 
 
 natural defcent the Jews fo much 1 "^' 1 '* 1 ' 
 boaft of, the fucceflion in rich and 
 noble families, by any civil rela- 
 tion or inftitution,are mereexteraal 
 and fading bleffings : As Iiaiah for- 
 merly reprefented them. But the 
 bleffing of being taken into God's 
 church, by embracing the revela- 
 tion of JefusChrift, is of the utmofl 
 and everlafting confequence to us. 
 And thus the gofpel we preach to 
 you is truly what Ifaiah there 
 " The word of the Lord that endureth for 
 
 as grafs, and all the 
 glory of man, as the 
 flower of grafs. The 
 grafs withe reth, and 
 the flower thereof 
 falleth away : 
 
 25 But the word of 
 the Lord endureth for- 
 ever. And this is the 
 word which by the 
 gofpel is preached un- 
 to you. 
 
 defcribed it, 
 
 ever," Ifa. xl. 6, 7, 8. 
 
 C H A P. 
 
 * Ver. 21. [That your faith and hope might be in God, 
 -n'rov W.m — uvsci u< Qi°v. So that \ our taith — is in God.] 
 
A Paraphrase on the Chap. II, 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 'J he Loving and 'Charitable Temper fpoken of chap, i. 22, fur- 
 ther and particularly recommended, from the great 1 
 pie of Chryi, and the BleJJings of hu '.reliev- 
 
 ing Gentiles are received into its 1 , while the uifi- 
 
 del Jews are reje&ed ; according to the Scripture Prophecies, 
 The Jewiih Chriflians exhorted to pay all due Obedience to 
 the Emperor and his Officers j as obliged thereto by their 
 Chriftianity, and as the only Means to avoid the fcandalous 
 Character of being Seditious, as the Gentiles were apt to re- 
 prefent the Chriflians, in common with the reft of the Jewifti 
 Nation. Chrifian Servants or Slaves obliged to ferve and 
 . refpeci even their Heathen Maflcrs, though fevere toward 
 them for their Religion's fake : Encouraged thereto by tha 
 Example of Chri/Ps Meeknefs and Patience under his Suf- 
 ferings. 
 
 A. D. 66. I'TKTHereforclaying I. & 2. HPHus are you * regene- 
 
 l—^—j afide all malice •*- rated by the Chrifiian 
 
 •Chap ; U&and all guile and hy- faith. And therefore, as new 
 
 -4> 25. poptifies, and envies, born children are to be fed with 
 
 and all evil fpeakings, the moft fi mp l c an d harmlefs diet ; 
 
 2 As new born fo ht u moft careful _ 
 
 babes defire the fin- , tQ avo|d ^ th£)fe inci les of 
 
 cere milkol the word, ;T , t v j 
 
 1 . ' treachery, hypocriiy, envy, and 
 
 that ye may grow , J1 J K- +_ J J e+ • n % 
 
 tJofe F hus. thereb y. J & calumny, to which the Jewifh\ 
 
 Jam. i ai. people are fo miferably prone, 
 
 X ToXoyiyJv and to put in practice the pure and % reafonable pre- 
 
 yxXx. cepts of the gofpel, whereby you may improve in all 
 
 Rom.xii.i. V i rtue and holinefs. 
 
 3 If io be ye have 3. Thofe contrary graces of a 
 || tf^Vc^.tafted that the Lord gentle, meek,- || and kind dlfpofi- 
 
 is gracious. tion, being fo fully recommended 
 
 to you by Chrift your merciful Redeemer and great ex- 
 ample. 
 
 4. & 5. Lcok 
 
Chap. II. 2 Epistle Genera! of St. Peter, 
 
 3 2 5 
 
 4 To whom com- 
 ing, as unto a living 
 Hone, diifallowed in- 
 deed of men, but 
 chofen of God, and 
 precious, 
 
 5 Ye alfo, * as live- 
 ly ltones, are built up 
 a fpiritual hou&, an 
 holy priefthood to of- 
 fer up fpiritual facii- 
 rices, acceptable to 
 God by Jems Chrift. 
 
 4. & 5. Look upon yourfelves A - D - 
 as members of his religion ; both*"- ""v 
 Jewi/h and Gentile Chriflians be- 
 ing equally parts of that noble 
 fabric, the church ; of which he 
 is the foundation and corner- ftone, 
 uniting you both into one build- 
 ing, far exceeding that of the 
 Jewi/h temple. And, though the 
 Jewifh council rejected and de- 
 fpi'fed him, yet has God demon- 
 ftratedhim to be the irus\MeJfiah ; 
 
 andjof/,as members of his church, 
 are capable to offer fuch' truly fpiritual feryices to God, 
 as infinitely furpafs their legal and ceremonial facrifices; 
 and are inverted with fuch honours and privileges as 
 their imperfect, difpenfation have no pretence to* 
 6 Wherefore it is 
 
 contained in the fcrip- 
 ture, Behold, I lay 
 in Sion a chief cor- 
 ner ftone, elecl:, pre- 
 cious j and he that 
 believeth on him (hall 
 not be confounded. 
 
 7 Unto you there- 
 fore which believe he 
 is precious j but unto 
 them which be dif- 
 obedient, the ftone 
 which the builders 
 difallowed, the fame 
 is made the head of 
 the corner. 
 
 8 And a ftone of 
 Humbling, and a rock. 
 of offence, even to 
 
 them 
 
 6. Agreeably to that prophecy 
 of Xfa. xxviii. 16. concerning 
 Chrift : " Representing him as 
 the Head of a new and more per- 
 fect religion, attended with more 
 valuable promifes and privileges, 
 undoubtedly to be bellowed on 
 all the Jewifh people that would 
 embrace and obey him." 
 
 7. &£ 8. Which charaSer of him 
 is now fulfilled to you Chriftiatk 
 believers, that enjoy the privi- 
 leges of the go/pel. But, to the 
 obliinate unbelievers 01 that na- 
 tion, are as juftly applicable thofe 
 words of the Pfalmift, relating to 
 th e f am e MeJ/iah ; Pfal . ex v iii . 2 2 . 
 " The flone which the builders 
 (/. e. the Jewifh council) rejected,, 
 is become the head of the cor- 
 
 1. e. t! 
 
 Y3 
 
 <e head and fc 
 
 unda- 
 tion 
 
 * [Lively Hones, a fpiritual houfe, a holy priefthood,] 
 Expreflions all alluding to the Jewi/b temple and prielt- 
 hood, and intended to (how the excellency of the Chriflian 
 above the Jewijh religion. 
 
3 2< 
 
 A Parafkarse on the 
 
 Chap. If. 
 
 A. D. 66".thcra which Humble 
 
 , -''*v>*J at the word, being 
 
 difobedient, whereun- 
 
 were 
 
 tion of God's true church. In 
 them alfo is completed that pre- 
 diction of Ifa. viii. 14. represent- 
 ing Chrift as a u ftone of Hum- 
 bling, error, prejudice and de- 
 ftru^tion," to which God has in fo juft judgment, giv- 
 en that people over, for their incurable malice and in- 
 
 to alfo they 
 appointed. 
 
 f See ver. 
 
 gratitude*. 
 
 p iSut ye are a cho- 
 fen generation, a roy- 
 al priefthood, an ho- 
 ly nation, a peculiar 
 people ; that ye|(hould 
 ihovv forth the praifes 
 of him who hath call- 
 ed you out of dark- 
 nefs into his marvel- 
 lous light ; 
 
 10 Which in time 
 paft were not a peo- 
 :.ple, but are now the 
 people of God :« which 
 had not obtained mer- 
 cy, but now have ob- 
 tained mercy. 
 
 9. & 10. As much, therefore, 
 as the Jewi/b zealots are apt to 
 defpife you Gentile Chriftians, as 
 a people that never were in co- 
 venant with God, nor belonged to 
 his ancient church ; yet even you 
 may now affure yourfelves, that, 
 by your embracing Chrijlianity, 
 your condition is as much differ- 
 ent from what it was, as light is 
 from darknefs ; and all the facred. 
 characters* f great titles, and re- 
 ligious privileges, that nation fo 
 much value themfelves upon, are 
 
 yours now in a much better and 
 truer fenfe than ever they were 
 
 theirs. So that you are capable of offering up a fer- 
 
 -vice to God more pure and acceptable than they, by 
 
 their ceremonial worjhip, can pretend to. 
 
 11 Dearly beloved, II. Wherefore, dear brethren, 
 
 I befeech vou as ttran- whether Gentile or jfewi/h Chri- 
 ftians, make it your utmofl en- 
 deavour to anfwer this excellent 
 delign of your religion, for the 
 glory of God, and your own hap- 
 
 pinefs, 
 
 gers and pilgrims, ab- 
 it ain from flefhly luffs, 
 •which war againft the 
 foul. 
 
 * Ver. 8. [Whereunto alfo they w T ere appointed:] Or 
 elfe ug a k< gT&jow — [To which {prejudice and infidelity) they 
 Were wilfuily and habitually difpofed :] In the fame fenfe 
 with iiTay/^ivot l;$ Zur,v ec;avtov, [Men well diipoied for eternal 
 life,] Acls xiii. 48. But it is, perhaps, moll natural to re- 
 fer the iig o £ tridnmtv, to the tS Aoy*7, [the word]. Thus — 
 61 They, being dlibbedient, Humbled at that word to which* 
 w they were appointed, viz. for light and milruclion." 
 
•Chap. II. i Epistle General of St. Peter. 32^ 
 
 pinefs, by the conquefl of all thofe fenfual appetites A - D- 66. 
 that corrupt the true principles of the mind. Place*"— —v— — ' 
 not your aims and hopes upon ^f/T^o/vz/pleafures : Look 
 upon the prefent world only as a pailage toward the 
 more certain and durable happinefs of heaven. 
 
 12 Having your 12. I warn the Jewi/h converts 
 
 converfation hone ft a- efpecially,to confult the credit and 
 mong the Gentiles, intereft of their profeffion, by a 
 that whereas they p ru dent and decent behaviour a- 
 fpeak againft you as m the Gen i iie pcople and 
 
 evil doers, they may partictllarly by pa in all due Q . 
 
 by your good works f •, • ? lu r 
 
 \.- 1 ^ fL ti u bedience to the government or 
 which they lhall be- .. ». . „,, . 
 
 hold, glorify God in th * ^untry you live m. This 
 the day of vifitation. wlU be the beft means to take off 
 that prejudice and mifreprefenta- 
 tion you lie under, among the Romans, as a people as 
 feditious * and averfe to their laws, as the reft of the*x«*07r«^ 
 f Jewi/h nation is. And, by thus expreiling yourfjofeph.de 
 peaceable fubje£Hon to their government, you will a- B ^- J ud « 
 void the vengeance of God, wherewith the reft of the c l ' g ' 
 iinful world will be feverely % chaftifed ; and, whenever 
 you are called to account before the Roman % judica- '■ »v«g* s- 
 tures, will be able to give an honourable account of *■'»***"»* 
 yourfelves, and caufe all people to thinkand lpeak well 
 of your religion. 
 
 13 Submit your- 13, & 14. Nor let your own 
 felves to every ordi- private fafety be the only motive 
 nance of man for the f obedience to the government 
 Lord's fake, whether under which p rov idence has pla- 
 it be to the king as ced you . but know? you are ; 
 fupreme, bound tQ y. b the lftW of Qhr ^ 
 
 14 Or unto gover- a- -. , • 1 1 u 
 
 FT ■ *> . ttiamtv, which makes no altera- 
 
 nors, as unto them •'. S 7 . . . 
 
 that are fent by him * on ™ av '' ^ % A * 1 
 
 for the punimment of fore > the Ro ™ an Emperor and 
 evil doers, and tot the hl * deputy officers, are placed o~ 
 praife of them that ver you, for the fame good pur- 
 do well. pofcs as JewiJJj princes or gover- 
 nors w T ere formerly appointed o- 
 ver the Jewi/h nation, viz. the prefcrvation of the pub- 
 lic peace, the fecurity of the rights and properties of 
 the people committed to their charge, by fuitable re-i 
 
328 A Paraphrase on the Chap. II, 
 
 A. D. 66. -wards and pun ifh merits ; all ought to pay them a jufl 
 ^r^C obedience and fubjection *. 
 
 • See Rom. J 
 
 xiii. 1. xc. ^ -p or ^ Q j $ t | ie ^ Xhus f you will at once 
 
 *™' "" will of God, that with promote your own fafety, obviate 
 
 *° ' well doing we may put the prejudices J your character is 
 
 ^Seeverfe to filencc ^ ^ no " afperfed with, and difcharge a 
 
 12m ranee of foolilh men. moft principal duty of your holy 
 
 religion. 
 
 16 As free, and 16. The Jews indeed, under 
 not ufing your liberty the notion of being the feed of 
 for a cloak of mali- Abraham, and under the imme- 
 
 |1 Asfrcejcioufnefs, but as the diate gove rnment of Heaven, \\ 
 
 vilU?V erVaR GOd * proudly difdain to be fubjeft to 
 
 —36. ' J ' 'any powers but thofe of their own nation and religion, 
 You Chrijlians are now entitled to liberties || and pri- 
 vileges much nobler than theirs. But thefe privileges 
 are purely fpir it ual ; and you ought by no means to 
 abufe them into a pretence for feditious practices, and 
 difturbance of the civil government you live under, as 
 the Jews do. 
 
 17 Honour all men. 17. In fine, therefore, give all 
 Love the brother- ranks of men the refpect due to 
 hood. Fear God. their chara&er. Bear anaffedtion- 
 Honour the king. ate re gard to all your fellow Chri- 
 jlians, of what denomination foever. Adhere firmly 
 
 to your religion, and reverence the emperor and his mi- 
 7iijlers, with the honours due to temporal governors. 
 
 18 Servants be fub- 18- Let all Chriftians that are 
 
 jec~t to your matters fervants or Jlaves, to heathen ma~ 
 with all fear, not on- fters, continue to ferve them with 
 ly to the good and a ii fidelity and refped ; not only 
 gentle, but alfo to f u bmitting to their reafonable 
 the froward. commands, but alfo patiently bear- 
 
 ing their frowardnefs toward them on account of their 
 religion. Think not that Chrijlianity exempts any one 
 from his natural and civil obligations, as the jfeivi/h 
 § See Pref. zealots are apt to imgine§. 
 
 totheEph. 19 For this is 19. &, 20. Not to repine at the 
 
 § 4- thank- worthy, if a punifhments you really deferve, 
 
 man for confeience by neglecting your mailer's bufi- 
 
 toward ne ^ 
 
Chap. ID i Epistle General of St. Peter. 
 
 3*9 
 
 toward God endure 
 grief, fuffeiing wrong- 
 fully, 
 
 20 For what glory- 
 is it, if when ye be 
 buffetedforyourfaults, 
 ye fliall take it pa- 
 tiently ? but if when 
 ye do well, and fufier 
 for it, ye take it pa- 
 tiently : this is acceptable with God 
 
 nefs, has no great virtue In it : but^'p- 66 - 
 to endure, with an even and con- ^ ^ 
 tented mind, the hard (hips they 
 lay on you for being Chriftran*, 
 and discharging your confcicnce 
 towards God, this is a true in- 
 ftance, and will be rewarded by 
 God as a generous act of obedi- 
 ence. 
 
 21 For even here- 
 unto were ye called : 
 becaufe Chrifl alfo 
 fuffered for us, leav- 
 ing us an example, 
 that we mould follow 
 his fteps. 
 
 21. This is indeed agreeable to 
 your religion, which you are now 
 to cqnfider as a ftate of fuffering 
 and difcipline. Your very pro- 
 fejjion is, to imitate the meek- 
 nefs of Chrift, your great head 
 and example ,- and to fuffer for his 
 fake, who has undergone fo much for you. 
 
 22 Who did no 22. &■ 23. For thus did the 
 
 fin, neither was guile innocent and unfpotted Jefus, 
 found in his mouth. while he fuffered for the fins of 
 others, having no blemifhes of his 
 own, return none of the reproach- 
 es caft upon him, nor flung out fo 
 much as one impatient threat 
 againft his mercilefs crUcifiers ; 
 but perfectly refigned himfelf and 
 his caufe to God, the great and 
 righteous Judge. 
 
 24. So complete an example 
 have you in a Saviour, who ought 
 the moft flrongly to engage you 
 to an imitation of him, in this, 
 and all other inftances of true vir- 
 tue ; mice the very fufterings and 
 patience propofed to you were the 
 means whereby he redeemed you 
 from fin and death. 
 
 25. In ihort, both Jewi/I? and 
 G<?/z/z'/fc Chriflians are to reflect up- 
 on themfelves to have been in fuck 
 
 a Hate 
 
 23 Who when he 
 was reviled, reviled 
 not again ; when he 
 fuffered, he threatened 
 not, but committed 
 himfelf to him that 
 judgeth righteoufly. 
 
 24 Who his own 
 felf bare our fins in 
 his own body on the 
 tree, that we being 
 dead to fin, mould 
 live unto righteouf- 
 nefs ', by whofe itripes 
 ye were healed. 
 
 25 For ye were as 
 fheep going aftray, 
 fcut are now returned 
 
 unto 
 
33Q A Paraphrase on the Chap. IT, 
 
 A. D. 66. unto the Shepherd and a ftate of ignorance and vice, be- 
 <«^v^J Bifliop of your fouls. fore their converlion, as might 
 well bear the comparifon of the prophet, refembling you 
 to u fheep that were loll and gone aftray," (Ifaiah liii. 
 6. See alfo Jerem. 1. 6, 17.) But now, by the Chri~ 
 Jiian religion, you are recovered again, and put under 
 the conduct of a Saviour and Governor, whom it is 
 your utmolt happinefs, as well as duty, to imitate and 
 obey. 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 Differences in Religious Principles ought to be no Pretence for 
 Chrifian Hufbands or Wives to withdraw the Duties of 
 that Relation even from Heathens, to whom they are mar- 
 ried. The Chrijlian Wife ought to endeavour to win over 
 fuch Hufband to the Chrijlian Faith, by the fingular Kindncfs 
 of her Behaviour, her modejl Garb, and virtuous Converfa- 
 tion. The Chrijlian Hufband to do the fame toward fuch 
 Wife, by Exprejfwns of the utmojl Tendernefs and *rffjec~ 
 fion, Unanimity, Candour, Peace, and J if ice recommended, 
 npon the fame Reafons of Tnure/l and Duty, as in the fore- 
 going Chapter, efpecially that of the Example of Chri/l, who 
 is now exalted to be our powerful Head and Saviour. A 
 Comparifon. between the Ark of Noah, and the Baptifra of 
 Chrjiians. 
 
 • SeeChap. 1 T Ikewjfe,yewives, I. &. 2. TO proceed then: * the 
 
 ii.13— 18. beinfubje&ionto ■*- fame reafons that o- 
 
 your own hufbands, blige Chriftians to be peaceable 
 
 that if any obey not fobjeBs,' even under heathen go- 
 
 the word, they alfo vern ments, and faithful fervants; 
 
 may without the word even tQ infidd maft are equally 
 
 be won by the tonver- a c j-r % ' r ii 
 
 r . c 1 • itrong lor your diicnaree 01 all 
 
 iation or the wives : . • » 7 • & -, 
 
 2 While they be- ° ther relatvo * dutus > under the 
 
 hold your clialie con- fame circumftances. Thus, all 
 
 verfatioa- Chnitian' 
 
verfation coupled with 
 fear. 
 
 Chap. IIL i General Epistle of St. Peter. 33» 
 
 Chriftian wives ought to pay all A - D - 66 ^ 
 
 due lubmiffion and refpecl to their l """"~v— - 
 , , • 'c r i See I Cor, 
 
 hujbandS) though unconverted; % endeavouring, it pol- vii 1Z> EJ- 
 
 fible, by a meek, chafte, loving, and modett behaviour, 14,15, 16, 
 
 to win them over to the Chriftian faith} that hath fo vi- 
 
 fible good eftecls upon their conduct. 
 
 3 Whofe adorning, 
 let it not be that out- 
 ward adorning, of 
 plaiting the hair, and 
 of wearing of gold, 
 or of putting on of 
 apparel : 
 
 4 But let it be the 
 hidden man of the 
 heart, in that which 
 is not corruptible, e- 
 ven the ornament of a 
 meek and quiet fpirit, 
 which is in the light 
 of God of great price. 
 
 5 For after this 
 manner in the old 
 time, the holy women 
 alfo who trufted in 
 God adorned them- 
 felves, being in fub- 
 jeclion unto their own 
 hufbands. 
 
 6 Even as Sarah 
 obeyed Abraham, cal- 
 ling him Lord, whofe 
 daughters ye are as 
 
 3. & 4. Let thefe women ftrive 
 to recommend themfelves to their 
 hufbands affections, not by the 
 nicety and fumptuoufnefs of their 
 drefs, and outward gaiety of their 
 perfons ; but by the virtue of 
 their lives, and fweetnefs of their 
 tempers : thofe lovely ornaments 
 of the mind, that infinitely fur- 
 pafs all external beauty and arti- 
 ficial accompliihments, and render 
 them amiable in the eyes of God, 
 
 5. & 6. In this you will truly 
 imitate thofe famous women, that 
 were wives of the patriarchs, and 
 mothers of your nation: you will 
 approve yourfelves the genuine 
 daughters of Sarah, that dutiful 
 fpoufe of faithful Abraham, fo 
 long as you keep firm to your 
 duty *, and be difcouraged from 
 no inftance of it by any dangers 
 and inconveniences. 
 
 long as ye do well, 
 
 and are not afraid * with any amazement. 
 
 7 Likewife ye huf- 
 bands, dwell with 
 them according to 
 knowledge, giving ho- 
 nour 
 
 7. In like manner, let all Chri- 
 
 Itian hujhands treat their wives in 
 
 a tender and condefcending manner, 
 
 as the weaker fex; performing all 
 
 conjugal 
 
 * [With any amazement y\ alluding, perhaps, to that 
 gaffa£e of Sarah, Gen. xx. 20. or Gen. xviii. 15, 
 
332 
 
 A Paraphrase on the Chap. III. 
 
 A. D. (6. nour unto the wife as 
 
 1 " -v 'unto tlie weaker vef- 
 
 * SeelCor -fel, and as being heirs 
 vL - utItt P ra -togcther of the grace 
 of life, that your 
 prayers be not hin- 
 dered. 
 
 conjugal duties to them*, as Chri- 
 ftianity requires ; looking upon a 
 Chriftian wife in the notion of an 
 heirefs of the fame heavenly hap- 
 pinefs with himfelf, and endea- 
 vouring to render an unbelieving 
 one fo, by converting her to the 
 faith, by this virtuous and obliging carriage toward 
 her : that fo their religious devotions be not hindered, 
 by any differences in principles, or difagreement of 
 tempers. 
 
 8. In fine : be all unanimous in 
 your principles, companionate to 
 the infirmities of each other ; and 
 let your whole converfation run 
 in that ftrain of charity, tender- 
 nefs, and courtefy that becomes 
 Chriftian brethren. 
 
 8 Finally, be ye all 
 of one mind, having 
 companion one for a- 
 nother ; love as bre- 
 thren, be pitiful, be 
 courteous : 
 
 9 Not rendering e- 
 vil for evil, or rail- 
 ing for railing : but 
 contrariwise blefling, 
 knowing that ye are 
 thereunto called, that 
 ye mould inherit a 
 blefling. 
 
 io For he that will 
 love life, and fee good 
 days, let him refrain 
 his tongue from evil, 
 and his lips that they 
 fpeak no guile. 
 
 ii Let him efchew 
 evil and do good, let 
 him feek peace and 
 enfue it. 
 
 12 For the eyes of' 
 the Lord are over 
 the righteous, and his 
 ears are open unto 
 their prayers: but the 
 face 
 
 9. Seek no revenge againfl your 
 perfecutors, but return prayers 
 and good wifties to fuch as revile 
 and reproach }^ou : remembering 
 that the bleffings you enjoy by 
 your Chriftian profeflion, are the 
 ftrongeft argument to make you 
 defire the good and happinefs of 
 all your fellow-creatures. 
 
 10. 11. & 1 2. Confider the blef- 
 fings annexed to an even, juft and 
 peaceable difpofition (Pfal. xxxiv. 
 12, 13, &x.) " What man is he 
 that defireth (a happy life) and 
 loveth to fee (many) good days ? 
 Keep thy tongue from evil (fpeak- 
 ing) and thy lips from fpeaking 
 deceit. Depart from evil (or 
 mifchief) and do good, feek and 
 purfue peace. The eyes of the 
 Lord are upon the righteous (the 
 juft, or merciful), and his ears are 
 open to their prayers. But the 
 
 face 
 
Chap. III. i Efistle Genbral of St. Peter, 
 
 333 
 
 face of the Lord is a- face (i. e. difpleafure) of the Lord A - D - ((i - 
 gainft them that do is againil them that do ev : J. v— y— > 
 
 evil. 
 
 13 And who is he 13. And, as this providentially 
 that will harm you, tends to procure jou the divine 
 if ye be followers of bleffing, fo does it naturally prove 
 that which is good ? t h e k e ft means to preferve you 
 from the malice of mankind. For there are fcarce any 
 people of fo favage a temper, as without any provoca- 
 tion, to injure a perfon of a kind * and inoffenfive be- *™«r«- 
 haviour. 
 
 14 But and if ye 14. But, whenever it {hall hap- 
 fuffer for righteoufnefs pen, that you fuffer for the fake 
 fake, happy are ye; of y ouv religion; look upon that 
 
 as your happinefs. Be not dif- 
 couraged at any threats, cr the 
 worfl that can befal you of that 
 kind. 
 
 15. Be but pofTefled of a reli- 
 gious fear of offending God, be- 
 lieve his truth, depend upon his 
 power, juftice and goodnefs ; and 
 you need not fear to own, and be 
 ready to defend jour Chriflian 
 principles, in a modefl and hum- 
 ble way, upon either private or 
 public examination. 
 
 1 1>. For, thus to demonftrate the 
 innocence and peaceablenefs of 
 your carriage, is the moll direcl: 
 way to fhame and confound thofe 
 that would reprefent you as men 
 of turbulent and % feditious prin- $ & t zaxo „ 
 
 ciples. «•"*»■ 
 
 SeeChapii. 
 17. And whether it fucceeds in 12, &c 
 fecuring you from their malice, or 
 no ; yet you will have the inward 
 fatisfactionof fufferingwith a good 
 confeience, and for a good caufe ; 
 without which your afflictions would indeed be infup- 
 portable. 
 
 18. You 
 
 and be not afra d of 
 
 their terror, neither 
 be troubled : 
 
 15 Bat fanclify the 
 Lord God in your 
 hearts, and be ready 
 always to give an an- 
 fwer to every man 
 that afketh you a rea- 
 fon of the hope that 
 is in you, with meek- 
 nefs and fear : 
 
 16 Having a good 
 confcience,that where- 
 as they fpeak evil of 
 you, as of evil doers, 
 they may be aihamed 
 that falfelyaccuie your 
 good converfation in 
 Chrifl. 
 
 17 For it is better, 
 if the will of God be 
 fo, that ye fuffer for 
 well doing, than for 
 evil doing. 
 
334 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. IIL 
 
 A. D. 
 
 66. 1 8 For Chrift alfo 
 l-*~v*+-> hath once differed for 
 fins, the juft for the 
 unjult: (that he might 
 bring us to God) be- 
 ing put to death in 
 gaCor.xiii.the flelh, || but quick- 
 
 18. You will, then, copy after 
 the great example, and ihare in 
 the glories of your innocent Sa- 
 viour, who laid down his fpotlefs 
 life to procure the pardon and 
 falvation of a guilty world ; and 
 in reward of thofe fuller ings, 
 was raifed again from the dead, 
 
 by the power of the Holy Spirit. 
 
 19 By which alfo 19. & 20. Even of that Divine 
 
 he went and preach- Spirit wherewith he infpired Noah 
 to preach repentance and reforma- 
 tion to the wicked people, before 
 the flood; thofe difTolute wretches, 
 that were enflaved to § their brut- 
 ifh lulls ; and after the merciful 
 fpace of a hundred years |] given 
 them to repent in, and Noah per- 
 fuading them to it, with particu- 
 lar earneftnefs, all the while he 
 was preparing the ark ; were, at 
 laft, like condemned * pr if oners, 
 
 iuftly fentenced to deftruclion, for their incurable im- 
 § Gen. vii. piety j and none faved in the § ark, befide Noah, and 
 
 21 & 2 a. Now our baptifm is 
 the fame to us, as the ark was to 
 Noah, and his family, viz. a means 
 of our falvation from fin and eter- 
 nal death, as the ark faved thern 
 
 from 
 
 ned by the Spirit : 
 
 ed unto the fpirits in 
 prifon : * 
 
 20 Which fome- 
 
 § ra7t h- time were difobedi- 
 
 <pvXccK>i ent, f when once the 
 
 ■zsmvfAsitri. long fuffering of God 
 
 g Gen. vi.3. waited in the days of 
 
 Noah, while the ark 
 
 was a preparing, 
 
 wherein few, that is, 
 
 eight fouls, were % 
 
 faved by water. 
 
 leven more of his family %, 
 
 21 The like figure 
 whereunto even bap- 
 tifm, doth alfo now 
 fave us (not the put- 
 ting away of the filth 
 of 
 
 * Ver. 19. [By which (ev ») he went and preached — ] 
 Not that Chrift kimfelf preached, but preached by the Spirit, 
 i. c. by fending the Spirit upon Noah ; agreeably to 2 Pet. 
 ii. 5. and 1 Pet. i. 11. 
 
 f Ver. 20. [When once, ore <iV#|, when once for all.] See 
 the Note on Heb. ix. 26. 
 
 X [Saved by water.] A quite wrong tranflation : Tt v$xr&> 9 
 is out of, or from the water j in the fame manner as 3ws srw- 
 §'vo§, faved by fire, mould be rendered, As out of the fire, 
 i Cor. Hi'. 15. 4 
 
Chap. III. i Epistle General of St. Peter. 
 
 335 
 
 from the flood. For Chriftian A. D. 66. 
 baptifm is not a mere external ce- 
 remony of warning and cleanfing 
 the body ; but its nature and ad- 
 vantage lies in its being a folemn 
 * engagement on our part, to de- 
 dicate ourfelves to the fervice of 
 Chrift; and the promife of eternal 
 life, on God's part, on condition 
 of our performing that engage- 
 ment. A promife we are certain 
 
 of the flefh, but * the 
 anfwer of a.good con- 
 science towards God) 
 by the refurreclion of 
 Jefus Chrift, 
 
 22 Who is gone 
 into heaven, and is 
 on the right hand of 
 God, angels, and au- 
 thorities, and powers 
 being made fubjecl 
 unto him. 
 
 to fee performed, as having now 
 
 a perfect pledge and earneft of it, by the refurre&ion of 
 Chrift from the dead, and his glorious exaltation into 
 heaven, to the utmoft degree of glory and majefty ; 
 whereby angels and archangels, men and devils, all 
 ranks and degrees of creatures are put under his go- 
 vernment and dominion. 
 
 * [The anfwer of a good confcience :] vxiynny* fignifies ei- 
 ther a quejlion or an anfwer. It moft probably alludes to 
 the quejlions put to, and anfwer ed by the perfon baptized, 
 und fo fignifies theflipu/atign of baptifm. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
336 A Paraphrase on the Chap. IV. 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 The Gentile Chriflians again exhorted to Purity of Life, and 
 Conjlancy in their Prof effion, from the Confederation ofChriffs 
 Sufferings for the/if, and their Engagement to imitate him. 
 They are warned from the former Vices of their Heathen 
 State. The Apojlle turns his Argument again to the Jewifii 
 Converts, telling them the Diffblution of the Jewifh State and 
 Religion, with the exemplary Deflruciion of that People, was 
 near at hand ; exhorting them to great Sobriety, Devotion, 
 Charity, and Hofpitality, for their Preservation from the 
 E feels of that Calamity. Advices for the due life of Spi- 
 ritual Gifts, and the Exercife of Sacred Offices. The dread- 
 ful Judgment upon the Jewifh Nation, and the happy Security 
 of good Chriflians. 
 
 A.D. 66. 1 "pOrafmuchthen,as I.&2. HPHUS * you are to con- 
 V— *r^J ' Chriit hath fuf- ■*■ fider how great an ob- 
 *Chap iii.fered for us in the ligation the fufFerings of Chrift, 
 l8 > &c - flefh, arm yourfelves on vour behalf, lays on you to re- 
 like wife with the nounce a ll your former vicious 
 fame mind: for he pr i nc i p i es an d carnal pradices, 
 
 ^ at . n ft r*!! ™* that the very defign of your 
 the flefh, hath ceafed r , .„. . . / 6 *. m . 
 
 f - ' Lhnjtianity is, to engage you to 
 
 TThat he no Ion- live b ? the P urit 7 of hi \ Pf ter . n * 
 
 ger (hould live the and whenever you are called to it, 
 
 reft of his time in the *° fiiffer too, after his example, 
 flefh, to the lufts of men, but to the will of God. 
 
 3 For the time pafl 3. You Gentile converts mufl 
 
 of our life may fuffice efpecially know, you are now to 
 
 us to have wrought bid adieu to all the drunkennefs, 
 
 tne impure 
 
 * Ver. 1. [He that hath fuffered in the flefh.] A Chri- 
 stian's fuffer'mg in the flefli is, in this place, evidently the 
 fame with his mortifying the flefh, and its luflsx as appears 
 by the fecond and third verfcs\ 
 
Chap. IV. i Epistle General of St. Peter. 337 
 
 the will of the Gen- impure debaucheries and abomi- £J^^j 
 
 tiles, when we walk nable practices, fo ufual in your v — "V"*-' 
 
 ed in lafcivioufnefs, former courfe of heathen worlhip. 
 
 lufts, excefs of wine, 
 
 revellings banquettings, and abominable idolatries : 
 
 4 Wherein they 4* Thofe impious cuftoms being 
 think it ftrange that become branches even of their re- 
 you run not with ligious ivorfhip ; your heathen neigh- 
 them to the fame bours will, it is like, wonder at your 
 excefs of riot, fpeak- relinquiihing them, and point you 
 ing evil of you : out for men of novelty and af- 
 
 feftation, with the utmoft indignity and reproach. 
 
 c Who (hall give 5. But let not //;vtf difheartenyou. 
 
 an account to him A time is coming when God will 
 that is ready to judge feverely recompenfe them, and all 
 the iuick and the that have given themfelves up to ob- 
 dead. ftinate and irreclaimable wicked- 
 
 nefs. 
 
 6 For, this caufe 6. Remember the blefled advan- 
 was the gofpel preach- tages your Gentile Chriftians, who 
 ed alfo to them that were dead in trefpajjes and fins , now 
 are dead, that they enjoy by the gofpel revelations 
 might be judged ac- engaging you to condemn * and 
 cording to men in the mortify your former vicious and 
 rle(h,but live accord- f en fual habits, and live a new and 
 ing to God in the divine life. A thing which, though 
 fp int • your heathen neighbours may re- 
 proach * and condemn you for, yet the prefent com- 
 forts of this fpiritual life, and the aflurance of being 
 raifed to an immortal happinefs, by the power of the 
 divine Spirit, will demonstrate your wifdom and their 
 folly. 
 
 7 But the end of all 7. Let the Jewfh converts now 
 things is at hand : be take notice, the ceremonial reli- 
 ye therefore fober and gion, fome of them are fo fond of, 
 watch unto prayer. , i s drawing near to an end ; and the 
 
 Vol. II. Z Jewijh 
 
 * [Judged according to men in the flefli, but, &c] I 
 have joined the two moft natural interpretations of thefe 
 phn s, and leave the reader to take which he thinks to be 
 the moll ftric~tly agreeable to the context. 
 
33* 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. IV, 
 
 A. D. 66. Jeauifj flare and people to be deftroyed, by a mod exem- 
 ""■"**■"■'' plary judgment. To prevent their fharing in which com- 
 mon calamity, it behoves them to betake themfelves to 
 great fobriety, temperance and devotion, according to 
 our Saviour's advice, Matth. xxi. 34, 36. 
 
 8 And above all 8. & 9. Remember, too, that a 
 things have fervant charitable, kind, and hofpitable 
 temper, free of all partial diilinc- 
 tions and animofities againft fuch 
 as are not of your opinion, will do 
 you particular fervice in the pre- 
 lent cafe, will contribute much to 
 atone for your firmer mifcarriages 
 
 charity among your- 
 felves : for charity 
 /hall cover the mul- 
 titude of fins *. 
 
 9 Ufe hofpitality 
 one to another with- 
 out grudging. 
 
 of that kind * ; and procure you 
 
 f x«i't» I0 AS . eVery man 
 t»etffta. bath received the gift, 
 
 eren fo minifter the 
 
 fame one to another, 
 
 as good ftewards of 
 
 the manifold grace of 
 
 God. 
 
 ~ >.»/.«. 
 
 the divine protection from the miferies now coming upon 
 your obdurate nation. 
 
 10. Whatever extraordinary f 
 gift of the Spirit any Chriftian is 
 endowed with, or whatever \ office 
 he is intruded withal, let him not 
 overvalue himfelf and defpife 
 others upon that account •, but look 
 upon himfelf as ajleward to whom 
 
 God has committed a talent to be liberally and cheerfully 
 improved to the church's good. 
 
 1 1 . Thus, he that has the gift 
 of explaining J fcripture prophecies > 
 let him prefume to carry that ex- 
 planation no further § than his in- 
 
 Jpiration reaches. He that is a 
 fteward of the church's charities 
 for the poor, or is feat on any cha- 
 ritable !! meilage to any church, 
 let him perform thofe offices with 
 diligence and heartinefs. And fo, 
 for all other employments in the 
 miniftry, let your chief aim be to 
 the glory of God, through Jefus Chrift ♦, to whom be af- 
 cribed all praife and dominion for ever. Amen, 
 
 12. Once 
 
 fpeak, let him /peak 
 as the oiacles of God} 
 if any man minifter, 
 
 t • fj *&" let him d ° il aS ° f the 
 
 Rom. xiT abnitv ™ hi <* ^od 
 
 £. giveth, that God in 
 
 all things may be glo- 
 
 W^iukcvh. rifled through Jefus 
 
 Chrift : to whom be 
 
 praife and dominion 
 
 for ever and ever. 
 
 Amen. 
 
 See James v. 9—20. and the note there. 
 
Chap. IV. i Epistle General of St. Peter. 
 
 39 
 
 12 Beloved think 
 it not ftrange con- 
 cerning the fiery tri- 
 al, which is to try 
 you, as though fome 
 ftrange thing happen- 
 ed unto you : 
 
 13 But rejoice, in 
 as much as ye are par- 
 takers of Chrifl's fuf- 
 fe rings ; that when 
 his glory fhall be re- 
 vealed, ye may be 
 glad alfo with exceed- 
 ing joy. 
 
 14 If ye be re- 
 proached for the 
 name of Chrift, hap- 
 py are ye ; for the Spi- 
 rit of glory,' and of 
 God refteth upon 
 you : on their part he 
 is evil fpoken of, but 
 on your part he is 
 glorified. 
 
 15 But let none of 
 you fuffer as a mur- 
 derer, or as a thief, or 
 as an evil doer, or as 
 a bufy-body, in other 
 mens matters. 
 
 16 Yet if any man 
 fujfer as a Chriitian, 
 
 let him not be afham- 
 ed, but let him glori- 
 fy God on this behalf. 
 
 17 For the time is 
 come that judgment 
 
 rauft 
 6 
 
 12. Once moreletme entreatyou,^. 
 dear brethren, not to be furprifed 
 and difhearteiaed at the fevere per- 
 
 D.66. 
 
 fecutions that befal 
 
 you, 
 
 for the 
 
 fake of your profeflion. Think it 
 not ftrange, that Christianity ihould 
 be a ftate of trials and fufferings. 
 
 13. Look on it, rather as an ho- 
 nour to be fharers in the fufferings 
 of your Lord, who accounts all 
 your affii.c~t.icns as his own. And 
 rejoice in it as your greateil happi- 
 nefs, that, as you are to referable 
 him in fuffering here, you are one 
 day to Ihine with him in eternal 
 fplendor and felicity. 
 
 14. Whenever, therefore, you 
 are vilified for your Chriftian reli- 
 gion, it is a happy token of your be- 
 ing the true difciples of God and 
 Chrift ; entitled to thofe endow- 
 ments of the Holy Spirit, that are 
 the earned and pledge of your fu- 
 ture glory, and will enable you to 
 triumph and fing the praifes of 
 him, whom your adverfaries fo ig- 
 norantly defpife. 
 
 15. Only take fpecial care, that 
 none of you commit, and fo juftly 
 fuffer for, any a&s of violence, 
 theft, fedition, or intruding into 
 matters that do not belong to you : 
 
 vices that the Jewifi * zealots are * jofephus. 
 now fo very prone to. 
 
 16. But, fo far as you innocent- 
 ly fuffer for the peaceable profeflion 
 of Ghriftianity, blefs God for fuch 
 happy opportunities of difplaying 
 and perfecting your fubmiffion to 
 his divine will and Providence. 
 
 1 7. & 18. In fine, the time is 
 
 now come, when even the Chrif- 
 
 7, % tian 
 
340 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. IV, 
 
 A. D. 66. muft begin at the 
 u — Y— ■'houfe of God, and if 
 it firil begin at us, 
 what fhall the end be 
 of them that obey not 
 the gofpel of God ? 
 
 1 8 And if the righ- 
 teous fcarcely be fav- 
 ed, where (hall the 
 ungodly and the fin- 
 ner appear ? 
 
 J}ian church itfelf is to undergo the 
 {harp difcipline of prefent trials 
 and affliftions. And, if the be~ 
 lieving part of the Jewijh nation 
 be, by Divine Wifdom, permitted 
 to fuffer fuch things, how dreadful 
 muft be the judgment upon the in* 
 fidel and obftinate part of that peo- 
 ple ? And, if their deftruftion will 
 be fo general and terrible, that the 
 very Chriflian members are likely 
 to efcape it only by a fpecial aft of mercy and provi- 
 dence ; what muft be the condition of thofe, upon whofe 
 heads thefe judgments are intended principally to fall ? 
 
 19 Wherefore, iet 19. Wherefore, as you Chriftians 
 them that fuffer ac- are fure of the divine protection, 
 bear your prefent perfecutions with 
 an eafy and cheerful mind. Keep 
 fteady to your duty, and commit 
 your liyes into his hands, who is 
 your faithful Creator, and cannot 
 fail to be your merciful deliverer^ 
 and eternal preferver. 
 
 ac- 
 cording to the will of 
 God, commit the 
 keeping of their fouls 
 to him in well doing 
 as unto a faithful Cre- 
 ator. 
 
 CHAP. V, 
 
 The Elder and Superior Officers of the Church exhorted to a 
 diligent, cheerful, difinterejled, and humble Management in 
 the governing the Chrijlian Church The Younger and In- 
 ferior Officers charged to obey their Superiors ; and to the 
 Exercife of Humanity, and all kind Offices to each other. 
 All Chriftians encouraged to patient Submifjion and Rejigna- 
 tion, under their prefent Sufferings ; to a vigilant Sobriety 
 againfl the prevalent Temptations of the Devil, and his 
 wicked lnflruments. The ApoflWs Prayer for them. The 
 Salutations and Conclujion. 
 
 1 THE elders which 
 are among you 
 I exhort, who am al- 
 io 
 
 I. tTAVING thus given you 
 
 •"-■*• thefe general directions, I 
 now particularly exhort the clergy 
 
 of 
 
Chap. 
 
 V. i Epistle General of St. Pete*. 
 
 34i 
 
 fo an elder, and a 
 witnefs of the fuffer- 
 ings of Chrift, and 
 alfo a partaker of the 
 glory that (hall be re- 
 vealed. 
 
 of your churches to a fpecial care A. D. 66. 
 of their duty. Let all the elder II "T^T^ 
 and fuperior church-officers, then, • w ^" r 
 take this advice, as coming from 
 one that is himfelf one of the chief 
 of their facred order, an apofile 
 that faw * the fufferings of Chrift, and is ready to bear * *■'<>'• 
 witnefs to the truth of them, by fuffering for his reli- 
 gion ; and is under a fure expectation of iharing in the 
 future glory promifed to his true difciples. 
 
 2 Feed the flock of 2. & 3. Let them govern their 
 God which is among churches with great diligence, both 
 in doctrine and example; with the 
 utmoft cheerfulnefs and freedom 
 from all fmifter and fecular defigns. 
 Neither exercifing any imperious 
 behaviour \ toward their people, j. ^ % *> u 
 nor difpofing of the public % reve- TeJ rSh «x<( . 
 nues committed to their care, in an e«». 
 arbitrary or humourfome manner : 
 But acting like faithful ftewards o- 
 ver God's people, and looking on 
 the charitable collections of the church as dedicated to his 
 
 you, taking the over 
 light thereof, not by 
 constraint, but wil- 
 lingly : not for filthy 
 lucre, but of a ready 
 mind. 
 
 3 Neither as being 
 lords over God's he- 
 ritage : but being en- 
 famples to the flock. 
 
 ,ervice. 
 
 4 And when the 
 chief Shepherd fhall 
 appear, ye (hall re- 
 ceive a crown of glo- 
 ry that fadeth not a- 
 way. 
 
 5 Likewife ye 
 
 4. And, by fo doing, they {hall 
 receive the crown of eternal re- 
 ward, at the great appearance of 
 Chrift to judgment, who is the 
 Lord and Head over the whole 
 church. 
 
 5. In like manner, let all the in* 
 
 younger, fubmit your- Jer'wr clergy pay a juft refpecl: and 
 fubmiflion to thofe of the fuperior 
 orders. And, in fine, be all, of 
 every degree whatever, ready to do 
 all kind and good offices to each 
 other •, making that great virtue of 
 humility their chief and molt va- 
 luable ornament : Remembering 
 thofe words of Solomon, Prov. iii. 
 
 34. " Surely he fcorneth the fcorners, i>ut his favour is 
 
 with the lowly." 
 
 Z 3 6. & 7. An d 
 
 felves unto the elder , 
 yea. all of you be fub- 
 jeft one to another, 
 and be clothed with 
 humility, for God re- 
 fifteth the proud and 
 giveth grace to the 
 humble. 
 
342 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. V. 
 
 D. (>6. 6 Humble your- 
 "V" ""'reives therefore under 
 the mighty hand of 
 God, that he may ex- 
 alt you in due time ; 
 
 7 Cafting all your 
 care upon him, for 
 he careth for you. 
 
 8 Be fober be vi- 
 gilant 5 becaufe your 
 adverfary the devil as 
 a roaring lion, walk- 
 eth about, feeking 
 whom he may devour. 
 
 9 Whom refill, (led- 
 fail: in the faith, k no wr- 
 ing that the fame af- 
 flictions are accom- 
 plished in your bre- 
 thren that are in the 
 world. 
 
 io But the God of 
 all grace, who hath 
 called us unto his e- 
 ternal glory by Chrift 
 Jefus, after that ye 
 have fuffered a while, 
 make you perfect, 
 ftablim, ftrengthen, 
 fettle you. 
 
 1 1 To him be glo- 
 ry and dominion for 
 ever and ever. Amen. 
 
 12 By Silvanus a 
 faithful brother unto 
 you (as I fuppofe) I 
 have written briefly, 
 exhorting and testi- 
 fying, that this h the 
 true grace of God 
 wherein ye ftand. 
 
 13 The 
 
 6. & 7. And let both clergy and 
 people commit themfelves to the di- 
 vine care and providence, with all 
 pious and humble refignation, un- 
 der their prefent futTerings -, de- 
 pending upon God for a feafon- 
 able deliverance, and a glorious 
 reward. 
 
 8. Let your care and circum- 
 fpeftion be particular, at this time, 
 when the rage of the devil and his 
 wicked inftruments your per/ecu- 
 tors, is fo violent to draw you into 
 apojlacy from the Ghriftian faith. 
 
 9. Your courage and refolution, 
 therefore, ought to be proportion- 
 able to your danger. And it will 
 add fomething to it, to confider, 
 that your Chrijlian brethren in o- 
 ther parts of the world, are now la- 
 bouring under the fame perfec- 
 tions. 
 
 10. & 11. And may God, the 
 Author of all divine favours and 
 bleflings, who has given us a furc 
 profpe6t of eternal glory and hap- 
 pinefs, by the Chrijlian religion, 
 fhorten your prefent fufferings, and 
 enable you to improve them into a 
 complete refignation to his divine 
 will and providence ; whereby you 
 cannot fail of the final rewards pro- 
 pofed to you. To him be afcribed 
 all glory and dominion for ever 
 and ever. Amen. 
 
 12. This epiftle, intended, in 
 the fhorteft compafs I could, to 
 comfort and confirm you in the 
 true faith, I now fend by Silvanus 
 (or Silas) of whole integrity I pre- 
 sume you all have a great opi- 
 nion. 
 
 13. All 
 
Chap. V. i Epistle General of St. Peter. 
 
 13 The church that 
 is at Babylon elected 
 together with you, fa- 
 luteth you, and fo doth 
 Marcas my fon. 
 
 14 Greet ye one 
 another with a kiis of 
 charity. Peace ^with 
 you all that are in 
 Chrift Jefus. Amen 
 
 343 
 
 13. All your fellow Chriftians A. D. 66, 
 here at * Rome, fend their hc;iny'~ m ~~v~ mm ~ J 
 love to your churches. And par- 
 ticularly (John) Mark, who has 
 ferved and aflifted me with the 
 
 mod filial refpect. See Phil. ii. 22. 
 
 14. Salute each other with your 
 ufual kifs of chanty for my fake. 
 All bleffing and happinefs attend 
 every Chriftian in your reflective 
 countries. Amen. 
 
 * [Babylon.] So it is moft generally thought Rome, is 
 here and in Rev. xvii. andxviii. figuratively called, from its 
 heathen idolatry and fuperftition, as fome think, but much 
 more probably as it was forefeen to be the head and mif- 
 trefs of vicious corruptions in the Chriftian church. The 
 learned Bp. Pearfon underftands by Babylon, in this place, 
 the Egyptian Babylon. Op. Poll, de Succelf. Rom. Epifcop. 
 cap. 8. 
 
 z 
 
 A PARA- 
 
PARAPHRASE 
 
 ON THE 
 
 SECOND EPISTLE GENERAL 
 
 OF 
 
 St. PETER. 
 
 Note, This epiftle being written in the latter end of the 
 fame year , to the fame people, and upon the fame occqfion 
 with the foregoing ; the reader is referred to the Pre" 
 face thereunto prefixed. 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 The Title and Salutation. The great BleJJtngs of the Chrijlian 
 Religion. Chrijlians exhorted to the refolute pra&ice offuch 
 Virtues as are fuitable to fuch blejjings. The necefjity and 
 glorious Efefis of thofe Chrijlian Virtues. The dejign of 
 this Epiftle, much the fame with that of the Former. St. 
 Peter foretels his own approaching Martyrdom. Reminds 
 them of the Truth and Certainty of their Chrijlian Religion, 
 from the Tejlimonies of a Divine Voice from Heaven, and 
 the Completion of Scripture Prophecies. 
 
 Written * glmon Peter a fer- i, Olmon Peter a fervant and a- 
 
 A. D. 66. vant and an apof- & poftle of Jefus Chrift, fend- 
 
 f— ^ tie of Jefus Chrift, to etn this epiftle to the Chriftian 
 
 thera churches 
 
Chap. I. 2 Epistle General of St. Peter. 
 
 345 
 
 them that have ob- 
 tained like precious 
 faith with us, through 
 the right eoufnefs of 
 God, and our Saviour 
 Jefus Chrifi : 
 
 2 Grace and peace 
 be multiplied unto 
 you, through the 
 knowledge of God, 
 and of Jefus our Lord. 
 
 3 According as his 
 divinepowerhath giv- 
 en unto us all things 
 that pertain unto life 
 and godlinefs, through 
 the knowledge of him 
 that hath called us to 
 
 4 Whereby are giv- 
 en unto us exceeding 
 great and precious pro- 
 mifes j that by thefe 
 you might bepartakers 
 of the divine nature, 
 having efcaped the 
 corruption that is in 
 the world through 
 luft. 
 
 5 And befides this, 
 giving all diligence, 
 add to your faith, vir- 
 tue ; and to virtue, 
 knowledge ; 
 
 6 And to know- 
 ledge, temperance ; 
 and to temperance, 
 
 patience ; 
 
 churches of Pontus, Galatia, Ca- A - D6 ^ 
 padocia, the LefTcr Afia, and Bi- *""" 
 thynia, to all, whether Jeivijh || or il See Pref. 
 Gentile converts, that place their to 1 ^ ' 
 hopes of pardon and falvationin the l x ' t 
 Chrijlian religion > as I myfelf do. 
 
 2. & 3. Wifhing you all that hap- 
 pinefs and bleffing which is the fruit 
 of truly knowing God to be our fu- 
 preme Father, and Jefus Chrift to 
 be our Lord and Saviour. By whofe 
 glorious power * and authority we 
 are now called into the privileges 
 and profefGon of a holy religion, 
 that will qualify us for eternal life. 
 
 glory * and virtue j 
 
 4. A religion, whereby you are 
 reformed from the vices and cor- 
 ruptions of the reft of mankind ; 
 have enjoyed the promifes made to 
 the Chriflian church, of being in- 
 fpired with the Holy % Ghofi -here, t §<*** 
 and wrought into fuch a rctem-V^ws 
 blance and imitation of God, as***' - "*^ 
 cannot fail to render you, for ever, 
 happy in him hereafter. 
 
 5. 6. & 7. Wherefore, f feeing + *■*) *»£ 
 the bleffings of your religion, are T * T0 « 
 fuch, make it your utmoft endea- 
 vour to perform the reafonable and 
 neceflary conditions of finally en- 
 joying them, viz. courage in pro- 
 fejion, and fincerity in practice. 
 
 Let 
 
 Ver. 3. [Called us to glory and virtue ; Aicc t$ hfa a^s 
 —By his glory and power 5 or, by his glorious power ;] the 
 iame with &/* dwetftis in the former part of the verfe. So the 
 
 £ exa " d \ * nd other MSS - fyify 5 and the Vulg. Propria fua 
 Gloria & Virtu te. & r J 
 
346 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. L 
 
 A. D. 66 patience ; and to pa- Let that courage be fupported by 
 *"" v ~""— 'tience, godlinefs 5 a careful ftudy and knowledge of its 
 
 7 And to godlinefs, true principles; thofe principles back- 
 brotherly kindnefs •, e d and fecuredby a ftria abftinencc 
 and to brotherly kind- f rom a H f en fual and unlawful plea- 
 nefs, charity. fures ; and exert themfelves in 
 rendering you patient under afflictions, conftant in the 
 true worfhip of God, and loving and charitable in your 
 thoughts and behaviour to all your Chriftian brethren, 
 
 8 For if thefe 8. Thefe are the true characters 
 things be in you, and of a good Chriftian ; and the only 
 
 things that will improve you in 
 your holy profeflion. 
 
 abound, they make 
 you, that you Jhall nei- 
 ther be barren nor un- 
 fruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jefus Chrift 
 
 9 But hethatlack- 
 eth thefe things, is 
 blind, and cannot fee 
 far off, and hath for- 
 gotten that he was 
 purged from his old 
 iins. 
 
 10 Wherefore the 
 rather, brethren, give 
 diligence to make 
 your calling and e- 
 leclion fure : for if ye 
 do thefe things, ye 
 Ihall never fall : 
 
 11 For fo an en- 
 trance fhall be mini- 
 
 ftred unto you abundantly into the everlafting kingdom o£ 
 our Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift. 
 
 12 Wherefore I will 1 2. & 1 3. Wherefore though you 
 not be negligent to put cannot but, in general, know this 
 to be the great concern of your 
 Chriftianity, yet, in this prefent 
 ftate of trials and temptations, I 
 could not but think it proper, once 
 and again, to remind you of a thing 
 of fuch infinite importance : Efpe- 
 cially confidering, I have butafhort 
 
 while 
 
 9. And the Chriftian that ne- 
 glects thefe virtues, has loft all true 
 notions of his religion, and for- 
 gotten the very end and defign of 
 his baptifm. 
 
 10. & 1 1. Make the diligent prac- 
 tice of thefe duties, therefore, the 
 only certain condition of the go/pel 
 bleffings. And then, as you have 
 done your part, you maybe perfectly 
 aflured of the complete fruition of 
 Chrift's future and eternal kingdom. 
 
 you always in remem- 
 brance of thefe things, 
 though ye know them, 
 and be eftablifhed in 
 the prefent truth. 
 
 13 Yea, I think it 
 
 meet fo long as I am 
 
 in this tabernacle, to 
 
 ftir 
 
Chap. I. i Epistle General of St. Peter. 34^ 
 
 ftir you up, by put- while to be your living remem- A D. 66. 
 
 ting you in remem- brancer. 
 bra nee : 
 
 14 Knowing that 
 fhortly I rauft put off 
 this my tabernacle, 
 even as our Lord Je- 
 fus Chrift hath fhow- 
 cd me. 
 
 15 Moreover, I will 
 endeavour that you 
 may be able after my 
 deceafe, to have thefe 
 things always in re- 
 membrance. 
 
 14. For I expect, very foon to 
 die a martyr for the religion of 
 Chrift, and, by the fame kind f] of II F/z.Crn- 
 death that he himfelf was pleafed eifixion. 
 to foretel me I fhould. (See John 
 
 xxi. 20.) 
 
 15. And therefore, I leave you 
 thefe my tfifles, to revive your 
 courage, and preferve you in con 
 ftancy to the true f ' 
 gone. 
 
 ith, after I am 
 
 16. And you ought to look up- 
 on the teftimonies of the truth of 
 your profeflion (and particularly of 
 this great article of Chrift' s future 
 coming) given you by me y and the 
 reft of the apofles, not like the un- 
 certain traditions and forgeries of 
 the jfewifh doctors •, but as truths 
 confirmed by unfufpe&ed eye-wit- 
 nefles of the life, miracles, death and refurretHon of Je- 
 fus Chrift •, all which are demonftrations of that great ar- 
 ticle of his future appearance, to be the Great Judge of all 
 the world. 
 
 16 For we have 
 not followed cunning- 
 ly devifedfables,when 
 we made known unto 
 you the power and 
 coming of our Lord 
 Jefus Chrift, but were 
 eye-witneffes of his 
 majefty. 
 
 17 For he received 
 from God the Father, 
 honour and glory, 
 when there came fuch 
 a voice to him from 
 the excellent Glory, 
 This is my beloved 
 Son, in whom I am 
 well pleafed. 
 
 18 And this voice 
 which came from 
 
 17. & 18. I myfelf was one of 
 them, who at his glorious trans- 
 figuration, upon the mount, faw 
 thofe difplays of the Divine Ma- 
 jefty, and heard the voice from 
 heaven declaring him to be the Son 
 of God, the true Meffiah and Sa- 
 viour of mankind. (See Matt. xvii. 
 1. and Mark ix. 2, 3, &c. Luke 
 ix. 28, &c.) 
 
 heaven, we heard 
 
 when we were with him in the holy mount. 
 
34* 
 
 A Paraphrase on the Chap. I. 
 
 A. D. 66. 19 We have alfo 19. Now, all thefe kind of evi- 
 * * a more fure Word of dences mult render our religion of 
 prophecy ', whereun- ftM more unconteftable authority, 
 to ye do well that ye as they are facls that are the corn- 
 take heed, f as unto a pletion of ancient prophecies ; an 
 light that ihineth in a argument the moft obftinate Jews 
 dark place, until the can never w i t hft a nd. But what- 
 day dawn, and the ever *A«r perverfenefs be, reft iww 
 day-ftar anfe in your fatisfied m ^ convincing pro £ s# 
 
 rts * Read, and compare thofe prophecies 
 
 with the tranfactions of Chrift, remembering the predic- 
 tions Chrift made concerning himfelf \ and you will find 
 the authority of the one to be as clear from the other, as 
 light f itfelf ; and, by ftill future concurring circum- 
 ftances, and the bleflings of Chrift upon your honefl en- 
 deavours, you will be more and more enlightened and 
 confirmed in the truth and excellency of religion J. 
 
 20 Knowing this 20. & 21. Thefe predictions right- 
 
 firft, that no prophe- ly compared and underftood, cannot 
 
 cy of the fcripture is but, at the fame time fatisfy you, 
 
 of any private inter- and confound your adverfaries ; 
 
 pretation §. efpecially thofe of the Jewijh part; 
 
 21 For for 
 
 * Ver 19. [A more fure word.] — Not more fure than 
 the facls fpoken of in the 17th and 18th verfes j but more 
 fure than the cunningly devifed 'fables in the 16th verfe. 
 
 f [As unto a light mining in a dark place :] i. e. Though 
 the prophecies feem dark and obicure, yet by applying them 
 to Chrift they will become clear and plain. See and com- 
 pare 2 Cor. iii. 14, 15. 16, 17, 18. Or perhaps, the dark 
 place may be the fame with darknefs, John i. 5. [The light 
 fhineth in darknefs, and the darknefs comprehended it not. 
 See Dr. Clarke's paraph, on that paffage. 
 
 % [The day :] So the gofpel religion is called, Rom. x^ii. 
 12, 16. [The-day itar:] So Chrift is called the day fpring y 
 Luke i. 78. [The morning ftar,] Rev. ii. 28. 
 
 § Ver. 20. [Of any private interpretation.] Note, fiiccs 
 WiXvinafs, may be very properly rendered thus ; None of the 
 prophetic prediclions of the Old c TeJ}ament (or at leaft not the ge- 
 nerality of them] were offo exprefs, clear, and plain a natur 6y 
 as to be their own interpreters: It is Chrift and his^^<?/th a t 
 
 perfecljy 
 
Chap. I. 2 Epistle General of St. Peter. 349 
 
 21 For theprophe- for they as well as we, do all allow A. D. 66. 
 cy came not in old thofe prophecies concerning the' * ■' 
 time by the will of Mejftah, not to be human inven- 
 man : but holy men tions, or the fuggeftions f of pri- t *■« ■*- 
 of God fpake as they vate fancy, but the clear predic- *"""*■ & 
 were moved by the t i ons f men i n f p i re d with the^T" 7 ' 
 Holy Ghoft. Holy Ghoft . And confequently, m *«™' 
 
 it is impoflible but the Chriftian religion, which is the 
 completion of thofe prohecies, mufl have the fame cha- 
 racters of divine truth with the prophecies themfelves. 
 
 perfectly opens and explains them. And then the follow- 
 ing words, " For prophecy came not by the will of man," 
 may have this fenfe, viz. " For thofe prophets, though tru- 
 ly infpired of God, yet could not prophecy concerning thefe 
 matters, when, or as much, and many things, as themfelves 
 pleafed, or their then prefent hearers might defire 5 but 
 were confined to the dictates of the Holy Ghoft. Now 
 all the obfeurities and defeats of their doctrines are fully 
 cleared up, and fupplied by the life, and tranfa&ions of that 
 Chrift of whom they prophefied." Thus the fenfe of thefe 
 three verfes is moft in^enioufly and judicioufly connected 
 by Sam. Werenfels. Difcertat. Theolog. Differt. 10. Edit, 
 Bafil, 1709. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
35o A Paraphrase on the Chap. II. 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 Warning again/1 Falfe and Heretical Teachers in the Chriflian 
 Church. A black Account of their Principles and Prac- 
 tices. Their fevere Judgment and Condemnation. Their 
 Characters exa&ly and principally agree to the Zealots a- 
 among the Jewi/h Converts, among whom Nicholas of Anti- 
 cch, mentioned Acts vi. 5. was the Broacher of a lewd He- 
 refy ; and whofe Followers are mentioned by St. John, Re- 
 vel, ii. 6. and are thought by the Ancient Commentators to 
 be here particularly referred to. 
 
 A. D. 66. 1 gUT there were 1. T^HUS, I fay, the * prophe- 
 
 x v^— ' falfe prophets ■*• cies of the Old Teilament 
 
 * Chap. i. a ]f amon g the peo- prove the truth of our religion. 
 
 39, *o»«-pi e> cven as there But, as in thofe former ages of the 
 
 (hall be falfe teachers Jewi/h church, there were fome 
 
 among you, who pri- y a y e as wt \\ as true prophets : So, 
 
 vily (hall bring in you kn0Wj Chrift and frj s apo fl es 
 
 damnable herefies f , have f oreto i d> there would be the 
 
 even denying the fam£ mixture in the Qhrj/Han 
 
 Lord that . bought church . Which predidions of theirs 
 
 them, and bring upon -r j • .r r 
 
 1 ri r T 1 are now vermed in thole raging zea- 
 
 tnemlelves iwitt de- . r . ~ , . . f A .° °, . 
 
 $ Compare ftruaion# lots of the Judaizing faction : J A 
 
 St. Jude's " fet of men, that are broaching the 
 
 cpiftle. mo fl- pernicious doctrines, by pra&ifing upon which, 
 h See Deut.while they boaft themfelves as the peculiar \\ and pur chafed 
 'zxxii. 6. people of God, they really renounce him that is indeed 
 3 Cor. vi. t k e j r j^ or{ f || anc j Redeemer ; and fhall, ih due time, feel 
 the fatal effects of fuch obllinate malice and ingratitude . 
 
 2. Thefe, 
 
 f Ver. 1. [Even denying the Lord that bought them.] 
 Note, They who take this to be meant of Jefus Chrift are 
 much miflaken. It was God the Father, the Lord of the 
 whole world, the God of Jews and Chriftians, of whom it 
 is faid — " Is he not thy Father who hath bought thee ?" 
 Deut. xxxii. 6. 
 
Chap, II. 2 Epistle General of St. Peter. 
 
 35* 
 
 2 And many mall 
 follow their pernici- 
 ous ways, by reafon 
 of whom the way of 
 truth mall be evil 
 fpoken of. 
 
 3 And through co- 
 vetoufnefs (hall they 
 with feigned words 
 make merchandife of 
 you, whofe judgment 
 now of a long time 
 lingereth not, and 
 their damnation flum- 
 bereth not. 
 
 2. Thefe people, by their violent A. D. 66. 
 zeal, and plaufible pretences, are 
 like to feduce many converts to 
 their party, to the great fcandal of 
 the Chrijlian name. 
 
 3. They infinuate themfelves in- 
 to your affections, and drive to 
 gain profelytes for temporal ends, 
 % and the gratification of their own t «* «*«•- 
 impure paflions. But that divine n Z'* • 
 judgment long fince pronounced || \\'U™\ai. 
 againft the authors of fuch wicked- See J ude4 ' 
 nefs, is drawing on, and will foon 
 overtake them. 
 
 4. For, however they may at 
 prefent prevail, and whatever their 
 malicious endeavours againft you 
 be, reft yourfelves fatisfied, from 
 all the courfe of the divine difpen- 
 fations, that they are fure of their 
 punifhment, and you of a gracious 
 and timely deliverance. Remem- 
 ber, the apoftate angels themfelves reigned but a little 
 while in their pride, were expelled the regions of heaven- 
 ly light, thruft down into this dark * and lower v/orld, 
 and are here confined, like prifoners, in chains, until the 
 final day of judgment upon them and all wicked men. 
 
 4 For if God fpar- 
 ed not the angels that 
 finned, but call them 
 down to hell, and 
 delivered them into 
 chains of darknefs, 
 to be referved unto 
 judgment : 
 
 5 And fpared not 
 the old world, but 
 faved Noah the eighth 
 per/on, a preacher of 
 righteoufnefs, bring- 
 ing in the flood upon 
 the world of the un- 
 godly : 
 
 6 And turning the 
 cities of Sodom and 
 Gomorrha into aflies, 
 
 con- 
 
 §. & 6. You may conclude the 
 certainty of your refcue from thefe 
 impious perfecutors, from the in- 
 ftance of Noah, that preached re- 
 pentance to the antediluvian world, 
 and was. one of the f eight that f i yo } lu , 
 were faved in the ark. And thefe Gen. vi. 9, 
 may as afluredly gather their ap- 1 t>et « "•• 
 proaching vengeance, from the de- 20% 
 ftruction of that wicked genera- 
 tion, 
 
 * T*gT*5*V*$. See Ephef. ii. 2. and Dr. Whitby on this 
 place. 
 
35* 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. II. 
 
 A. D 66. condemned them with 
 U— y— 'an overthrow, mak- 
 ing them an enfample 
 unto thofe that after 
 fhould live ungodly : 
 
 7 And delivered juft 
 " Lot, vexed with the 
 filthy converfation of 
 the wicked : 
 
 8 (For that righte- 
 ous man dwelling a- 
 mong them, in feeing 
 and hearing, vexed 
 his righteous foul from 
 
 9 The Lord know- 
 eth how to deliver 
 the godly out of temp- 
 tations ; and to re- 
 ferve the unjuft unto 
 the day of judgment 
 to be punimed : 
 
 10 But chiefly them 
 that walk after the 
 flefh, in the lufts of 
 uncleannefs, and de- 
 fpife government. 
 J'letumptuou.sarethey, 
 felf-willedj they are 
 not afraid * to fpeak 
 evil of dignities : 
 
 tion, by the flood, and from the 
 dreadful examples of Sodom and 
 Gomorrha. 
 
 7. & 8. Remember, how fpecial 
 a deliverance that good man Lot 
 had, from the ruins of thofe lewd 
 people, after all the many vexa- 
 tions he was forced to endure at 
 the fight of fuch profligate and nu- 
 merous examples. 
 
 day to day with their unlawful deeds.) 
 9. From all which inftances, good 
 Chriftians ought to aflure them- 
 felves of a proportionable {hare of 
 Divine care and providence, for 
 their deliverance from prefent af- 
 flictions, and of a future vengeance 
 upon their cruel perfecutors. 
 
 10. And, if ever Divine juftice 
 were due to any crimes, it mufl 
 fall with terrible weight upon the 
 abominable lufts, the unmafterly 
 pride, and incurable prejudices of 
 the falfc teachers of thofe times ; 
 feveral of which are arrived to that 
 prefumption, as to vilify their fu- 
 periors, not only upon earthy but 
 in * heaven too. 
 
 11 Whereas angels, 
 which are greater in 
 power and might, 
 bring not railing ac- 
 cufation againit them 
 before the Lord. 
 
 1 1 . How contrary was the be- 
 haviour of thofe much fuperior be- 
 ings, the good angels, toward thefe 
 wicked fpirits which they had en- 
 gaged and overcome ! Even Michael 
 the archangel^ returned Satan none 
 of his railing accufations, but only faid, The Lord rebuke 
 thee. See Jude, ver. 9. 12. But 
 
 * j^To fpeak evil of dignities,] may refer either to their 
 vilifying their civil governors, or to the bafe and wicked no* 
 tions which the ancients tell us thefe heretics vented about the 
 angels and heavenly fpirits. See Jude, ver, 8, 
 
Chap. II. a Epistle General of St. Peter, 
 
 353 
 
 12 But thefe are 
 natural brute beads, 
 * made to be taken 
 and de droved, fpeak 
 evil of the things that 
 they underdand not, 
 and (hall utterly perifh 
 in their own corrup- 
 tion. 
 
 J 3 And fhall re- 
 ceive the revvardof un- 
 righteoufnefs, as they 
 that count it pleafure 
 to riot in the day- 
 time : fpots they are 
 and blemilhesiporting 
 themfelves with their 
 own deceiving, while 
 they fead with you : 
 
 14 Having eyes full 
 0>f adultery, and that 
 cannot ceafe from 
 fin, beguiling undable 
 fouls : an heart they 
 have exercifed with 
 covetous practices : 
 curfed children. 
 
 15 Which have for- 
 faken the right way, 
 and are gone aftray, 
 following the way of 
 Balaam the [on of Bo- 
 for, who loved the 
 wages of unrighteouf- 
 ■efs. 
 
 1 6 But was rebuked 
 for his iniquity : the 
 dumb afs fpeaking 
 with man's voice, for- 
 
 VOL.II. 
 
 12. But thefe proud morta?s ) A -V. 66. 
 more like beads of prey * than <-OT-J 
 men, being prone to mifchief and 
 
 ripe for deitru&ion, revile and 
 blafpheme every thing, without 
 reafon or didinction ; and ihall 
 accordingly feel the natural and 
 woful effects of fo wilful a dege- 
 neracy. 
 
 13. &- 14. So habituated are 
 they to all fenfuality, fraud, co- 
 vetoufnefs and hypocrify, that 
 when at fome times they appear 
 fair and religious, to betray men 
 to a good opinion of their prin- 
 ciples ; at other times they com- 
 mit their lewdnefs in open day- 
 light : they make a jed of the 
 word impieties ; attend upon your 
 
 facraments || and low-feajls, only ^^jjj 
 for fome riotous and luitful gra- j u ^ e l% [ 
 tificatioiu In fine, are a perfecV 
 fcandal to religion, and mall at 
 lad receive the vengeance due to 
 thofe that are accurfed and utterly 
 forfaken of God. 
 
 1 5 . &- 1 6. And well may God bei 
 fuppofed to abandon fuch wretches 
 to themfelves, who have renounced 
 all principles of fober reafon and 
 true religion, and inltead of de- 
 ferving the name of <. hridians, 
 may be called the followers of 
 Balaam ; while for their fecular 
 advantages, they corrupt and de- 
 lude Chrijlian people, as he did 
 the Ifraeiites f againil the plain 
 A a dictates 
 
 * [Made to be taken and dedroyed.] Or thus, wmtpvut 
 \i-, uXaav, ■£ <p$o£xv j [made for rapine and dedru&ion.] I ex* 
 prefs both fenfes, but our tranflation is the mod agreeable. 
 
 f See Numb, xxxvi. 16. and Jofepli. Antiq. Lib. f.Vi 
 chap, vi. 
 
354 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. IT. 
 
 a terapeft, to whom 
 the midft of darknefs 
 is referved for ever. 
 
 *.. D. 65. bade the madnefs of di&ates of his own conscience, for 
 **^***J the prophet. the fake of preferment. Nor does 
 
 the miraculous reproof, by the mouth of a dumb afs, 
 \ Numb, upon the firil attempt || of that infatuated man, move 
 «i. thefe his followers to the leaft remorfe of conlideration. 
 
 17 Thefe are wells 17 . What fliall I fay more of 
 without water, clouds them, or how {hall I defcribe 
 
 them ? So empty are they of all 
 good, that I might compare them 
 to fprings quite dried up. So per- 
 nicious are their principles, that 
 lilLeclouds void of all refrefhing moiflure,but full of nox- 
 ious vapours, they blail and deflroy all before them. 
 Surely the molt exquifite of future punifhments mufl 
 be the portion of fuch people ! 
 
 18 For when they 18. Yet, as worthlefs as they 
 fpeak great fwelling are , their pretences to religion 
 words of vanity, they run bigh, to the utmoft degree of 
 
 pride and vanity. The fecret de- 
 ngn of all which is, the better to 
 miilead others into their filthy 
 and impure practices. 
 
 allure through thelufts 
 of the nefh, through 
 much wantonnefs, 
 thofe that were clean 
 efcaped from them 
 who live in error. 
 
 19 While they pro- 
 mife them liberty, 
 they themfelves are 
 the fervants of cor- 
 ruption : for of whom 
 a man is overcome, of 
 the fame is he brought 
 in bondage. 
 
 20 For if after 
 they have efcaped the 
 poliutionsoftheworld, 
 through the know- 
 ledge of the Lord and 
 
 19. They promife their votaries 
 the liberties and privileges of God's 
 church and people, while themfelves 
 are enflaved to lull and debauch- 
 ery. And no man is fo perfect a 
 
 Jlave as he that is governed by his 
 lufts, and ridden by his paffions. 
 
 20. And verily, their cafe, as 
 apojlates from the clear light of 
 the gofpel, is much worfe than if 
 they had never been converted at 
 
 Saviour Jefus Chrift, 
 
 they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter 
 
 end is worfe with them than the beginning. 
 
 21 For it had been 21. For the ingratitude of an 
 
 better for them not apoftateChriftian,infinningagainft 
 
 to have known the f uc h plain and happy methods of 
 
 wa 7 falvation, 
 
Chap. II. i Epistle General of St„ Peter. 
 
 355 
 
 way of righteoufnefs, 
 than after they have 
 known it, to turn 
 from the holy com- 
 mandment delivered 
 unto them. 
 
 22 But it is hap- 
 pened unto them ac- 
 cording to the true 
 proverb : The dog is 
 turned to his own vo- 
 mit again, and the 
 fow that was warned 
 to her wallowing in 
 the mire. 
 
 falvation, muft needs render him A. D. 66. 
 more incurable and juftly condem- ^*V^ 
 nable, than any heathen that was 
 never brought to fuch a convic- 
 tion. 
 
 22. And thus the wilful indul- 
 gence of their brutifh paflions has 
 reduced thefe men to the worft in- 
 ftances of habitual brutality ; to 
 return to the vileft of their for- 
 mer vices, as the dog does to his 
 vomit, or the fow to the mire. 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 He repeats the Dejign of his Epijlle, viz. To arm them againjl 
 thefalfe and Heretical Teachers, by reminding them of what 
 the ancient Prophets, Chrijl and his Apoftles have foretold 
 of them. Thefe Teachers infult the orthodox Chnfians, upon 
 the long Delay of ChrijPs "judgment threatened to the Adver- 
 faries of his Religion. An Anfiver t« their Objection The 
 Certainty of this Judgment, both upon the J ewifli Nation in 
 particular, and upon the whole wicked World in general. 
 The Earth jh all be dejlroyed by Fire at the lafl Judgment, as 
 it was once by Water. An Inference from hence, for the 
 Patience and Purity of a Chriflian Life. 
 
 i "yHISfecond epif- 
 tle (beloved) I 
 now write unto you, 
 in both which I ftir 
 up your pure minds 
 by way of remem- 
 brance : 
 
 2 That ye may be 
 
 mindful of the words 
 
 which 
 
 i . & 2. "\T7ELL then, the pre- 
 valency of thefe lewd 
 and heretical * teachers being now * Chap. ii. 
 fuch, it was a chief part of my 
 defign, in this fiend eplftle, to 
 arm you againlt them, by remind- 
 ing you of what the ancient pro- 
 phets, Ghriit and his apqfihs have 
 A a a foretold 
 
35<5 
 
 A f ARAPHRAsE ON TKE 
 
 Chap. Iir. 
 
 A. D. ((>. which were fpoken 
 
 <— -v— — ' before by trie holy- 
 prophets, and of the 
 commandment of us 
 the apoltles of the Lord and Saviour. 
 
 foretold concerning them, and the 
 judgments that are to overtake 
 them. 
 
 3 Knowing this 
 firft that there fhali 
 come in the laft days 
 fcoffers, walking af- 
 ter their own lulls, 
 
 4 And faying f , 
 Where is the promife 
 of his coming : for 
 fince the fathers fell 
 aileep, all things con- 
 tinue as they were 
 from the beginning of 
 the creation. 
 
 3. That, being thus fpecially 
 warned beforehand, you may be the 
 lefs furprifed, and influenced by 
 this wicked and profane fet of men, 
 that infeft the Chriftian church. 
 4. According to thofe predictions, 
 you have now an inflance of their 
 daring impiety in deriding the 
 Chriftian doctrine of Chrifl's fo~ 
 lemn appearance to judge and pu- 
 ff i/b the ohfiinate adverfaries oj his 
 true religion. You tell us, fay 
 they, of wonderful bleflingS upon 
 good, and dreadful pumfhments upon wicked men, at 
 this great day : And this notion you fupport by pro- 
 phecies and predictions. But we have not feen an ar- 
 ticle of it fulfilled. The patriarchs and prophets, to 
 ■whom ye pretend thefe promifes, and by whom thefe 
 threats were pronounced, are all dead and gone ; and 
 the world- is juft as it was from the beginning. 
 
 5 For this they 5. & 6. Unthoughtful wretches ! 
 willingly are ignorant Have they, or can they forget all 
 the faffs, and wink thus hard at 
 all the former demonjlrations of 
 divine juftice and providence over 
 mankind ! Can they be ignorant, 
 that the very God who created 
 the earth, confifting of fea ani 
 land, deltroyed it once by its own 
 waters, for a punifhment to its 
 wicked inhabitants ? 
 
 €>f, that by the word 
 of God the heavens 
 were of old, and the 
 earth {landing out of 
 the water, and in the 
 water. 
 
 6 Whereby the 
 world that then was, 
 beingoverflowtd with 
 water, perifhed. 
 
 7 But the heavens 
 
 and the earth which 
 
 are now, by the fame 
 
 word 
 
 7. And, had they but any regard 
 to the plain predictions of Chrift, 
 and the doctrine of his apoflles^ they 
 
 mull 
 
 f See Dr. Mill. Prolegom. h 126, 12% 128, 
 
Chap. III. 1 EflSTLE GENERAL OF St. PfiTER. 
 
 S5? 
 
 word are kept in (lore, 
 referred unto fire, a- 
 gainft the day of 
 judgment and perdi- 
 tion of ungodly men. 
 
 irreclaimable men be 
 
 the great day of univerfal judgment 
 
 8 But (beloved) be 
 not ignorant of this 
 one thing, that one 
 day is with the Lord 
 as a thoufand years, 
 and a thoufand years 
 as one day. 
 
 mult know too, that as the atitedi- A. D. 66. 
 luvian world perifhed by the food, s *" y**J 
 lb mail the prefent world we in- 
 habit be deftroyed by a conflagra- 
 tion of fre ; and all wicked and 
 left to periih in its flames * at*SeeiThef. 
 
 iv. 16. 
 
 1 Pet. ii. 4. 
 
 8. But, for a further anfwer to Ma . 
 their impious objection ; when4i— 46. 
 God has exprefsly promiled n fu- 
 ture bleffing, or threatened a fu- 
 ture judgment, but not flated to 
 us the*precife time of its accom- 
 plilhment ; it is the lowed degree 
 of ignorance in us to account him How and tardy in the 
 performance of his word, or to fufpect he will never 
 perform it at all, becaufe it is not done fo foon as we 
 may wifh or expect : For this is to meafure the divine 
 mind by our own infirm conceptions and imagination. 
 A thoufand years feem a long and tedious time to us, 
 that feldom out- live a hundred : And whatever we 
 propofe to do mufl be done fpeedily, or elfe opportu- 
 nity may be loft, and time will fail us. But with the 
 Eternal Being it is quite otherwife. He can lofe no 
 time, nor want opportunity. Whatever he promifeth 
 or threateneth he can as certainly and effectually per- 
 form a thoufand years hence, as to-day or to-morrow : 
 And a thoufand years are infinitely lefs to him, than a. 
 day is to U 
 
 9. Befide, in the prefent cafe of 
 divine promifes and judgmc nts, it 
 is the effect of perfect wiidom and 
 mercy, for God to defer the exe- 
 cution, in order to exercife and im- 
 prove the faith and patience of good 
 men ; and to afford to all that are 
 obftinate and incredulous, the ut- 
 moft opportunity of feeingtheirer- 
 rors and reforming their practices; it being the gracious 
 intent of Heaven to do,the utmoft that julliceand good- 
 nefs will peruiit, for the falvatio^n of all his rational 
 creatures, 
 
 A a 3 10. But 
 
 9 The Lord is not 
 flack concerning his 
 proraife (as fome men 
 count, flacknefs), but 
 is long-fuffering to us 
 ward, not willing that 
 any mould periih, but 
 that all mould come 
 to repentance. 
 
3S* 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. III. 
 
 A. D. 66. I0 But the day of 
 ^-—V"— ""'the Lord will come as 
 a thief in the night, 
 in the which the hea- 
 vens ihall pals away 
 with a great noife, 
 and the elements (hall 
 melt with fervent 
 heat : the earth alfo, 
 and the works that 
 are therein, (hall be 
 burnt up. 
 
 10. But how long fo^ver God 
 may think fit to defer his deliver- 
 ances of good and his vengeance 
 upon finful men ; yet the great 
 day of recommence, we fpeak of, 
 will afTuredly come, according to 
 all the predictions concerning it. 
 And, whether you consider it in 
 relation to the deflruction of the 
 Jewi/b nation in particular(which 
 is but a fhort figure of the grand 
 judgment^ and now foon to be ful- 
 filled, by the Roman armies), yet even that will be a 
 time of unexpected and terrible calamity, to the finful 
 part of that people ; and may well be figuratively ex- 
 prefTed by the convulfions of heaven and earthy and all 
 nature*. But infinitely more dreadful will the day of 
 wiiverfal doom* when, in a literal fenfe, both air and 
 earth, fea and land, with all the appurtenances of this 
 our habitable world, fhall, with the moft aflonifhing 
 circumftances, be deftroyedby the conflagration*. 
 
 j I Seeing then that n. & 12. The certainty of 
 
 all thefe things (hall be -which things ought to make the 
 Jew[/h Christians particularly- 
 careful to avoid all the impure 
 lufts and vices of their nation, 
 thereby to efcape the common, 
 ruin now coming upon it , and, 
 in like manner, all Chrifliws in 
 general, to ; ^rive after the utmoft 
 purity of life and convention, 
 as the condition of their deliver- 
 ance, at the groat diilolution of 
 the whole world / and to be eve- 
 ry way prepared for this diy of 
 in all its circum- 
 
 dilfolved. what man- 
 ner of perfons ought 
 ye to be in all holy 
 corverfation and god- 
 line fs, 
 
 l ?. Looking for, 
 and hafling unto the 
 coming of the day 
 of God, wherein the 
 heavens bein^ on fire, 
 fhall be dilTolved, and 
 the element (hall melt 
 with fervent heat ! 
 
 God) that will be fo tremenduous 
 fiances. (See ver. io.J 
 
 13. For 
 
 * For the double conftruction of this and the three fol- 
 lowing veiies. let the reader compare Matth. xxiv. 29, 30 
 — 42. Chap. xxv. 1 — 11 — 14. 
 
 &c. Mark xiii. 24, 25, 
 26, 27. with Dr. Clarke's Paraph, and 1 ThefT. v. 2, 3, 4. 
 
 5 
 
Chap. III. 2 Epistle Genehal or St. Peter. 
 
 359 
 
 13. For, to all true and fincere A - D - 66. 
 
 Chriftians, thefe fearful revolu-' v ' ' 
 tions will be only introductions to 
 a new, and more happy ftate*, ac- 
 cording to the prophetic expref- 
 fions. Thus the deflru&ion of the 
 
 13 Neverthelefs we, 
 according to his pro- 
 mife, look for new 
 heavens and * a new 
 earth, wherein dwell- 
 eth righteoufnefs. 
 
 Jewifli^tfte, and ceremonial religion, will be followed by 
 
 the eflablifhment ||, and freer propagation of the Chrif-R " a " * xv * 
 
 tian faith. And, at the dijfolution of the whole wicked ^ \ xy { % 2 ' 2 
 
 world, we fhallbe tranflated into another, where wefhall 
 
 live in the complete exercife of all true virtue, and in the 
 
 enjoyment of perfeel happinefs, 
 
 14 Wherefore (be- 14. Let thefe confederations, 
 
 loved) feeing that ye then, fpirit you forward to that 
 innocence and Heady piety, which 
 will render you acceptable to 
 Chrift, and fure of his glorious 
 rewards. 
 
 look for fuch things, 
 be diligent that ye 
 may be found of him 
 inpeace, without fpot, 
 and blamelefs. 
 
 15 And account 
 that the long-fuffering 
 of our Lord is falva- 
 tion, even as our 
 beloved brother Paul 
 alfo, according to the 
 wifdom given unto 
 him, hath written un- 
 to you f . 
 
 16 As alfo in all 
 his epiilles, fpeaking 
 in them of thefe 
 things, in which are 
 fome things hard to 
 be underftood, which 
 they that are unlearn- 
 ed and unliable wreft, 
 
 as 
 
 15. & 16. And, to conclude, 
 look upon this merciful delay of 
 the divine judgments upon your 
 wicked persecutors, with a diffe- 
 rent eye, from what thofe irra- 
 tional people view it withal. Con- 
 fider it, as an inftance of Divine 
 companion, in giving further time 
 and fpace for repentance, to that 
 obflinate nation. Agreeably to 
 my brother Paul's difcourfe in 
 Rom. xxiv. Rom. xi. and in o- 
 ther pafTages of his epiftles, where. 1 Theft, 
 he fpeaks of the rejection oj J^W-JJm ^ 5< 
 ifh people, the coming of Chrift,— 4& n, 2( ,, 
 and the day of the Lord, ^V.Rora.ii. 4, 
 A a 4 which, 
 
 * [A new heaven and a new earth.] See note on ver. 10, 
 See my Paraph, on Revelation chap. xxi. with the note 
 thereon, ver. 5. 
 
 f Ver. 15. [Hath written unto you,] viz. To you Jews ; 
 Hebrews, in his epiitle to the Hebrews, chap. ii. 28. — x* 
 23— 3S- 37' See Dr. Mill's Prolegom. § 85, 86, &c. 
 
$6o 
 
 A Paraphrase, &c. 
 
 Chap. III. 
 
 D. 66. as they do alfo the 
 *~ v ~ , ° other fcriptures, unto 
 
 which, % though they be plain e- 
 no ugh to be underftood||, by fuch 
 "*^"J 9 V their own deftruftion. as will attend to the predictions 
 ii. of the prophets, or the warnings of Chrift and his a- 
 
 pojiles ; yet, by men prejudiced and prepofTefTed with 
 notions of temporal gteatnefs, and accuftomed to vici- 
 ous principles, are miumderftood and perverted, tQ 
 wrong and deftru&ive meanings. 
 
 17. Ye therefore, 17. But you, dear brethren, 
 
 beloved, feeing ye having better apprehenlions, ought 
 to be watchful, never to be led a- 
 way by their pernicious doctrines, 
 nor by any hardships whatever, 
 difcouraged from your profeflion. 
 
 Jcnow thefe things be- 
 fore, beware led ye 
 alfo being led away 
 with the error of the 
 ■wicked, fallfromyour 
 own ftedfaftnefs. 
 
 18 But grow in 
 grace, and in the 
 Icnowledge of our 
 X.ord and Saviour Je- 
 fus Chrift : to him be 
 glory both now and 
 for ever. Amen. 
 
 18. On the contrary, endeavour 
 continually to improve in the true 
 faith and practice of the religion 
 of your Lord and Saviour Jefus 
 Chrift ; to whom be afcribed all 
 honour and glory, now and for 
 ever. Amen. 
 
 X 'Ev ok, in which difcourfes : Or rather, as fome MSSc 
 read it iv #/;, in which epiftles. 
 
 £ PARA-, 
 
PARAPHRASE 
 
 ON THE 
 
 FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL 
 
 OF 
 
 St. J H K 
 
 THE PREFACE, 
 
 THERE being no reafonable difpute againft St. 
 John's being the author of thefe epifiles, it will 
 be needful only to obferve fomething concerning the 
 people to whom, the time when, and the occafion upon 
 which they were written. 
 
 $ i. St. John being one of thofe apoftles, whofe main To wTiotrf,, 
 bufmefs was to convert the Jews *, as that of Paul and* Gal-ii.^, 
 Barnabas was to preach to the Gentiles and Jews to* 
 gether, in foreign parts ; and, it being agreed on by 
 antiquity, that he exercifed his miniftry in the parts of 
 Alia the Greater, after he had left Judea ; and in thofe 
 of the Letter Afia, after the death of St. Peter and St. 
 Paul ; thefe circumftances, with the ilrain of thefc 
 writings themfelves, render it fufficiently clear that this 
 fir ft epi/ile was directed to the Jewi/h Chriftians (not 
 excluding the Gentile ones) of thofe provinces in general; 
 as the two latter were, the one to the eleel lady, the o- 
 
 thet 
 
$6* Pkeface to the 
 
 ther to Gains in particular. Though, from what place 
 they were dated, muft be confeiFed a fecret, from the 
 perfect filence of all ancient writings concerning it. 
 
 The time. j 2. His mentioning the lajl hour ; i. e. Chrijlianiiy 
 aboliihing the Jewijh difpenfation, along with the Anti- 
 chrijls and falfe prophets that our Saviour foretold 
 would be the forerunners of the deftruction of that na- 
 tion, feems moft itrongly to intimate (if not abfolutely 
 concludes) the time of this firjl epiftle to have been be- 
 fore the deftru&ion of Jerufalem -, and is, therefore, 
 I think, with the moft probability, placed by Dr. Whit- 
 by in, or about th^ year 67 or 68. 
 
 T^eocca- j^ 'r/k e mcara bi e obftinacy, wickednefs and rage 
 of the infidel Jews, which we have obferved, in the 
 prefaces to feveral of the foregoing epijlles, to have been 
 growing up to a defperate height, and wherewith the 
 Jewijh Chrijlians were, in feveral refpects, too much 
 tainted, was now fo far advanced in its wretched effects, 
 as to moot out into federal pernicious berejies in the 
 Chriftian church: Simon Magus, the head of thefe he- 
 retics, was followed by the lewd train of the Nicholai- 
 ians+ Corinthians, Khioniias, Menandvians, Gnojlics, &.c* 
 moft of them probably of Jewijh extraction, and all 
 pofTefTed with the wicked notions of their zealots. The 
 vile maxims wherewith they had infected the Chriftian, 
 church, as we learn from the earlieft antiquity, were 
 fuch as thefe*/ 
 (A) x. That mere external profefiion, and the privileges 
 of being the true church, would juilify and lave men, 
 
 whatever 
 
 * I will here refer the reader to fuch few pavTages of the 
 ancient Chriftian writers, relating to the opinions and prac- 
 tices of thefe heretics, as appear plainly to be the tree key 
 to St. John's epijites. 
 
 (A) Thus lrenseus. Lib. I. chap. 20. " Simon- Magus-- 
 " taught, That they who hoped in him needed not take any 
 *i further care ; but -night live us they pleafed — According- 
 ly the prieffo of their myfreries live uncleanly.*' And 
 Lib. L 24. " The € arbor, rations lead a life of luxury — And 
 " fay, that actions are good or bad only in the opinions of 
 d - { men." Again, Lib. I 27. " As for the Nicbolaitans — , 
 '" They live disorderly 3 as teaching that fornication, &c» 
 
i Epistle General of St. John. 363 
 
 "whatever their life and praclice were. Agair.ft this the 
 apoftle urges, 1 Epiit. 1. 1 — 5. to the end. Chap, ii.i — 
 8 — 15, 16, 17. Chap. iii. 3 — 12. Chap. v. 2, 3, 4. 
 
 2. That thole privileges would warrant the molt vi- (£) 
 rulent and uncharitable behaviour toward all that dif- 
 fered from them. Againft tins St. John warns them in 
 this 1 Epifl. chap. ii. 9 — 11. Chap. iii. 10. to the end. 
 Chap. iv. 7, 8- — 11, 12 — 2C, 21. 
 
 3. That the man jefus was not Chrift, was not the ( c ) 
 So* of God, and that Chrift did not really and a&vally 
 live and fulFe» in our fleQi, but in appearance only. 
 This is confuted, t Epiit. i. 1 — 5. Chap. ii. 23 — 27. 
 Chap. iii. 1 — 7 — 14. 15, 16. Chap. v. 1 — 5. id — 20* 
 Chap. iv. 1, 2, 3. 
 
 4. That, to %xo\<\ perfeculion y it was lawful for Chri- (D) 
 flians to dilTemble their faith, to deny Chrift, and to 
 join in idolatrous worihip ; Agamft which are warn- 
 ings of Chap. v. 16 — 21. 
 
 § 4. Againft theie pernicious principles, then prevail-Amkruift, 
 ing, were the feveral parts of thefe epifdss levelled, and whu ' 
 
 from 
 
 " are indifferent things. Wherefore the text fays — The 
 " deeds of the Nicholaitans, which 1 hate ; Rev. ii. 6. 
 
 (i>) Iren. Lib. I. 34. " Others of the Gnofticks fay, 
 " that Cain — with Efau, Corah, and the Sodomites were al- 
 ** lied to them." Ignat. Epift. ad Philad. " Avoid the 
 " impure Nicholaitans, thofe lovers of pleafure, thofe calum- 
 f niators." And Tertullian de Prefcript. Hser. J 47. They 
 magnify Cain \the murderer. ~\ 
 
 (O Thus Iren. Lib. I. chap. 25. Corinthus tangl 
 That Chrift [the RWJdefc ended upon Jefus [the Man] at 
 his haptifm ; but afterwards flew away from Jefus, and Je- 
 fus fufrered again, but Chrift was impaftible : But, lays he, 
 Lib. III. chap. 18. " St. John knew but one and the fa 
 '* Word of God, namely, he that was the only begotten, who 
 V was incarnate, even Jefus Chrift cur Lord." bee him 
 laige in Lib. I. 4. iii x. xi. xii. xvii. & xviii. chapters, and 
 Lib. IV. 4 — 16. and elfewhere. So Origen. "Hie Chriftui 
 f* natus eft, et paffus eft in veritate, et non ptr wiagmcm ; ' 
 " vere saortuus eft, vere enim a morte refurrexit," Pre; 
 in 77i£ &%%, 
 
 (Z)) Iren. Lib. I. 27. " As for the Nicholaitans, they 
 " live diforderly ; as teaching that fornication, and eating 
 4i what is offered to idols, are indifferent things." 
 
Preface to tbE 
 
 from the obfervation whereof the phrafcs made ufe of, 
 in them, are to receive their due light. The authors 
 of thefe wretched errors St John brands with the name 
 of Antichrifls, (chap. if. 18.) The characters given 
 of Antichrijl in this epiftle, is that of denying the Fa~ 
 ther with the Son, or that ^efus was the true Cbrifi 
 (chap. ii. 22. and iv. 3.) Which being compared with 
 the virulent and persecuting fpirit fpoken of, and re- 
 ferred to in the feveral paflages of the 2, 3, and 4 
 chapters^, fliow the people he fpeaks of, to be the fame 
 with St. Paul's man offin 9 and wicked oiie 9 2 ThefF. ii. 
 Moreover, there being a plain diftinctron between St. 
 John's o «.vny&vs<&' (chap. ii. 22, snd iv. 3.) great or 
 fpecial Antichrijty and the many Antichrijis even them 
 come, chap. ii. i8 feems to make it very clear that 
 what thefe two apcflles fpoke of the Jews and heretical 
 Qhrijlians of their own tirnes, they in .a much higher, 
 and more eminent fenfe intended to mean of thofe Ghri- 
 jlian corrupters of the true faith in after ages, who, 
 by the exorbitant ufe of temporal and perfecuiing pow- 
 er, would arbitrarily irnpofe fuch doctrines and prac- 
 tices npon mankind, as contradicted the plain rules 
 and defigns of Gfirzftiamty, and deftroyed its credit, r. e, 
 in cjfe&y denied its truth and authority. See Sir Ifaac 
 Newton's Obfervat. on the Apoc. chap. 2. p. 2^6- — and 
 in many other places of that incomparable book. 
 
 Wherefore, that diipute, whether the church of Rome 
 be Antichrifi 9 or no s is reduced to a fmall compafs, 
 That me is not the y'ewi/h or heretical Antichrifi ? whom 
 St. John affirms to have been already come in his time, 
 is eafily granted. But whether, for alrnoft a thoufand 
 years laft paft, the infpiratiorts me has falfely pretended^ 
 to, the miracles ihe has forged, the monftrous articles 
 ihe has coined, and the brethren ihe has hated and per- 
 secuted, be not fo many, as to make her the great Chri- 
 Jlian antichrijl, and the man of ' Jin y will be no longer a 
 doubt with impartial readers of St. Paul and St. John, 
 than until there arife another community that can excel 
 her in error y fuperjlition and cruelty. See and compare 
 preface to the Theffalonians, § 4. and fee my Paraph. 
 on the Revelations. 
 
 CHAP, 
 
£hap. T. • s "Epistle General m St. John-. 
 
 } 6 S 
 
 CHAP. L 
 
 The Clear and Evident Tejlim§nies of the Life and Aclions 
 of Chrifl y the Ground of cur Chriftian Hope. Moral Vir- 
 tue the only Condition of future Happinefs, and the chief 
 Mark of a true Chriftian. Pardon and Salvation by Chrift 
 to be , not by mere External Prcfe/Jion of bis Religion, hut 
 by ConfeJJion of Sins, and Reformation of Life % as the Fruit 
 of Faith. 
 
 I 'pHAT which was 
 
 from the begin- 
 ning, which we have 
 heard, which we have 
 feen with our eyes, 
 which we have looked 
 upon, and our hands 
 have handled of the 
 word of life ; 
 
 I. TV/fY defign in this epiftle, Written 
 •*■*■*• dear brethren, is to pre- A - D - 6 7* 
 ferve you from thofe falfe and dan-' * * 
 gerous notions, fpread among you 
 by the "Jewijh zealots, and fuck 
 heretical teachers in the Chriftian 
 church, as are corrupted by their 
 principles, relating to the doc- 
 trines of the gofpel, and the con- 
 ditions of our enjoying the final bleifings promifed in 
 it. And particularly to warn you againit that notion 
 of theirs, " That Jefus was not th'at Chrift, or Word, 
 tl or Son of God, who w T as with the Father before the 
 u world was made ; and~was incarnate and fuffered for 
 Ct us here upon earth :" Which I fhall do, by laying 
 them before you, as I received them, by undoubted 
 evidences from Chrift; * himfelf. • 
 
 2 (For the life was 2. &: 3. And firft, as to the re- 
 ality and certainty of the life, ac- 
 tions, and death of Chrift (whom 
 the infidel Jews deny to have been 
 fent into the world as the true 
 MeJJiah, and thefe heretics pre- 
 tend to have lived and died in ap- 
 pearance only), let me remind you, 
 that thefe facls were the very 
 things determined by God the Fa- 
 ther concerning Chrift, foretold, 
 all along by the prophets, and 
 
 now 
 
 manifefted, and we 
 have feen it, and bear 
 witnefs, and fhow un- 
 to you that eternal life 
 which was with the 
 Father, and was ma- 
 nifefted unto us.) 
 
 3 That which we 
 have feen and heard, 
 declare we unto you, 
 that ye alfo may have 
 fella wfhip with us ; 
 and 
 
 W u-i?yQ 
 
366 A Paraphrase OW THE Chap, F» 
 
 A. D. dj. and truly our fellow- now aRually fulfilled, before the 
 v~— -*fhip is with the Fa- face of the whole Jewijb nation, 
 ther, and with his an d f us the apojiles in particu- 
 Son Jefus Chrift. ] ar) w j t h the utmoft evidences 
 
 that a diftinct. knowledge, and all the demonft rations of 
 *SeeJohm our f en f e3 can g{ ve a thing*. Thefe we deliver to you 
 """ X4 ' as articles, the belief whereof is the fundamental con- 
 dition of your fharing with us in the happy privileges 
 of being the church and children of God the Father, 
 through Chrifl the Son ; and of enjoying the future 
 and eternal felicity promifed in the go/pel. 
 
 4 And thefe things 4. My aim therefore is, that 
 write we unto you, by giving you a repeated affurance, 
 that your joy may be an( j f u ll fatisfa&ion in thefe im- 
 *°1'- portant truths, you may, with 
 perfect cheerfulnefs, and undaunted vigour, perfevere 
 in the profeflion of them, again ft all the malice and in- 
 ilnuations of thefe corrupt teachers. 
 
 5 This then is the 5. & 6. Now, as to the doclrinef 
 meiTage which we f the Chriftian religion, the main 
 have heard of him, p ur p fe, and fum total of them is 
 and declare unto you tn | s> v fe. That as God is a being 
 that God is light, and* a bfoltttely holy and perfed in 
 a"aTr iSn ° da goodnefs, the only original of 
 
 £. T* r .-l . truth and riehteoufnefs, without. 
 
 6 It we lay that we , . n p.. . . ■■' , e 
 have fellowship with th f ! eaft poffible mixture of mo- 
 him, and walk in ral impurity ; the abfolutecon- 
 darknefs, we lie, and dltlon of mens enjoying his fa- 
 do not the truth : vour, or of expecting happinefs 
 
 from him, is the imitation of thefe 
 his moral perfections. And confequently, for any peo- 
 ple to profefs themfelves members of his church, while 
 they indulge themfelves in fuch inftances of lewdnefs 
 |f See theancl immorality (as do the falfe teachers \\ of thefe 
 fed. § 3. times) is to a£r. in direct contradiction both to his di- 
 vine nature and revelation. 
 
 7 But it we walk 7. That, therefore, the favour of 
 in the light, asjie is God, and the privilege of being 
 in the right, we have members of his true chiireh, by the 
 fellowship one with f u ll pardon of our paft fins, pro- 
 another, and the blood curcd for us by the death and fuf _ 
 of Jefus Chrili his Son feringsof his Son Jefus Chrift,runs 
 cleanieth us from all . upoQ ^ famccondition>of en dea- 
 
 vouring, 
 
^Riap. I. e Efistle General of St. John - . 367 
 
 vouring, as much as in us lies, to conform our tempers A - D. 67- 
 and praclice to this divine pattern and example. ' — "v - " 8 
 
 8 If we fay that 8. 9. & 10. So that, for any 
 we have no Go, we Chriflian to embrace that notion 
 deceive ourfclvcs, and of tne J ew ifl, ze al D ts and heretics, 
 the truth is not in us. ^W ^ external prof ej/ion, and 
 
 9 If we confcf, our harel joini Qne ^ s f e ff tQ the true 
 fms v he is faithful and /• • ^ J J , 
 iuft to forgive us our religion renders a man pure and 
 fins, and to cleanfe acceptable to God, whatever his 
 us from all unrighte- difpqfitions < and praBices he, and 
 oufnefs. tnat tnere is really fuch as Jin and 
 
 10 If we fay that guilt in the world, at lead, none 
 we have not finned, amongft their party ; is to put 
 we make him a liar, the moil fatal delufion upon him- 
 and his word is not felf, by giving God the lie, and 
 m us. contradicting the nature of the 
 go/pel religion ; which fuppofes men to be Jinners, and 
 is principally de&gned to bring them to the humble con- 
 feffion and fincere reformation of every wicked prac- 
 tice ; and fo to depend upon the divine promife for per- 
 fect pardon and falvatioii. 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 The fame Argument continued to verfe 8, The Virulent end 
 Uncharitable Temper of the Jewifh Zealots end Heretical 
 Chrijlians Condemned, Chrijlian Love and Charity called a 
 New Commandment, and why. This Virtue an EJJential 
 Property of a true Chri lian. A Warning againjl the pre - 
 talent Lotse of Temporal Greatnefs and Pleajures, The 
 Jewiih Difpenfation is at an end. and the Chriftian Religion 
 fucceeds in its Place. Antichrlft was foretold to come a- 
 snong Chriftians. The Jewifh Zealots, and Heretical Chri- 
 flans in St. John's Time are, in fvie fenfe, called Anti- 
 tichrifts. The Jfrfi Original of them. Cautious againjl 
 iheir Errors, 
 
 dren, thefe i-*J- aim y OU again ft the 
 
 things write I unto vicious principles i of thefe men. t Chap. i. 
 y° u » Indulge* 6 - iG ' 
 
tfS 
 
 A Paraphrase ott the 
 
 Chap. II. 
 
 A.D. 67. you, that yc fin not. 
 
 ^"""v 'And if any man fin, 
 we have an advocate 
 with the Father, Je- 
 fus Chrift the righte- 
 ous : 
 
 1 And he Is the 
 propitiation for our 
 fins ; and not for 
 ours only, but alfo for 
 the fins of the whole 
 world. 
 
 Indulge yourfelves in no inftance 
 of grofs and habitual fin : And 
 you may, then, whether fewifh 
 or Gentile Chriftians, depend, that 
 both your pall tranfgrelTions, and 
 all the future failings of your 
 lives, committed by human frail- 
 ty, ignorance, or furprife, Ihall, 
 upon your true repentance, be 
 fully pardoned, by the interceflion 
 of Jefus Chrift, our great Advo- 
 
 cate with God the Father : The 
 merits of whofe fufferi?igs 3 and power of whofe inter- 
 ccfjion, is not confined to the believers of the f&wifiy 
 nation (as their %ealots vainly imagine), but extends 
 itfelf to all fmcere Chriftians, of what denomination 
 foever. 
 
 3 And hereby we 
 do know that we 
 know him, if we keep 
 his commandments. 
 
 4 He that faith, I 
 know him, and keep- 
 eth not his command- 
 ments, is a liar, and 
 the truth is not in 
 him. 
 
 5 But whofo keep- 
 eth his word, in him 
 verily is the love of 
 God perfected : here- 
 by know we that we 
 are in him. 
 
 6 He that faith he 
 to walk, even as he w 
 
 3. 4. 5. & 6. Look, therefore, 
 upon a careful obedience to the 
 moral commands of the gofpel, as 
 the befl and fureft character of a 
 true Chriflian*. To imitate the 
 life, and follow the example of 
 Chrift, w r as the grand defignof our 
 call to his religion. This is truly 
 to love God, and to be beloved of 
 him. To pretend to be his peo- 
 pie, and yet live contrary to the 
 moral and plaineft perfections of 
 his nature, is to pretend to per- 
 fect contradictions. 
 
 abideth in him, ought himfelf alfo {• 
 alked. 
 
 7. In 
 
 * The common reader may cbferve here, once for «ll,v 
 that thefe phrafes, " To know God, to be in him, to love 
 God, to be in Chrift, to abide in him, to know the truth, 
 to be born of God, or Chrift, &e." are fo many cxprelTion* 
 t© fignify mens, being true Chriftians. 
 
Chap. II. i Epistle General of St. John. 369 
 
 7 Brethren, I write 7. In thus preffing you to the A. D . 67. ^ 
 
 * no new command- observance of this great point, in / *~~ 
 
 ment unto you, but * general, I propofe nothing neiu 
 
 an old commandment to you, nothing but what you muft 
 
 which ye had from needs know to be the main purpofe 
 
 the beginning : the f y 0ur Chrijlianity. Nothing but 
 
 old commandment is what chrift our Mailer has taught 
 
 the word which ye USj in his own expre f s wor d s , 
 
 John xiv. 21, 23. — xv. 10. And 
 
 have heard from the 
 
 beginning. m y bufinefs now i S) on ly to remind 
 you of, and fecure you in it, againfl the fuggeftions of 
 your falfe teachers. 
 
 8 Again, a new 8. Only let me remind you, that 
 commandment I write our duty of love and charity to our 
 unto you, which thing fellow Chriftians, hath fomething 
 % is true in him and in both in the degree of it, and the 
 you: becaufe the dark- obligation to it, peculiar to the Chrif- 
 nefs is part, and the tian re ligion. Chriftians are to 
 true light now ihineth. loye each other> not after tne ord i_ 
 
 nary manner of other people, but with an affection pro- 
 portionable to that wherewith Chrift || hath loved us. R See and 
 ± Now there was never any love like his : And confe-^°" ip3re . 
 
 quently the go/pel religion has advanced and improved this*. 
 
 duty, and obliged us Chriftians to a degree that may be 3 5. 
 called neiu, and by an argument that is proper to us, 
 
 9 He that faith he 9. 10. & II. Wherefore, it is an 
 is in the light, and effec~t of the moft malicious preju- 
 hateth his brother, is dice and ftupid ignorance of plain 
 in darknefs, even un- truth, for any man to profeis him- 
 
 £il now - ielf a true difciple of Chrift, while 
 
 Vol. II. 13 b he 
 
 * Ver. 7. [No new commandment.] Which being un- 
 derstood -to refer to the foregoing difcourfe, makes the 
 clearer!: fenfe and connection. Or elfe thus ; The duty of 
 love was not new to fuch as knew it to be enjoined by Chrift 
 himfelf ; but only as Chriftianity has raifed that duty higher 
 than any other religion. 
 
 X [Which thing (j. e. the newnefs of the commandment) 
 is true in him and in you.] In him, as having fet us a pe- 
 culiar example : And in us Chriftians, as having from that 
 example a peculiar obligation to it. 
 
37° 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. II. 
 
 A. D. 67. 
 
 * See the 
 Pref. § 3- 
 
 10 He that loveth 
 his brother abideth in 
 the light, and there 
 is none occafion of 
 tumbling in him. 
 
 11 But he that hat- 
 eth his brother, is in 
 darknefs, and walk- 
 eth in darknefs, and 
 knoweth not whither 
 he goeth, becaufe that 
 darknefs hath blinded 
 his eyes. 
 
 12 I write unto you, 
 little children, becaufe 
 your fins are forgiven 
 you for his names fake. 
 
 13 I write unto you, 
 fathers, becaufe ye 
 have known him that 
 is from the beginning. 
 I write unto you, 
 young men, becaufe 
 ye have overcome the 
 wicked one. I write 
 unto you, little chil- 
 dren, becaufe ye have 
 known the Father. 
 
 14 I have written 
 unto you, fathers, be- 
 caufe ye have known 
 him that is from the 
 beginning. I have 
 written unto you, 
 young men, becaufe 
 ye are ftrong, and the 
 word of God abideth 
 in yon, and ye have 
 overcome the wicked 
 one. 
 
 he harbours revengeful thoughts, 
 * and uncharitable principles to- 
 ward other men. On the contrary, 
 a kind behaviour, and tender dif- 
 pofition toward all our brethren^ is 
 one of the bed inftances of Chri- 
 Jlian perfection, and fecures us from 
 all the fcandal and mifchievous ef- 
 fects of a cenforious and perfect- 
 ing temper. 
 
 12. 13. & 14. The cautions I 
 here give you, ought to be equally 
 regarded by all degrees of Chriftian 
 profeiTors. The new converts and 
 younger Chriftians are to confider 
 themfelves as newly put into a 
 ftate of falvation, the pardon of 
 fin, and the favour of God, through 
 Jefus Chrift ; and endeavour to 
 confirm themfelves in it, by the 
 careful practice of true Chriftian 
 virtue. Such as are come to more 
 maturity in their profejjion, and are 
 in the ftrength and vigour of their 
 age^ have a great advantage, and 
 ought to employ the utmoft of that 
 vigour in refilling the utmoft temp- 
 tations of the devil, and perfecting 
 their conqueft over him, and all 
 his wicked inflruments. And the 
 aged Chriftians, cannot but have 
 fo clear a knowledge of God, and 
 the revelation of his will by Jefus 
 Chrift, during the long feafon from 
 their firft converfion, that it would 
 
 be utterly inexcufable for them to 
 be wanting in thefe ejjbitial duties, or be drawn from 
 T.hem by the falfe teachers. 
 
 15. & 16. To 
 
Chap. II. i Epistle General of St. John. 
 
 37^ 
 
 15 Love not the 
 world, neither the 
 things that arc in the 
 world. If any man 
 love the world, the 
 love of the Father is 
 not in him. 
 
 16 For all that is 
 in the world, the luft 
 of the flefh, the luft 
 of the eyes, and the 
 pride of life, is not 
 of the Father, but is 
 of the world. 
 
 37 And the world 
 paffeth away, and the 
 luft thereof : but he 
 that doth the will of 
 God, abideth for ever. 
 
 15. & 16. To proceed then : En- 
 deavour to wean your affections 1 
 from all immoderate defires of the 
 plcaiures, riches, dignities and pre- 
 ferments of this world. Show no 
 finful compliance to attain them y 
 love them not in any higher degree, 
 than to be ready to part with any 
 of them, for the fake of Chrift and 
 his religion. For all fuch immode- 
 rate affections of temporal things, 
 are utterly inconfiftent with the 
 love of God and true religion. 
 
 17. And, it fhould ferve to cu^e 
 you of all fuch love for the greatest 
 pleafures of this kind, to confide*" 
 how fading, unsatisfactory and 
 fhort they are. Whereas the habitu- 
 al practice of Chriftian virtue is, what will for ever continue 
 with, and be a bleffmg and an ornament to you. 
 
 18 Little children, 18. My dear Chriftians, the 
 
 it is the laft time, Jenvi/h difpenfation is now paft, 
 and the Chriftian religion fucceeds 
 in its place ; the religion that is to 
 take place in the laft age> or latter 
 days of the world, as the ancient 
 prophets foretold : and as our Sa- 
 viour himfelf, and we his apoltles 
 have foretold you of great corrup- 
 tions * that would be brought into the Chriftian church, 
 by men of temporal, and fecular defigns j fo what you fee 
 of it fulfilled already, in the practices of the Jeiui/h zealots 
 and heretical teachers crept into the church, is fufficient 
 to convince you of the truth of thefe prophecies, to con- 
 firm you in your Chriftianity, and fecure you from their 
 dangerous infection. 
 
 B b 2 19. The 
 
 A. TV 67. 
 
 IS 
 
 and as ye have heard 
 that Antichrift fhall 
 come, even now are 
 there many Anti- 
 chiifts, whereby we 
 know that it is the 
 laft time. 
 
 * See the Pref. § 4. and the Pre/, to 1 Then'. J 4. with 
 2 Theff. chap. ii. 
 
A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. If. 
 
 A. D. 67. jg They went out 
 v ' from us, but they 
 
 were not of us : for 
 || See Ads if they* had been of 
 xv. 1, 24. us> they would no 
 
 doubt have continued 
 
 with us : but they went 
 
 out ~ 
 
 be 
 
 that, they were not 
 
 all of us. 
 
 Gal. 11. 4. 
 a Cor. xi. 
 33. 
 
 *, that they might 
 made manifeft, 
 
 \ xz'<w*> 
 
 to. The firft broachers of thefe 
 lewd errors, pretended to come 
 with a commiiTion from the college 
 of apojiles at Jerufalem ||, to preach 
 up the neceiTity of circumcifion and 
 the ceremonial law to Chriflian be- 
 lievers. And Simon Magus himfelf 
 pretended to be a Chriflian, and 
 was baptized (Acts viii. 13.). Had 
 thefe men been indeed true Chrif- 
 tianSf they could never have been 
 fo audacious, as to have forged a commiflion from us, but 
 would have continued to preach the fame doctrine with 
 us. In like manner, had Simon and his followers been 
 fincere, they would ftill have followed the apojiles of 
 Chrift : and therefore, by prefuming in fo foul a manner, 
 to do quite contrary, it is but too plain they were never 
 true believers at all *. 
 
 20. But however fpecious their 
 pretences may now be, I hope you 
 are fo fully inftructed in the great 
 truths, fo fenfible of the noble % 
 privileges of your religion, and fo confirmed in it by the 
 gifts and endowments of the Holy Ghoft, as not to be in 
 much danger of being perverted by them. 
 
 21 I have not writ- 21. And therefore I now repre- 
 ten unto you,becaufe fent the cafe to you, to let you fee 
 how great a fin it would be in you, 
 ever to hearken to people fo full of 
 impudence and falfehood. 
 
 20 But ye have an 
 un£tion from the holy 
 One, and ye know all 
 things. 
 
 ye know not the truth 
 but becaufe ye know 
 it, and that no lie is 
 of the truth. 
 
 22 Who is a liar, 
 but he that denieth 
 that fefus is the 
 
 $Seev. iS.Chriit ? he is Anti- 
 and the chrift 
 
 Prel*. § 4. 
 
 22. & 23. It is true indeed, the 
 corruption of the Chriflian faith is 
 not yet come to its height : the 
 great Antichrijl § is not yet come : 
 
 but 
 
 * [That they might be made manifeft \ Iva <p«vs§&>0«<r<y. 
 So that they appear.] 
 
 f [Not all of us ; on kx. tun 7rdvri$ 5 That none of them 
 were of us.] So »x*v ^Sbw <rwg|, is, No flefti, Matth. xxiv. 
 22. Mark xiii. 20. 
 
Chap. II. i Epistle General of St. John. 
 
 373 
 
 chrift that denieth the 
 Father and the Son. 
 
 23 Whofoever de- 
 lueth the Son, the 
 fame hath not the 
 Father : but he that 
 qchnovcledgeth the Son, 
 hath the Father alfo. 
 
 but nothing can be more like him, A - D - fi7 * 
 nor more truly deferve to be brand-^— * v ~""~" 
 ed with his titles and characters, 
 than thefe turbulent zealots of the 
 JewiJJj faction, fomc of which, a- 
 gainft all the divine evidences giv- 
 en them, flatly deny Chrift to be 
 the true Mejjiah ,• and the reft . 
 maintain and impofe fuch principles as utterly deftroy 
 the defign of his religion : for they affirm, that Jefus, 
 who fufrered upon the crofs, was a mere man, not Chrift 
 the Word and Son of God ; which is as much in effect 
 to deny Chrift h'unfelf, and confequently God the Father 
 that fent him. (See the Pref. § 3.) 
 
 24 Let that there- 24. & 25. Wherefore endeavour 
 fore abide in you, to fecure your intereft in God 
 
 through Chrift, by adhering firm- 
 ly to the doctrines of Chr:jlianity y 
 as at firft taught to us by Chrift 
 himfeli, and by us to you. Re- 
 member the great gojfel promife of 
 eternal life and happinefs is to be 
 enjoyed only upon this condition. 
 
 25 And this is the promife that he hath promifed us, even 
 eternal life. 
 
 26. & 27. I remind you of thefe 
 things (as I faid, ver. 20. and 21.) 
 to arm you the more ftrongly a- 
 gainft the errors fpread amongft 
 you *, by affuring myfelf the deep 
 fenfe you have of the great truths 
 and noble * bleffings of your pro- 
 feihon, will effectually prevent you 
 from being impofed upon by fuch 
 palpable deceits. 
 
 which ye have heard 
 from the beginning : 
 if that which ye have 
 heard from the begin- 
 ning mail remain in 
 you, ye alfo (hall con- 
 tinue in the Son, and 
 in the Father. 
 
 26 Thefe things 
 have I written unto 
 you, concerning them 
 that feduce you. 
 
 27 But the * anoint- 
 ing which ye have re- 
 ceived of him, abid- 
 eth in you, and ye 
 need not that any 
 man teach you : But, 
 as the fame anointing 
 
 teacheth you of all 
 
 things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught 
 
 you, ye mall abide in him. 
 
 B b 3 28. And 
 
 * Ver. 27. [The anointing.] See verfe 20. 
 
74 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. II. 
 
 A. D. 67. 28 And now, little 
 t Ver 34 cn ^dren,abideinhim, 
 A% that when he fhall ap- 
 pear, we may have 
 confidence and not be 
 afhamed before him at 
 his coming. 
 
 o 
 
 29 If ye know that 
 he is righteous, ye 
 know that every one 
 that doth righteoufnefs 
 is born of him. 
 
 28. And therefore again f I en- 
 treat you, dear difciples, not to for- 
 feit the glories you are to partake 
 of, at the great day of Chrift's 
 judgment, by fufFering yourfelves 
 to be mifled into any finful courfes. 
 
 29. For, as furely as perfect ho- 
 Jinefs and purity is the nature of 
 God, fo certain is it that they, and 
 none but they, who by mortifying 
 their corrupt paflions, ftrive to imi-, 
 tate him, in the practice of true virtue, fhall be account- 
 ed his true fervants, and eternally rewarded as fuch. 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 The great Privilege q/"Chriftianity. Conformity to the Mora! 
 Perfections of the Divine Nature, is our Duty here, and will 
 be our Happinefs hereafter. Moral Obedience is therefore 
 the mofi ejfential Mark of a true Chriftian. Immorality 
 denotes a wicked Man be his ProfeJJion what it will, Cha- 
 rity is one of the fpecial Infiances o/'Chriitian Morality. An 
 obedient Chriftian has the undoubted Tefiimony of his own 
 Confcience, confirmed by the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, that 
 he is acceptable to God as a true Difciple of Jefus Chrift. 
 
 % Chap. ii. 1 13 Ehold,what man- 
 37**8,39. ner f l ove t he 
 
 ' I 
 
 I" Have been J exhorting you 
 - to fecure to yourfelves the 
 privileges of your Chriftianity, by 
 the careful practice of its commands. 
 A thing you cannot fail to do, 
 would you ferioufly confider how 
 noble and valuable a bleffing it is 
 to be made the children of God, 
 members of his church, and imita- 
 tors of his divine excellencies. No wonder, therefore, the 
 
 generality. 
 
 Father hath bellowed 
 upon us, that we 
 mould be called the 
 fons of God ! there- 
 fore the world know- 
 eth us not, becaufe 
 it knew him not* 
 
Chap. III. i Epistle General of St. John. 
 
 375 
 
 generality of mankind mould have fo defpicable a notion A. D. 67. 
 
 of us Chriftians, while they have fo little apptehenfions' *r— 
 
 of the nature and will of that God, whofe fervants we 
 
 are. 
 
 2 Beloved, now are 
 we the fons of God, 
 and it doth not yet 
 appear what we (hall 
 be : but we know, 
 that when he (hall ap- 
 pear, we (hall be like 
 him : for we ihall iee 
 him as he is. 
 
 2. Meanwhile, let us duly e* 
 fteem the happinefs propofed to us. 
 And, though the future perfection 
 of it be fuch as furpafles the reach 
 of human conception, yet thus 
 much in general, is plain and fa- 
 tisfadory to us, that by arriving 
 to a clearer knowledge of his di- 
 vine nature, we fhall be exalted to 
 that delightful refemblance of him, wherein our perfec- 
 tion and happinefs chiefly confifts. 
 
 3 And Everyman 3. And, if this be our expe&ed 
 that hath this hope enjoyment, all that hope for it, 
 in him purifieth him- muft begin sow, to lay a founda- 
 felf, even as he is pure, tion for it, by ftriving, as far as 
 human infirmity will permit, to imitate God, by the prac- 
 tice of Chriftian virtue in this life. 
 
 4 Whofoever com- 4. & 5. Wherefore it is moil evi- 
 mitteth fin, tranfgref- dent, that the wilful and habitual 
 
 practice of thofe vices now fo much 
 encouraged by the heretical teach- 
 ersy is perfectly deftructive of the 
 end of our Chriftianity. He that 
 deliberately breaks the divine law , 
 defeats the very means and me- 
 thods of refembling the divine na- 
 And to indulge any known and grofs fin, is to acl: 
 againft the very purpofe of Chrift's coming into the 
 world, which was nothing elfe but to free us of the guilt, 
 habit and power of fin. 
 
 6 Whofoever abid- 6. 7. & 8. And be not impofed 
 upon by the loudeft boafts, and mod 
 fpecious pretences, of thefe wicked 
 men. The pretences they make to 
 higher and deeper knowledge of God 
 than all others. A good Chriltiau 
 B b 4 and 
 
 feth alfo the law : for 
 fin is the tranfgreflion 
 of the law. 
 
 5 And ye know 
 that he wasmanifefted 
 to take away our fins, 
 and in him is no fin. 
 
 ture. 
 
 eth in him, finneth 
 not : whofoever fin- 
 neth, hath not feen 
 him, neither known 
 him. 
 
 7 Little 
 
37* 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. III. 
 
 A.D. 67. j Little children, 
 ^—" "Y"—-~Iet no man deceive 
 you : he that doth 
 righteoulhefs, is righ- 
 teous, even as he is 
 righteous. 
 
 8 He that commit- 
 teth fin, is of the de- 
 vil : for the devil 
 iinneth from the be- 
 ginning : for tbispur- 
 pofe the Son of God 
 was manifefled, that 
 he might deftroy the 
 works of the devil. 
 
 9 Whofoever is 
 born of God, doth 
 not commit fin : for 
 his feed remaineth in 
 him, and he cannot 
 fin, becaufe he is 
 born of God. 
 
 10 In this the chil- 
 dren of God are ma- 
 nifeff, and the chil- 
 dren of the devil: 
 whofoever doth not 
 righteoufnefs, is not 
 of God, neither he 
 that loveth riot his 
 brother, 
 
 1 1 For this is the 
 [| See chap, meffage that ye heard 
 ii. 8, 8tc. from the beginning, 
 
 that we mould love 
 one another. 
 
 12 Not as Cain, 
 who was of that wick- 
 ed one, and (lew his 
 brother : and where- 
 fore flew he him ? be- 
 caufe his own works 
 were evil, and his bro- 
 thers righteous. 
 
 13 Marvel 
 
 and a lewd liver % are direct contra- 
 dictions. And, as purity of life is 
 the mark of God's children, fo 
 does a vicious courfe demonftrate a 
 man to be a fervant of the devil, 
 the rirft author of all wickednefs ; 
 and is a manifeft abetting of his 
 impious power and contrivance, 
 which Chrift, the Son of God, 
 came into the world on purpofe to 
 countermine and deftroy. 
 
 9. & 10. In fine, while a man 
 preferves his Chriflian principle, 
 and anfwers the character of a true 
 member of God's church, he can 
 never be guilty of deliberate and ha- 
 bitual vice. Make it therefore a 
 fure tejl to whom a man belongs, 
 in whofe fervice he is lifted, and 
 from whom he muft expecl: his 
 wages ; whether of God, or the 
 devil) by the good or wicked prac- 
 tices of his life, by his behaviour 
 towards God, and towards his 
 brethren. 
 
 11. His brethren, I fay, for the 
 doctrine of Chrift || and all his 
 apo/iles, do moft plainly mow Chri- 
 flian charity to be the peculiar vir- 
 tue of our religion. 
 
 12. & 13. You know what it was 
 that provoked that wicked creature 
 Cain to murder his own brother, 
 viz. the antipathy of a vicious to a 
 religious temper. So it is with you 
 trow, the generality of the corrupted 
 world hate you upon the fame prin- 
 
 cip!e 5 
 
Chap. III. i Epistle General of St. JotfN. 
 
 377 
 
 13 Marvel not, my 
 brethren, if the world 
 hate you. 
 
 ciple, and becaufe the purity of A. D. 67. 
 your lives are a (landing reproach v — ^y— ■* 
 upon their impieties, and you 
 ought the lefs" to be furprifed at it. 
 
 14. & 15. Bear it therefore pa- 
 tiently, fince the charitable difpofi- 
 tion that poiTeiTes you, is fo fure a 
 mark of your being true difciples 
 of Chrift, and entitled to the future 
 happinefs promifed in his go/pel. 
 As, on the contrary, the fpiteful 
 and malicious temper of thofe 
 zealots, demonftrates them to be in 
 an unregenerate ftate ; nay, in the 
 eye of God (who judges by the in- 
 ward principle of the hearty and not 
 by the outward actions only) to be no lefs than murderers, 
 and confequently void of all true hopes of eternal falva-' 
 tion. 
 
 16. When you confider that a- 
 mazing inftance of divine love, in 
 the death of * Chrift, for the 
 redemption of mankind, you can- 
 not think it too much, that, in imi- 
 tation of fo wondrous an example, 
 Chvijlians fhould be obliged, not 
 
 only to bear and forbear, but to be ready to offer their 
 own lives, whenever the religion of Chrift, the good of 
 his church, and the welfare of their Chriftian brethren^ 
 calls them to it. 
 
 1 7. How r infinitely fhort of this 
 love, then, nay, how contrary to 
 this divine pattern are thofe men, 
 who, while they have power and 
 
 ability 
 
 14 We know that 
 we have palled from 
 death unto life, be- 
 caufe we love the bre- 
 thren : he that loveth 
 not his brother abid- 
 cth in death. 
 
 15 Whofoeverhat- 
 eth his brother, is a 
 murderer, and ye 
 know that no mur- 
 derer hath eternal life 
 abiding in him. 
 
 16 Hereby perceive 
 we the love of God % 
 becaufe he laid down 
 his life for us : and 
 we ought to lay down 
 our lives for the bre- 
 thren. 
 
 17 But whofo hath 
 
 this worlds good, and 
 
 feeth his brother have 
 
 need, and ihutteth up 
 
 his 
 
 * Ver. 16. [Hereby perceive we the love (of God.) 
 Note, The words {of God) are not in the Greek : the text 
 is iv T%TM \yvuKu.piv rw 'aXanviv — Hereby we have experienced 
 love, i. e. the greateft love becaufe he, i. e. ' 
 down his life for us.] 
 
 Chrift, laid 
 
73 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. IIL 
 
 A. D. 67. His bowels of com- 
 "~^ paflion from him, how 
 dwelleth the love of 
 God in him ? 
 
 18 My little chil- 
 dren, let us not love 
 in word, neither in 
 tongue, but in deed, 
 and in truth. 
 
 19 And hereby we 
 know that we are of 
 the truth, and fhall 
 aflure our hearts be- 
 fore him. 
 
 20 For if our heart 
 condemn us, God is 
 greater than ourheart, 
 and knoweth all 
 things. 
 
 21 Beloved, if our 
 heart condemn us not, 
 then have we confi- 
 dence towards God. 
 
 ability to do good, remain unmov- 
 ed at the wants of tfieir fellow 
 Christians ? 
 
 18. Remember, dear brethren, 
 the charity of a Chriftian difciple 
 is not to exprefs itfelf in fair pre- 
 tences and kind fpeeches, but in 
 aBions of bounty and liberality. 
 
 19. 20. & 21. This will mow 
 us to be Chriftians indeed, and 
 while the impartial teilimony, and 
 inward fenfe of our own con- 
 fciences, allures us of the fincere 
 performance of our duty ; we may 
 fafely conclude, that God, the 
 fearcher of hearts, and ftandard 
 of all truth, will approve of, and 
 reward us. And, on the contrary, 
 whoever, by the clear conviction 
 of his own mind,, knows and feels 
 himfeif to be a hypocritical tranf- 
 grefTor of his moral duty, muft be 
 
 allured, that God, who knows him better than he does 
 himfeif, cannot fail to be his more fevere judge and re- 
 venger. 
 
 22. This fincerity will warrant 
 our perfect, dependance upon God, 
 and the fenfe cf having done our 
 duty, to the belt of our power, 
 fully fecures us, that all our Chri- 
 ftian prayers fhall be anfwered in 
 the mod feafonable time, and in 
 the belt manner. 
 
 22 And whatfoe- 
 ver we afk, we re- 
 ceive of him, becaufe 
 we keephiscommand- 
 ments, and do thofe 
 things that are pleaf- 
 ing in his fight. 
 
 23 And this is his 
 commandment, that 
 we fhould believe on 
 the name of his Son 
 Jefus Chrirt, and love 
 one another, as he 
 gave us command- 
 pi ent, 
 
 24 And 
 
 23. & 24, For, in fhort, true 
 faith in the do&rine of Chrift, 
 and true charity to mankind, efpe- 
 cially to our Chriftian brethren, 
 is the fum total of our duty. And 
 yon, that have already duly per- 
 formed it, have a fufEcient pledge 
 and earneft of your acceptance 
 
 with 
 
 6 
 
Chap. III. i Epistle General of St. John, 
 
 379 
 
 24 And he that 
 keepeth his com- 
 mandments, dwelleth 
 in him, and he in him: 
 and hereby we know 
 which he hath given us. 
 
 with God, as true difciples of A- D. 67. 
 Chrift, by the gifts and graces of 
 his Holy Spirit conferred upon you. 
 
 that he abideth in us, by the Spirit 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 A Caution againjl falfe Prophets and Pretenders to Infpiration, 
 The Rule whereby to judge of them. The Exhortation to 
 Love and Charity, renewed, as the proper Badge and Token 
 of a true Chriftian. 
 
 iT3Eloved, believe 
 not every fpi- 
 rit, but try the fpi- 
 jrits whether they are 
 of God ; becaufe ma- 
 ny falfe prophets are 
 gone out into the 
 world. 
 
 1 . HTHE time being now come, 
 •*• wherein the Jews expect 
 the appearance of their MeJJmh> 
 according to the fcripture prophe- 
 cies ; there are fo many irnpojlorsy 
 that fet themfelves up for Chrifls, 
 and fo many pretenders to infpi- 
 ration and miracles, among the he- 
 retical teachers of thefe times, all ftriving to gain belief, 
 by diabolical delufions and forgeries ; that it highly con- 
 cerns you to look well, and examine them thoroughly to 
 prevent your being impofed upon. 
 
 2 Hereby know ye 2. & 3. Now, you have a fafe 
 the Spirit of God : rule, whereby to judge of all pre- 
 tences to prophecy, miracles or irijpi- 
 ration of any kind. Your Chri- 
 Jlian religion, both as to the life, 
 doctrine and death, &c. of Chrift, 
 being, in fo ample and unexcep- 
 tionable a manner, confirmed by 
 God -, you ought to conclude, that 
 whatever 
 
 Every fpirit that con- 
 feffeth that Jefus 
 Chrift is come in the 
 flefh, is of God. 
 
 3. And every fpirit 
 
 confeffeth * not 
 
 Jefus Chrift is 
 
 come 
 
 that 
 that 
 
 * Ver. 3. [Confeffeth not that Jefus Chrift is come in the 
 #e(b.] He points at Cerinthus. See the Pref. § 3. 
 
3* 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. IV. 
 
 D. 67. come in the flefh, is 
 -y — 'not of God : and this 
 is that fpirit of Anti- 
 chrift, whereof you 
 have heard that it 
 fhould come, and e- 
 ven now already is it 
 in the world. 
 
 whatever Je<wi/h or heretical pre- 
 tender fets up againft the great 
 truth of the incarnation of Jefus 
 Chrift, denying him to be the true 
 * Meffiah, or faying that our Jefus 
 is not the real and very Chrift, the 
 Word, and Son of God; let him pre- 
 tend to what gifts and miracles he 
 will, to confirm it by ; is an impcflor, acting by diabolical 
 delufions and conjurations; and one of thofe very Anti- 
 chvifts and falfe prophets, the forerunners of the great 
 Antichrift foretold by Chrift and the apofiles. On the 
 contrary, whatever Chrift ian works any miracles in con- 
 firmation of the true articles of our faith, fo incontefti- 
 bly eftablifhed beforehand, mult be thought to perform 
 them by the Spirit of God ; it being impomble to conceive 
 the devil would lend his power, toward the fupporting a 
 religion fo oppofite and deftru&ive to his own kingdom ; 
 or, that Chrift fhould give the power of his Spirit to fuch 
 \ See and as embrace not his true faith f . 
 
 i°<2Txii 4 Ye are ° f ^° d ' 4 ' TlmS ' the P owersof the Ho " 
 
 little children, and ly Ghoft difplayed by Chrift, con- 
 ferred on us his apojlles, and rend- 
 ing yet upon many members of 
 your feveral churches, give tefti- 
 mony to your religion, far fuperior 
 
 to what thefe worldly minded impoflors can pretend to, 
 
 in favour of their falfe doctrines. 
 
 5 They are of the $. &c 6. You cannot but per- 
 
 worldjthereforefpeak ceive too, an eflential mark of dif- 
 tinclion between thefe, and a truly 
 Chrifiian prophet. The one have 
 no other views but of temporal 
 
 have overcome them: 
 becaufe greater is he 
 that is in you, than 
 he that isin the world. 
 
 they of the world, and 
 the world heareth 
 them. 
 
 6 We are of God : 
 he thatknoweth God, 
 heareth us ; he that 
 is not of God, hear- 
 eth 
 
 power, greatnefs and dominion ; 
 no other notions of Chrift but that 
 of a temporal monarch, to raife and 
 aggrandize the Jewijh nation, by 
 
 the 
 
 * [That Jefus Chrift is come in the flefh.] Or thus, 
 Ivrxv X^itov \v G-u^yj Zxv)Xv$otcl, [That Jefus is the Chrift come 
 in the flefh.] Dr. Mill fays many copies read it At»« rh Ijj- 
 <r«v, [which diffolveth Jefus.] Of which fee the notes on 
 $ 3. of the Pref. to this epiftle. 
 
Chap. IV. i Epistle General of St. John. 
 
 331 
 
 eth not us. Hereby the fpoil and definition of the t A - p - 6 ?- p 
 know we the Spirit reil of mankind. Whereas, a true *"" 
 of truth, and the fpi- Chrijtian is a&ed by the hope of 
 rit of error. fpirittial good, and the love of true 
 
 virtue ; and mufl be be approved of, by all that have a 
 juft relifh of God, and true goodnefs ; as on the contrary, 
 it is no wonder to fee the falfe teachers of thefe times fol- 
 lowed and thronged by the majority, that are ©f the fame 
 
 temper with themfelves*. * See and 
 
 compare 
 7. & 8. As, therefore, we juft- John vi. 
 ly pretend to be the true children 45- &vm. 
 of God, let it be our fpecial care 47 ' 
 to give a proof of it, by the imi- 
 tation of his peculiar attribute of 
 love and mercy, fo abundantly dis- 
 played to all mankind, and to us 
 Chrijlians in particular; without 
 which, we fail of the chiefeft ; n- 
 and moft plainly (how we are 
 none of his. 
 
 7 Beloved, let us 
 love one another : for 
 love is of God \ and 
 everyone that loveth 
 is born of God, and 
 knoweth God. 
 
 8 He that loveth 
 not,:knoweth not God; 
 for God is love. 
 
 ftance of refembling him 
 
 9 In this was niani- 
 felted the love of God 
 towards us, becaufe 
 that God fent his on- 
 ly begotten Son into 
 the world, that we 
 might live through 
 him. 
 
 10 Herein is love, 
 not that we loved 
 God but that he lov- 
 ed us, and fent his 
 Son to be the propitiati 
 
 9. & 10. That acl of Divine Love 
 in procuring the pardon and fal- 
 vation of a finful world, by fend- 
 ing the very Son of God to become 
 man for our fakes, has this con- 
 sideration, to magnify it beyond 
 all companion, that it began, on 
 God's part, was voluntary and free, 
 without the leaft merit or obliga- 
 tion on our part to incline him to 
 it. 
 
 for 
 
 fins. 
 
 11 Beloved, if God 11. And furely fuch an unpa- 
 fo loved us, we ought ralelled inftance of heavenly com- 
 alfo to love one ano- paflion to finful creatures, ought to 
 ther. make ms exprefs the tendered re- 
 
 gard to the welfare of all thofe, whom God was pleafed 
 to fet fo high a value on ; and to demonftrate the fenfe 
 we have of it, by mowing mercy, even to fuch as lealt 
 deferve it at our hands. 
 
 12. & 13. It 
 
382 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. IV, 
 
 67. 12 No man hath 
 — ^feen God at any time. 
 Jf we love one ano- 
 ther, God dwelleth in 
 us, and his love is 
 perfected in us. 
 
 13 Hereby know 
 we that we dwell in 
 him, and he in us, 
 becaufe he hath giv- 
 en us of his Spirit. 
 
 12. & 13. It is not enough to 
 
 fay, you love God, in return for 
 
 his love to you, unlefs you give 
 
 evidence of it by your charity to 
 
 your fellow Chrijlians. God him- 
 
 felf is not the object of your fenfes 9 
 
 and can affect: your thoughts no 
 
 way, but by laborious and mifed 
 
 meditations ; whereas, your fellow 
 
 Chrijlians, their wants and mife- 
 
 ries ftrike your very fenfes, and 
 
 move you, by the ftrongeft and mod immediate impref- 
 
 fions. So that, if you do not perform the eafier, it is 
 
 not to be imagined you mould difcharge the more difficult 
 
 part of this duty : The one, therefore, is the proper teft 
 
 of the other. We fhow whofe children we truly are, by 
 
 the likenefs of our difpofitions ; and God, accordingly, 
 
 confirms us for his own, by the gifts and graces of his 
 
 Holy Spirit beftowed upon us. 
 
 14 And we have 14. & 15. And by the extraor- 
 
 feen, and do teftify, dinary and miraculous powers of 
 this Holy Spirit are we qualified to 
 demonftrate, and have, beyond all 
 exception, evidenced the truth of 
 thofe facts, whereof we apojlles 
 were eye-witneffes, viz. That Je- 
 Jus is the true Mejfiah, the very Son 
 of God, the Word, the Chrifl, who 
 was with the Father ; and actually 
 fent into the world, for the redemption of mankind by his death 
 a?id fufferings. An article moft effentially neceffary to 
 be embraced by every Chrifian ; and whoever denies it, 
 deferves not that character, nor is entitled to any privi- 
 *Seechap. } e g es f God's true church *. 
 
 andheri' ^ A " d WC haVC *6. & x 7« % firmly 
 
 ver % - known and believed to this fundamental truth of his 
 
 religion, and by the practice of 
 that love and charity, fo efpecially 
 enjoined in it, and whieh is the 
 principal inftance of our confor- 
 mity to his excellencies, and of our 
 return of gratitude to him •, in 
 
 {hor*> 
 
 that the Father fent 
 the Son to be the Sa- 
 viour of the world. 
 
 15 Whofoe ver mall 
 confefs that Jefus is 
 the Son of God, God 
 dwelleth in him, and 
 he in God. 
 
 adhering 
 
 the love that God 
 hath to us. God is 
 love ; and he that 
 dwelleth in love, 
 dwelleth in God, and 
 God in him. 
 
 j 7 Herein 
 
Chap. IV. General Epistle of St. John. 
 
 383 
 
 17. Herein is our 
 love made perfect, 
 that we may have 
 boldnefs in the day 
 of judgment : becaufe 
 as he is, fo are we in 
 this world. 
 
 fhort, by loving our brethren, as A « D. 6 7- 
 God loved us 9 and being ready to^"— "Y— — ' 
 fufter for their lakes, as Chrift 
 fullered for us all ; we prove our- 
 felves his true difriples, in full and 
 
 perfect communion with him, and 
 may ajfuredly expert the glorious 
 reward he has promifed, at the great day of final judg- 
 ment. 
 
 18 There is *no fear 
 in love ; but perfect. 
 love cafteth out fear: 
 becaufe fear haih tor- 
 ment : he that feareth, 
 is not made perfect 
 in love. 
 
 18. Nay, w*e not only then fafe- 
 ly may, but ought to depend upon 
 this * reward, with the utmoft af- 
 furance, joy, and fatisfa£tion ; for, 
 to be diffident, fearful, and diffract- 
 ed about the certainty of our fu- 
 ture happinefs, is a fign, either that 
 
 a man has not a due and grateful apprehenfion of the 
 
 mercy, truth, and love of God, through Chrift, to us ; 
 
 or, that he is not truly confeious of his having fincerely 
 
 performed the duties of his profeflion. 
 
 19 We love him, 
 becaufe he firft loved 
 
 us. 
 
 19. Infinite reafon have we to 
 love, truft, and depend upon him, 
 that has given fuch an inftance of 
 love to us and all mankind. 
 
 20 If a man fay, I love 
 God, and hateth his 
 brother, he is a liar ; 
 for he that loveth not 
 his brother whom he 
 hath feen, how can 
 he love God whom 
 he hath not feen ? 
 
 21 And 
 
 20, & 21. Only remember again, 
 that we mult teftify our regards to 
 God, by charity and companion to 
 our brethren. Not only the ex- 
 prefs command of Chrift, but the 
 very reafon of the thing requires it. 
 For, as I faid (ver. 12.), if we love 
 not them, whofe perfons and wants 
 
 ftrike 
 
 * [No fear in love.] Tear here feems, in the molt na- 
 tural conftru&icn, to ftand oppofed to boldnefs in the fore- 
 going verfe. 
 
384 A Paraphrase on the ^ Chap. IV. 
 
 A. D. 67. 21 And this com- (like and affect our very fenfes, we 
 
 u — — y— 'mandraent have we can hardly be fuppofed to be car- 
 
 from him, that he r i e d with much affection to him, 
 
 who loveth God, love w ith whom we cannot convene, 
 
 his brother alfo. but at a diftance, who is neither 
 the object of our fenfes, nor within the compafs of our 
 charity. 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 The Argument q/Chap. iv. 1, 2, 3, fa*c. rcfumed, viz. The 
 Certainty of Jefus being the Meffiah and Saviour of Man- 
 hind,, and that the Truth and Sincerity of Man's Profeffion 
 is to be judged of by their belief of it, and the good effecl it 
 has upon their Tempers and Practices. The Divine Evi- 
 dences of this Great Article. The Witnejfes in Heaven, and 
 on Earth. The Unexceptionab/enefs of this Argument, efpe- 
 cially to the Jews. The belief of it, the indifpenfable Con- 
 dition of future Happinefs, and of the acceptance of our 
 ' Chri/lian Prayers. The Sin unto Death, What? Diretlions 
 what to do in that Cafe. True Chri/lian Principles fufficient 
 to keep any Man from fuch Sin, Chrifianity the true Re- 
 ligion, and utterly inconfiftent with all acls of Heathen 
 Idolatry. 
 
 fChap.lv. 1 "VyHofoever be- 1. T Obferved to you f before, 
 
 x > &c - lieveth that A that the truth of Chrift's 
 
 Jefus is the Claift, is Mejfiahfiip was the rule' whereby 
 
 born of God, and e- vou are t0 judge of mens pre- 
 
 very one that loveth tences [ n re ligiou.s matters. Keep 
 
 him that begat, lov- then t0 that rule> and be affured> 
 
 eth him alfo that is that tQ d j efus tQ be the real 
 
 begotten of him. Chriftj ^ Sm of God) and ^ 
 
 vitur of mankind, is in effecl: to deny God the Father, 
 that fent him into the world for that purpofe. And, on 
 the contrary, fincerely to embrace the one, is to embrace 
 
 the other, 
 
 2. & 3. And 
 
Chap. V. i Epistle General of St. John. 
 
 3*5 
 
 2. & 3. And withal, you mull A. D. 6 7 . 
 never forget, that chanty to o\ir [ ^ mm ^r mmmJ 
 brethren is one principal * teft of 
 our being true dilciples of Chrift j 
 as it is a chief initance of our 
 practical obedience to his com- 
 mands, without which, all external 
 profeflion of religion is infignifi- 
 cant, and mere pretence; but with 
 it, Chriftianity will prove the moll 
 pleafant and profitable profeflion. 
 
 4. & 5. The Chrijlian will, then, 
 find his faith in Jefus as the true 
 Mejftahy the Son of God, to anfwer 
 its true and intended etFe&s, viz, 
 to fet him above the vanities and 
 unlawful pleafures of this world, 
 make him defpife its grand uer, 
 conquer all its temptations by fill- 
 ing him with aflurance of a better 
 ftate i A perfection too high for 
 any but true Ghrijlians to arrive to. 
 
 6. Nor are the effects and influ- 
 ences of this great || truth more II Ver. 1. 
 excellent and noble, than is the 
 ground and foundation of itftrong 
 and certain. The tef timonies ft Tbs zvatrr. 
 given him at his baptifm, when 
 God, by a voice from heaven, de- 
 clared him to be his beloved Son, the 
 Saviour of mankind: The miracles 
 at his crucifixion J, when at the fiiedding of his innocent f The blood. 
 blood, we faw both water and blood come out of his 
 fide ; the fun was darkened, the earth trembled, and 
 
 1 By this we know 
 that we love the chil- 
 dren of God, when we 
 love God and keep his 
 commandments *. 
 
 3 For this is the 
 love of God, that we 
 keep his command- 
 ments : and his com- 
 mandments are not 
 grievous. 
 
 4 For whatfoever 
 is born of God over- 
 cometh the world : 
 and this is the victory 
 that overcometh the 
 world, even our faith. 
 
 5 Who is he that 
 overcometh the world, 
 but he that believeth 
 that Jefus is the Son 
 of God I 
 
 6 This is he that 
 came by water and 
 blood, even Jefus 
 Chriit ; not by water 
 only, but by water 
 and blood : and it is 
 the Spirit that bear- 
 eth witnefs, becaufe 
 the Spirit is truth. 
 
 Vol. II. 
 
 the 
 
 * Ver. 2. By this we know that we love the children of God , 
 
 when we love God. Note : The context and the apof- 
 
 tle^s argument plainly (how, that thefe words are trarlpoled : 
 The reading mould be, By this we know that we love God 
 — When nve love the children of God. . And I have paia- 
 phrafed them accordingly. 
 
3 86 
 
 A Parraphrase on the 
 
 Chap. V. 
 
 and 
 
 won- 
 are all, I 
 
 a. D. 67. the vail of the temple was rent. The figns 
 J"" m ~v~ mmJ ders done by him and by others in his nam 
 D **' *^ m/ -fay, teftimonies of the authority of his per/on and mif- 
 fiotiy molt unexceptionable, as being evidences of that 
 Holy Spirit that cannot deceive us. 
 
 7 For there are 7 .& 8. In all controverfiesabout 
 
 human affairs, the politive tefti- 
 monies of two or three credible 
 
 are 
 three that bear re- 
 cord in heaven, the 
 Father, the Word, 
 and the Holy Ghoft : 
 and thefe three are 
 one. 
 
 8 And there are 
 three that bear wit- 
 nefs in earth, the 
 fpirit, and the water, 
 and the blood : and 
 thefe three agree in 
 one. 
 
 witnefTes is thought fufficient to de- 
 termine the 
 
 truth in any court : 
 and the Jews allowed it by their 
 own law to be fo. So that the 
 evidence of Jefus being the true 
 Mr/fiab, and the very Chrift, the 
 Word and Son of God, who died 
 upon the crofs, is, according to 
 their own notions, eftablifhed be- 
 yond all contradiction. For, as in 
 heaven there are three divine perfons, the Father, the 
 Son, and the Holy Spirit : fo do the three forementioned 
 * teftimonies given of Chift > while he was upon earthy 
 concur in the full demonftration of this great truth : 
 Thefe powers and miracles of the Holy Ghojl incontefta- 
 bly fhowing the Father to have fent him, and the Son to 
 have actually ceme into the world, for the falvation of 
 mankind. 
 
 9 If we receive the 
 witnefs of men, the 
 witnefs of God is 
 greater : * for this is 
 the witnefs of God, 
 which he hath teftifi- 
 ed of his Son. 
 
 10 He that belie v- 
 eth on the Son of 
 God, hath the witnefs 
 
 9. Now, if two or three credible 
 (though yet fallible) men are to be 
 depended upon, when concurring 
 and clear in their evidence •, how 
 much more ought we to rely up- 
 on the teftimony * of the infalli- 
 ble God? 
 
 10. All fincere believers cannot 
 but reflecT: on the infufheiency of 
 this teftimony, with the utmoft 
 
 comfort 
 
 * For this is the witnefs of God in elvrvi *&h * f^u^rv^U 
 
 t5 0*2. For fuch, or of this kind> is the witnefs of God, 
 
 viz, A threefold teftimony. 
 
Chap. V. i Epistle Gex£ral of St. John. 
 
 3*7 
 
 iri himfelf: he that 
 believeth not God, 
 hath made him a liar, 
 becaufe he believeth 
 not the record that 
 God gave of his Son. 
 
 tics as deny it, do no 
 
 11 And this is the 
 record, that God hath 
 given to us eternal 
 life : and this life is 
 in his Son. 
 
 12 He that hath 
 the Son, hath life ', and 
 he that hath not the 
 Son of God, hath not 
 life. 
 
 comfort * and fatisfaclion : Find- A - D &j« 
 ing themfelves continually con-^— ~v— — 
 firmed in it, by the gifts and *>"f u - 
 graces of that very Spirit, that, V*'-* 
 in fo ample a mariner, at firft gave Mv >"* 
 it. Whereas fuch Jews or here- 
 lefs than give God the lie. 
 
 ii. & 12. So then, the fum of 
 our Chri/Iianity is this : That God 
 has promifed to, and provided eter- 
 nal happinefs for good men, and 
 that the indifpenftble condition of 
 enjoying it, is a fine ere belief in 
 Ckriji incarnate, and in his reli- 
 gion, by all to whom it and its evi- 
 dences are fairly propofed. 
 
 13 Thefe things 
 have I written unto 
 you that believe on 
 the name of the Son 
 of God ', that ye may 
 know that ye have 
 eternal life, and that 
 ye may believe on the 
 name of the Son of 
 God. 
 
 14 And this is the 
 confidence that we 
 have in him, that if we 
 he heareth us. 
 
 15 And if we know 
 we know that we have 
 
 16 If any man fee 
 his brother fin a fin 
 which is not unto 
 death, he (hall afk, 
 and he (hall give him 
 life for them that (in 
 not unto death. There 
 is a fin unto death : 
 I do not fay that he 
 ihall pray for it. 
 
 13. 14. & 15. And accordingly, 
 my defign in this epiflle was, to 
 fatisfy all fuch true believers of 
 the fafety of their future condi- 
 tion -, and to encourage them to a 
 firm perfeverance in this princi- 
 ple, upon a full affurance that God 
 will deny them nothing that is tru- 
 ly needful for them •, but will, iii 
 due time and manner, anfwer all 
 their Chriftian prayers. 
 
 afk any thing according to his will, 
 
 that he hear us, whatfoever we afk, 
 the petitions that we defired of him. 
 
 16. Before I conclude, 1 mufl 
 advife you in one particular more, 
 relating to fuch offenders amongft 
 you as are ftruck with any extra- 
 ordinary ficknefs f as a divine t Se e and! 
 punifhment for any notorious fins. ^ ™ p *[ e u 
 Now, where the offence is not of x cor. xi. * 
 the moft wilful and obftinate kind, 1 3- Jam. 
 C c * where, v ' M. is- 
 
and x. 26 
 37 
 
 388 A Paraphrase on ths Chap. V, 
 
 A. D. 67. where, by the ciixumftances, you gather, that the pu- 
 11 i |., ' 'nifluflfint inrlicl:ed was not fent for his deflruclkn, but 
 only to awaken the perfon to a fenfe of his mi/carriage, 
 and you find him inclined to repentance j in fuch a cafe, 
 let the Chriftian miniflers attend upon him, interced- 
 ing with God for him by earneft prayer, which, upon 
 his repentance, fhall avail for the pardon of his fin *, 
 and for reftoring him to health again. But if you know 
 the perfon fo afflicted to be (truck from heaven, for a 
 malicious, habitual, and incurable degree of fcandalous 
 vice and immorality, or for wilful apoflacy from the 
 Chriftian religion; in that cafe, you have no obliga- 
 || See Heb. tion to throw away your prayers upon him f| but may 
 >i. 4- S, 6 juftly leave fuch a man to the jultice of God, as one 
 that has defeated all methods of repentance and falva- 
 tion f . 
 
 17 All unrighte- 17. It is* true, every wilful of> 
 oufnefs is fin : and fence againft either God or our 
 there is a fin not un- neighbour, is a breach of the di- 
 to death. v { ne law, and, in flricl: juitice, 
 
 deferves death. But as you know there were degrees of 
 § Numb, offences under the Mofaical law §, fome whereof were, 
 xxxv. 30, while 
 
 31. Deat. 
 
 xvii. 2, 3, 
 
 4, 5. and * He (i. e. God) fJjall 'give himlife. Or, Itfefhall be given 
 xiii. 5» 9i him, i. e. to the finner. The fame Hebraifm with that of 
 Matth. i. 23. They fljall call his name Jefus, i. e. his name 
 fhall be called. 
 
 f Ver. 16. I do not fay that he fhall pray for it., i. e. That 
 you are either not at all to pray for fuch a perfon, or if you 
 do, it cannot be with that degree of faith, and affurance of 
 fuccefs as in other cafes. See and compare Jam. v. 14, 15, 
 16, 17, 18. Moreover, it is poflible, thefe firjl Chrijlians 
 might not have any certain and abfolute Jigns whereby to 
 diftinguifh the fin unto death from other fins that were par- 
 donable ; or the diitempers that were curable, from fuch as 
 were incurable, by their prayers. And then the defign of 
 St. John in thefe words, I do not fay that he fiall pray for it, 
 is to fatisfy them, That, though every inltance of their 
 prayers were not equally effectual toward the recovery of 
 iinners, yet the promife in verfe 14, 15. was ftillgoodj none 
 being exempted from it. that he had not fo finned as to be 
 doomed by divine jultice to prefent death for it. Of which 
 they might be fatiified by the effeft of their praycri.' 
 
 10, w, 
 
Chap. V. i Epistle General of St. John. 
 
 389 
 
 while others were not, punifhed with immediate death, A - D - 6 7- 
 but admitted of an atonement by facrifice ; fo in thefe *""""■ 
 cafes, under the go/pel difpenfation, as long as there are 
 remains of true principles and difpofitions, and any 
 hopes of true repentance, there is hope of recovery, 
 and a promife of pardon. 
 
 18 We know that 18. In the mean time, no fin- 
 
 whofoever is born of cere and true Chrifiian is, without 
 his own great default, in much 
 danger of falling into fuch a def- 
 perate degree of fin, or of wilful 
 apofiacy from the fervice of Chrift 
 to that of Satan. 
 
 God finneth not \ but 
 he that is begotten of 
 God, keepeth himfelf, 
 and that wicked one 
 toucheth him not. 
 
 19 And we know 
 that we are of God, 
 and the whole world 
 lieth in wickednefs. 
 
 20 And we know 
 that the Son of God 
 is come, and hath 
 given us an under- 
 ftanding that we may 
 know him that is true : 
 and we are in him 
 that is true, even in 
 his Son Jefus Chrift:. 
 This is the true God, 
 and eternal life. 
 
 21 Little children, 
 keep yourfelves from 
 idols. Amen. 
 
 19. &20. For to conclude: While 
 the reft of the obftinate and un- 
 repenting world continue enflaved 
 to ignorance, idolatry, fin and Sa- 
 tan, we Chrifiians are fully and 
 happily allured, that we are mem- 
 bers of the church of the true God, 
 by fincerely believing in Jefus 
 Chrift his Son, who came into the 
 world to teach us the way of true 
 religion, and, being made man, 
 fuffered and died, in order to our 
 eternal life and happinefs. 
 
 2 1 . Which, fince he has fo fully 
 done, it would be utterly inexcu- 
 fable in any Chrifiian, by any 
 temptation or example whatever, to be drawn into any 
 acl: of heathenijh and idolatrous * ivorfoip, by forfaking * See the 
 fo pure and holy a profeftion. And may God preferve Pref. §4. 
 you ever from it ! Amen. 
 
 A PARA- 
 
PARAPHRASE 
 
 ON THE 
 
 SECOND EPISTLE 
 
 O F 
 
 St. J H N. 
 
 The Preface and Contents. 
 
 To whom? § I* T/F the Elect Lady, to whom this Epijlle is directed, 
 •D we may undetfland, either fame particular Perfon of 
 honourable Defcent, a Friend, and (perhaps) Difciple of St. 
 John ; or elfefome Chriftian Church ; the Word Elect be- 
 ing fo frequently ufed of the Jewifh Church in the Old, of 
 Chriftian Churches in the New Teflament ; and that of 
 Children, tofignify the Members ofthofe Collective Bodies. 
 The Salutation at the Clef e, from the Children of the Elect 
 Sifter, ver. i^.feem, indeed, to bid mofl fairly for this lat- 
 ter Acceptation, as fignifying a Sifter-Church ', as do alfo 
 his fpeaking in the plural Number, ver. 12. And, whereas 
 the Church of Jerufalem was the Great Original from 
 whence all they of the Circumcifion at firfl received the 
 Chriftian Doclrine, She, of all others, lays the bejl Claim 
 to this Title of (kv^'x) the Miftrefs or Mother- Church ; 
 though other Learned Men think it probable to be meant of 
 feme Afian Churchy and mofl likely that of PhiladeJphia. 
 I will only add, That St. John, infyling this Chriftian 
 Church a Lady, follows the Language of the Old Scrip- 
 tures. Thus Babylon called herfelfThc Lady of King- 
 dom^ 
 
Second Epistle of St. John. 391 
 
 doms, Ifal. xlvii. 5, 7. And the Antichriftian Babylon 
 is represented as faying in her Hearty I fit as a Queen, 
 Revel, xviii. 7. What thefe arrogantly a?id falfely applied 
 to them/elves, the Apoftle here truly applies to the Chrif- 
 tian Believers. 
 
 § 2. The Strain of this Epiftle, both in its Argument,The defigw. 
 and the very Expremons, is fo clearly the fame , in the main, 
 with that of the foregoing, that I refer the Reader to the 
 Preface thereto prefixed, for the proper Key to them. 
 
 § 3. The Shortnefs of this Letter, though to fo principal Why fo 
 a Church, is fujficiently accounted for, from ver. 12. viz* ort * 
 that the Apoftle very foon expecled to vifit that Church, and 
 give full Injlruclions as ot the matters here fo briefly handled. 
 
 1 THE elder unto 1. & 2. c^fOHN, the now aged * Written 
 X the eled lady, J apoflle of Chrift, fend- A. D. 67. 
 
 and her children, eth this epiftle to the church of || ' *— J 
 
 whom I love in the Jerufalem, to the clergy and people {^V,." 
 truth ; and not I on- thereof, whom I, and all good 
 ly, but alfo all they Chrift ians, cannot but molt fin- 
 that have known the cerdy efteem and love> f or t h e ir 
 trUt k^ 1 u conftancyandperfeveranceinthofe 
 
 2 For the truths ™A f / do a r ines that will prove of 
 
 fake which dweleth *j^ an d happy § advantage to$See,Pct; 
 in us, and fhall be rr; * ° L, „ 
 
 ., ' r US. *■ 2j > **' 
 
 with us tor ever : 
 
 3 Grace be with 3. Wifhing you all divine fa- 
 you, mercy and peace vours and bleiTings from God the 
 from God the Father, Father, and from Jefus Chrift his 
 and from the Lord only Son, our Saviour and Gover- 
 Jefus Chrift, the Son nor ; to preferve you in true faith 
 of the Father, f in towards God, and true love to- 
 truth and love. wards your Chriftian brethren f. 
 
 C c 4 4- It 
 
 * The elder : *p<rPvTtps, Prefbyter, here, and in 1 Pet. 
 v. I. may be a name of honour and dignity ; or, as in Phil. 
 ix. it fignifies, aged; and fo it fitly expreffeth both the a- 
 poflolical office, and his long continuance in it, he being now 
 at leaft feventy years of age. 
 
 f Ver. 3. In truth and love : Thefe words maybe con- 
 nefted, either with thofe immediately foregoing The Son oj 
 the Father, in truth and love ; i. e. the Author of the true 
 Chrifiiai} religion, fo full of love to mankind ; or elfe with, 
 Grace, mercy and peace be with you, as in the paraphrafe : 
 Which I choofe as moft agreeable to the verfe following 
 
I9 2 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 D. 67. 4 I rejoiced great- 
 -v— - J ly that I found of thy 
 children walking in 
 truth, a^ we have re- 
 ceived a command- 
 ment from the Father. 
 
 5 And now, I be- 
 feech thee, lady, not 
 as though I wrote a 
 new * commandment 
 unto thee, but that 
 which we had from 
 the beginning, that 
 we love one another. 
 
 6 And tills is love j 
 that we walk after his 
 commandments. This 
 is the commandment, 
 that as ye have heard 
 from the beginning, 
 ye mould walk in it. 
 
 7 For many de- 
 ceivers are entered in- 
 to the world, who 
 confefs not that Jefus 
 Chrift is come in the 
 rlefh. This is 
 ceiver and an 
 chrift. 
 
 8 Look to 
 i See 1 John felves, that we lofe not 
 iv. z, 3. the t h f e things which 
 Note there. wc have wr0IJghtj but 
 
 receive a full reward. 
 
 4/ It is a mighty comfort to me 
 to hear of fuch a number of your 
 church, that firmly and uncorrup- 
 teclly adhere to the Chriflian reli- 
 gion^ delivered by Chrift and his 
 apoftles, from God the Father, 
 
 5. Let me now only remind you, 
 that true Chrifiia?tity muft be join- 
 ed to true \faitb$ in ord.-T to make 
 a true Chrijiian. And thofe of 
 your church, where Chrift himfelf 
 immediately delivered his doc- 
 trines, * cannot but know it to be 
 one of his fpecial commands. 
 
 6. For there is no way of ex- 
 prefling our true love and regard 
 to f God, but by the entertain- 
 ment and belie: of his revelation , 
 as he has plainly delivered it to us, 
 and by obfervance of its moral 
 precepts, whereof this of love and 
 charity is one of the moil principal. 
 
 7. & 8. I am thus particular in 
 
 my cautions in this matter, to pre- 
 vent you from being milled in your 
 principles, and fo deprived of your 
 future and glorious ttate of happi- 
 nefs, by the deceitful endeavours 
 of a fet of men, viz. the Jewifh 
 zealots, that would perfuade the 
 world that Jefus is not the true % 
 Lie]]] ah; and thofe heretical Chri- 
 ftians that uphold he did not live, 
 and preach, and die in reality, but 
 iri appearance ; that he was not 
 himfelf the real Word who was with God his Father, 
 the Son of God made man, but a mere man, diftincl in 
 
 reality 
 
 a de- 
 
 Anti- 
 
 your- 
 
 * See 1 John ii. 7, 8. 
 
 f 'H uyx7rYi } viz. tS 0s£, as in 1 John v. 3. — iv. 21, 
 
Second Epistle of St. John. 
 
 393 
 
 reality from that Word or Son of the Father. Thefe are A. d. 6 7 . 
 the very falfe prophets and Antichrijls\ foretold by our Sa- ' v * 
 
 <uiour himfelf *. Beware therefore, and avoid them. * 1 J oh » S. 
 
 18, 19— 26. 
 9. Your Chniftian religion, andiv. i, i, 3. 
 the plain facts and doctrines of it, 
 are fo fully and unexceptionably 
 demonftrated, that you mult a 1 
 them the rule whereby to judge of 
 
 9 Whofoever tranf- 
 greffeth, and abideth 
 not in the doctrine of 
 Chriit, hath not God : 
 he that abideth «-i 
 the doclrine of Chriit, 
 he bath both the Fa- 
 ther and the Son. 
 
 all 
 
 etenders in rem 
 
 •lous mat- 
 
 ters f . You know your own prin- ... Sec T 
 
 ciples are true \ and therefore ail v. 1— 12. 
 that contradict them mult be falfe, as plainly giving God 
 himfelf the lie. 
 
 10 If there come 
 any unto you, and 
 bring not this doc- 
 trine, receive him 
 not into your houfe, 
 neither bid him Gcd 
 /peed. 
 
 11 For he thatbid- 
 deth him God fpeed, 
 is partaker of his evil 
 deeds. 
 
 12 Having many 
 things to write unto 
 you, I would not write 
 with paper and ink j 
 but I Unit to come 
 unto you, and fpeak 
 face to face, that our 
 joy may be full. 
 
 13 The children 
 of * thy elect filter 
 greet thee. Amen. 
 
 10. & 11. If you find any of 
 thefe teachers, therefore, that are 
 
 thuj 
 
 md in their doctrines, 
 
 and looie in their morals ; have 
 nothing to do with them, and give 
 them no entertainment, for fear 
 the countenance you afford them 
 fhould bring you into a ihare oi 
 their guilt and punifhment. 
 
 12. I give you now only thefe 
 brief cautions, in hopes very foon 
 to v'ifit your church, and fufnVfh 
 you with more full directions, to 
 your complete comfort and fatis- 
 faetion in your true Chrijlian 
 principles, again ft the deilgns of 
 •thefe deceivers. 
 
 13. The Chriit ian church I am 
 now * with, give hearty love and 
 good willies to'you. God preferve 
 ycu. Amen. 
 
 A P A R A- 
 
 * Thy eleclji/ier. What church it was, from whence St. 
 John wrote this, is no way certainly to be known : Dr. 
 Lightfoot thinks it to be Ephefus ; which, as it was the 
 metropolis of Alia, might indeed properly be called ^Vr 
 to the great church of Jerufalem. 
 
PARAPHRASE 
 
 ON THE 
 
 THIRD EPISTLE 
 
 O F 
 
 St. J- H K. 
 
 The Preface and Contents. 
 
 Caius,who?§ *• /^ AIUS is here generally taken for the fame Chrif- 
 \JJJT tlan of Corinth, ivhom St. Paul calls His Hoft, 
 Rom. xvi. 23. A Perfon very much noted for the Hofpita- 
 ble and Liberal Entertainment he gave to St. Paul and 
 Barnabas, who took no Maintenance of the Gentile 
 Churches they preached to, particularly that of Corinth, (fee 
 1 Cor. ix.) as neither did Timothy, Titus, or others fent 
 by St. Paul thither. To this St. John refers here, ver. 5, 
 6, 7, 8. Itjhouldfeem,from ver. 9, 10. that the Apoflle 
 intended a longer Epiflle, and to have directed it to the 
 ivhole Church of Corinth ; but fearing the Effecls of his 
 Letter might be defeated by Diotrephes, and his Prevailing 
 Party, he laid afide that Defgn, upon a Profpecl of doing 
 more Good by viftiing the Corinthians in Perfon, ver. 13, 
 
 14- 
 
 § 2. Mean- 
 
Third Epistle of St. John. 
 
 295 
 
 § 2. Meanwhile, he fends this Brief Exhortation £?Thcfubje<a. 
 Gaius, commending him for his Hofpitality to the Teachers 
 fent to his Church, exhorting him to continue it ; and affuring 
 him, that his Adverfary Diotrephes [who feems to have been 
 one of the Jewifh zealots, or Heretical Teachers, fpoken of 
 in his Firft Epiflle) Jhould foon feel the Weight of his Apof- 
 tolical Power. 
 
 § 3. Ifthefe Second W Third Epiflles be fly led General, 1 * general? 
 it cannot be upon the fame Account with that of ,he Firft, 
 and thofe of St. James and St. Peter, [thofe being direcled 
 to Several Churches ; while the One of Thefe were Writ- 
 ton either to a fingle Family, or Church, the other to a 
 Jingle Perfon] •, but from that General and Catholic Re- 
 ception they found from the Chriflian Churches. 
 
 iTHE elder unto 
 the well beloved 
 Gaius, whom I love 
 in the truth. 
 
 1 Behold, I wi(h 
 above all things that 
 thou mayeft profper, 
 and be in health, even 
 as thy foul profpereth. 
 
 3 For I rejoiced 
 greatly when the bre- 
 thren came and tefti- 
 fied of the truth that 
 is in thee, even as 
 thou walkeft in the 
 truth. 
 
 4 I have no greater 
 joy than to hear that 
 my children walk in 
 truth. 
 
 5 Beloved, thou 
 doeft faithfully what- 
 foever thou doeft to 
 the brethren, and to 
 ftrangers ; 
 
 6 Which have born 
 witnefs of that chari- 
 ty before the church : 
 whom if thou bring 
 
 forward 
 
 1. & 2. c^fOHN, the now aged * Written 
 J apoftle, fendeth this A< D - 6 '' 
 epiftle to Gaius of Corinth, myl Sce2 v £ . ft ' 
 dear Chriflian brother : Moftver. 1. 
 heartily wifhing him to flouriih 
 in health and temporal profper ity, 
 as he does in true Chriflian piety. 
 
 3. & 4. Nothing on this fide hea- 
 ven, is matter of fuch comfort to 
 me, as to hear of the fincerity and 
 conftancy of Chriflian people. I 
 love them all, without diftinclion, 
 as my fpiritual children. And this 
 made me fo highly rejoice at the 
 account I have received, how good 
 and generous a Chriftian you are 
 in particular. 
 
 5 . & 6. 1 now fend you this fhort 
 letter, to cxprefs the juft fenfe I 
 have or your liberal hofpitality 
 toward all your fellow Chriftians, 
 efpeoially to fuch as are ijnt by the 
 apojlles, to teach and inftrucl: your 
 church ; and to encourage your 
 perfeverance info good a principle, 
 
 by 
 
19 6 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 by acquainting you how great a 
 character you bear in the Chriitiari 
 church upon this account. 
 
 7. & 8. For, indeed, our Chri- 
 ftian bounty can never be better 
 fpent than upon fuch men, whofe 
 zeal for the honour and religion 
 of Chrift is fo true and generous, 
 that to prevent prejudices, and 
 take off the objections of fome of 
 our adverfaries, they preach the 
 gcfpel to fcveral Gentile churches, 
 I A#s xv. $ without any contributions from thein, and earn their 
 5. 1 Cor. ii v i n g by their own labours. By affifting fuch preachers, 
 you yourfelf become an inftrument of promoting the 
 go/pel, as indeed it is every Chriftiaifs duty to be as far 
 as he is able. 
 
 A. D. 67. forward on their jour- 
 *—- v— — 'ney, after a godly fort, 
 thou (halt do well : 
 
 7 Becaufe that for 
 his names fake they 
 went forth, taking no- 
 thing of the Gentiles. 
 
 8 We therefore 
 ought to receive fuch, 
 that we might be fel- 
 low- helptn to the- 
 truth. 
 
 ix. 18 
 See Pref. 
 
 Si. 
 
 8 Ver. r 
 
 f Ver. 11. 
 
 9 I wrote * unto 
 the church : but Di- 
 otrephts, who loveth 
 to have the pre-emi- 
 nence among them, 
 receiveth us not. 
 
 9. I was * once minded to have 
 writ at large, f| to your whole 
 church, to encourage all its mem- 
 bers to pay a due refpect to their 
 orthodox minifters, and to avoid 
 the falfe and wicked f doctrines 
 of heretical teachers ; but Diotrephes, who is one of 
 them, and his party, I find are fo prevalent, that I con- 
 fidercd, a letter was not likely to have much effect, and 
 § Ver. 14. fo refolved upon another § method j 
 
 10 Wherefore if I 10. Viz. To come and vifit your 
 
 come, 1 will remem- church in per/on, and take due 
 cognizance of that malicious and 
 buiy man, that prefumes to re- 
 proach me, and the reft of the 
 apojlleS) for not impofing circum- 
 cifwn upon the Gentile Chriftians ; 
 that denies all entertainment to the 
 minifters fent by us, to your church, 
 
 and 
 
 ber his deeds which 
 he docth, prating a- 
 gainft us with malici- 
 ous words : and not 
 content therewith 5 
 neither doth he him- 
 felf receive the bre- 
 thren, and forbiddeth 
 them 
 
 * I wrote ; €yg«%J/*„ I had written, or would have written. 
 So the Vulg. and Syr. very rightly, according to the com- 
 mon latitude of tenfe in the Eaftern tongues. See l Cor. xv, 
 32. 
 
Third Epistle of St. John. 
 
 397 
 
 them that would, and 
 calleth them out of 
 the church. 
 
 II Beloved, follow 
 not that which is evil, 
 but that which is 
 good. He that doeth 
 good, is of God ; 
 but he that doeth evil, 
 hath not feen God. 
 
 and even perfecutes and excom- A. D. 67. 
 municates fuch Chriftians as ad- 1 —— "v™™^ 
 here to them. 
 
 11. Meantime, I earneftly en- 
 treat you all to avoid the wicked 
 principles and practices of fuch 
 men. Make it your rule, that mo- 
 ral obedience is the eflential mark 
 of a true Chrijlian; and the loud- 
 eft pretences will never make a 
 
 wicked man a true member of God's church *. 
 
 12 Demetrius hath 
 good report of all men, 
 and of the truth itfelf: 
 yea, and we a/Jo bear 
 record, and ye know 
 that our record is 
 true. 
 
 13 I had many- 
 things to write, but I 
 will not with ink and 
 pen write unto thee : 
 
 14 But 1 truft I 
 fliall fhortly fee thee, 
 and we ihall fjpeak 
 face to face. Peace be 
 to thee. Our friends 
 
 12. Demetrius has the general 
 character of a fincere ChrifHan : 
 Make him your example j for I 
 can recommend him, by all the 
 rules of our Chriftianity,as worthy 
 of that character: And you know, 
 you may depend upon what I fay. 
 
 13. & 14. I mud wave further 
 particulars, till I fee you, which I 
 hope will be foon. All happinefs 
 attend you the mean while. Our 
 Chriftian friends here fend hearty- 
 love to you : Give mine and theirs, 
 as particularly as you can, to all 
 in your parts. 
 
 * I John iii, 
 6—10. 
 
 i'alute thee. Greet the friends by name. 
 
 A PARA- 
 
PARAPHRASE 
 
 ON THE 
 
 EPISTLE GENERAL 
 
 OF 
 
 St. J U D E. 
 
 THE PREFACE. 
 
 To whom, J i, rriHE whole Argument of this Epiftle has Art 
 •cc d Xr hat JL exaa Agreement, and feveral of its Expref- 
 
 fions are fo perfectly the fame with the Second of Stj 
 Peter, that the moil judicious Writers make it a ftrong 
 Conclufion, it muft have been Written about the fame 
 Time, and levelled at the Lewd Principles of the fame 
 Jeivijh Zealots, and Heretical Teachers. For the Par- 
 ticulars whereof the Reader is referred to the Preface 
 of i Peter, §4. and to Preface 1 John, § 3. 
 Why gene- § 2 . As his Brother James directed His Epiftle to the 
 rai * Churches of the Jeiuifi Difperfion, fo St, Jude!3 feems 
 
 plainly to have been fent to the Chriftians of the whole 
 Circiimcifwn, both Foreign and Domeftic ; and therefore 
 it bears the Title of a General Epiftle : Though I make 
 no queftion but it had a Peculiar Refpedl to Such a- 
 mongft whom he had exercifed his Mimjtry. 
 
 The 
 
General Epistle of St. Jude. 
 
 399 
 
 The Salutation and Dejign of the Epijlle ; viz. To arm them 
 againjl the Errors and Vices of Talfe and Heretical Teach- 
 ers. The Certainty of their fevere Puuifljment, inferred 
 from the Injlances of the Rebellious Ifraelites, the Fallen 
 Angels, Sodom and Gomorrah. Very Black Defcriptions 
 of thefe Heretics. The Traditional Hiflory of Michael, 
 and Prophecy of Enoch referred to. Chriflians not to he 
 furprifed at thefe Heretics, becaufe foretold by the Pro- 
 phets, and by Chrifl: Himfelf. He Exhorts them to Stead i- 
 nefs in the True Faith. Prays for them, and concludes. 
 
 I TUDE the fervant 
 J of Jefus Chrift, 
 and brother of James, 
 to them that are fanfti- 
 fied by God the Fa- 
 ther, and preferved 
 in Jefus Chriit, and 
 called. 
 
 1 Mercy unto you, 
 and peace, and love 
 be multiplied. 
 
 3 Beloved, when 
 I gave all diligence to 
 write unto you of the 
 common falvation \ it 
 was needful for me to 
 write unto you, and 
 exhort you, that ye 
 ihould earneftly con- 
 tend for the faith which 
 
 i.&2. •ylTM (called in the g^l Written 
 J ^/j-Thaddeus,andLeb- A. D. 67. 
 beus,todiflinguifh him from Judas'— """V"—'. 
 Ifcariot) the brother of James, 
 bifhop of Jerufalem, an apoflle of 
 Jefus Chrift, fendeth this epiftle to 
 the Jewifti Chriflians , to all that in 
 thefe corrupted, perfecuting, and 
 apoftatizing times, remain firm 
 and fteady to their profemon : 
 Wifhing you the utmoft degree of 
 Divine favour and happinefs. 
 
 3. In writing to you, dear bre- 
 thren, upon the great fubje£t of 
 our Chriftiatiity^ the chief and mod 
 necefTary argument I can choofe 
 to infift upon, is, that of courage 
 and conjlancy to the plain and ori- 
 ginal doctrines of it *. 
 
 was once * delivered unto the faints. 
 4. Ore 
 
 * Ver. 3. The faith once delivered: <*V«| vjct^oGutrr, ; 
 Delivered once for all; i. e. So as to need no further con- 
 firmation befide the evidences given of it by Chrift and 
 his apoflles ; and fo as to admit of no alterations or addi- 
 tions. See the Note on Heb. ix. 26. 
 
4«o 
 
 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 A. t>. 67. 3 For there are 
 — — y— 'certain men crept in 
 m awaref, 
 
 1 John 
 
 4. One would think, indeed, 
 this were a needlefs topic .to men 
 really profeffing themielves difcL- 
 pies 'of Chrift : But, that lewd 
 and wicked fet of men, whofe 
 vices and puniihment were * fore- 
 told by the prophets and by Chrift 
 himfelf, fome of them denying 
 Chiiit to % be the true Mcffiah at 
 all, others || affirming he lived, and 
 preached, and died in appearance 
 only, and not in reality ; and all 
 of them, by promoting fome vicious practice or other, 
 have fo inunuated themfelves into, and corrupted the 
 Chriltian church, that we are forced to run back to the 
 defence of its fit j$ and plained principles. 
 
 who were 
 before * of old or- 
 dained to this con- 
 demnation, ungodly 
 men, turning . n.- price 
 of pur God into lafci- 
 * The j eAV .vioufnefs, and deny- 
 in zealots ing the only Lord 
 I V - ;^Goa, and our Lord 
 
 Jeius Chrift. 
 
 5 I will therefore 
 put you in remem- 
 brance, though ye 
 once knew this, how 
 that the Lord having 
 faved the people out 
 of the land of Egypt, 
 afterward deilroyed 
 them that believed 
 not. 
 
 5. Wherefore, to prevent you 
 from being drawn into that defpe- 
 rate principle of theirs, viz. That 
 the external profeffion of religion , 
 and the privilege of being members' 
 of the true churchy is enough . to 
 fave a man, whatever his practice 
 be \ and, at the fame time, to fa- 
 tisfy you, how certain the punifh- 
 ment of fuch wretches will be -, 
 
 let me remind you of the former dealings of God in the 
 like cafes. The Ifraelites you know were the chofen 
 people.) and church of God : yet how were they, that had 
 the favour of a. miraculous deliverance from Egyptian 
 bondage, deilroyed for their difobedience, and never faw 
 the promifed land ! 
 
 6. And 
 
 * Of old fore-ordained to this condemnation : zr^cyiygtufzivoz 
 us tvto ro npipobj Men of whom it was before-written that 
 they would deferve this condemnation* 2 Pet. ii. 3. 
 
 Ibid. Denying the only Lord God ; i. e. denying him, in 
 effect, by denying Chriit his S»n, or by corrupting the true 
 religion, as to defeat all the main defigns of it. See 
 1 John ii, 22, 23, 
 
Epistle General of St. Jude. j^t 
 
 6 And the angels 6. Nay, to go higher, the very A - D - 6 7- 
 which kept not their angels themfelves, that a£ted un-' ^~~ "* 
 firfl eftate, but left WO rthy of the blifsful ftation and 
 
 their own habitation, | dignity God has placed them in, -j- «&>• 
 he hath reflrved in we rethrun down from thofe bright 
 everlafting chains un- ions of H ht d h mcf md 
 
 der darknefs unto the ° , , & . . - . r r , , ' 
 
 . , ; ft i are here kept m this dark and 
 
 judgment of the great , „ \. . r „ „ .. 
 
 -\ ° ° lower I] world, as prifoners re- (J z Pet u. 
 
 ferved in chains, againil the great 4 * 
 
 day of judgment upon them, and all wicked men. 
 
 7 Even as Sodom 7. What was the total and ir- 
 and Gomorrah, and reparable deftruction of thofe lewd 
 the cities about them, and beaflly cities of Sodom and 
 In like manner giving Gomorrah, but an emblem of that 
 themfelves over to for- mQre dreadful and eteni(d ifh . 
 
 mcation, and going ment that will be the final portion 
 
 alter itrange rieth, are r , , , , , i4 . 7 * ■ Cj „ 
 
 r . r tl r ot the debauched It heretics 01 f See 2 Pet. 
 
 let forth for an ex- , r . . |h [• • 
 
 ample, fuffering the thefe times ? 
 vengeance of eternal fire, 
 
 8 Likewife alfo 8. Who not only equal, but even 
 thefe filthy dreamers exceed the Sodomites in their im- 
 defile the ne(h, defpife pieties ; indulging themfelves not 
 dominion, and fpeak only in the fame exce f s f carnal 
 evil of dignities. gratifications, but in the moft vain 
 and extravagant fancies, and imaginations of the mind 
 too. They are not only lawlefs, ungovernable and ar- 
 rogant againfl all temporal authority, but have notions 
 that are difgraceful to, and reflecting upon, the dignity 
 
 of heavenly * and fuperior beings. * s,pj Pef - 
 
 . •** in i i; - the Nat « 
 
 9 Yet Michael the 9. & 10. 1011 cannot but ftandihere. 
 
 archangel, when con- amazed at their infolence, when 
 
 tending with the devil, y 0U compare it with the traditional 
 
 he difputed about the acc0 unt you Jews have had about 
 
 body of Moles, durft t | ie ftr j£ e between Michael and 
 
 f not brin S a 5 ainl1 Samael II II the devil, called the An- II ii Sec 
 him any railing a ecu- , of ^^ concerning the body Ll * htty0t ' 
 
 fatmn, butfaid, The * f ^ ofes> Your traditions te\l 
 
 Lord rebuke thee. ^ ^ Qrcbangd returned the 
 
 Vol. II. D d devil 
 
 f Ver. 9. Durft not bring, &c. h-/, erofyc«cs; he did n^t 
 think it// or meet: bo that Greek word is often ufed to fignify. 
 
4@2 
 
 A Paraphrase o*t the 
 
 A. D. 67. I0 But thefe fpeak 
 
 ^^^^"^evil || of thofe things 
 j) See 2 Pet. whIch they knQW nQt , 
 
 11. 11, 12. . , ' , , 
 
 but what they know 
 
 naturally, as brute 
 
 beafls ; in thofe things 
 
 they corrupt them- 
 
 felv s. 
 
 11 Wo unto them, 
 for thtv have gone in 
 the way oF Cain, and 
 ran greedily after the 
 error of Balaam for a 
 reward, and perimed 
 in the gainfaving of 
 Core. 
 
 f o-?riX4dig 
 Rocks. See 
 2 Pet. ii. 
 33—17. 
 
 devil none of his railing accu fac- 
 tions, but only faid, "The Lord re- 
 hnke thse*. While thfe impu- 
 dent creatures, like favage beafls, 
 fly at and vilify every thing, of 
 what rank and quality foever, 
 without reafon or diflin&ion. 
 
 1 1 . Wo unto them ! for if Cain's 
 murdering his br> ther was fo dread- 
 ful a crime, what mufl it be in 
 them to perfecute fuch numbers of 
 their innocent brethren! if Balaam 
 was fo wicked in feducing the If- 
 raelites to idolatry, what mufl be 
 their guilt, who, againfl the more 
 clear light of the gofpel, fecfuce Chriftum people into 
 lewdnefs, darknefs and deflru&ion ! And, if the earth 
 was made to fwallow up Corah and his company, for 
 pretending to rival and affront Mofes, what mull be the 
 end of them that refill the authority of Chrifl, and, by 
 forgeries and delufions,fetup againfl his infpired apojlles ! 
 
 12 Thefe are fports 12. &- 13. It is impoffible to de- 
 
 in your :; feafls of fcribe them by any comparifons 
 that are black enough to reach 
 them. When they are invited, to 
 gratify their appetites, it is indif- 
 ferent to them, whether it be to 
 an idol-feajl, or zfeujl \ of charity, 
 among the true worfhippers of 
 God. They bring nothing but 
 fcandal and f danger to all they 
 communicate with. The lewdnefs 
 
 and 
 
 charity, when they 
 feaft with you, feed- 
 ing themfelves with- 
 out fear : clouds they 
 are without water, car- 
 ried about of winds ; 
 frees whofe fruit wi- 
 thereth, without fruit, 
 twice dead, plucked 
 up by the roots ; 
 
 *3 Ra g In g 
 
 * There is another interpretation of this verfe, which 
 makes it refer to Zech. iii. 2 For his view and choice 
 whereof I refer the more curious reader to Mr. Le Clerk % 
 Not. en Hammond. N. T. 
 
 X Teafts of charity. It is not clear whether thefe were 
 meant of facramental feafls among Chriflians, or Jewifb 
 feafls, ufual in the evening of their Sabbaths, called xom»/* t 
 and ^ivo^o^fec. I have therefore fo expreffed it as to include 
 both. 
 
Epistle General of St. Jude, 
 
 -4<>3 
 
 13 Raging waves 
 of the fea, foaming 
 out their own (hame j 
 ^ wandering itars, to 
 whom is referved the 
 blacknefs of darkncfs 
 for ever. 
 
 and (landers of their converfation 
 are as blading as a te • r^jl, and 
 a virtuous word or action is no 
 more to be expected from them, 
 than fruit is from a tree that is 
 perfectly withered and flubbed up. 
 They vent their ihameful and ma- 
 licious calumnies as plentifully as the ff.a throws out its 
 foam in itormy weather ; and while they fet up for 
 teachers and doctors, guides and * lights to other men, 
 they are no better than thofe irregular meteors that de- 
 ceive and miflead the mariner in a dark night : And 
 accordingly, eternal darknefs and the utmoft degree of 
 mifery will be their final portion. 
 
 14. & 15. That traditionallpro- 
 phefy the Jews have of Enoch, 
 concerning the deftru&ion of the 
 old world, may as fitly be applied 
 to thefe men ; for as their impiety 
 and injuilice, both in words and 
 actions, do not only equal, but 
 even furpafs theirs, the divine 
 judgments upon them will cer- 
 tainly be ftill more folemn, dread- 
 ful and exemplary, 
 deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their 
 hard Jjbeeches, which ungodly fmners have fpoken againlt 
 him. 
 
 AD 67. 
 
 14 And Enoch al- 
 fo, the feventh from 
 Adam, prophesied of 
 thefe, faying, Behold, 
 the Lord cometh with 
 ten thoufands of his 
 faints, 
 
 15 To execute judg- 
 ment upon all, and to 
 convince all that are 
 ungodly among them, 
 of all their ungodly 
 
 16 Thefe are mur- 
 murers, complainers, 
 walking after their 
 own lufts, and their 
 mouth fpeaketh great 
 fwelling wards, hav- 
 ing mens perfons in 
 admiration becaufe of 
 advantage. 
 
 17 But, 
 
 16. For nothing can exceed the 
 pride, lull and vanity of this fet 
 of people, that yet have the face, 
 many of them, to call themfelves 
 the people and church of God ; 
 while, to gratify their worldly 
 and fenfual principles, they will 
 carefs, flatter, and join in with the 
 worft of men. 
 
 Dd2 17. & 18. 
 
 * Wandering Jars. The Jewifh doctors were ftyled, Lights 
 and Stars, 
 
404 A Paraphrase on the 
 
 A. D. 67. 17 But, beloved, re- 17. & 18. But, dear brethren, 
 
 ' v 'member vc the words you ought not to be furprifed and 
 
 which were ipoken be- diflieartened to find the Ckrijlian 
 
 fore of the apoftlet of c h urc h peftered with fuch a vici- 
 
 . » .» our 5*5? J , Chl ! lft : ous crew, when you coniider that 
 J aPct.uu 18 ft> W that they ^ft and his M ^ {[ 
 
 a »3- told you tnere fhould , , tJ • ,,, ,- r / ,l 
 
 , *. a • 4.U 1 n. foretold us it would be io. 
 be mockers in the lait 
 
 time, who (hould walk after their own ungodly lulls. 
 
 19 Ttaefe be they 19. And you fee it now come 
 who feparate them- to pafs, in thefe leaders of faction 
 felves. fenfual, having an d diviiions in the church, who 
 not the Spirit. are deffitute of thofe gifts and 
 graces of the Holy Spirit, that true Ghriftians are en- 
 dowed with. 
 
 20 But ye, beloved, 1 20> & 2I . Inftead, therefore, of 
 building up yourfelves being difcouraged, be careful to 
 on your moft > holy ^ Wq againft them> by con ft ant 
 
 ftl GhT* m improvement in all the duties of 
 
 ^ „ ° ' r , your profeffion, by the exercife of 
 
 21 Keep yourfelves •> * n . . A . ' ^ , 
 
 in the love of God, devout ^"^ />™/f, ™^m 
 
 looking for the mercy y ou are affifled b 7 the inflations 
 
 of our J-ord Jefus oi the Holy Ghojl ; and fupport 
 
 Chrifl unto eternal yourfelves under all prefent cala- 
 
 life, mities, by the joyful and fure 
 
 profpecl you have of eternal life and happinefs through 
 Jefus Chrift. 
 
 22 And of fome 22. St 23. Show your utmofl * 
 hav- companion, mak- averfion then, againft the pracf.;fers 
 ing a difference: of fuch wickednefs, by condemn- 
 
 23 And others fave ' in g them, and renouncing all con- 
 withfear,pullingthem ver f at i on with them. Only be care- 
 out of the fire *: hat- ful tQ make a prudent difference in 
 ^Ill^T your behaviour, in proportion to 
 
 r r the guilt or mens milcarnages. 
 
 Such as deceive others through perfect malice and de- 
 Jtgn, are utterly to be avoided : But fuch as are led a- 
 way through ignorance and Jimp lie iiy, are to be treated 
 
 with 
 
 * Hating even the garment : An allufion to the flri&nefs 
 of the Jewifh law againit touching unclean things. 
 
Epistle General of St. Jude. 
 
 405 
 
 with pity, tendernefs and good humour, in hopes to be A. d. 67, 
 recovered from fo wretched and hazardous a condition, ^^v-vj 
 A thing you ought moft earneftly to endeavour for. 
 
 24. & 25. Now to the infinitely 
 wife and powerful, God, the Crea- 
 tor and Saviour of mankind, who 
 is both able and gracioufly ready 
 fo to ailift your honeft endeavours, 
 as to keep you fteady to your pro- 
 feffion, under all difficulties and 
 temptations, and, by innocency of 
 life, to render you worthy the 
 enjoyment of his glorious and 
 bleflfcd p^efence: To him be a- 
 
 fcribed all glory and majefty, dominion and power, both 
 
 now and ever. Amen* 
 
 24 Now unto him 
 that is able to keep 
 you from falling, and 
 to prefent you fault- 
 lefs before the pre- 
 sence of his glory 
 with exceeding joy, 
 
 25 To the only wife 
 God our Saviour, be 
 glory and majefty, do- 
 minion and power, now 
 and ever. Amen. 
 
 FINIS* 
 
 Ddj 
 
 * 
 
A 
 
 GENERAL AND COMPLETE 
 
 INDEX 
 
 TO ALL THE 
 
 PRINCIPAL MATTERS, WORDS and PHRASES 
 
 IN THI 
 
 NEW TESTAMENT, 
 
 EXCEPTING THE REVELATIONS. 
 
 A 
 
 A BBA, Father, Gal. iv. 6. 
 
 Abel, his facrifice and blood, Heb. xi. 4. xii* 24, 
 Abide in him, John xv. 4. 1 John ii 6. Note ib. 
 Abraham, his faith, how juilified, Rom. iv. 1. 17, 18, &c» 
 
 Gal. iii. James ii. 21, 22, 23. 
 ■ • The promife made to him, Heb. vi. 13. Gal. iii. 
 
 8. 16, 17. 
 Adam, his iin, companion and analogy between our finnin 
 in him, and being faved by Chrift the Second Adam, Rora» 
 v. 12, 13 to 20. 1 Cor. xv. 21, 22. xiv. 49. 
 Afis of the Apoftles, ufe of that hiitory, Pref. to A£h. 
 
 Where the A<?cs properly begin, Acts i. 15. 
 
 Accounted, imputed for righteoufnefs, Rom. iv. 3, 6, 22, 24, 
 Accurfed: See Anathema. 
 
 Adtia, 
 
INDEX, 
 
 Adria, what ? A6ts xxvii. 27. , 
 
 Added, the Lord added to the church, Acts ii. 47. 
 
 -- Added nothing to me, Gal. ii. 6. 
 
 Admonition muft be given with difcretion, and come from a 
 
 pr per perfon, Matth. vii. 3, 4, 5, 6. 
 Adultery, the heinous fin of it. See Fornication and Divorcel 
 AffiiEiions, the good improvement and advantage of them, 
 
 Luke xiii. I, 2, &c. Heb. xii. 5, &c. 
 ./f^, ages to come, Ephef. ii. 7. 
 Again^ Trdxif. the fenfe of it, Gal. iv. 9. AW /A*/v. 
 Agabus, \6ts xi. 28. xxi. 10, n. 
 Agrippa. A£ts xxv. 12. xxvi. I, &c. 
 -^f/r, meet the Lord, 1 Theff. iv. 17. Prince of the air, Epho 
 
 ii. 2. 
 Aheldema, Acls i. 19. Alexander of Ephefus, A6ls xix. $$. 
 Altar, partakers of the altar, 1 Cor. x. 18. 
 ■ We have an altar, Heb. xiii. 10. 
 
 All, above all, through all, and in you all, Eph. iv. 6. God 
 
 over all, Rom. ix. 5. 
 All things, to all men, 1. Cor. ix. 22. I can do all things, 
 
 Phil. iv. 13. 
 AIL 7ruvTis 7tdvTx, in a retrained fenfe, A6ls i. 1 John ii. 19. 
 Allegory Gal. iv. 24. 
 Ambition reproved, Mark ix. 34, &c. x. 39, 46. Luke xxi e 
 
 24. See Humility. 
 Ambajfador, Eph. vf. 2C. 
 Amen, i. e. true, certain, 2 Cor. i. 22. 
 Anathema, and Maranatha, 1 Cor. xvi. 22. Gal. i. 8, 9, 
 
 Rom. ix. 3. 
 Ananias, feveral of that name, Acts v. 1. ix. 10. xxiii. 2. 
 JEneas, healed. Ads ix. 33, 34. 
 'Av'ixo-^s, Gal. v. 7. 
 *A vJiKovrx,, Rom. i. 17. Ephef. v. 4. 
 Anger, immoderate, condemned, Matth. v. 22. Ephef. iv, 
 
 26. Colof. iii. 8. 
 Angels, appearance and miniftry of angels, A£ls v. 49. viii* 
 
 26. x. 3. xii. 7. 
 
 Good angels minirter to us, Heb. i. 14. Matth. xviii. 10. 
 
 — Defire to look into the gofpel, 1 Pet. i. 12. 
 
 —*— Evil angels, their fall and punilhment, 2 Pet. ii. 4. Ju. vi. 
 
 A fpirit or an angel, A£ts xxiii. 15. 
 
 Things invifibly wrought afcribed to angels, John v, 
 
 4. Ads xii. 23. the note there. 
 
 Becaufe of the angels, 1 Cor. xi. ID. 
 
 • Into an angel of light, 2 Cor. xi. 14. 
 
 =•— Though we or an angel preach, Gal. i. 8, 9. 
 
 D d 4 Angela 
 
INDEX, 
 
 Ange Is, lower than the angels, Heb. ii. 7, 8, 9. 
 
 i Took not on him the nature of angels, Heb, ii. 16. 
 
 There angelsbehold the face of my Father, Mat. xviii. io> 
 
 < As an angel of God, Gal. iv. 14. 
 
 Angel worfhip forbidden, Col. ii. 18. 
 
 Elecl: angels, 1 Tim. iii. 16, Chrift above angels, 
 
 Heb. i. 4, 5. 
 Anointed with the Holy Ghoft, Aclsi. 5. x. 38. 
 
 The anointing. See Unction. 
 
 Anointed us, 2 Cor. i. 21, 22. 
 
 The anointed, Heb. i. 9. 
 
 Anointing the £ck, appointed, James vi. 14. 
 
 3 Avop.os, the fenfe of it, 1 Cor. ix. 22. 
 
 Aimehrijl, who ? 1 John ii, 18, 22. iv. 3. Preface ib. § 5, 
 
 Apojlacy, the danger of it, Heb. iii. 12, 13. Chap. iv. vi. 4, 
 
 10, 26. 1 Pet. ii. 20, 21. 1 John v. *6, 21. 
 Appearance of Chryt, the fenfe of it, 1 Tim. vi. 14. Tit. ii. 
 
 13. 1 Pet.i. 7. 
 Appointed, the fenfe of it, 1 Theff. iii. 3. v. 9. 1 Pet. ii. 8. 
 Apolhs, Adts xviii. 24, &c. 
 Apojile. 
 
 Apoillefhip of the Gentiles, Rom. xi. 13. 
 
 Grace and apoftlefhip, Rom. i. 5. 
 
 Apofllejhip of St. Paul vindicated, 1 Cor. ix. 2-Cor. chap, xi. 
 
 xii. xiii. Gal. i. 1, 9, Stc. Chap. ii. v. 1. Co 13. vi. 13, 17. 
 Apprehended o{ God, Phil iii. 12, 13. 
 Aquiia, Prifcilla, Afts xviii. 2. 
 Archangel, 1 Theff. iv. 16. 
 Areopagus, or Mars Hill, Acls xvii. 19^ 
 Armour of God, Ephef. vi. 11, 13. 
 Arts, curious arts, Acls xix. 19. 
 Athens, Paul there. Ads xvii. 15. 
 
 • Athenians, their character, ib. 21. 
 
 Afcenfion of Chriii, the account of it, Mark xvi. 19. Luke 
 
 xxiv. 51. Acts i. 9, 10, 1 j. 
 ■ — The (irefs that is laid upon it. for our pardon and 
 
 future happinefs, and the truth of ChrilHanity, John vi. 
 
 62. xx. 17. Eph. iv. 8, 9, 10. A6ls ii. 33. v. 31. Rom. 
 
 viii. 24. Eph. i. 20. 
 Ajlerp, fallen aileep, 1 TbefT. iv. 13, 14. 
 AJJsmbly, be difmiffed the aflembly, Acls x?x. 41. 
 
 AfTembling ouifelves together, Heb. x. 25. 
 
 AfTembly of the firil-born, Heb. xii. 23. 
 
 Atonement* See Propitiation. 
 
 Awake to ri:;htecufnefs, 1 Cor. xv. 54. 
 
 -* Thou that ileepeft, Eph. v. 14. 
 
 BABY. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 B 
 BJBTLON, Rome called fo, i Peter v. 13. 
 Babbling, vain, 1 Tim. vi. 20. 2 Tim ii. 16. 
 Babes, i.e. ignorant perfons, Rom. ii.20. iCor.iii. 1. Heb, 
 
 v. 13. 1 Pet. ii. 2. 
 Balaam, mentioned, 2 Peter ii. 15, 16. Jude 11. 
 Baptifm,t\\e nature of it, 1 Peter iii. 21. Rom. vi. 3, &c. 
 
 — Refembles the death, &c. of Chrift, Rom. vi. 3, &c. 
 
 — Baptizing with fire, what? Mattli. iii. 11. 
 Baptifm of John, what \ bee John Baptijl. 
 
 — Why Jefus would be baptized, Mark i. 9, 10. 
 
 ■ . Baptifm lignifies maityrdom, Luke xii. 50. Mar. x. 39. 
 
 — Baptized for the dead, 1 Cor. xv. 29. 
 
 ■ ■ ■ Not fent to baptize, but preach, 1 Cor. ix. 17. 
 
 ■ Baptized to Mofes, in the cloud, in the fea, i Cor. x. 
 
 I > 2 ' 
 
 — Baptifm compared to Noah's ark, 1 Peter iii. 21. 
 
 Barnabas, mentioned, Ac"ls iv. 36, 37. Chap. xiii. 
 
 Bafket, Saul let down in, Acts ix. 25. 
 
 Beajls, at Ephefus, 1 Cor. xv. 32. 
 
 Before, things that are before, Phil. iii. 13. 
 
 ■ He is before all things. Col. i. 17. 
 Beginning, he is the beginning, Col. i. 18. 
 
 — i — From the beginning, 1 John i. 1. 2 John v. 6. 
 — — In the beginning, John i. 1. 
 
 ■ ■■ ' Beginning of days, Heb. vii. 3. 
 Beholding, earneftly, ovrintoc^, Acts xxiii. I. 
 
 Bercea. Paul there, character of the Berdens, Aclsxvii. 10^ 11, 
 
 Beyond, go beyond, 1 Theff. iv. 6. 
 
 Bijhop, applied to feveral people, Acls ii. 17, 18. 
 
 — A good bifhop, what ? 1 Tim. iii. 1, 2, &c. Tit. i. 6. 
 See Elder. 
 
 Bifhoprick, Acls i. 20. 
 
 Blafphemy, what? A£ts xviii. 6. xix. 37. xxvi. 11. Rom. ii. 
 24. Tit. ii. 5. James ii. 7. Matth. ix. 3. John x. 36. 
 
 — Blafpheming againft the Holy Ghoit, what ? Matth. 
 xii. 33. Mark iii. 28, 29 30. 
 
 Blind, i. e. ignorant, foolifh, titles given to the Heathens, 
 
 Luke iv. 18. Rom.ii. 19. 
 And applied to the unbelieving Jews, Matth. xv. 14. 
 
 xxiii. 17. John ix. 40, 41. 2 Pet. i. 9. 
 Blood of Chriil, our facrifice, we are redeemed by it. Heb. ix. 
 
 12, 13. x. 19. Eph. ii. 15. 1 Pet. i. 19. Acls xx. 28. 
 
 Rom. iii. 25. v. 9. Lph. i. 7. Col. i c 14. and elie where. 
 
 Communion of the blood of Chriil, 1 Cor. x. 16. 
 
 — — Blood ; water and fpirit, 1 John v. 6, 7, 8. 
 
 Blood, 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Blood, blood, refitted unto blood, Heb. xii! 4. 
 
 . All things purged with blood, Hcb. ix. 22. 
 
 Boa/ling. See Glorying. 
 
 Proud boafters, Rom. i 30. 2 Tim. iii. 2. 
 
 « Where isboafting, Rom. iii. 37. 
 
 ' St. Paul's boafting, 2 Cor. chap. xi. and xii. 
 
 Body of Chrift, the Church, Rom. xii. 4, 5. 1 Cor. x. 17. xii. 
 
 13, 20. Eph. ii. 16. iv. 4. Col. i. 24. iii. 15. Eph. i. 23. 
 
 • Communion of the body of Chrift, 1 Cor. x. 16. 
 
 Bodies, of Christians, not for fornication, 1 Cor. vi. 13. 
 
 Are members of Chrift, ib. verfe 15. 
 
 ■ Sin without the body, 1 Cor. vi. 18. 
 
 ■ Sinneth againft his own body, ib. 
 
 — The body is Chrift, Col. ii. 17. 
 
 ■ A body haft thou prepared, Heb. x. 5, 10. 
 
 ■ In the body, Heb. xiii. 3. 2 Cor. xii. 3. v. 6, 10. 
 
 ■ Refurreclion of the body. See Refurre&ion. 
 
 Bodily, the fulnefs of the Godhead bodily, Col. ii. 9, 
 
 JW&of life, Phil. iv. 3. 
 
 Born again of God, 1 Pet. i. 23 1 John ii. 6. Note ib. 
 
 ' ■' Of water and fpirit, John iii. 3, 5. 
 
 — Firft born, Heb. xii. 23. 
 Firft begotten, Heb. i. 6. 
 
 — — Of every creature, Col. i. 15. 
 
 — From the dead, ib. verfe 18. 
 Breajlplate, Eph. vi. 14. 
 
 Bring with him, 1 Theff. iv. 14. 
 Brightnefs of his coming, 2 Theft", ii. 8. 
 Brother, the fenfe of it. 
 
 Brother, whofe praife is in the gofpel. 2 Cor. viii. 18. 
 
 — — — Brother of low degree, James i. 9. 
 
 — — Brother fignifies kinfman, 1 Cor. ix. 5. Gal. i. 19. 
 
 As a brother, 2 Theff. iii. 15. 
 
 Brethren. Chriftian, duty of love to them, 1 Pet. i. 22. iii. 8. 
 
 1 John iii. 14, 16. Sec Charity. 
 — — Call us brethren, Heb. ii. II, 12, 17. 
 
 ■ Falfe brethren, 2 Cor. xi. 26. Gal. ii. 4. 
 Bui/ding, of this building, Heb. ix. II. 
 
 A building of God, 2 Cor. v. 1. 
 
 Burden, bear his own burden, one another's, Gal. vi. 2, 5. 
 Burdenfome^ 1 Theff. ii. 6. 
 
 C 
 
 CAIN, 1 John iii. 12. Jude xi. 
 
 Calling, called, Rom. i. 6. viii. 28. I Cor. i. 26. Phil. iii. 
 
 14. 2 Tim. i. 9. See £//#. 
 
 Calling y 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Calling, abide in his own calling, I Cor. vii. 20, 24. 
 
 Ccefar, render unto Csefar, Matth. xxii. 21. 
 
 . Paul appeals to Csefar, Acts xxv. 11. Caefar's houfev 
 
 hold, Phil. iv. 22. 
 
 Camp, without the camp, Heb. xiii. ji, 12, 13. 
 
 Captain of the temple, A£te iv. 1. 
 
 Captives, captivity, Eph. iv. 8. 
 
 Caji away, call off, Rom. xi. 1, 2. Luke ix. 25* 
 
 A cait-away, 1 Cor. ix. 27. 
 
 To call out, excommunicate, Luke vi. 22. John ix. 34, 
 
 Caft out devils, Matth Mark, Luke. John, pajjim. 
 
 CathoHc, Epiftles, why fo called, Pref. to James, § 5. Pref. 
 to 3 Epiil. John § 3. 
 
 Ceafing, without ceafmg, 1 Theff. v. 17. Eph. i. 16. Col. i. 9. 
 
 Cenforioufnefs, condemned, Matth. vii. 1. &c. Luke vi. 37. 
 Rom- xiv. 4. James iv. 11. 1 Cor. iv. 5. Col. ii. 16, 18. 
 
 Ceremonies, and pofitive inftitutions are not of the fame obli- 
 gation with moral duties, and ought to give place to them, 
 -Matth. xii. 1, 14. xxii. 37. 38. Mark ii. 23, 28. Luke vi. 
 1, 5. See Moral Obedience, John vii. 21, 23. 
 
 Ceremonial law was figurative and temporal, Rom. viii. 3. 
 Gal. iv- 21, 31. Heb. vii. n, 12. to the end. Heb. chap* 
 8, 9. Chap. x. 1. &c. and elfewhere. See Law. 
 
 Chains, bound with two chains, Acls xii. 16. xxi. ^^, 
 
 Chains of darknefs, 2 Pet. ii. 4. 
 
 Change, fhadow of change, James i. 19. 
 
 • ' Changed the glory, Rom. i. 19, 23. 25. 
 
 — We fhall be changed, 1 Cor. 15, 21, 22. 
 — — Into the fame image, 2 Cor. iii. 18. 
 
 Charity, love and mercy, the great duty of Chriftians, Luke 
 xii. 33. xiv. 12, 13, 14. 1 Cor. xiii. 1 Pet. iv. 8. 1 John 
 ii. 9, 13. iv. 4, 8, 11, 21. 
 
 • ■ Its noble properties and efFe6h, 1 Cor. 13. 
 
 Ought to be univerfal, Matth. v. 43, 48. Luke x. 29, 
 
 38. vi. 27, 30, 36. 
 
 — Ought to be fecret, without oftentation, Matth. vi. 1,4. 
 
 — Its blefling and reward, Matth. v. 7. xxv. 34, 40. 
 
 — Is meaiured by the will, n-ot by the outward a£t, Luke 
 xxi. 3, 4. 
 
 . It covers a multitude of fins, 1 Pet. iv. 8. 
 
 — — Children, emblems of innocency, Markix. 36, 37. x. 
 
 14. Luke xviii. 16. 
 i Little children, my children, &c. 1 John ii. 11, 12. 
 
 2 John i. 4. 3 John iv. 
 . Childrens duty to parents, Ephef.vi. 1. Coloff. iii. 20. 
 
 — Child-bearing, the fenfe of it, 1 Tim. ii. 15. 
 
 Cbofen, 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Chofen, choofe, the fenfe of it, Ephef. i. 4. 
 . Chofen men, Acts xv. 22. 
 
 ■ Chofen veifel. See Vejfel. 
 
 • Cliofen in the Lord, i. e. a pious Chriftian, Rom. xv. 13. 
 
 ■ Chofen to falvation, 2 ThefT. ii. 13, 14. See Elecled, 
 Chrijl, his divinity, John i. 1, &.c. Heb. i* 1, 2, &.c. 
 
 — The tjrue Mefliah, Rom. i. 13. 1 John iv. 1, 2, 3, 15. 
 v. 1, 11, 12. See Faith. 
 
 ■ His temptation, Matth. iv. 1. Mark i. 12, &c. Luke 
 
 iv. 1, &c. 
 
 — His doctrine proves his commiflion, Mark iii. 22. 27. 
 
 — His death, Matth. xxvii. Mark xv. Luke xxiii. John 
 xix. See Propitiation and Blood. 
 
 — — — His refurrection. See Refurreflion. 
 — — His afcenfion. See Afcenfion. 
 
 — Of Chrift, in Chrift, to be Chrift's, 1 Cor. i. 1, 12, 
 2 Cor. v. 17. x. 17. 1 John ii. 6. 
 
 — Put on Chrift, Gal. iii. 26. Rom. xiii. 14. 
 Chrift, how taken, Heb. xi. 26. 
 
 Chriftianity, the excellency and reafonablenefs of it Mat. xi. 
 
 29, 30. John i. 17. iv. 23 24. vi. 39, 40. viii. 12. 
 How it fulfils the law, Matth. xvii. 21, 27, 33, 38 43. 
 
 ■ Conditions of it, John iii. 18. See Moral Obedience 
 and Faith. 
 
 Chriftians, firft fo called at Antioch, A£ts ki. 26. 
 
 ■ Almoft thou perfuadeft me to be, Acts xxvi. 28. 
 Church. See Body of ChriJPs Church, i. e. A Chriftian fa- 
 mily, Rom. xv. 5. Coloff. iv. 15. 
 
 Tell it to the church, Mat. xviii. 17. 
 
 Circumcijior. , no* neceffary to Chriftians, AcTs xv. See Pref. 
 to Rom. and Gal. and fee Ceremonial Law. 
 
 The uncircumciiion, the circumcifion, Rom. iii. 30. ii. 
 
 26. Ephef. ii. 11. Phil. iii. 2. Colof. iv. 11. Concifion, ib. 
 
 Citizen, citizenfhip, Ephef. ii. 19. Phil. iii. 20. 
 
 Cleannefs and uncleannefs, the true notion of it Hated, Mat* 
 
 xv. 10, 11. Mark vii. 15. 24. 
 Clothed, clothed upon, unclothed, 2 Cor. v. 2, 3, 4. 
 Cloak, St. Paul's cloak, the fenfe of it, 2 Tim. iv. 13. 
 Coals of fire upon his head, Rom. xii. 21. 
 Cock-crow, Matth. xxvi. 34. 
 Coming of Chrift, Acts i. 11. James v, 7, 8, 9. 2 Peter iii. 
 
 4. 2 Petei i. 16. See Day of the Lord. 
 Commandment, keeping the commandments. See Obedience, 
 • I fpeak not by commandment, 2 Cor. viii. 8. 
 
 « I have no commandment, 1 Cor. vii. 25. 
 
 ■ ■■ Law of carnal commandment, Heb. vii. 16. 
 
 4 Com- 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Commandment, anew commandment, John xiii. 34. I John 
 
 ii. 7, 8. 2 John v. 
 Condemned, felf-condemned, Tit. iii. II. 
 'Common % \iiA all- things common, Acts ii. 44,45- *v. 32. 
 
 Common. See Unclean, Acts x. 14, 15 27. 
 
 Confcience, in all good conscience, Acts xxiii. 1. xxlv. 1 6. 
 
 Heb. xiii. 18. 
 Void o. u offence, Acts xxiv. 16. 1 Tim. i. 5. 
 
 \ weak confcience, to wound, offend, or fin againft a 
 
 weak confcience, 1 Cor. viii. 7 8,9,10,11,12. beeWeak. 
 
 — A feared confcience, 1 Tim. iv. 2. 
 
 ■ Confcience a rule to judge of ourfelves by, 1 John iii. 
 
 19, 20, 21. 
 
 — A doubting confcience, Rom. xiv. 23. 
 Confecrated, the fenfe of it, Heb. x. 20. vii. 28. 
 Confejfwn ofiin to God. 1 John i. 9. To minifter*, James v. 16. 
 Contentment, Matth. v. 3. Phil. iv. 11. 1 Tim, vi. 6. Heb. 
 
 xiii. 5. 
 Contention forbidden, Matth. v. 38, 39. Luke x. 29. 
 
 between Paul and Barnabas, Ads xv. 38, 39. 
 
 Cont'inency, Matth. xix. 12. See Chajiity. 
 Contrary, are contrary to all men, 1 Theff. ii. 15. 
 Convert, converfion of St. Paul, Acts ix. 22, 26. 
 
 . The merits of converting others, James v. 19, 20. 
 
 Confolation, fon of confolation, Acts iv. 36. 
 Cornelius, account of him, Acts x. 1. &.c. 
 Corruption, to fee corruption, Acts xiii. 34, 35, &c. 
 
 - Inherit corruption, 1 Cor. xv. 50. 
 Corinth, Paul there, Acts xviii. 1. 
 
 — character of the Corinthians, Preface to Corinth. 
 
 - Inceftuous Corinthian, 1 Cor. v. 
 Corner, head ftone. See Stone. 
 
 Covetoufnefs forbidden, its danger, Matth. xix. 23, 24. Luke 
 xii. 15, 21. Eph. v. 5. Heb. xiii. 5. See Riches, 
 
 Covenant, Hob. viii. 8. ix. 10. See Tejlament, 
 
 Country, feek a country. Heb. xi. 14, 15, 16. 
 
 Creature, the creature, Rom. viii. 19, 20, 21, &c. 
 
 Expectation of the creature, ibid. 
 
 — ■ — A new creature, 2 Cor. v. 17. Gal. vi. 16. 
 
 Crofs of Chrill, 1 Cor. i. 17, 18. Gal. vi. 14. 
 
 — — Nailing it to his crofs, Col. ii. 14. 
 
 The offence of the crofs, Gal. v. 11. 
 
 ■ Crucify to themfelves afreih, Heb. vi. 6. 
 
 Curfe, curfe of the law, Gal. iii. 10, 13. 
 
 ■ Made a curfe for us, ibid. See Anathema, 
 
 Cut off, to cut off", to be cut off, Gal. v. 12. Rom. xi. 22. 
 See Cajl^ cajl away, 
 
 DAMNED, 
 
Index. 
 
 DAMNED, is one that is to be condemned as gulfty of * 
 
 plain fin, Rom. xiv. 23. 
 Damnation lignifies temporal judgment, Rom. xiii. 2. 1 Cor* 
 
 xi. 29. 
 
 Eat damnation, the fenfe of it, 1 Cor. xi. 29. 
 Eternal, of hell, Matt, xxiii. 33. John v. 29. 
 
 2 ThelT. ii. 12. Mark iii. 29.. See Punijhment. 
 Darknefs, i. e. a ftate of fin, Ephef. v. 8. 1 ThclT. v. 4, 15. 
 
 1 John ii. 8, 9. 
 ' Darknefs, i. e. evil anions, 1 John i. 5, 6, 7. Pu- 
 
 nifriment, Jude vi. 13. 
 Darts, fiery darts, Eph. vi, 16. 
 Day, the day, day of the Lord, fignifies either the deftruclion 
 
 of Jerufalem, or the final day of judgment, and very often 
 
 both, 1 Cor. iii. 12, 13. 2 Cor. i. 14. 2 Tim. i. 12, 18. iv. 
 
 8. 1 Theff. v. 2, 8. 2 Theff. ii.2,3.Heb. x. 25. 2 Pet. iii. 10. 
 
 « The laft days, 2 Tim. ii. 1. Heb.i. 2. 
 
 Deacons, ordained, A6ls vi. 2, 3, 4, 5. 
 
 — — — Their qualifications, 1 Tim. iii. 8. 
 
 Deaconeffes. 1 lira. iii. it. 
 
 Dead, death, refurrection of the dead, the fenfe of it, Acts 
 
 xxiii. 6, 8. xxiv. 15. See Refurretlion. 
 
 ■ Dead to fin, Rom. v. II. 
 
 ■ To the law, Rom. vi. 4. 
 
 In Chrift, 1 Theff. iv. 16. 
 
 — Them that are dead, i. e. Gentiles, 1 Peter iv. 6. 
 — - — Death worketh in us. 2 Cor. iv. 11. 
 
 Saviour of death unto death, 2 Cor. ii. 16. 
 
 —— • So great a death, 2 Cor. i. 10. 
 Debtor to Jew and Gentile, Rom. i. 14. 
 Debtor to the whole law, Gal. v. 3. 
 
 — Debtor, i. e. offender, Matth. vi. 12. xxiii. 16, 18. 
 Dedicated, the fenfe of it, Heb. ix. 18. 
 
 Deep, the deep, Rom. x. 7. 
 
 ■ Been in the deep, 2 Cor. xi. 25. 
 — — Deep things of God, J Cor. ii. 10. 
 Degree, a good degree, 1. Tim. iii. 13. 
 Delufions, ftrong delufions, 2 Theff. ii. Ii„ 
 Defcent, with defcent, Heb. vii. 3. 
 DeJlruBion, everlafting, 2 Theff. i. 9. 
 
 ■ — Destruction of the fleih, 1 Cor. v. 5. 
 
 Denying God the Lord, 2 Pet. ii. 1. Jude 4. Matth. x. ^. 
 Determined, fore-determined, Ads iv* 28. See Ordained. 
 
 . 4 Devil, 
 
 * 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Devil, not fuffered to declare who Jefus was, and why? 
 
 Mark i. 25, 34. Luke iv. 41. 
 —His titles, Ephef. ii. 2. John xii. 31. 
 — Give place to the devil. Ephef. iv. 27. 
 — Snare of the devil, 1 Tim. iii 6. 
 — Doclrine of devils, 1 Tim. iv. 1. 
 — Devils believe and tremble. James ii. 19. 
 — Devil contends with Michael, fude ix. 
 Devout men, the fenfe of it, Acls ii. 5. viii. 2. x. 2, 7. xvif. 
 
 Diana of the Ephefians, Acls xix. 24. 
 
 Difjhuter of this world, 1 Cor. i. 20. 
 
 — Without difputing, Phil. ii. 14. 
 
 — Perverfe difpitings, 1 Tim vi. 5. 
 
 Diforderly, i. e. idle, 2 Theff. iii. 6, 7, 11. 
 
 Divijions, forbidden, 1 Cor. i. 13. iii. 3 xi. 18. 
 
 Divide the word of truth, 2 Tim. ii. 15. 
 
 Divination, fpirit of divination, Acts xvi. 16. 
 
 Divorce, 
 
 —In cafe of adultery, lawful, Matth. v. 31, 32. Chap. xix. 
 3, 4, &c. Mark x. 2, 3, &c. 
 
 —Not lawful on light and humourfome reafons, Luke xvi. 
 18. 1 Tim. ii. 12. Tit. i. 6. 1 Cor, vii. 10, 11. 
 
 Dogs, the fenfe of it, Phil. iii. 2. Matth. vi. 7. 
 
 Doing well, in general, Rom. ii. 7. 1 Pet. iii. 17. iv. 19. 
 
 Doing, well-doing, i. e. charity, Gal. vi. y, 10. Acls x. 38. 
 
 —Well-doing, i. e. obedience to government, 1 Pet. ii. 1$. 
 
 —Well doing fignifies induftry, 2 rheff. iii. 13. See Good. 
 
 Door, Chrift the door, John x. i, 7. 
 
 — A great door opened, 1 Cor. xvi. 9. 2 Cor. ii. 12. 
 
 — Door of utterance, Col. iv. 3. 
 
 — Door of faith, Acls xiv. 27. 
 
 Dorcas, Acls ix. 36, &c. 
 
 Doubt, doubting, Rom. xiv. 23. 
 
 — Doubtful difputations, Rom. xiv. 1. 
 
 Draw, the fenfe of it, John vi. 44. 
 
 — Draw nigh, Heb. vii. 19. James iv. 8. 
 
 — Draw back, Heb. x. 38. 39. 
 
 Dreamers, filthy, Jude viii. 
 
 Drunhennefs forbidden, Eph. v. 18. Luke xxi. 34. Rom. xiii. 
 
 13. Gal. v. 21. 
 Dujl,. make off the duft, what ? Acls xiii. 51. Matth. x. 14. 
 
 Luke ix. 5. x. 11. 
 Dwell, to dwell in him, i. e. God, 1 John ii. 6. Note ib. 
 —I will dwell in them, 2 Cor. vi. 16. 
 
 E4RTH 
 
INDEX. 
 
 E 
 EARTH is to be burnt, s Peter III. 10. 
 
 Heavens and earth, Eph. i. 10. iii. 15. 2 Peter in. 7. x. 13. 
 
 Uttermolt parts of the earth, what ? Afts i. 8. 
 
 Earth, earthy, 1 Cor. xv. 47, 48, 49. 
 Ea/ler, mentioned, Ads xii. 3, 4. 
 Eat and drink, Luke xxii. 30. xiii. 26. John vi. 53. 
 — Power to eat, 1 Cor. ix. 4. 
 —Let us eat and drink, 1 Cor. xv. 32. 
 Edification, Rom. xv. 2. 1 ThefT. v. 11. 1 Cor. xiv. 3. 2 Cor, 
 
 x. 8. xiii. 10. 1 Cor. viii. 10. x. 23. xiv. 4, 17. Eph. iv* 
 
 12, 29. 
 Eye hath not feen, 1 Cor. ii. 9. 
 
 ■ Eye be fingle, Matth. vi. 2. Luke xi. 34. 
 An evil eye, ibid. 
 
 — Eye-fervice, Ephef. vi. 6. Col. iii. 22. 
 Elder, elders, elder men, 1 Tim. v. 1. 13. 
 — — Elder women, 1 Tim. v. 2. 
 
 — — Apoftles, fo called, A£ts xi. 38. 2 John i. 3 John i. 
 1 Peter v. I. 
 
 — Other minifters called elders, Afts xiv. 23. xv. 2, 6. 
 xxi. 18. 
 
 ■ Elders, i. e. the patriarchs, Heb. xi. 2. 
 
 • Elder fhall ferve the younger, Rom. ix. 12. 
 
 Elecl, i. e. Christians, Rom. xi. 5, 7. xvi. 13. 2 Tim. ii. 10. 
 
 Tit. i. 1. See Chofen. 
 Eletiion, i. e. being Chriftians, Rom. xi. 5. 1 Theff. i. 4. 
 — — Election refpefts Abraham, Rom. xi. 28. 
 Elements of the world, Gal. iv. 3, 9. 
 Elements mail melt, 2 Peter iii. 10, 12. 
 Elimas Afts xiii. 6. 7. 
 End, the end, ends of the world, end of all things, Matth. 
 
 xxiv. 3, 14. Mark xiii. 7. 1 Cor. xv. 24. x. 11. Heb. ix. 
 
 26. 1 Peter iv. 7. Luke xxi. 9. x 
 — End of their converfation, Heb. xiii. 7. 
 
 End of the law, Rom. x. 4. 
 
 Enemies, love of enemies, Matth. iii. 44, 45. &c. Afts vii. 
 60. 1 Theff. v. 15. 1 Peter iii. 9. 
 
 ■ Count him not as an enemy, 2 Theff. iii. 15. 
 
 Enmity, flain the enmity, Eph. ii, 16. 
 Enlightened, the fenfe of it. Heb. vi. 4. 
 Enoch, his prophecy, Jude xiv. 15. 
 ■ — His tranflation, Heb. xi. 5. 
 Entering in, 1 Theff. i. 9. ii. I. 
 Ephefus, Paul there, Acls xix. i. 
 
 Of Ephefus, and the Ephefians, Pref. to the Ephef. 
 
 Paul's fpeech to their clergy, A6ts xx. 17. &c. 
 
 Epicureans , Aft xvii. 18. Epjftle 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Epijlle, the Eplftles were occafional writings. Pref. to Rom. 
 
 Token of every epiftle, 2 TheiT. iii. 17. 
 
 Eftate, left their firft eftate, jude vi. 
 
 Ffa&, Heb. xii. 16. 
 
 Evangel i/l, 2 Tim. iv. 5. 
 
 Evil, do evil, Rom. iii. 8. xii. 9. 2 Tim. ii. 9. 1 Pet. ii. 12. 
 
 To difcern both good and evil, Heb. v. 14. 
 
 ■ The evil one, 1 John iii. 12. 
 
 Eunuch, the eunuch. Ads viii. 27. made eunuchs, Mat.xix. 12. 
 
 Euroclydon, Ads xxvii. 14. 
 
 Eutychus, Ads xix. 9. 
 
 Examine, examining, 1 Cor xi. 28, 2 Cor. xiii. 5. 
 
 Examining by fcourging, Ads xxri. 24. 
 
 Example, good example to be fet, Mattli. v. 14, 16. I Turn 
 
 iv. 12. 1 Pet. v. 3. 
 Exercife, bodily exercife, 1 Tim. iv. 8; 
 Excellent, things that are excellent Rom. ii. 18. 
 Exhortation, Heb. xiii. 22. Rom. xiii. 8. 1 Cor. xir. 3, 
 
 1 Tim. iv. 13. 
 Expectation, o f the creature, Rom. viii. 19. 
 
 Chriftianity a ftate of expectation, 2 Cor. v. J, 
 Experience the fenfe of it, Rom. v. 4. Heb. v. 13. 
 
 F 
 FABLES, Jewifli fables, 1 Tim. i. 4. iv. 7. 2 Tim. iv. 4, 
 
 Tit. i. 14. 
 Faith in general, what ? Heb, xi. 1, &c. Rom. iv. 9, 11. 
 
 12, 13, 14. 2 Cor. i. 24. 
 Faith hath fometimes a larger, and fometimes a more limit- 
 ed acceptation : iignifying 
 
 I. The Chriftian religion, in oppofition to the Mofaical 
 religion. Rom. iii. 27. 31, ix. 32. x. 8. Gal. iii. 2, 7* 
 9, 14, 23. 24. Ephef. ii. 8. 
 
 j2, Chriitian freedom from Jewifli ceremonies, Ads i. 1 7, 28. 
 
 3. Extraordinary faith as a qualification for working mi- 
 racles, 1 Cor. xii. 9. xiii. 2, 13, 
 
 4. Reliance on Divine Providence, James i. 6. 
 
 5. The external profeflion of religion^ jam. ii. 14, 17, 18, 
 
 6. A perfuafion of the lawfulness, or unlawfulnefs of any- 
 particular thing, Rom. xiv. 22, 23. 
 
 Faith in Chrift as the true Mefiiah, the main article of Chrif- 
 tianity, John viii. 24. Ads viii. 37. xx. 21. 1 John v. 1. 
 and elfewhere. 
 
 Faithful, the faithful, Ephef. i, 1. Col. i. 2. Tit. i. 6. and 
 elfewhere. 
 
 — — Mofes was faithful, Heb. iii. 2, 5. 
 
 «— A faithful faying, 1 Tim. i. 15. iv. 9. 2 Tim. ii. Hi 
 Tit. iii. 8. 
 
 E e Faithful, 
 
I N D E X. 
 
 Faithful, from faith to faith, Rom, i. ij. 
 
 l'hey that are of faith, Gal. iii. 7. 
 
 — • According'to the proportion of faith, Rom. xii. 6. 
 
 The meafure of faith, Rom. xii. 3. 
 
 Fa//, to fall, Rom. xi. 11, 12. I Cor. x. 12. 
 — — — Fall away, 2 Theft*, ii. 3. 
 Father, fathers, fignify, 
 
 1 The Jewifh feniors, Acts xxii. 1. 
 
 2. The patriarchs, Rom. ix. 5. another fenfe of it, 1 Cor. 
 iv. 15. ^ ' 
 
 — — — Be to him a father. Heb. i. 5. 
 
 Without father, Heb. vii. 3. 
 
 Fault, Why doth he find fault ? Rom. ix. 19. 
 Fear, in fear, 1 Cor. ii. 3. 1 Pet. iii. 15. See Trembling. 
 < No fear in love, 1 John iv. 18. 
 
 Feafts of charity. 2 Pet. ii. 13. Jude 12. 
 
 Feeb/e minded, 1 Theff. v. 14. 
 Field, God's field, 1 Cor. iii. 9. 
 Felix, Acts xxiii. 24. xxiv, 3, 25. 
 J><?/, apoftle's feet, Acts iv. 37. v. 2. 
 
 feet of Gamaliel, Acts xxii. 3. Feet fhod, Eph. vi. 15. 
 
 Fel/owjh'ip, Acts ii. 42. 1 John i. 3. Gal. ii. 9. 1 Cor. i, 9. 
 
 x. 20. Ephef. iii 9. PhiLii. 1. 
 iv/?«x, Acts xxv. 1. 
 Fi$ht, the good fight, 2 Tim. iv. 7. 
 Figure, iti a figure, Heb. xi. 19. 
 Fire, faved as by fire, 2 Cor iii. 15. 
 Fire, Chrift come in finning fire, 2 Thef. i. 18. 
 
 A eonfuming fire, Heb. xii. 29. 
 
 . Eternal fire, Jude 7. See Fumfiment, 
 
 — — The earth fhall be deftroyed by fire, 2 Pet. iii. ic* 
 F/eJh, i. e. Lulls of the flefrY Rom. vii. 5, 18. viii. 4, 5, &c* 
 
 xiii. T4. Gal. v. 24. and elfewhere. 
 — — — Flefh, i. e. Legal ceremonies and privileges, Rom. viii. 
 
 3. Gal. iii 3, Phil. iii. 3, 4. 
 
 « Flefb and ipirit, John vi. 63. 2 Cor. vii. 1. 
 
 ■ Infirmity of the fltfh, Rom. vi. 19. Gal. iv. 13. 
 
 Confidence in the rlefh, Phil. iii. 3, 4. 
 
 <*— - After the rlefh, 2 Cor. v. 16. x. 3. Gal. iv. 23. Rom. 
 
 viii. 5, 12, 13. 
 —_ — In the flefti, walk in the flefh, 2 Cor. x. 3. 1 Pet. iv. 
 
 2, 6. Rom. viii. 5, 12, 13. 
 
 Temptations in the rlefh, Gal. iv. 14. 
 
 Works of the rlefh, Gal. v. 16, 19. 
 
 Sow to the rlefh. Gal. vi. 8. 
 
 ■ Fair fnow in the flefli, Gal. vi. 12. Glory in your rlefh, 
 
 ibid, verfe 13.' 
 
 Thjh, 
 
INDEX, 
 
 Flejh, flefh and blood, EpTi. vi. 12. 1 Cor. xv. 50. Heb.ii. I4» 
 Fore-knowledge of God, Acts ii. 23. 1 Pet. i. 2. 
 Fore-know, fore-known. Rom. xi. 2. 
 Fore-ordained. 1 Pet i. 2. See Ordained. 
 Form of found words 2 Tim. i. 13. 
 ■Of knowledge, Rom. ii. 2.0. 
 
 Of God, Phil. ii. 6. 
 
 Of godlinefs, 2 Tim. ill. 5. 
 
 Fornication fometimes taken for uncleannefs in general, 
 1 Cor. v. 1, 9 vi. 9, 13, 15, 16, 18. 1 Theff. iv. 3. 
 
 Or for inceftuous marriage, 1 Cor. v. 1. 
 
 — The heinous fin of it, t Cor. chapters T. and vi. 
 
 See Uncleannefs. 
 Fool) become a fool, 1 Cor. iii. 18. iv. 10. 
 —I fpeak as a fool, 2 Cor. xi. 23. 
 Foolijhnefs of preaching, 1 Cor. i. 18. 23, 25, 27. ii. 14* 
 
 — Inftruftor of the fooliih, Rom. ii. 20. 
 
 Forgivennefs, enjoined, Mark xi. 2y, 26- Luke xvii. 3, 4, 
 Eph. iv. 32. 
 
 ■ Forgivennefs of fins in general. See JuJi{fication c 
 
 ■ ' In particular, James v, 15. 
 
 Foundation of God, 2 Tim. ii. 19. 
 —————A good foundation, 1 Tim. vi. 19. 
 
 . Of the apoftles and prophets, Eph. ii. 20. 
 
 Free from righteoufnefs, Rom. vi. 2o. 
 From fin, ibid. 
 Free from all men, 1 Cor. ix. 19. 
 
 As free, 1 Pet. ii. 16. 
 
 Freely, to preach the gofpel freely, 1 Cor. ix. 15, 19. 
 Freedom, Roman freedom valued and infilled on, Acts xvi. 
 37. xxii. 25, &x. 
 
 . Freedom and (lavery, a metaphor, Rom. vi. 16, 23, 
 
 Friend of God, James ii, 23. 
 
 Of the world, James iv. 4. 
 Fulnefs of the Gentiles, Rom. xi. 12, 25. 
 
 • Of the gofpel, Rom. xv* 29. 
 
 Of the Godhead, Col. ii. 9. 
 
 Of him that filleth all in all, Eph. i. 23. 
 
 —Of God, Eph. iii. 19. 
 
 Of Chriit, Eph. iv. 13, 
 
 In him mould all fulnefs dwell, Col. i. lS, 
 —Fill all things, Eph. iv. 10c 
 
 G 
 GA1VS, who ? 3 John 1. 
 Gall oi bitternei's, A£ls viii. 23. 
 Ga/lio, Acts xviii. 14. 
 Gamaliel^ Acts v. 23. xxii. 3. 
 
 E e 2 Garment, 
 
i n d e X. : 
 
 Garment, fell his garment, Luke xxii. 36. 
 
 Hating even the garment, Jude 23. 
 
 New cloth to an old garment, Matth. ix. 16. 
 
 ■ Wedding garment, Matth. xxii. it. 
 
 Gate, the beautiful gate, Acls iii, 2. 
 
 Strait gate, Matth- vii. 13. Luke xiii. 34. 
 
 — — Suffered without the gate, Heb. xiii. 12. 
 
 Gathering together, 2 Theit ii. 1. 
 
 Genealogy of Chfift, Matth. i. 2, &c. Luke iii. 23, &c. 
 
 -Endlefs geriealogies, 1 Tim. i. 4. Tit. iii. 9. 
 
 Generation, a chofen generation, 1 Pet. ii. 9. 
 
 *— Wife in their generation, Luke xvi. 8. 
 
 Who mall declare his generation ? Acls viii. 33, 
 
 ■ Served his own generation, Acls xiii. 36. 
 
 General epiftles, why called general ? Preface to James, 
 
 § 5. and to 3 John $ 3. 
 Gentlenefs, Jude Xxii. 23. See Humility* 
 Gentiles firil converted, Acts x. i. Sec. 
 
 Their notorious vices, Rom. i. 1, &c. I Pet. iv. 2,3. 
 
 *-Were defigned the gofpel privileges as well as the 
 Jews, Rom. i. 17. and chapters ii, iii, iv, and v. 1 Cor. 
 xii. 13. Gal. ii. 2, 8. iii. 14. Eph. iii. 1, 6, 8. Col. i. 27. 
 1 Tim. ii. 7. 2 Tim. i. ii. iv. 17. 
 Ghofl, Holy Ghoft promifed, Adls i. 5. Matth. iii. 11. John 
 xiv. 20. and elfewhefe. 
 
 The defcent of the Holy Ghoft, Aas ii. 1, &c. 
 
 Baptized with the Holy Ghoft, Ads i. 3. 
 
 Holy Ghoit was conferred by the apoftles, Acls ii. ^8. 
 
 viii. 15, 27. 
 
 Given fometimes before, fometimes after baptifm, A<§ts 
 x. 44, 47, 48. and viii. 16, 17. 
 
 Filled with the Holy Ghoft, i. e. w T ith a particular gift, 
 Acls iv. 31. 
 
 Seemed good to the Holy Ghoft and to us, Acls xv. 28. 
 
 Joy in the Holy Ghoft, 1 Theff. i. 6. See Spirit. 
 
 Gift, gifts figuify, , 
 
 1. The grace and free mercy of the gofpel falvation, Rom, 
 v. 15, 16, 17, 1 8. 
 
 2. Spiritual and extraordinary gifts, 1 Cor. xii. 4, &c. at- 
 tending the apoftolical office, 1 Pet. iv. 10, 11. and 
 elfewhefe. 
 
 3. Gifts fignify charity, 2 Cor. ix. 15. Phil. iv. 17. and 
 elfewhere^ 
 
 ■ « Neglecl not the gift, 1 Tim. iv. 14. 2 Tim. i. 6. 
 
 ■ The heavenly gift, Heb. vi. 4. 
 
 Gave gifts unto men, Eph. iv. 8. 
 
 ■ Offer gifts, Heb, v. 1. viii. 3, 4. ix* 9. xi. 4* 
 
 Girdle 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Girdle, Paul's girdle, A els xxi. 1 1. 
 
 . -Your loins girt, Eph. vi. 14. I Pet. i. 13. 
 
 Glory, glorying. 
 
 From glory to glory, 2 Cor. iii. 18. 
 
 Glory of Chrift, glory of the man, 1 Cor. xi. 7. 
 
 — > — Glory of Chrift, to be revealed, J Pet. iv. 13. v. I. 
 
 Rom. iii. 23. xv. 2. 
 — — The excellent glory, 2 Pet. i. 17. 
 Glory of God, John xi. 4c. Adts vii. 5$. 
 Is the end of the golpel, 2 Cor. i. 22. Phil. ii. 11, 
 
 2 Cor. iv. 15. 
 
 Do all to the glory of God. 1 Cor. x. 31. 
 
 Glorying of St. Paul, 2 Cor. xi. & xii chapters. 
 
 — Of the falfe teachers, ibid, ^ee Boafiing. 
 
 Glorified, Chriit glorified not himfelf, Heb. v. 5. 
 
 God, his Being and Providence proved, Acts xiv. 17. xvii. 
 
 27. 28. 
 Name of God, its ufe in the Hebrew tongue, 2 Cor. 
 
 viii. 1. AW ibid. 
 — — Without God in the world, Eph. ii. 12. 
 
 To the unknown God, Acts xvii. 23. 
 
 - — — Houfehold of God, Eph. ii. 19. 
 
 Life of God, Eph. iv. 18. Increafe of God, Col. ii. 19. 
 
 All that is called God, 2 Theff. ii. 4. 
 
 Godhead, Rom. 1. 2c. Col. ii. 9. 
 
 Good things, give good things, Matth. vii. 7, 12. 
 
 — That which is good. 1 Theff. v. 15. 
 — — That good thing, I Tim. 14. 
 
 Both good and evil, Heb. v. 14. 
 
 Goodman, fignifies a merciful man, Matth. i. 19. Acts xi. 
 
 24. Rom. x. 7. 
 —Doing good, i. e. charity, Luke vi.33. Heb. xiii, 16. See 
 
 Doing. 
 Government. See Mapfjlrctes. 
 GofpeL v.hofe praife is in the gofpel, 2 Cor. viii. 8. 
 
 Of the circumciiion, Gal. ii. 7. 
 
 Gofpel, fignifies a particular article. Gal. ii. 14. See Chrfiianity. 
 
 Grace, %*%i<; in the New Teftament, is derived from, and an- 
 
 fwers to TJ1 in the Hebrew. Its primary fenfe is favour \ 
 
 mercy, bounty: From whence it is branched out into feve- 
 
 ral acceptations, fome more general, others more limited 
 
 and particular, under the following heads : 
 
 j. Grace, i.e. Favour, free bounty, Rom. iv. 4, 16. i. 7. 
 
 xii. 6. 1 Cor. xv. 10. 2 Cor. vi. 1. Gal. i. 3, 15. Eph. i. 
 
 7, vi. 24. Phil. i. 2. 1 Theff, i. 1. v. 28. 2 Theff. iii. 16, 
 
 j8. Heb. iv. 16. xiii. 25. James iv. 6. See Note there. 
 
 E e 3 2 Grace 
 
INDEX, 
 
 2. Grace, i. e. the gofpel religion, John i. 1 7. A&s xiii. 43, 
 xv. II. xviii. 27. Rom. iv. 2. vi. 14, 15. xi. 5,6. 
 Gal. i. 6. ii. 21. v. 4. Eph. i. 6. ii. 5. 8. 2 Theff. i. 
 12. ii. 16. rieb. xii. 15, 28. xiii. 9. 1 Pet. v. 12. 2 Pet» 
 iii. 18. Jude iv. 1 Cor. i. 4. 
 
 3. Grace, i. e. the happy fucceis of the gofpel, Afts ix. 
 23. i Cor. i. 4. 
 
 4. Grace taken adjeclively, by a Hebraifm, fignifies as 
 much as Gracious, Adts xiv. 3. xx. 24, 32. 
 
 5. Grace, i.e. the apollolical office, and the endowments 
 of the Spirit that qualified the apoitles to difcharge it, 
 Rom. xii. 3. xv. 15. 1 Cor. iii. 10. Gal. ii. 9. Eph* 
 iii. 2, 7, 8. iv. 7. 1 Pet. iv. 10, 11. 
 
 6. Grace, i. e. Charity, a charitable collection, 2 Cor. viii. 
 1, 6, 19. ix. 14. 
 
 7. Grace feems to fignify the honour of fuffering for 
 Chriftianity, Phil. i. 7. 
 
 8. Grace, 1. e. Edification, profit, Eph. iv. 29. 
 
 9. Grace, i. e. our final reward, 1 Pet. ii. 10. 13. 
 
 - — Spirit of grace, Heb. x. 29. Let us have grace, Heb. xii. 28. 
 — Throne of grace, Heb. iv. 16. Grace for grace, Johni. 16. 
 ■ — Singing with grace, Col. iii. 16. 
 — Your fpeech be with grace, Col. iv. 6. 
 • — Heart eftablimed with grace, Heb. xiii. 9. 
 Grafted in, Rom. xi. 17, 19. 
 
 Greeks, Grecians, i. e. Gentiles profelyted to the Jewifh re- 
 ligion, Acls vi. 1. ix. 28. xi. 20. xiv. 1. xvii. 4. xix. 20, 
 and elfewhere. 
 
 Greeks, i. c. Gentiles, A£ts xvi. 1. xvii. 12 xviii. 17, 
 xix, 17. xx. 21. Rom. x. 12. Gal. iii. 28. Col. iii. 11. 
 i Cor. i. 22, 23. and elfewhere. 
 Grieve a brother, Rom. xiv. 15. 
 
 Grieved, the fenfe of it, 2 Cor. ii. 4, 5. 
 
 Grieve the Holy Spirit, Eph. iv. 30. 
 Groamngs, that cannot be uttered, Rom. viii. 26. 
 -— — — We groan, Rom. viii, 22, 23. 1 Cor. v. 2, 4, 
 
 H 
 HAG4R, Gal. iv. 21, &c 
 Hau, longhair, 1 Cor. xi. 14, 15. 
 Habitation of God, Eph. vi. 22. 
 
 ifo/#«/ himfelf, the fenfe of it, Matth. xxvii.5. A6ts i. 18. 
 Hard xq be underflood, the fenfe of it, 2 Pet. iii. 16. 
 Hand ot God. Luke i. 66. A els xi. 21. and elfewhere. 
 
 Right hand of God, Acls ii. 25, 33, 34. v. 31. vii. $$ t 
 
 56. Eph. i 20. Coloff. iii. 1. Heb. i. 3, 13. viii. 1. 
 x. 12. xii. 2. 1 Pet. iii. 22. 
 
 At hand, the Lord is at hand. Phil. iv. 5. 
 
 Hand ? 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Hand, with my own hand, Rom. xvi. 26. 1 Cor, x. 20, 
 2 ThclT. iii. 17. 
 
 Holy hands, 1 Tim. ii. 8. 2 Tim. i. 6. 
 
 Hands-, impofition of hands, ufed in ordaining to any fpecial 
 office, work, or meflage, Ads vi. 6. xiii. 3. xix. 6. 1 Tim. 
 i. 18. iv. 14. v. 22. 
 
 In giving blefling, and imparting the gifts of the Holy 
 Ghoft, Ads viii. 17. ix. 17. Hcb vi. 2. 
 
 On the right band and left, 2 Cor. vi. 7. 
 
 Have, hath, the fenfc of it, Mark iv. 25. Luke viii. 18. 
 
 I Cor. vii. 2. 
 Hated, Efau have I hated, Rom. ix. 13. 
 Hay, wood, Hubble, 1 Cor. iii. 12. 
 Heady the head, 1 Cor. xi. 3, 6. 7. Col. ii. 19. 
 1 — Covering, uncovering the head, 1 Cor. xi. 3, 5, 6, 7, 13, 14. 
 Healed, faith to be healed, Ads xiv. 9. 
 Health, the fenfe of it, Ads xxvii. 34. 
 Heart, of one heart, Ads iv. 32. 
 
 ——Harden not your hearts, Heb. iii. 8, 13. Gal. iii. 2, 5. 
 Hearing, Acls xxviii. 26. Rom. x. 17, 
 Heathens. See Gentiles. 
 Heaven, the third, 2 Cor. xii. 2* 
 Heavenly, the, 1 Cor. xv. 48, 49. See Earth. 
 Heavenly chings, Heb. viii. 5. ix. 23. 
 
 ■ Shake the heavens, Heb xii. 26. Luke xxi. 26. 
 Hebrews, who? Ads vi. l. Preface to Hebrews. 
 
 Hebrew tongue, what ? Ads i. 19. xxvi. 14. xxi. 40. 
 
 Hebrew of the Hebrews, Phil. iii. 5. 
 
 Heir, a metaphor, Gal. iv. 1, &c. 
 
 Heir of all things, Heb. i. 2, 
 
 Of promife, Heb. vi. 17. 
 
 Hell, one fenfe of it, 2 Pet. ii. 4. 
 
 The fenfe of it the grave, Ads ii. 27, 31. 1 Cer. xv. 55". 
 
 Fire, Matth. v. 22, 29, 30. Luke xii. 5. Matth. xxiii. 33. 
 
 Helmet of falvation, Eph. vi. 17. 1 Thefi". v. 8. 
 
 Heretics, Tit. iii. 10. 
 
 Herejies, 2 Pet. ii. 1, 2. 1 John and Jude. See Falfe Teachers. 
 
 Herod terrified at the birth of Jefus, why ? Matth. ii. 3. 
 
 His cruelty, Matth. ii. 18, 
 
 — Perfecutes the church, Ads xii. 1. 
 
 Herod Agrippa, his death, A£l$ xii. 21, 23. 
 
 Higher than the heavens, Heb. vii. 26. 
 
 Holy, holinefs, Heb. xii. 14. 1 Pet. i. 15, 16. See Obedience, 
 
 Holy Place, holy of holies, Heb. ix. 3, 8, 12. x. 19. 
 
 Honejl, things honeft, 2 Cor. viii. 21. Phil. iv. 8. 2 Cor. xiii. 7. 
 
 Walk honettly, 1 TheiT. iv. 12. I Pec. ii. 12. .Rem. xiii. 
 
 J5. Heb. xiii. 18. 
 
 E e 4 Honour, 
 
INDEX, 
 
 Honour, double honour, I Tim. v. 3, 17. 
 
 „ .,. . Pofl'rf;, your veff Is in honour, 1 TheiT. iv. 4. 
 
 Hope, Chriftian hope, Tit. ii. 13. Heb. vii. 19. and elfewhere* 
 
 Hope of Ifrael, what ? Ads xxviii. 20. 
 
 Them that have no hope, 1 Theff. iv. 13. 
 
 Hofpitality recommended, Heb. xiii. 12. 1 Pet. iv. 9. 
 
 3 John v. 6. 
 Hour, the third hour, Ads ii. 15. Mark xv. 25. 
 
 Sixth hour, Matth. xx. 5. 
 
 Ninth hour, Ads iii. 1. x. 3. 
 
 Eleventh hour, Matth. xx. 6. 
 Houfe, from houfe to houfe, Ads ii. 46. 
 Houfe-Top, Ads x. 9. 
 Houfe of God, Heb. x. 21. 1 Pet. iv. 17, 
 Houfebeld ol faith, Gal. vi. 10. 
 Of God, Eph. ii. 19. 
 
 Of Onefiphorus, 2 Tim. iv. 19. 
 
 — ;Of Stephanas, 1 Cor. i. 16. 
 
 -Caefar's houfehold, Phil. iv. 22. 
 
 Humility, its neceffity and excellency, Matth. xviii. 2, 3, &c«, 
 
 xx 26. 27, 28. John xiii. 13, 17. 
 
 ■ Its blefling, Matth. v. 3. James iv. 6, 7, 8. 1 Pet. v. 5, 6. 
 
 Hujbands, their duty, Eph. v. 23, 25, Col. iii. 19. 1 Pet, 
 
 iii. 7. See Preface to Ephe/ians. 
 
 J 
 
 JAMES, brother of John, Ads xii. 2. 
 
 "James, bifhop of Jerufalem, Acts xii. 17. James i. 1. and 
 
 Preface to James. 
 Jannes and Jambres, 2 Tim. iii. 8. 
 Jay/or converted, Ads xvi. 27. 
 Iconium, Paul there, Ads xvi. 1. 
 Idols idol feafts. 1 Cor. chap. viii. and x. 
 
 'Pollution of idols, Ads xv. 20. 
 
 Jerufalem. the deftrudion of it foretold, Matth. xxiv. Mark 
 
 xiii. Luke xvii. 20, &c. Luke xxi. 1 Theff. v. 1, 2, 3. 
 
 2 Pet. iii. 10. See Day of the Lord, and coming of Cbrifr, 
 Jerufalem, i. e. the church, Gal. iv. 24, 25. 
 
 The heavenly Jerufalem, Heb. xii. 22. 
 
 Jefus, the meaning of that name, Matth. is 21. 
 
 That Jefus is the true MefTiah, the main article of 
 
 Chrirtianity. £>ee Chrifl and Faith, 
 
 - Bar- Jefus. See Ely mas. 
 
 Jcfing forbidden, Ephel. v. 4. 
 
 Jews, their vices, Rom. ii. and chap. iii. 20, &c. 2 Tim. 
 
 iii. 2. James i. I, &c. 
 
 Their rejedioh, Matth. viii. 12. xxi. 43, &c. xxii. 7. 
 
 — — Their deftrudicn foretold, Matth. xxiv. See ferufakm. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Jews, their privileges, Rom. ix. 4, 5. Rom. ii. 17, 18, 19, 20, 
 Were firii to be preached to, Ads ix. 20. xi. 12, 13, 
 
 14, 15. xvii. 1, 2. xviii. 4. xix. 8. 
 Jews, fignifies Jewifh Christians, Gal. ii. 13. 
 Ignorance an excufe for fin, and how far, Ads iii. 17. 1 Tim. 
 
 i. 13. Luke xii. 48. John xv. 22. 
 Illuminated, Heb. x 32. bee Enlightened, 
 Image, the fenle of it. 
 —Of his perfon, Heb. i. 3. 
 » Very image of the things, Heb. x. 1. 
 
 Image of the earthy, heavenly, 1 Cor. xv. 49. 
 
 — — Conformed to the image of God, of Chriit, Rora. viii, 
 
 29. 2 Cor. iii. 18. 
 
 Jupiter's image, Ads xix. 35. 
 Image -worjhip forbidden. See Idol, Idolatry, 
 Immortality, 1 Tim. vi. 16. 1 Tim. i. 10. 
 Impoffible, the fenfe of it, Heb. vi. 4. Mat. xix. 26. Lu.xvii. 1. 
 Imputed. See Accounted. 
 Incejluous Corinthian, 1 Cor. v. 
 Indifferent things, Rom. xiv. 1 Cor. viii. 7. 13. 
 Indujlry encouraged, 2 Thefl*. iii. 6, &.c. 
 Inheritance of the faints, Eph. i. 14, 18. Ads xxvi. 18. 
 
 Heb. vi 12, and elfewhere. 
 « — By inheritance Chriit obtained a more excellent 
 
 name, Heb. i. 4 
 Infirmity, one fenfe of it, Rom. vi. 19. xv. 1. 
 
 \nother, 2 Cor. xi. 30. xii. 5, 10. 
 
 Another, 1 Tim. v. 23. See Weak. 
 Infidelity, obitinate infidelity, not to be cured by miracles : 
 
 The great danger of it, the unreafonablenefs of it, Mat. 
 
 xvi. 4. See Apojlacy. 
 Interpretation, private, 2 Pet. i. 20. Of tongues, 1 Cor. xii. 
 
 20. xiv. 26. » 
 
 Interrogations, their ufe in the Eaftern languages, I Cor.ix. 5. 
 Interceffion of Chriit, Heb- vii. 25. 1 John ii. 1. 
 
 Of the Spirit, what? Rom. viii. 26, 27. 
 Another fenfe of it, Rom. xi. 2, 
 John Baptift, the defign of his baptifm and preaching, Mat. 
 
 iii. 1, &c Mark i. 1, 8. Luke i. 14, &c. Luke iii, 1, &c. 
 
 Ads i. 4. xiii. 24, 25. xix. 4. John i. 6, 7, 8, 15, 23, &c. 
 
 iii. 25, &.c. 
 
 - Jeius, his charader of him, Mat. xi. 10, II, &c. 
 
 His death, Mat. xiv. 6, 7, &c. 
 
 * Why Jefus would be baptized by him, Mat. iii. 14, 15. 
 
 John, Mark, Ads xii. 25. 
 
 Jofepb of Arimathea, Luke xiii. 50, &c. 
 
 Joip 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Join unto, A&s v. 13. vlii. 29. ix. 26. 
 
 • To the Lord, to a harlot, 1 Cor. vi. 16, 17. 
 
 ifrael of God, Gal. vi. 16. 7 c «y 
 
 After the flefli, 1 Cor. x. 18. J bee JeiiS ' 
 
 'Judas the traitor, Ads i. 16, &c. 
 Another Judas, Ac>s xxxvi. 37. 
 
 Judgment, future judgment. The certainty of it, A£ts xviu 
 31. Rom. ii. 16. 2 Cor. v. 10. 
 
 — Defcriptions of the laft judgment. Mat. xxv. 31, &c. 
 
 1 Theff. iv. 15, 16, 17. 1 Theff. v. 1, 2, 3. 2 Theff. 
 i. 7, 8, 9, 10. 2 Pet. iii. 7, 14. 
 
 — Thefe defcriptions are often mixed up with, and ex- 
 
 preffed in the fame terms with thofe of the deftruction of 
 Jerufalem. See Pref. to ThefT. $ 4. Pref. to 1 Pet. § 5. See 
 alfo, In day of the Lord. Coming of Chrift. Jews and Je- 
 rufalem. 
 
 •God's final judgment will be impartial, Matth. xvi. 
 
 27. Rom. ii. 2, io, 11, 26, 27. 
 Judging, ra(h judging condemned. See Cenforioufnefs. 
 
 Judges of evil thoughts, James ii. 4. 
 
 Judgment begin at the Houfe of God, 1 Pet. iv. 17.' 
 
 His judgment w r as taken away, A6ts viii. ^^. 
 
 1 give my judgment, 1 Cor. vii. 25. 
 
 Jujlice enjoined, Matth. vii. 12. 
 
 Jujli juft man, Auatog i. e. merciful. Mark i. 19. A£ta x. 22. 
 
 — The larger fenfe of it, Acbxxiv. 15, Heb. xii. 23. 
 
 — The juft one?, Actsiii. 14. vii. 52. xxii. 14. James v. 6. 
 
 Jujiijication, juftify : Moftly fignifies the pardon of fin ', and 
 
 our being put into a ftate of falvation, upon the condi- 
 tions of the gofpel, Acls xiii. 39. Rom. iii. 30. iv. 5. v. 1. 
 
 'viii. 30. Gal, ii. 16, 17, 21. v. 4. Tit. iii. 7. James ii. 21, 
 
 22, &tc. and elfewhere. 
 
 Abraham juitified, Rom. iv. 2. James ii. 21. 
 
 • God justified, Rom. iii. 4. 1 Tim. iii. 16. 
 
 > Juftifieth the ungodly, Rom. iv. 5. 
 
 K 
 KINDRED of the high prieft, what ? A&s iv. 6, 
 Kingdom of heaven, of God, of Chrift, i. e. the gofpel- religion. 
 
 Mat. iv. 23. xiii. 28. vi. 33. xii. 28. Mark i. 14. Luke i. 33. 
 
 viii. 10. xiii. 18, 20. and in abundance of otherplaces. 
 Kingdom of God, i. e. future glory and happinefs, Luke xiii. 23. 
 
 28. I Cor. vi. 9, xv. 50. 2 Tim. iv. 18. 2 Pet. i. 11. 
 
 1 Tim. iv. 1. A6ls xiv. 22. and elfewhere. 
 Kingdom of Ifrael, underftood of a temporal monarchy, Acts 
 
 i. 6. Luke xvii. 20, 21. John xviii. 36. 
 Kifs, holy kifs, Rom. xv. 16. 1 Their, v. 26. 1 Pet. v. 14. 
 Kneeling, a pofture ofworfhip, Acls vii. 60. ix. 40. xx. 36. 
 
 xxi. 5. 1 Theff. v. 26. Kneeling, 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Kneeling, bow the knee, Ephef. iii. 14. Phil. ii. 10. 
 
 i... The feenle knees, Heb. xii. 12. 
 
 Know, to know, i. e. to love and approve of, Matth. vii. 23. 
 1 Cor. viii. 3. John x. 14. Gal. iv. 9. 
 
 To know nothing among you, 1 Cor. ii. 2. 
 
 To know God, Chrift, 1 Theff. iv. 5. 2 Theff. i. 8. 
 
 1 John ii. 6. the note there. 
 Knowledge is a great aggravation of fin, Matth. xi. 21, 24. 
 Mark vi. 11. James iv. 17. See Ignorance. 
 
 One fenteof it, 1 Cor. viii. 1, 2, 7, io, II. 
 
 Another, 1 Cor. i. 5. xiii. 2. 2 Cor. viii. 7. 
 
 — ! The word of knowledge, 1 Cor. xii. 8. 
 
 — — — By knowledge, 1 Cor. xiv. 6. 2 Cor. vi. 6. 
 — - — Form of knowledge, Rom, ii. 20. 
 
 Hufbands dwell with their wives according to know- 
 ledge, 1 Pet. iii. 7. 
 
 •Add to virtue knowledge, 2 Pet. iii. 5. 
 
 Known, i. e, approved, John x. 14. See Know. 
 Known unto God are all his works, A6ts xv. 18. 
 
 L 
 LABOUR, that labour among you, 1 Theff, v. 12. 1 Tim, 
 
 v. 17. 1 Cor. xvi. 16. 
 
 — Of love, H^b. vi, 10. 
 
 Lame Chriftian, Heb. xiii. 13 See Weak, 
 
 Laodicea, the epirtle, Col. iv. 16. 
 
 Law, going to law, how far forbidden, Matth. v. 40. Cor. 
 
 vi. 1, 6. 
 <= The Mofaical law, how taken ? Rom. iv. 13. 
 
 1. The ceremonial law not of eternal obligation, but 
 temporary, typical and figurative, Acts vii. 44, 50. 
 Gal. iii. 19, 26 Hq'd. viii. 7, 13. ix. 9, 10. x. 1, &c. 
 xii. 27. Sec Ceremonial. 
 
 2. It cannot juftify men, nor is neceffiry to a Chriftian, 
 Rom. iii. 20. iv. 15, Gal. chapters iii. iv. and v. Heb. 
 vii. 11. 
 
 Jewifh, how terribly delivered, Heb. xii. 18. 
 —Law and prophets, i. e. the Old Teitament, Rom. iij. 
 19, 21. Gal. iv. 21. 
 
 Lawful, i. e. pofiible, 2 Cor. vi. 1, 6. 
 
 Them that are without law, 1 Cor. ix. 21. 
 Dead to the law, Gal. ii. 19. 
 
 The royal law, James ii. 8. 
 
 The law is open, Adts xix. 38. 
 How Chrift fulfilled the law, Matth. v. 17, 18. Rom. X. 4. 
 
 Lawfully ufed, 1 Tim. i. b. 
 
 ■ Strive lawfully, 2 Tim. ii. 5, 
 
 •rr — AU things, arc lawful, i Cor. xvi. 18. 
 
 i, JLearft } 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Learn, learned the fenfe of it, Heb. v. 8. 
 
 Much learning made thee mad, Ac~ts xxvi. 24, 
 •— — Mofes was learned. Ac~ts vii. 22. 
 Letteth, he that letteth, 2 Theff. ii. 7. 
 Letter, the oldnefs of the letter, Rom. vii. 6. 
 
 Letter killeth, 2 Cor. iii. 6. 
 
 — Letter and fpirit, ibid. 
 
 His letters are weighty, 2 Cor. x. 10. 
 
 - How large a letter the fenfe of it, Gal. vi. II. 
 
 Liberty, Chriftian liberty, 1 Pet. ii. 16. Gal. ii. 4. 
 — — Cailed to liberty, Gal. v. 1, 13. 
 Law of liberty, James i. 15. ii. 12. 
 
 Cautions how to ufe our liberty, 1 Pet. ii. 16. Gal. w 
 
 13. 1 Cor. viii. 19. 
 
 Liberty, another fenfe of it, 2 Cor. iii. 17. 
 
 Libertines, the fynagogue of Libertines, Acts vi. 9. 
 
 Life, future life. 
 
 —Hid with Chrift in God, CoL iii. 5. 
 
 — All the words of this life, Acts v. 20. 
 
 — Book of life. See Book. 
 
 — The true God, and eternal life, 1 John v. 20. 
 
 Light, in the light, of light, &c. Eph. v. 8. 1 Theff. v. 5. 
 
 1 John ii. 8. 1 John i. 5, 6, 7. 
 — Dwelleth in light, 1 Tim. vi. 6. 
 — Father of lights, James i. 17. 
 
 Like, a prophet like unto me, the fenfe of it, Acts iii. 22. vii. 37. 
 Line, another man's line, 2 Cor. x. 16. 
 Live unto God, Chrilt liveth in me, Gal. ii. 20. 
 — To live is Chrift, Phil. i. 21. 
 — Now we live, 1 Then*, iji. 8. 
 Locujls, what ? Matth. iii. 4. 
 Lord, to do a thing unto the Lord, Rom. xiv. 6. 
 — To live, die unto the Lord, Rom. xiv. 8. 
 
 — In the flefh, and in the Lord, Philem. 16. 
 — To fee the Lord, Heb. xii. 14. 
 
 •—In the Lord, Rom. xvi. 2. 1 Cor. vii. 39. ix. 1. Eph. ii* 
 
 2.1. iv. 17. v. 8. 1 Theff. iii. 8. and elfewhere. 
 —Lord of dead and living, Rom, xiv. 9. 
 — For the Lord's fake, 1 Pet. ii. 13. 
 Love, Chriftian love enjoined, John xiii. 34, 35. xv. 12, 13, 
 
 14. Rom. xiii. 18. 
 
 — God is love, 1 John iv. 16. See Charity. 
 Loved, Jacob have I loved, Rom. ix. 13. 
 Luke, the author of the Acls, Ads i. 1. 
 — Was a phyfician, Col. iv. 14. 
 Lydia converted, Ac"rs xvi. 14. 
 Liar, 1 John ii. 32. ;v. 29* 
 
 1 Liar* 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Liar, make God a liar, i John i. 10. v. 10; 
 Lying forbidden, Eph.iv. 25. Col. Hi. 9. 
 
 Let God be true and every man a liar, Rom. iii. 4. 
 
 ■ Cretians always liars, Tit. i. 12. 
 Lion, the lion, 2 Tim. iv. 17. 
 M 
 MAGISTRATES, their duty, and the end of their office, 
 
 Rom. xiii. 3, 4. 1 Pet. ii. 13, 14. 
 
 Our duty to them, Rom. xiii. I, &c. Tit iii. 1. 1 Pet. 
 
 ii. 13, 14. Matth. xxii. 21. 
 Mammon of unrighteoufnefs, Matth. xvi. 9. 
 Man, Son of Man, Heb. ii. 6. Matth. viii. 20. Markii. JO. 
 
 John v. 27. Luke ix. 22. and elfewhere. 
 Man after man, by man, of man, Gal. i. 11, 7 2. Luke vii. 34. 
 After the manner of men. See Men. 
 
 * The old man, new man. Col. iii. 9, 10. 
 
 Man of fin, 2 ThelT. ii. 3. 
 
 Marks of the Lord Jefus, Gal. vi. 17. 
 
 Marriage recommended, 1 Cor. vii. 2. Heb. xiii. 4. 
 
 ■ — Why diicouraged, 1 Cor. vii. 9. 
 
 Marriage with infidels forbidden, 1 Cor. vii. 39. 2Cor. vi. 14. 
 
 Forbidden to marry, 1 Tim. iv. 3. 
 
 Mary and Martha, Luke x. 38. 
 
 Mafters, their duty, Eph. vi. 9. Col. iv. 1. 1 Pet. ii. 13. 
 
 Ma/lers, i. e. Teachers, doctors, Mat. xxiii. 10. James iii. I. 
 
 Matter, in any matter. 1 ThelT. vi. 4. 
 
 Matthias chofen, Acts i. 23. 
 
 Meafure, beyond our meafure, 2 Cor. x. 13, 14, 15. 
 
 — Of the ftature of Chriit, Eph. iv. 13. 
 
 Meat, itrongmeat, Heb. v. 12, 13. 1 Cor. iii. 2. 
 Meats and drinks. See Indifferent things. 
 
 Spiritual meat, 1 Cor. x. 3. 
 
 Mediator of one, Gal. iii. 19, 20. 
 
 _ One mediator, 1 Tim. ii. 5. 
 
 Media torffjip of Chrift, the excellency and neceflity of it, 
 
 Heb. viii. 6. xii. 24. ix. 15. vii. 3, 20, 26. viii. 1. ix. 
 
 1 i. x. 21. and elfewhere. 
 Meeknefs recommended, Matth. v. 5. See Humility. 
 Me/chizedeck, Heb. v. 6, 10. vii. 1. 
 Melita, the iile, Acts xxviii. 1. 
 Men, after the manner of men, Rom. iii. 5. Gal. iii. 15. 
 
 1 1 Taken for angels, Acls i. 10. 
 
 Of men, Gal. i. 1. See Man. 
 
 Mercurius, Acts xiv. 12. 
 
 Mercy, the benefits of it, James ii. 13. See Chari'y. 
 
 — - Sure mercies of David, Acts xiii. 34. 
 
 Mercy 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Mercy, on whom I will have mercy. Rom. ix. 18. 
 Meftah. See Chrijl. 
 Merry, the fenfe of it, James v. 13. 
 Michael, mentioned, 1 Pet. ii. 11. 
 Milk, need of milk, Heb. v. 12, 13. 1 Cor. ii. 2. 
 Mid/r, fet them in the midft, Acls iv. 7. 
 Mind of the Lord, Rom. xi. 34. Of the Spirit, Rom. viii. 27, 
 ■Law of the mind, Rom. vii. 23. 
 Write the law in their minds, Heb. x. 16. 
 Minijters to be maintained, I Cor. i. 1, 15. 
 
 Why St. Paul refufed itj 1 Cor. ix. 17, &c. 2 Cor. xi. 
 
 8, &c. 
 Minijlers, their duty, Luke viii. 16. xxi. 25, 26. John xiii. 
 
 4, 14. Mark iv. 21. Luke xi. 17, &c. John x. I, 2, 
 
 &c. xiv. i$. xv. 8, 10. 
 ■ ■ — Their reward and punimment, Mark ix. 50. Luke 
 
 xii. 40, 41, &c. 
 Mini/ter, to minifter, A6ls xiii. 1. 2 Pet. iv. IT. 
 
 To the faints, 1 Cor. xvi. 15. 2 Cor. ix. 1. viii. 4. 
 •———•John to their minifter, Acls xiii. 5. 
 — — Of the circumcifion, Rom. xv. 8. 
 Minijl ration, one fenfe of it, Acts vi. 1. 
 
 ■ Another, 2 Cor. iii. 7, 8, 9. 
 
 Miracles, true and falie miracles, how to be diftingui(hed ? 
 
 Matth. xii. 27, 28, &c. 1 Cor. xii. 3. 1 John iv. I, 6. 
 — Chrift's miracles, and the truth of them, Matth. xii. 27, 
 
 &c. John x. 37, 38. viii. 49, 50. Luke xi. 17. &.c. 
 —Why Chrift forbade them to be publilhed, Matth. ix. 
 
 30. xvi. 20. Mark viii. 26. 
 
 Of the apoftles, Ads iii. 2, &c. v. 1, 8. xiii. 9, &c 
 
 xix. 11, 12. xx. 9, &c. and elfe where. 
 * Will not convince the obftinate, Matth. xvi. 4. Luke 
 
 xvi. 30, 31. Mark viii. 12. Luke iv. 23, 27. xi. 19, 31, 
 
 32. See Infidelity. 
 Moderation, Phil. iv. 5. 1 Tim. v. 21. James iii. 17. ii. 4. 
 Mockers. See Sccffers. 
 Mount, Chrift's transfiguration there, Matth. xvii. I, &c, 
 
 Mark ix. 2. 2 Pet. i. 18. 
 
 That burneth with fire, Heb. xii. 18. 
 ■Sinai, Gal. iv. 24, 25. 
 Come unto Mount Sion, Heb. xii. 22. 
 
 Chrift's fermon on the Mount, Matth. v. 1, &c. 
 
 Mounting, the fenfe of it, Matth. v. 4. 
 
 Mofal Obedience, the main thing in true religion, Mat. xii. 7. 
 
 xv. 1, 12. xxii. 36. 40. xxiii. 24, 27. Luke iii. 10, 14. 
 
 xi. 41, 42. Mat. vii. 21, 22, &c. Mat. xxii. n, 14. 
 
 Rom. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Rom. xiv. 17. I Pet. i. 15, 16. 1 John ii. 3, 4, 5, 6*. v. 2, 6". 
 
 3 John 4. James i. 27. ii. 22. See Ceremonies. 
 Mortification recommended, Col. iii. 5. 2 Cor. ix. 27. 
 Mofes, his faith and virtue, Heb. iii. 2, 5. xi. 24. 
 Mothers, elder women as mothers, 1 Tim. v. 2. 
 Mother of us all, Gal. iv. 26. 
 
 Mother, fifter, and brother, Matth. xii. 48, 49, 50. 
 
 Mark iii. 33, &c. 
 iWtf/?, muft be, a limited fenfe of it, 1 Cor. xi. 19. 
 Myftery, fignifies any thing not expe£ted or known before, 
 
 but now revealed, Rom. xi. 25. xvi. 25. i Cor. ii. 7. xiii. 
 
 2. xiv. 2. xv. 51. Ephef. i. 9, 10. iii. 3, 4, 9. vi. 19. Col. 
 
 i. 26, 27. ii. 2. iv. 3. 
 Myfieries of the kingdom of God, myftery of godlinefs fig- 
 
 nify the gofpel doctrine and religion in general, Matth, 
 
 xiii. 11. Mark iv. n. Luke viii. 10. 1 Tim. iii. 9, 16. 
 
 1 Cor. xiv. 5. 
 Myftery, fignifies a comparifon or analogy, Eph. v. 32. Rev. 
 
 i. 20. and xvii. 7. 
 
 Of iniquity, 2 Theff. ii. 7. 
 N 
 NAME, of God, of Chrift, fignify, 
 
 1. God, or Chrilt himfelf, Acts iii. 16. xv. 4. Heb. xiii. 
 
 15. James ii. 7. 1 Pet. iv. 14. Rom. ix. 17. 
 
 2. The authority, power, and religion of Chrift Acts 
 xvii 10, 12. 1 Cor. i. 10. Acts iii. 6. xxvi. 9. 1 Pet. 
 iv. 14. Mark xvi. 17- and elfe where. 
 
 — To do a thing, to do all in the name of Chriit, Col. iii. 
 
 17. 1 Cor. v. 4. 
 — To call on the name of Chrift, of God, is, 
 
 1. To profefs his true religion, Acts ii. 28. ix. 14. xxii. 
 
 16. xv. 17. Rom. x. 11, 12, 13, 14. 1 Cor. i. 2. 2 Tim. 
 ii. 19, 22. James ii. 7. 
 
 2. Invoking and praying to him, Acts vii. 59. 
 — Or through his interceflion, Heb. xiii. 15. 
 
 3. Invoking him for miraculous cures, Acts xix. 13. iii. 6, 
 — Names written in heaven, Heb. xii. 23. Phil. iv. 3. 
 
 — Words and names, Acts xviii. 15. 
 
 —Signifies things or perfons., Acts i. 15. Acts iv. 12. Ephef. 
 
 i. 21. Phil. ii. 9. 
 Nation, why St. Paul accufeth not his nation, Actsxxviii. 19. 
 Nature, the fenfe of it, 1 Cor. xi. 14. Heb. ii. 16. 1 Pet, 
 
 J. 4. 
 Nazarene, Nazante. 
 
 — Jefus called a Nazarene, Matth. ii. 23. 
 — Chriftians called Nazarenes, Acts xxiv. 5. 
 Nigh, the word is nigh thee, Rom. x, 8, 
 
 atgbt f 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Night, i. e. a ftage- of ignorance and unregeneracy, Rom." 
 xiii. J2. I Theff. v. 5. 
 
 —Sleep in the night, drunk in the night, 1 Theff. v. 7. 
 
 — Thief m the night, 1 Theff. v. 9. 2 Pet. iii. 10. 
 
 Number, change of number, common in the Eaftern lan- 
 guages, Matth. xxvi. 8. xxvii. 44. xxi. 7. ii. 20. xxii. 16. 
 O 
 
 OATH, the lewdnefs and ufe of an oath, Heb. vi. 16. 
 
 Oaths, of all kinds, in common converfation, forbidden, 
 Matth. v. 34, 37: xxiii. 18, 22. James v. 12. 
 
 Obedience, See Moral Obedience. 
 
 — To civil powers. See Magijirates. 
 
 —Partial obedience condemned, James ii. 10, 11. 
 
 Objections againft St. Paul's doctrine, anfwered, Rom. iii. 
 7, 8. vi. 1, &c. 
 
 Old, things new and old, Matth. xiii. 52. 
 
 —Old things are paffed away, 2 Cor. v. 17.. 
 
 One, thefe three are one, 1 John v. 7. 
 
 —God is one, Gah iii. 20. 
 
 —Is one fpirit, 1 Cor. vi. 17. 
 
 — All one in Chrift, Gal. iii. 28. 
 
 Once, 0.710.%, ktpxTTcci,, the emphatical fenfe of it, Heb. ix. 26. 
 vi. 4. x. io. 1 Pet. i. 12. iii. 18, 20. Jude iii. Heb. vii. 
 
 Off, them that are afar off, Eph. ii. 13, 17. 
 
 Offend, to offend others, Matth. xviii. 7. Luke xvii. 1. Rom. 
 
 xiv. 20, &c. 1 Cor. viii. 13. 2 Cor. vi. 3, &c Matth. 
 
 xviii. 6. Mark ix. 42. 
 — -Chrift a rock of offence, offence of the crofs, Rom. ix, 
 
 33. Gal. v. 11. 1 Pet. ii. 8. 1 Cor. i. 23. 
 Oracles of God, 1 Pet. iv. 11. 
 Ordained to eternal life, A£rs xiii. 48. 
 Ordained, ordinance of God, Rom. xiii. 1. 
 
 Fore-ordained, Ephef. ii. 10. I Pet. i. 20. J tide iv, 
 
 Law of ordinances, Ephef. ii. 15. 
 
 Ordain elders, Ads xiv. 23. Tit. i. 5. 
 OJlentation condemned, Matth. vi. 1, &c. 
 Overjeers, Acls xx. 28. ' See Bi/hop. 
 Owe no man any thing, Rom. xiii. 8. 
 Ours, i. e. Chriftians, Tit. iii. 14. 
 Oxen, doth God take care for oxen, I Cor. ix. 9. 
 
 P 
 PALACE, Csefar's, Phil. i. 13. 
 Parables, why Jefus made ufe of them ? Matth. xiii. 10, 
 
 11, 17. 
 —-The feveral parables of Chrift. See Dr. ClarPs Index 
 
 to the Go/pels, in Parables. 
 
 Parents, 
 
t N D E X. 
 
 Parents duty, Eph. vi. 4. Col. iii. 21. See Pre/, to Eph. i. I, 
 
 Paradife, 2 Cor. xii. 2, &c. Luke xxiji. 43. 
 
 Partake of the Lord's table, of devils, I Cor. x. 20, 21. 
 
 — , Of the altar, ibid. 
 
 Patience, perfeverance, Heb. iv. T5. x. 23. James v. 10, II<- 
 1 Pet. iii. 14, 17, 18. iv. 1, 13, 19. See Suffering 
 
 Path, ftraight paths, Heb. xii. 14. Mat. iii. 3. Mark i. 3* 
 Luke iv. 2. 
 
 I\aw/, his converfion. Ads, chap. ix. 22. and 26. 
 
 Bis travels and preaching, into Seleucia, Salamis, Cy- 
 prus, Paphos. Perga, Antioch, Ads xiii Iconium. Lyitra, 
 Derbe, Ads xiv. 16. Troas, Pkilippi, Acts xvi. Athens, 
 Acls xvii. Corinth. Ads xviii. Epheius, Ads xix. Ma- 
 cedonia, Troas, Miletus, Ads xx. Jeruialem, Ads xxi. 
 Casfarea. Ads xxiii. Rome, A^s xxvii. 
 
 • His trial before the Sanhedrim, Ads xxiii. 
 
 Before Felix, Ads xxiv. 
 
 Before Feftus, Ads xxv. 
 
 Before A^rippa, Ads xxvi. 
 
 His perfon defcribed. 2 Cor. x. 10. Note ibid. 
 
 His epiftles, why hard? 2 Pet. iii. 15, 16. See Saul. 
 
 Peace, grace and peace. Gal. iii. 3. Eph. i. 2. and elle where. 
 Peace of God, Phil. iv. 7, 9. Col. iii. 15. 
 Preaching peace, Ads x. 36. Eph. ii. 14 15, 17* 
 
 Peaceablcnefs, its duty and bleffing,- iVlatth.V 9. 2 Cor. xiii. 
 11. Phil. iv. 9. James iii. 17, 18. See Unity. 
 
 Perfect, perfedion, lignifies. 
 
 1. A complete good Chriftian, Col i. 28. Phil 111.^15. 
 Col. iv. 12. iii. 14. He ). vi. 1. xiii. 21. James iii 2. 
 
 2. Perfect remiflion of Tins. Heb. ii. 10. x. I, 14, ix. 9. 
 vii. 11, 19, 
 
 3. Future and perfed happinefs, Phil. iii. 12. Heb. v. 9* 
 xi. 4 xii. 23. 
 
 Perifh in the ufing, the fenfe of it, Col. ii. 22. 
 
 Permffion, I fpeak by permiflion, i Cor. vii. 6. 
 
 Perfecution, perfecutors. 
 
 Perfecut'ion may be tied from, and prudently avoided, Mat, 
 
 x. 23. Eph. v. 15. 17. Col. iv. 5. 
 
 Primitive Cbriltianity a itate of perfecution, 2 Tim. iii. 
 
 12 Gal iv. 29. 1 'Iheff. ii. 15. and ellewhere. 
 —Mult be patiently endured by every Chrittian when it 
 
 cannot confcientiouily be avoided, 2 Tim. iii. 12. 1 Pet. 
 
 iii. 17. Matth X. 33. xvi. 24. Luke xii. 9. Mat. x. 
 
 39 Luke xiv. 33 See Suffering. 
 Perfon. God no refpeder of perfons, Ads x. 34, 33. Gal. ii* 
 
 6. Col. iii. 25. 
 
 Vol. II. F f. frfon, 
 
I N B £ X/ 
 
 Per/on, refpect of perfons condemned, James ii. I, &4c« 
 
 Perfuade men, 2 Cor. v. 1 1. 
 
 Peter, his carl to the apoftlefhip, John i. 41, 42. 
 
 His confidence, fall, and repentance, Mat. xxvi. 33, 34$ 
 51,52,69,75. 
 
 His preaching and miniftry, Acts i. 15. and chapter i. 
 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 10. 
 
 How the church was built upon him, Mat. xvi. 17, 18, 
 19. John i. 42. 
 
 Is reproved by Paul, Gal. viii. 11, &c. 
 Pharifees, the feci:, Acts xxiii. 8. xxvi. 5. Matth. xv. 6. 
 
 Luke xvi. 14. and elfewhere. 
 Philip, account of him, Acts vi. 5. viii. 5. xxi. 8,9. 
 Philofophy, vain philofophy, Col. ii. 8. 
 Philofophers difpute with Paul, Acts xvii. 18. 
 Phy/ician, beloved, Col. iv. 14. 
 
 Whole need no phyfician, Matth. ix. 12. 
 
 Pillar. See Truth. 
 Place, to his own place, Acts i. 25. 
 Plant, planted, Rom. vi. 5. I Cor. iii. 6, 7, 8. 
 Play, rofe up to play, 1 Cor. x. 7. 
 Point, offend in one point, James ii. 10. 
 Polygamy. See Divorce. 
 
 PoJJeffion, the purchafed pofTeiiion, Eph. i. 14. 
 Porch, Solomon's, Acts iii. it. 
 Potter, power over the clay, Rom. ix. 21. 
 Power, the fenfe of it, Acts i. 8. Luke xxi. 27. John i. 12. 
 1 Cor. ii. 4. 2 Tim. iii. 5. 
 
 Gofpel is the power of God, Rom. i. 16. 
 
 Powers, civil powers. See Magijlrates. 
 
 Powers, principalities, &c. Eph. i. 21. iii. 10. vi. 12. 
 
 Col. i. 16. ii. 10. 1 Pet. iii. 22. 
 Prayer, in general, how it ought to be performed. 
 
 Secretly, Matth. vi. 5, 6, 7. 
 
 Fervently, Matth vii. 7, 8, &c. 
 
 — - — Effectual fervent prayer, what ? James v. 15. 
 » The prayer of faith, what? James v. 15. 
 
 Prayer with the Spirit, what ? 1 Cor. xiv. 25. James 
 v. 15, 20. Jude 20. 
 
 In an unknown tongue forbidden, 1 Cor. xiv. 15. 
 
 Prayer for each other, Acts ii. 15. 2 Cor. i. II. I ThefT. 
 v. 15. 2 ThefT. iii. 1. Heb. xiii. 18. 
 
 For all men, 1 Tim. ii. 1. Every where, 1 Tim. ii. 8. 
 
 — — Some men not to be prayed for, 1 John v. 16. 
 
 Chriftian prayers are certain of fuccefs, Matth. vii. 7, 
 
 8, &c. Luke xi. 6, 7, &c. James v. 15, 20. 1 John v. 
 16, iii. 21, 22. v. 14, 15. 
 
 Prayer ) 
 
INDEX* 
 
 Prayer, the Lord's prayer, Mat. vi. 9. &c. Luke xi. I, 2,Stc k 
 Priijlhood oi Chriil, the divinity of it, Heb. iii. 1, &c. iv. 
 
 14 15. and chapters v, vii viii. and ix. 
 Predejlinate, predestination, fignifies God's purpofe to call 
 
 the Gentiles into the Chritlian Church, Rom; viii. 29, 
 
 30. Eph. i. 5, Hi See Chofcn. 
 Prejbyter. i. e. tlder. See Elder. 
 Prejbytery, 1 Tim. iv. 14. Sec Elder. 
 Prefence, St. Paul's pretence weak, 1 Cor. x. 10. 
 Pricks, againft the pricks, Ads ix. 5. 
 Price,, bought with a price, 1 Cor. vii. 25. 
 Prifon, fpirits in prifon, 1 Fet. iii. 19, 2?. 
 ProfeJJion, a good pr:;feflion, 1 Tim. vi. 12, 13. 
 Promife to Abraham, Gal. iii. 14. 
 
 Of the Spirit, ibid. 
 
 * 'Children of the promife. Gal. iv. 24. 
 
 Receive the prcmife, Heb. x. 36. xi. 33, 39. 
 Prophet, prophecy j how to be tried and known, Mat. viit 
 
 15, j6, &.c. 1 John iv. 1, &c. 1 Cor. xii. 3. 
 Prophet and Prophecy, in a large fen<e, A6ts ii. 18. I Pet. i» 
 
 10 Acts iii. 24. x. 43. and eliewhere. 
 In a particular fenfe fignify either, 
 
 1. To foretel future events, Adls xi. 27, 28. xiii. 1. xv. 
 32. xxi. 9. See I Cor. xi. xii. and xiv chapters. 
 
 —Or explaining foregoing events, Matth. xxvi. 68. Mark 
 xiv* 65. Luke xxii. 64. 
 
 2. Teaching or explaining the ancient fcriptures, Rom, 
 xii. 6. See 1 Cor. xi. xii. and xiv. chapters. 
 
 —In a language understood, 1 Cor. xiv. 1, 3, 4. 
 
 3. Prayer, or finging divine hymns by prophetic infpira- 
 tion, 1 Cor. xi. 3, 5, 13. Luke ii. 32. 
 
 Prophecies prove the truth of Christianity, 2 Pet.i. 19,20, 21. 
 Propitiation, 1 John ii. 1, 2. iii. 16. iv. 10. See Blood. 
 Proportion of faith, what ? Rom. xii. 6. 
 Prove, the fenfe of it, 1 Theff. v. 21. Rom. xii. 2. 2 Cor* 
 
 x ii. 5. Gal. vi* 4. Heb. iii 9. 1 Tim. iii. 10. Eph. v. 10, 
 Providence, proofs and inltances of it, Mat. x. 29, 30, 31. 
 
 Acts xiv. 17. xvii. 27, 28. 
 —Ought to be relied on for all things neceflary, Mat. vi. 25, 
 
 26, &c. Jam. iv. 13. 1 Pet. v. 7. Phil.iv. 6. 1 Cor. vii. 320 
 —Ought not to be tempted by running ourfelvesuponneed- 
 
 lefs dangers, Mat. iv. 6, 7. Eph. v. 17. Col. iv. 5. 
 Punijhment. future, will be proportioned to mens fins, Luke 
 
 xii 47, 48. Mat. xvi. 27. 2 Tim. iv. 14. 
 —Will be eternal, Mark ix. 44. 46, 48. Mat. xviii. 8. xxv, 
 
 41, 46. 2 Thcff. i. 9. Jude 7. 
 
 F f 2 Public, 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Vubiius, Acls xxviii. 7, 3. 
 
 Purge, purged, Heb. ix. 14. 22, 23. x. 2. ix. 14. 2 Pet. 1.9* 
 
 Pa>£", Tit. i. 15. ii 14. 1 Tim. v. 22. 
 
 Purity, its duty and bleiling Matth. v. 8. 
 
 Purifying, John iii. 25, 26. 
 
 Another fenfe of it, Acts xv. 9. 
 Purification of Mary, Luke ii. 
 
 Purification, Acts xxi. 26. 
 Purpofe, eternal purpofe, Eph. iii. 11. 
 P/// on Chrift, Rom. xiii. 14. 
 
 QUENCH not the Spirit, 1 ThefT. v. 19. 
 
 ^uejiions, Jewilh, foolifli queftions, 1 Tim. vi. 4. 1. 6. 
 
 2 Tim.ii. 23. Tit. iii. 9 
 
 Propofed by the Corinthians to St. Paul, and anfwer- 
 
 ed by him. See 1 Cor. chap. vii. to xvi. 
 Quiet, tfudy to be quiet, 1 Theff. iv. 11. 2 Theff. iii. 12. 
 Quiet fpirit, 1 Pet. iii. 4. 
 R 
 RAHAB, the harlot, Heb. xi. 31. James ii. 25. 
 Raifed. for this caufe have I raifed thee up, Rom ix. 17. See 
 
 Refurretlioti. 
 Ranfom for all, 1 Tim. ii. 6. 
 Received, the ienfe of it, A£h xv. 4. 
 
 Receive ye one another, Rom. xv. 7. 
 Redemption, fay of redemption, Eph. iv. 30. 
 — — — — — Of our body, Rom. viii. 23. 
 
 — Of the purchafed pcffeflion, Eph. i. 14* 
 
 Redemption that is in Jefus. See B food. 
 
 Refre/hing. times of refrefhing, A£ts xiii. 19. 
 
 Regeneration. Se? Born again. 
 
 Rejoice in the Lord, Phil. iii. 2. iv. 4. 1 Theff. v. 16. 
 
 Rejoicing, the fenfe of it, James iv. 16. 
 
 Religion, the main defign, the fum and fubftance of it, Jamet 
 
 i. 22, 27. Rom. xiv. 17. See Moral Obedience. 
 
 The infinite importance and advantage of it, Mat. vi„ 
 
 33- ix - 43 44, &c-. 
 Remember, the fenfe of it, Heb. xii. 17. 
 Remnant, Rom. xi. 5, 13. ix. 27. 
 Repentance the condition of the gofoel Mat. iii. 8. iv. 17. 
 
 Acls ii. 38. iii. 19. 26. See Moral Obedience. 
 
 Encouragement^ to repentance. Mat. xviii. 12, 13, 14. 
 
 Luke viii. 47. 2 Pet. iii. 9. 2 Cor. vii. 9, 10. 
 Repentance late repentance, the danger of it, Mat. xx< 6, 7. 
 
 Luke xxiii. 42. Dr. Clarke's note and paraph. Luke xii* 
 
 58, 59. xiii. 24, 25, &c. xxi. 34, $6. 
 
 Report^ 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Report^ a good report, Heb. xi. 2, 39. 
 
 . Of good report, Phil. iv. 8. 
 
 Reproach, concerning reproach, 2 Cor. xi. 21. 
 
 Of Chriit, Heb. xi 26. 
 
 Bearing his reproach, Heb. x : ii. 13. See Suffering. 
 Reprobate, the fenfe of it, 2 Cor. xiii. 5. 6, Tit. i. 16. Rom. 
 
 i. 25. 2 Tim. iii 8*. 
 Reproof, a duty, and how to be managed, Mat. vii. 3, 4, &c. 
 
 xviii. 15, &c. 2 Tim. iv. 2. 1 Tim. v. i. Tit. i. 13. ii. 15. 
 Ref, the fenfe of it, 2 Theff. i. 7. 
 
 Reft of God, what ? Heb. iii. 11, 18. iv. I, &c. 
 
 Rejlitution of all things A6ls iii. 21. 
 Refiitution for injuries, Luke xix. 8. 
 Rejurre&ion of the dead, taken for the future (rate in general, 
 
 Mat.xxii. 30, n. Maik xii. 25, 26, &c. Luke xx.37 &.c. 
 
 Acts iv; 2. xvii. 18. xxiii. 6. 1 Cor. xv. 13. and eliewhere. 
 Refurreclion of Chrifl proved, Acts i. 3, &c. 1 Cor. xv. 3,9, 
 
 Why not mown to all the Jews, Acts x. 41. 
 
 Infilled on as the main article of Chriilianity, A£ts i. 22. 
 
 ii. 31, 36. iii. 15. iv. 33. v. 30. x. 40. xiii. 30, 31. xvii. 
 
 32. xxiii. 8 6. xxiv. 15. Rom. i. 4. 1 Cor. xv. 12, &.o 
 
 2 Tim. ii. 8. I Pet. i. 3. and eliewhere. See Afcenfion. 
 It allures us of our refurreclion, Rom. iv. 25. Eph. ii. 
 
 I. 2 Theff iv. 14. Col. ii. 12. iii. 1. 1 Pet. i. 3. 
 Refurreclion of our bodies proved, and the objections agai.nl) 
 
 it anfwered, 1 Cor. xv. 20. 21, &c. 
 
 The time and circumftancea of it, I Cor. xv. 23, 3$, 
 
 &c, 1 Theff. iv. 16, 17 
 
 Some taught the refurreclion was pad, 2 Tim. ii. 18. 
 
 Reward, future reward will be proportionate to mens virtues, 
 
 Mat. xvi. 27. x. 41. Luke xix. 15, 19. Mat. xiii. 12. 
 
 1 Cor. iii. 8. 1 Cor. ix. 17, 18, and eliewhere. See Pumjb- 
 
 ment. 
 Revenge forbidden. Mat. v. 38, 39. &c. Luke'vi. 27. ix. 54, 
 
 55~&c. 1 Iheff. v. 15. 1 Pet. iii. 9. Rom. xii. 19, and 
 
 eliewhere. 
 Revelation, the fenfe of it, Gal. ii. 2. 1 Cor. xiv. 6, 26 
 
 Eph. i. 17. 
 
 God will reveal even this, Phil. iii. 15. 
 ——Revealed from heaven, 2 Iheff. i, 7. 
 
 Revelation of Jefus Chriit, 2 Per. i. 13. 
 
 Riches, the danger of therrf, Mat. xix. 23, 24. Mark x. 23. 
 
 Luke xxiii. 24. 1 Tim. vi. 9, 10. James v. 1. 
 — The uncertainty of them, James i. 11. 
 — The true ufe of them, 2 Tim. vi. 17,18, 19. Luke xii. 53. 
 Riches, riches of the world, of the Gentiles, Rom. xi 12'. 
 
 p f 3 R'ghteonfncf 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Rtghteoufnefs of God, of man. hath variety of acceptations. 
 
 1. RighteoufneJs of God, fignities the fame with juftifica- 
 tion.or the mtthodof paidon and falvation under the gof- 
 pel, Rom. i. 17. iii. 21, 22, 26. ix. 30. 31, x. 4, 5. 6. 
 2 Cor, v. 21. Gal. ii, 2*. iii. 6, 21. Phil. iii. 9. James i. 
 2C. ii. 23. iii. 18. 1 Cor. i. 38. and eUewhere. 
 
 2. His divine juftice in rewards and punithments, A£ls 
 xvii. 31". 1 Pet. ii. 23. and elfewhere. 
 
 Rightcoufnefs of men fignifies, 
 
 1. Moral obedience, 2 Cor. vi. 7. Mat. v. 20. I Pet. in 
 24. 1 John ii. 29. iii. 7. A£ts x. 35. Rom. vi. 13, 18, 
 19. Eph. iv. 24. 1 Tim. vi. 11. and elfewhere. 
 
 2. Liberality, 2 Cor. ix. 9, 10. 
 
 And mercy, Matth. i. 19. 61s x. 22. 
 
 Righteous man taken for a Chriilian, 1 Tim. i. 9. 
 
 3. Juftice. Acls xxiv. 25. Tit. ii. 12. 
 
 /?//£« with Chrilt, Col. iii j. ii. 12. Rom. vi. 1, 12. 
 
 Robbery, the fenfe of it, Phil, ii, 6. 
 
 72 od*. See S/tf//*. .bee Peter, 
 
 Room, upper room, Ads i. 13. 
 
 Root of bitternefs, Heb. xii. 15. 
 
 Root and branches, i. e % Jews and Gentiles, Rom. chap, xi, 
 
 xvi. xvii. xviii, &.c. 
 Rulers of the darknefs of this world, Eph. vi. 11. 
 
 Spiritual rulers, duty to them, Heb. xii. 17, 18. 
 
 Run in a race, 1 Cor. ix. 24, 26. 
 
 Him that willeth and runneth, Rom. ix. 1.6, 
 
 SABBATH, the fenfe of it, Col, ii. 16. 
 
 — Sabbath-day's journey, Aft i. 12. 
 
 The next Sabbath, Acts xiii. 42. 
 
 Sabbaoib, Lord of Sabbaoth, James v. 4. 
 Sacrament of the Lord's fupper, 1 Cor. xi. 20, ^:c. 
 Saddi/cees, their opinions, Matth. xxii. 23, to the 33d. A6ts 
 
 iv. 2. xxiii. 8. 
 Saints fan&ified, i. e. Chrifiians, A6ls v. 13. ix. 33. xx. 32, 
 
 Rom. i. 7, xv. 2. xvi. 15. 1 Cor. i, 2. vji. 14. vi. I J. 
 
 Eph. i. 5. Phil, i, 1. Col, i. 4. and elfewhere. 
 Saints fhall judge the world, 1 Cor. vi. 2. 
 
 Perfecting of the faints, Eph. iv. 12. 
 
 -— — Saints in light, Col. i. 12. 
 Sanclification, fanclified, fignifies, 
 
 i. Chaftity, purity, 1 Theff, iv. 3, 4, Eph. v< 25. 
 
 2* Beinj 
 
I N D E X. 
 
 2. Being made Chriftians, or dedicated to God, through 
 Chrift, A6ts xx. 32. 1 Cor. i. 2. Jude 1. 1 Cor. vi. 
 11. vii. 14. and elfewhere. 
 
 3. It fignifies alfo to affair, confirm, cleanfe, pardon, or 
 confecrate, John xvii. 17, 19. 1 Theff. v. 23. Rom. 
 xv. 16. Heb. ix. 13. 
 
 ■And to make a thing lawful, I Tim. iv. 5. 
 
 Salt, Chriilians called the fait of the earth, Matth. v. 13. 
 
 Mark. ix. 49, 50. Luke xiv. 34. 
 — — Seafoned with fait, Col. iv. 6. 
 Samuel, mentioned, A6ls iii. 24. 
 Satan, to deliver unto Satan, 1 Cor. y. 5. 1 Tim. i. 20. 
 
 Meflenger of Satan, 2 Cor. xii. 7. 
 
 Satan hindered us, 1 TheiT. ii. 18. 
 Working of Satan, 2 Theff. ii. 9. 
 Saul, account of him, Acts vii. 58. viii. 1, &c. See Paul. 
 Saviour. See Jefus. 
 Save, faved, the fenfe of it, Acls ii. 40, 47. 
 
 All Ifrael (hall be faved, Horn. xi. 26. 
 
 All men to be faved, 1 Tim. ii. 4. iv. 10. 
 
 Scarcely be faved, James iv. 18. 
 
 Salvation, Heb. ix. 28. A6ls iv. 12. Luke i. 69. Rom. 
 
 x. 10. Eph. i. 13. Tit. ii. 11. and elfewhere. 
 Saviour of death, of life, 2 Cor. ii. 16. 
 Saying, a faithful faying, 1 Tim. i. 15. iii. 1. iv. 9.' 
 Schoolmajler, the law a fchoolm after, Gal. iii. 24, 2$, 
 Science, falfely fo called, I Tim. vi. 21. 
 Scoffers, 2 Pet. iii. 3. Jude 8. 
 Sea, baptized in the fea, 1 Cor. x. I, 2. 
 Seal, fealed, 2 Cor. i. 22. Eph. i. 13. iv. 3a. See Spirit. 
 
 Having the feal, 2 Tim. ii. 19. 
 
 — —Sealed this fruit, Rom. xv. 28. 
 
 Of mine apoftlefhip, 1 Cor. ix. 2. 
 
 Searching diligently, 1 Pet. i. 10, II. 
 
 Sea/on, in feafon, out of feafon, 2 Tim. iv. 2. See lime. 
 
 Secret, done in fecret, Eph. V, 12. 
 
 See, feeing. 
 
 — See no man, Acts ix. 7. 
 
 — See good, Matth. v. 8. Heb. xii. 14. 
 
 — Seeing, fee not, Luke viii. 10. Matth. xiii. 13. 
 
 Seed, corruptible, incorruptible, 1 Pet. i. 23. 
 
 —His feed remaineth, 1 John iii. 9. 
 
 —The feed.thy feed, i. e. Chrift, Gal. iii. I J, 16. Heb. xi. 1 8, 
 
 — Counted for the feed, Rom. ix. 8. 
 
 Seem, feemeth, the particular fenfe of it, Mark x. 42. Luke 
 
 viii. 18. 1 Cor.xi. 16, 22. Gal. ii. 2,6,9. Heb. iv. 1. 
 
 F f 4 Separate, 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Separate, Paul and Barnabas fcparated to the miniftry, A&s 
 
 xiii. I. 
 Separated, the fenfe of it, Rom. i. i. Gal. i. 15. 
 — r — Separate from linners Heb vii. 26. 
 
 ' Separate, i. e. excommunicate, Luke vi. 22. 
 
 Servants, or flaves, their duty, Eph. vi. 5. Col. iii. 22, 
 
 1 Tim. vi.-j. Tit. ii. 9. 1 Pet. ii. 18. 
 Shake (haken, Heb. xii. 26, 27. Mark xiii. 25. Lukexxi. 26. 
 Shepherds, the birth of Chriit revealed to them, Luke ii. 8< 
 
 Chriit the Shepherd, John x. 1, 17. 
 
 Shrines, filver, Acls xix. 24. 
 Shipwreck of St. Paul, Adts xxvii. 
 Simon Bar-Jonah, and Cephas, Jo.hn u 42. 
 
 Magus, Acls viii. 9, &c. 
 
 Simplicity, 2 Cor. i. 12. Kom. xii. 8. 2 Cor. xi. 3. 
 
 Sin. taken for the guilt of fin, Rom. vii. 5, 8. John ix. 4*. 
 
 xvi. 8, 9. Rom. iii. 20. and elfewhere. 
 — Sin. i.e. a facrifice for fin, 2 Cor* v. 21. Heb. ix. 28.. 
 —Sin, i. *>. a notorious fin, 1 Tim. v. 20. James iv. 17. 
 
 1 John iii. 9. 
 — The degrees of fin, James i. 15. iv. 17'. 
 • — Sold unto fin, Rom. vii. 14 
 -—Dead in fin, Eph. ii. 1,5. 
 — Take away fir., Heb. x. 4. 1 John iii. 5. 
 — Sin wilfully, Heb. x. ^6 
 
 — Forgivennefs of fin, James v. 15. 1 John i. 9. 
 • — Hide a multitude of fins, James v. '20. 1 Pet. iv. 8. 
 — .in unto death, 1 John v. 16. 17. 
 —Become exceeding finful, Rom. vii. 13. 
 Sinner, why Chriit. conyerled with Tinners, Mark ii. 16, 17. 
 
 Luke v. 31. xv, 3, &c. 
 Sinners, the Gentiles fo called Matth. ix. 10. Mark ii. 1 5. 
 
 Gal. ii. 15. Luke vii. 34. and elfewhere. 
 
 — Le found finners. Gal. ii. 17. 
 
 Sion, Mount, Keb. xii. 22. 
 
 Sinai. Mount, Gal. iv. 25. 
 
 Sleep, let us not fleep. 1 TheflT. v. 6. 
 
 Jn Jefus, 1 1 heff. iv. 13, 14. 
 
 Slerping, Mark xiii. 36 
 
 — — A.yyake thou that ileepeft, Eph. v. 14. 
 Soldiers, their duty, Luke xiii. 14.' 
 
 ■ Chriiiian foldiers. See Armour, 
 
 Sons of God, John i. 12. Rom. viii. 14. 1 John iii. 1, 2. 
 Son of God Chriit fo called. John i. 34. ix. 35. Gal. ii. 20. 
 Sonot Man. A6ts vii. 56. Mat. xxiv. 27, 30. Mark xiii. 2$. 
 
 Luke xxi. 27. and elfewhere. 
 Sorrow, godly, of the world, 2 Cor. vii. 10. 
 
 Sorrow^ 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Sorrow, not as others, i Theft, iv. 13. 
 
 Sootbfaying. See Divination. 
 
 Soul, the great concern of it, Matth. xvi, 26. Mark via. 37, 
 
 John vi. 27. 
 Soul, i. e. life, 1 Theff. ii. 8. 
 
 i. e. perfon, Rom. xiii 1. Acls vii. 14. xxvii. 37. 
 
 body and Spirit, 1 TheiT. v. 23. 
 
 Dividing of foul and ipirit, Heb. iv, 12. 
 
 Sound h gone out, Acts x. i'6. 
 
 Sound words t bee Form. 
 
 S/waking, evil-fpeaking forbidden, 2 Tim. iii. 2. James iv. 
 
 ir. 1 Pet: iii. 9, &c. 
 Speak, being dead, yet fpeaketh. Heb, xi. 4. 
 
 blow to fpeak, James i. 19. 1 Pet. iv. II. 
 
 1 — — i. e. teach, 1 Pet. iv. 11. 
 
 Speech, rude in fpeech, 2 Cor. xi. 6. x. 10. 
 
 ■ kxcellency of fpeech, 1 Cor. xxi. 4. 
 
 • Not the fpeech, but power, 1 Cor. iv. 19. 
 
 — Sound fpeech. Tit. ij. 8. 
 spirit hath' various fignincations, denoting, fometimes, 
 
 1. The Holy Ghoit. 1 Cor. ii. 10, 11. Heb.ix. 14. i John 
 v. 6, 7, 8. and elfe where. - 
 
 2. The extraordinary gifts of the Spirit, Rom. viii. l6 t 
 11. I Cor. xii. 3. and elfe where. 
 
 And pretenders to the Spirit, 1 John iv. 1, Sic. 
 
 3. The Chriltian religion, or the fpiiitual duties of it a» 
 oppofed to the types and figures of the Mofaical law, 
 Rom. vii. 6. viii. I, 2, 5, 9 Gal. iii. 3. and elfewherc. 
 
 4. The fpiiitual fenfe of fcripture, in oppofition to the li- 
 teral, 2 Cor. iii. 17. John vi. 63. and elfewhere. 
 Born of the Spirit, John iii. j, 6, 8. after the Spirit, 
 
 Gal. iv. 29. 
 * Having not the Spirit, Jude 19. See Ha/Ss Trac7s 9 
 
 pages 67, 68, 69. in i2ino. Printed 17 16. 
 —Spirit of fear, of power, 2 Tim. i. 7. 
 
 Sealed with the Spirit, Eph. i. 13. iv. 30- 
 
 Juftified in the Spirit, 1 Tim. iii. 16. 
 
 Grieve not the Spirit, Eph. iv. 30. 
 
 —— Prefent in Spirit, Col. ii. 5. 
 
 Pre fled in Spirit, Acls xviii. 5. 
 ~ — Bound in Spirit, Acts xx. 22. 
 
 Walk in the Spirit, Gal. v. 16. Hale, ibid. 
 
 ■ Led by the Spirit, Gal. v. 18. 
 
 . Fruits of the Spirit, Gal. v. 22, &c 
 
 Sow to the Spirit, Gal. vi. 8. 
 
 Sword of the Spirit, Eph. vi. 17. 
 
 » ■ '■■ - Spirit of his mouth, 1 Theff. ii. 8, 
 
 3 Spiritual 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Spiritual Man, men, i Cor. ii. 15. and chapters xii. and xiii. 
 Spiritual things, 1 Cor. ii. 13. 
 Speak, as unto fpiritual, 1 Cor. in. 1. 
 
 . Spiritual gifts, 1 Cor. chapters xii, xiil, and xiv. 
 
 Spiritual meat, drink, 1 Cor. x. 3, 4. 
 Spiritually difcerned, 1 Cor. ii. 14. 
 Sports, Jude 12. 
 
 Star, his ftar in the eaft, Matth. ii. 2. 
 Star of Remphan, Acts vii. 43. 
 Star, a day-ftar, 2 Pet. i. 19. 
 Stars, wandering ftars, Jude 12. 
 Stealing forbidden, Eph. iv. 28. 
 Stephen, account of him, Acts vi. 8. and chap. vii. 
 Stoics, their opinions, Acts xvii. 18. 
 Stone, corner-ftone, rock, Acts iv. 11. Eph. ii. 20. 1 Pet. 
 
 ii. 6, 7, 8. See Peter, 
 
 Living ftone, 1 Pet. ii. 4, 6. 
 Strangers, the fenfe of it, t Pet. i. 1. 
 
 Another fenfe, Heb. xiii. 2. 1 Tim. v. ip. 3 John 5. 
 Strangers and foreigners, Eph. ii. 19. 
 Strait, m a ft rait, Phil. i. 23. 
 Strait -gate, Matth. vi. 13. Luke xiii. 24. 
 Strangled things, Acts xv. 20. 
 Strong Chriftian, what ? Rom. xv. 1. See Weak. 
 Subjetlion. See Magijlratc. 
 Subjlance, the fenfe of it, Heb. xi. 1. x. 34. 
 Suffering for religion's fake, a duty amply to be rewarded, 
 
 Matth. v. 10, 11, 12. Mark viii. 38. ix. 43, &c. Luke 
 
 ix. 24, &c. xii. 49, 51, 52, $3. Luke vi. 21, 22/23. xviii. 
 
 29, 30. Mark x. 28, 29, 30. John xii. 25, 26, xv. 18, 19, 
 
 2Q. Acts xiv. 22. See Persecution. 
 Sufficient, the fenfe of it, 2 Cor. ii. 16. iii. 5. 
 Sun and Moon, the fenfe of it, Acts ii. 19, 20. Luke xxu 
 
 Sunday, the Chriftian Sabbath, Acl:s xx. 7. 
 
 Superjlition, Acts xvii. 22. 
 
 Swearing. See Oath. 
 
 Swear by himfelf, Heb. vi. 17. 
 
 Swine, Matth. viii. 31, 32. 
 
 T 
 TABLE, ferve tables, Aas vi. 2. 
 
 » Lord's table, 1 Cor. x. 21. 
 
 — — Flefhly tables, 1 Cor. iii. 3. 
 ■ ■ Table a fnare, Rom. xi. 9. 
 Tabernacle of David, Acts xv. 16. 
 Tabernacle defcribed, Heb. ix. 1, 2, &c» 
 
 Taught 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Taught 'of God, i Theft*, iv. 9. 
 
 Taxing mentioned, Luke ii. 1. Acts v. 37. 
 
 Teach, teachers, teaching. 
 
 Teachers, falfe, how to be known, Matth. vii. 15, 16, &c. 
 
 1 John iv. 1. 1 Cor. xii. 3. See Prophet. 
 • Falfe ttachers defcribed, 2 Pet. i, &.c. Jude. 1 John 
 
 ii. 18, 24. 
 Teaching, the fenfe of it. Rom. xii. 7. Acts xiii. 1. Eph. iv. 
 
 II. 1 Cor. xii. 29. 
 Temperance enjoined. 2 Pet. i. 6. Tit. i. 8. ii. 2. See 
 
 Drunkennefs and Uncle annefs. 
 
 — — Temper. Ue in tfil things 1 Cor. ix. 25. 
 
 Temple, the worihip of the J e with temple was not intended 
 
 to be of perpetual obligation, Acts vii. 46, 50. H<-b. ix. 
 — The apoftles attended the temple fervice, Acts ii- 46. 
 
 iii. 1. 
 
 -ChriRians called the temple of God. 1 Cor. iii. i6 t 
 
 17. 2 Cor. vi. 16. I Pet. ii. 4, 5. and eliewhere, 
 •Sitteth in the temple ot God, 2 TheiT. ii. 4. 
 
 Tempt, tempted. 
 ——To tempt God, Ads v. 9. xv. 10. Luke iv. 12. iCor. x.9. 
 Tempted, i. e. tried, Mark xii. 15. John viii. 6. and 
 el few here. 
 » Tempted, 2*. f. actually drawn into fin, James i. 3, 14, 15. 
 
 1 Theff. iii. 5. Gal. vi. 1. 1 Cor. vii- 5. and elfewhere. 
 Temptation, i. e, afflicbon, perfecution, Luke viii. 13. 
 
 James i. 2, 12. I Pet. i. 6. Hcb. ii. 18. iv. 15. ix. 37. 
 
 and elfewhere. 
 
 The benefit of them, James i. 3, 12. 
 
 Tejlament, teftator, Heb. vii. 22. ix. 15, &c. Gal. iv. 15. 
 
 2 Cor. iii. 6, 14. 
 
 Tejlimony, for a teftimony, Matth. viii. 4. Mark i. 44, 
 
 Luke v. 14. Matth. x. 18. 
 
 Teitimony of Jefus Chrift, I Cor. i. 6. ii. I. 
 
 Thank/giving, received with thankfgiving, 1 Tim. iv. 3, 4. 
 
 1 Cor. x 30. 
 Theatre at Ephefus, Acts xix. 31. 
 
 Thief, the cafe of the penitent thief, Luke xxiii 39, 43, 
 Theft. See Stealing. 
 
 Thief in the night, 2 Pet. iii. 10. I Theff. v. 2. 
 
 TheJJalonica, Paul there, Acls xvii. I. 
 
 Tbeudas, Ac\s v. 36. 
 
 Thing, fome better thing, Heb. xi 39. 
 
 Things in heaven and earth, Eph. i. 10. Col. i. 20. 
 
 Thorn in the fleih, what ? 2 Cor. xii. 7. 
 Thoufand, three thoufand converted, Acts ii. 41. 
 
 ■■ 1 Thoufand years as one day, 2 Pet. iii. 8. 
 
 Thrones* 
 
fNDEX. 
 
 Threnes, principalities, powers, Col. J. 1 6. See Tower:. 
 *Ti//. See Until. 
 Timet, times. 
 
 'Times and feaions, Acls h 7, 1 ThefT. v. 1. 
 
 < In his time. 1 Tim. vi. 15. 
 
 ——-In due time, I Tim. ii. 6. Tit. i. 3. 
 
 Fulnefs of the time, Gal. iv. 4. 
 
 -The laft times, 1 Pet. i. 5, 20. 1 John ii. 10/ Jude 18. 
 
 1 rim. iv. 1. See Days. 
 
 Redeeming the time, Eph. v. 16. Col. iv. 5. 
 Timothy mentioned, Acts xvi. 1. Heb. xiii. 23. 
 Together, the fenfe of it, A£ts ii. 44. 
 Tongue, tongues. 
 
 — — — Gift of tongues conferred, Acts ii. 4, &.c. 
 • — Cloven tongues, ibid. ver. 3. 
 
 ■ Speaking with tongues, 1 Cor. chap, xiv* 
 
 — Piayer in an unknown tongue forbidden, 1 Cor. xiv. 
 
 Tongue, the good and bad. uie of it, James i. 26. and chap. 
 
 iii, 
 Toitch t not to touch a woman, r Car. vii. I, &.C 
 Touch not, tafte not, Col. Li 2.1. 
 Town-clerk, what ? A£b xix. 35. 
 Traditions, Jewrm, Maith. xv. 2. Mark vii. 9, 13. Col. ii. 
 
 8- 1 Pet. i. 18. Gal.i. 14. 
 Traditions of the apollles, the fenfe of it, 2 ThefT. ii. 15. 
 
 iii. 6. 2 Cor. xi. 2. 
 TranfgreJJion^ becaufe of the' tranfgrelTion. Gal. ii. 18. 
 Tranfg? cjp>r \ make mvfelf a, Gal. iii. 19, 
 Tranfpojition of the text, Acls v. 12, 14. 
 Transferred \o myfelf, 1 Cor. iii. 16. 
 Travel of St. Paul. See Paul. 
 Trembling, ftar and trembling, Ephef. vi. 5. Phil. ii. 12. 
 
 I Cor. ii. 3. 2 Cor. vii, 15. 
 
 ■ Devils believe and tremble, James ii. 19. 
 
 Tribute to be paid, Match, xvii. 24, 27. Rom. xiii. 6, J* 
 
 : ttb. xxii 17, 21. 
 Trump of God, 1 TheflC iv. 16. 1 Cor. xv. c2. 
 Truth, the golpel called truh, John i. 14. 17. v. 33. viii. 32. 
 
 Rom. viii. 20. Gal. v. 7. Eph. vi. 14. 1 Tim. ii. 4. James 
 
 v. 19. and elfe where. 
 Truth in Chrift, 1 e. the Chiiftian doc"lrine, Rom. ix, 1. Eph. 
 
 iv. 21, 15. 
 
 \\ hat is truth, John xviii. 38. 
 
 „ Oi the truth, in the truth, John xviii. 37. 1 John 
 
 iii. 19. ( John ii. 21. 
 — Piliar and gtound of truth, 1 Tim. iii. 15. 
 — Tiuth figniSes fidelity, Rom. iii. 7. Ephef. v. 9. 
 
INDEX, 
 
 Try the things that are excellent, Phil. i. ro. 
 — The fpirits, i John iv. i. Fire (hall try work, i Cor, 
 iii, 13. 
 
 Trial, fiery, 1 Pet. iv. 12. 1 Pet. i. 7, 
 
 V 
 Pytf/.V, in vain, 1 The IT. ii. t. 
 ■ ■ In their imaginations, Rom. i. 2t. 
 
 -Vain deceit, Col. ii, 8. Vain conversion, 1 Pet. i. 18. 
 
 Vanity, idolatry fo called, ,Ac~ts xiv. 15. Rom. viii. 20, 
 
 • Canity of their minds, Ephef. iv. 17. 
 
 Veil, vvomens veil, 1 Cor. xi. 15, &c. 
 
 Veil of the temple, Matth. xxvii. 51. Mark xv, 3R. 
 
 Veil on their hearts, 2 Cor. iii. 14, 15, 16. 
 
 ■ Within the veil, Heb. vi. 19. 
 
 • VtflVl chofen, Acts fx. 15. See Chofen, 
 
 > VefTels ot wrath, of mercy, Rom. ix. 22, 23. 
 
 PoiTefs his Teffel in fanclification, 1 Theft*, iv. 4. 
 
 A veffel unto honour, 2 Tim. ii. 20, 21. 
 
 The weaker vciTel, 1 Pet. iii. 7. 
 1 Treafure in earthen veflels, 2 Cor. iv. 7. 
 Vine, Chrift the vine, John xv. 1, 4, &.c. 
 The church a vineyard, Matth. xx. 1, &c. Mark ait. 
 
 7, &c. Luke xx. 9. xiii. 6. 
 Vinegar offered to Jtfus, Luke xxiii. 36. 
 Viper on St. Paul's hand, Acls xxviii. 3. 
 
 Generation of vipers, Matth. iii. 7. 
 
 Vijion, Peter's, Acls x. 9, &c. xi. 4, Sec. 
 
 Paul's, Acts xvi. 9. xviii. 9. 
 
 Virgins, virginity, 1 Cor. vii. 25, 26, 36, 37. 
 
 Virtue, i. e. courage, 1 Pet. ii. 4, 5. 
 
 Unbelief, concluded all in, Rom. xi. 32. See Infidelity. 
 
 Uncleannef forbidden, Matth. v. 27, &.c. 1 Cor. chap. v. 
 
 and vi. 1 ThefT. iv. 3. Eph. v. 3. Col. iii. 5. Keb. xiii. 4. 
 
 See Fornication. 
 Unity enjoined, 1 Cor. chap. xii. Phil. ii. 1, 2, &.c. Col. iii. 
 
 5. See Ptaceab/enefis. 
 Unprofitable, the fenfe of it. Heb. xiii. 17. Eph. v. ir, 
 Untlion, 1 John ii. 20, 27. See Anointing. 
 Unreafonable Men, 2 The IT. iii. 2. 
 
 Until '(us, u%%h the extent of it. Note on Rom. v. 13. 
 Utterance* tne l>nfe of it, 1 Cor. i. 5. 2 Cor. viii. 7. Eph. 
 
 vi. 19. Col. iv. 3. 
 Uttered, hard to be uttered, Heb. v. 11. 
 
 Groanings which cannot be uttered, Rom. viii. 26. 
 ——Not lav.lul for. a man to utter. 2 Cor. xii. 4. 
 Vow of the Nazarites, A£ts xviii. 18, 21. xxiii. 24. 
 
 WAGEt 
 
INDEX, 
 
 W 
 
 WAGES of fin, Rom. vi. 23. 
 
 . —Of unrighteoufnefs, 2 Pet. ii. 15, 
 
 Taking wages, 2 Cor. xi. 8. 
 Waiting of Chrift, 2 Theff. iii. 5. 
 Wall, whited wall, Atts xxiii. 3. 
 
 Middle wall Eph. ii. 14. 
 
 Wanton, wax wanton, 1 Tim. v. it. 
 Warfare, i. e. the miniftry, 2 Cor. x. 3, 4. 1 Tim. i. iS* 
 Wafhing. preparatory to burial, Acts ix. 37. 
 ——Waffling, i, e. baptifm, Eph. v. 26. Tit. iii. 5. 
 J%y, all of this way, z. ^, this profeilion, Acts ix. 2. xxiv, 
 22. 
 
 New and living way, Heb» x. 20. 
 Water, out of the water, in the water, 2 Pet. iii. 5. 
 Came by water, 1 John v. 6. 
 Water and blood, ibid. 
 
 Plant and water, 1 Cor. iii. 6, 7, 8. 
 
 Weak in the faith, weak brother, Rom. xiv. 1, 2. Rom. xv. I. 
 2 Cor. xi. 28. I Theff. v. 14. 1 Cor. viii. 7, 12. ix. 22= 
 and elfewhere. 
 Weak, i. e. accounted fo by others, 1 Cor. i. 27. 2 Cor. xii. 
 
 10. xiii. 9. 
 Weaknefs,, i e. natural infirmities, or fufferings, 2 Cor» xii. 9, 
 10. 1 Cor. xv. 43. Heb. xi. 34. 
 
 Weaknefs of God ftronger than men, 1 Cor* i. 25. 
 
 — Chrift crucified through weaknefs, 2 Cor* xiii. 4. 
 
 Weep as though they wept not, 1 Cor. vii. 30. 
 Weep with them that weep, Rom. xii 15. 
 
 Bleffed arc ye that weep, Luke vi. 21. 
 W?Jl, fouth weft and north-weft, Acts xxvii. 12. 
 Wicked one, one fenfe of it, 2 Theff. ii. 8. 
 _ — Another, 1 John iii. 12. 
 Widows indeed, 1 Tim. v. 3, 4. 
 ■ — Concerning widows, 1 Cor. vii. 8. 
 Willeth not of him that willeth, Rom. ix. 16* 
 Will-worjhip forbidden, 2 Col. ii. 23. 
 W >e, full of new wine. Acts ii. 13. 
 Wink, God winkrd at, A6ts xvii. 30. 
 Wifdom, the fmfe of it James i. 4. iii. 13, 15, 17, 
 Wijdom of God, I Cor. i. 21. 30. 
 
 Spirit of wifdom, Eph. i. 17. 
 Man's 'Ail'dom, 1 Cor. i. 17. 18. 
 Flefhiv wifdom, 2 Cor. i. 12, 
 Wife Men, alter the fltm, 1 Cor. i, 2, 6, 27. 
 Wijl, I wift not, Acts xxiii. 5. 
 Witchcraft, what ? Gal. v. 20. 
 
 4 Without, 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Without* them that are without, i Cor. vii. 30. Col. iv. 5. 
 
 1 Theff. iii. 7. 
 Withhoideth, 2 Theff. ii. 5. 
 Wives duty, Eph. v. 22. Col. iii. 18. 1 Pet. iii. 1. 
 
 Hufband of one wife, 1 Tim. iii. 12. 
 
 Women in public affcmblies, 1 Cor. xi. 16. xiv. 34. 
 
 Their habit, modeity, &.C. 1 Theff. ;i. 9, &c. 
 Word, words of God, 1 Theff. iv. 5. and elfewhere. 
 ——Form of found words, 2 Tim. i. 13. 
 
 Word fpoken by angels, Heb. ii. 2. 
 
 Word of God, Aoy©-, Heb. iv. 12, 13. xi. 3. 
 
 The engrafted word, James i. 21. 
 Not in word, but in power, 1 Cor. iv. 20. 
 Words mult be accounted for, Matth. xii. 36. 37. 
 
 Signify things, A6ls xi. 14. 1 Theff. iv. 18. 
 
 Work, works, working. 
 Work of God, John vi. 28. 
 
 Wonderful works of God, Acts ii. 11. 
 
 Worketh, to will and to do, Phil. ii. 13. Heb. xiii. 21. 
 
 Worketh effectually, I Theff. ii. 13. 
 
 Works fignify the Jewifti religion and ceremony, Rom. iii. 27. 
 
 xi. 6. Eph. ii. 9. Rom. iv. 2, 6. Gal. ii. 16. iii. 1. 
 
 Good works, i. e, charity, Acts ix. 36. 1 Tim. v. 10. 
 
 See Doing. 
 ——Good works, i. e. a good office, 1 Theff. iii. 1. 
 
 Good works, i. e. obedience to magiftrates, 2 Theff. iii. r. 
 
 Good works, /. e. moral obedience, James ii. 14, 26. 
 
 See Moral. 
 
 Dead works, Heb. ix. 14. 
 
 — « — A fhort work, Rom ix. 28. Him that worketh, Rom, 
 
 iv. 4, 5. 
 World, this world, and that which is to come, Eph. i. 21. 
 
 All the world, Col. i. 6, 23. Luke ii. 1. 
 
 — -Prefent evil world, Gal. i. 4. 
 
 Before the world began, 1 Theff. i. 9. 2 Trieff. i. 2. 
 
 World to come, i. e. the gofpel ftate, Heb. ii. 5. vi. 5. 
 
 End of the world, Heb. ix. 26. See End. 
 
 ■ Made the worlds, Heb. i. 2. 
 
 The world is to be burnt, 2 Pet. iii. 10, 11, 12. 
 
 Worldly-mindednefs forbidden, Matth. vi. 19, &c. Luke vi„ 
 
 24, &c xii. 15, 16, &c. xvi. 13, 19, &c. Luke xii. 22, 
 
 34. I John ii. 15, 16, 17. James iv. 4. See Riches. 
 Worldly men, how to be imitated, Luke xvi. 1, &.c. 
 Worm dieth not, Mark ix. 44, &c. 
 
 Eaten of worms, Acts xii. r.3. 
 
 Wor/hip, feveral fenl'es of, as applied to God, or men, Luke 
 
 xiv, 10. xviii. 26. compared with John iv. 20. Luke iv* 
 
 7. and innumerable other places. 
 
 Worjhi^ 
 
INDEX. 
 
 TVorJhjp, a worihipper of God, Acts xviii. 7. xvi. 14, 
 
 Will-worfhip, Cor. ii. 23. 
 
 Wroth. See Anger. 
 
 Wrejlng the fcriptures, 2 Pet. lii. 16. 
 
 Writing, hand-writing of ordinances, Col. it. 14. 
 
 —Hand-writing. See Hand. 
 
 Y 
 YEA, yea and nay, 2 Cor. i. 17, 18, 19 20. Matth. v. 32, 
 Yejlerday, to-day, and for ever, Heb. xii. 8. 
 Yokefellow, Phil. iv. 3, 
 Young, younger men, young men, 1 John ii. 13, 14. 1 Pet> 
 
 v. 4, 5. 1 Tim. v. 1. 
 ——Let him be as the younger, Luke xxii. 26. 
 
 ^Younger women, 1 Tim. v. 2. xi. 14. 
 
 Elder (hall ferve the younger, Rom. ix. 12. 
 Z 
 ZACCHEUS, Luke xix. 1, &c. 
 Zion, Mount Zion. Keb. xii. 22. 
 Zeal, zealous, Gal. iv. 18. Rom. x. 2, 
 
 FINIS.