An Exposition of Pauls Epistles

1. That as little children, ye have need to take heed: Therefore ye are bound to beware.

Time] Reas. 2. Now it is the time wherein there is danger, by reason of seducers, viz. it is the last hour, and the last time of the world, wherein the Devil chiefly rages, knowing that his time is short, and wherein all ought both to watch and prepare themselves for the judgment which will come at the second coming of Christ: Therefore, &c.

And as] Reas. 3. Confirming the former, according to the premonition by the Apostles and Christ concerning that famous Antichrist which should come, many fore-running Antichrists have come already, who under the pretence of Teachers seduce men from Christ, and are the adversaries of Christ: Therefore it is the last time, wherein ye are in danger of seducers, of whom ye ought diligently to have a care.

Reas. 4. Apostates departing from the external communion of those that are truly faithful, are not of the number of those that truly believe: Therefore ye ought to beware of Apostasy and Seducers.

For if they had been of us] Reas. 5. Confirming the former, they that are of the number of those that are truly faithful and elect, continue in the society of the true Church, and in the communion of the Apostolical doctrine: And so they declare themselves to be true Believers: but those that fall away, they (so far as we look upon the counsel of God) depart from the doctrine of the Apostles, for this end, that their hypocrisy might be manifested, and that they might be declared not to be of the number of those that are truly Faithful: Therefore, if ye would be esteemed either by God or men, true Believers, or not of the number of hypocrites; ye ought to beware of Apostasy or seducers.

Reas. 6. Ye are furnished with necessary gifts, and the aid of the Holy Ghost, that ye might know all saving opinions, and so might shun the seduction of Apostates: Therefore ye ought to beware.

Reas. 7. Answering an objection, I do not accuse you of ignorance by admonishing, or writing to you, but therefore I exhort you to constancy, that I may know that you have known the Truth, and are delighted in it: Therefore ye ought to hearken to my exhortation.

And that no lie] Reas. 8. Ye being admonished of the Truth, may easily discern a lie, which viz. being examined by the rule of Truth, doth in no wise agree with it: Therefore ye ought to hearken to my exhortation, for this end, that ye may examine and reject that which is false.

Reas. 9. Those that seduce men from the true Doctrine of the Gospel are the greatest liars amongst men (as the interrogation intimates) because they in some way or other deny Jesus to be the Christ, for they do not acknowledge such a Christ, as the Father offers to us in the Gospel: For they openly or secretly invade either his person, or his natures, or the proprieties of his natures, or his offices, or his virtue, or his efficacy, or grace, or truth, or his glory: Therefore ye ought to beware of seducers.

He is] Reas. 10. All seducers, who draw hearers from Christ in any one Article, are Antichrists, both denying the Father and the Son; and so overthrowing the true Religion, and the foundations of Religion with their lies, because there is no true God out of Christ: For in him dwells all the fullness of the God-head: Therefore ye ought to beware of seducers.

He confirms this reason, from the inseparableness of the Father from the Son, that no man can have the Father for his God, who any way denies the Son, because God hath given himself to be enjoyed wholly by us in Christ, and he is sought for in vain elsewhere, or by any other way, than wherein he hath manifested himself to us in Christ, who, as the image of the Father represents and offers to us whatsoever is necessary or profitable to be known of the Father to salvation; and on the other side, whosoever give due honor to Christ, as to the Son of God, acknowledging him, such as he hath manifested himself in the Scriptures, doth also acknowledge the Father, and esteem him for their God.

Reas. 11. The truly ancient and only Truth of God always constant to itself, is this, which I exhort you to hold, which viz. ye have heard from the beginning of the Gospel, not only preached Christ, but also promised, and declared by the Prophets in the Scriptures: Therefore ye ought to retain that Truth: and here he openly brings forth what he aimed at, or the Exhortation.

If it shall remain in you] Reas. 12. If ye have retained the Doctrine delivered to you by Christ, and his Apostles, according to the Scriptures; ye shall remain in the society and friendship of God, the Son, and the Father: Therefore ye ought to beware of seducers.

Reas. 13. God upon this condition hath promised us life eternal, if we retain steadfastly the Doctrine of Christ: Therefore ye ought steadfastly to continue in the Faith and obedience of Christ's Doctrine, and beware of seducers, who do their endeavor to withdraw you from the Truth: And here again the Apostle professes openly his aim in these Arguments.

Reas. 14. That ye may be kept from seducers, ye are fortified with manifold defences: For first, as for external doctrine, ye have received from Christ an unction, or the holy Spirit, who inwardly teacheth you, and confirm • you in the Truth of the Doctrine of Christ, everyone in his measure. Secondly, That Spirit remains in you, who are faithful, and is not taken away from believers. Thirdly, Ye have no need of any man, that may teach you anything besides that which the Spirit of Christ hath taught in the Scripture, and hath confirmed in your hearts, ye have only need of Exhortation, that ye abide in Christ, as the Spirit or Unction speaking in the Scriptures, and that which is in the Scriptures, confirming in your hearts, and further instructing you out of the Scriptures, doth teach you in all things necessary to salvation: which Spirit is Truth, i. e. the very truth of the Scripture, Which is truth, A confirmation, and not a lie, but a refuter, and hater of lies: Therefore ye ought steadfastly to abide in Christ (as the Spirit according to the truth of Scripture hath taught you) and to beware of seducers.

Reas. 15. Whosoever they be that do not persevere in the Faith of Christ, neither abide in communion with him; furthermore, whatsoever they are in the esteem of men, they shall with shame depart from the judgment fear of Christ. But on the contrary, those that persevere in the Faith, shall confidently stand before him: Therefore ye ought steadfastly to abide in the Faith of Christ, and beware of seducers.

Exhort. 5. Which he will prosecute in the former part of the following Chapter, viz. that they endeavor after Righteousness, or that they follow after holiness. The Arguments of the Exhortation are fifteen.

Argum. 1. Confirmed from the testimony of their conscience: He that endeavors after Righteousness, is born of God (who is righteous) and hath the testimony of his Adoption and Regeneration: Therefore endeavor after Righteousness.

The second Epistle of JOHN, Analytically expounded.

The direction of the Epistle shows, who, to whom, and with what mind he wrote this Epistle. The writer is John the Apostle, who makes no doubt of his authority in this family, content with the title of the ordinary and common ministry; he calls himself an Elder, by which name he being now very ancient, he also notes his age, to the end that his admonition, who could not live long by reason of his age, might be the more deeply fixed in them. The person whereunto it is chiefly writ, is the Elect Lady. To signify civil and due honor, he calls her Lady, acknowledging her more happy spiritual condition in the Lord. He calls her Elect, because in that this Matron had (from the sincerity of her Faith) declared herself to be elect, a far more excellent commendation, than that she was accounted a Lady in a civil condition by men; Her children are adjoined, because they were partakers with their Mother of the Grace of God, in the knowledge of Christ.

As for the mind of the Writer towards those, to whom he writ, he professes both his love and sincerity of it, and also testifies concerning the love of all other believers, that embraced the truth of the Gospel, and had heard of this family.

That he might manifest his sincere love, he affirms, that the cause of it is the common Faith of the Truth of the Gospel, wherein he was confident that this Lady would persevere, and her children with her, and the rest of the faithful would enjoy the virtue and fruit of the truth of the Gospel forever: Therefore the whole Preface is intended for the confirmation of the Faith of this pious family. (1) Because she is an Elect Matrone, (2) Because her children are faithful, (3) Because they are beloved of the Apostle, (4) Because they are beloved of all the Faithful, (5) Because they are beloved rather for the Truth, than the nobility of their stock, (6) Because the Truth of the Gospel in them, both as to the faith and the fruits of it, would remain, and endure in them forever.

In the salutation, or Apostolical blessing (wherein is not contained a bare wish, but also a certain applying of that wished good) he confirms them (1) Concerning the Grace or good will of God towards them, whereby he freely makes us acceptable to him, and bestows upon us all things that may repair God's Image in us. (2) Further concerning the Mercy of God, which if it be distinguished from Grace, signifies the taking away our sins and miseries. (3) Concerning the Peace of God, which comprehends reconciliation, peace of conscience, and all the degrees both of inchoate and perfect felicity: And because a blessing is expected in vain, unless from the true fountain, he brings them to God the Father (from whom the whole divine essence is communicated to the Son, and the Holy Ghost) and to Christ the Mediator (the second Person of the God-head incarnate, invested with the office of salvation for us) whom he calls the Son of the Father in Truth and Love : (1) Because he is full of Truth and Grace, together with his Father, of the same nature or essence, because he is his most true and beloved Son, John. 1.14. (2) Because the mind of the Father is no other, nor his will no other towards us, than he is, The same purpose of both is firm concerning us, and the same love towards us. (3) Because he reveals the truth of the Fathers counsel and purpose to us, and the love wherewith he loves us, he brings it forth, and derives it, or communicates it to us, and shows himself every way to be the Son of the Father, both in truth of Doctrine, and effectual love towards us resembling his express Image.

Here follows the body of the Epistle, wherein he exhorts this Matrone with her children to persevere in the obedience of the Gospel, i. e. in Faith working by love towards God and the Brethren. The Arguments of the Exhortation are nine. The first is premised in this verse, wherein he confesses his joy, that this family hitherto had continued in the obedience of the Gospel; he confirms them as to what was past, and also stirs them up to persevere for the future. Your constancy in the obedience of the Gospel, will administer to me and all the faithful (who hear of you) abundant matter of spiritual joy, and consequently of thanksgiving to God: Therefore persevere in the Faith.

From hence he infers an Exhortation chiefly to the Matrone or Mother of the Family, under whose tuition the children were, together with the second Argument. The commandment for the demonstration of the efficacy of your Faith in the love of the Brethren hath nothing new in it, besides that which ye have learned by the gift of God from the beginning of your vocation, and have accustomed yourselves to, viz. that from the Faith and love of Jesus Christ, ye also love the Christian brother-hood: Therefore go forward in the obedience of Faith working by love.

Argum. 3. There is no other true love, either of our neighbor, or of God, besides that which consists in a constant endeavor of keeping all God's Commandments, and walking or going forward in that obedience: Therefore; or thus: The command, or the sum of the Doctrine delivered to us in the Gospel, is, that we should keep faith and a good conscience, that we should believe in Jesus Christ, and love our neighbor: Therefore persevere ye in the obedience of faith, or this commandment.

A • gum. 4. There is danger, lest ye be deceived, by reason of the multitude of seducers that are gone out into the world, and impudently boast of themselves: Therefore ye ought the more diligently to endeavor after perseverance. But he calls seducers, not only those who openly oppose the person of Christ, his offices and power, but also those who did not confess Christ, nor ascribe all glory unto him, which the Spirit of God in holy Scripture teaches us to ascribe unto him. For whosoever he was, he is so far forth Antichrist, as he doth neither confess nor acknowledge Christ, such as he hath shewn forth himself to us in his holy Doctrine.

Argum. 5. Unless ye constantly persevere in the true Faith of the Gospel, or the obedience to it, ye will lose all the fruit of that Faith which ye have hitherto professed, and afflictions also, which ye have suffered, and the works which ye formerly performed; because by your drawing back ye will manifest, that your Faith was never sincere, but a vain profession without truth: Therefore ye ought to endeavor through perseverance to receive a full and plentiful reward, promised to all those that faithfully cleave unto God.

Argum. 6. Whosoever transgresseth the Doctrine of Christ, and doth not constantly abide in it, i. e. he that either teaches, or receives a contrary Doctrine, or doth not abide in the obedience of Christ's Doctrine, hath no communion with God, but is without God in the world.

He that abideth] Arg. 7. He that remains constantly in the Faith of, and obedience to Christ's Doctrine, hath and will have communion with God and Christ, and for his reward he hath the Father and the Son by the Spirit dwelling in himself.

Argum. 8. Propounded by way of Commandment; Ye ought earnestly to endeavor after perseverance in the Faith, that whosoever hath been discovered to be a seducer of men from the Doctrine of Christ, or teacheth another Doctrine than that Christ hath taught, must not be entertained, yea, not so much as courteously saluted, so that any respect be, or seem to be given to his error, or to him for his errors sake, but rather by all means to be so handled, that it may be understood both by him, a false Prophet, and by All) that the error which he teaches is detested.

He gives the reason of this Argument, or Commandment, because he that doth the least matter in favor of a seducer, whereby it can be gathered, that his error is any way liked by him that salutes, or entertains him, he is partaker of his evil deeds.

The conclusion remains, wherein are two Articles: In the first he excuses his brevity, hoping to come to this family, and being present, to instruct and confirm it more fully in the doctrine of Faith, that all the faithful in it might out of a larger and more fruitful instruction receive more fully of spiritual joy.

In the second Article he salutes this Matrone from the children of her Sister, who was also faithful, and shown the signs of her Election: Amen, sealing up the Doctrine of the whole Epistle.

The third Epistle of JOHN, Analytically expounded.

In the direction of the Epistle, from himself to Gaius, he declares his respects towards him, in the repetition of a friendly compellation: 2. In his special profession of sincere love towards him: 3. In praying for him, that God would continue a prosperous condition unto him, chiefly, that he would preserve him in that prosperity of mind, which he had hitherto shewn in the exercise of Faith and Love.

The second part of the Epistle follows, wherein he exhorts him to persevere in the demonstration of his love to the Saints, and namely to some of the servants of God, who brought this Epistle to him. There are eleven Arguments to prove that Gaius ought to go forward in the duties of Charity.

Argum. 1. From the former demonstration of his sincere Faith working by love. Thou hast obtained a very commendable testimony of thy sincerity, from the Brethren, which came from thee, who have had experience of thy liberality, and hath given me cause both of rejoicing on thy behalf, and giving thanks to God, and thee also: Therefore it is thy duty to proceed in the duties of Charity.

Argum. 2. Confirming and explaining the former. No greater joy can betide me, than that my Disciples, which I have begotten to God through the Gospel, do daily proceed in the exercises of Faith and Love.

Argum. 3. The works of Mercy and Charity, which thou exercisest towards the holy servants of God, and strangers, demonstrate thee to be truly Faithful: Therefore proceed in them.

Argum. 4. The Brethren, which bring these letters to thee, have born witness openly of thy Charity in the public assembly of the Church: Therefore go forward both to deserve well of them and others.

Thou shalt do well] Argum. 5. If now thou shalt receive those that come unto thee, as thou hast before, and furnish them when they depart from thee, both with all things necessary for their journey, and accompany them somewhat in their way to another place, as it becomes thee, and is a thing befitting thee to accompany the Ministers of God, thou shalt do an excellent office, and▪ work that becometh thy piety towards God: Therefore see that thou do it.

Argum 6. To preach the name of God, or the Gospel of Christ (who is God) they went forth of their own accord, taking nothing of the Gentiles, nor of those that were converted, nor of those that were not, lest they should give occasion to any, of saying that they preached the Gospel to the Gentiles for advantage: Therefore deal thou more liberally with these.

Argum. 7. All that favor the preaching of the Gospel, are bound to promote the endeavors of men, as far as they are able, that they may share in the work of the Gospel, by sustaining, or some way assisting the preachers of it: Therefore be thou not wanting herein.

For this end I have written to the Church, wherein thou wast, that by the public charges they might have provision necessary for their journey, but I am afraid of the success, because that ambitious Diotrephes, who endeavors to have the preeminence over all the rest of his fellows, may undervalue both me and my Letters of commendation.

The Apostle adviseth him, that he will deal with this ambitious lover of preeminence before the Church, when he comes, and gives five reasons of his purpose.

Reas. 1. Because Diotrephes did many evil deeds.

2. Because he did prate against the Apostles with malicious words, and namely against John, whom he knew to be an enemy to ambition, and human Episcopacy, creeping into the Church, through the ambition and devices of these kind of men.

3. Because he did neither entertain, nor did bestow any kind of respect upon the true Christians that held fast the Doctrine of the Apostles in all things.

4. Because by his tyrannical injunctions and constitutions threatening excommunication, and casting out of the Church, he prohibits (who entertained and received those Preachers with all Christian offices that were 〈◊〉 by the Apostles) if they did contrary to his commands.

5. Because he did imperiously excommunicate those that transgressed his commands, and did entertain this kind of Brethren.

Argum. 9. Thou oughtest not to follow the evil carriage of thy Pastor Diotrephes, or obey his wicked commands, because this would be evil, and contrary to true Faith, and love towards God; but thou oughtest to follow that only which is good, and agreeable to sound Doctrine: Therefore go on in exercising the duties of love.

He that doth good] Argum. 10. Confirming the formee; he that endeavors to do good, is born of God; but he that doth evil, is void of the true and saving knowledge of God, or faith in him: Therefore go thou on to do good, that thou mayest approve thyself to be of God.

Argum. 11. Thou oughtest rather to imitate Demetrius his kindness towards the Saints, and poor strangers, of whom, all and the very truth of the thing, showing itself in deeds, gives testimony, and I myself, who am not wont to affirm, unless it be those things which are true, and I know by experience, do give testimony of his praise: Therefore imitate him, and go on in the duties of Charity.

The conclusion remains, wherein are two Articles. In the first he excuses the shortness of his Epistle, hoping to see and talk face to face with him.

In the second Article. 1. He salutes Gaius, by wishing peace to him, i. e. the blessing of God in all things. 2. He doth hearty commendations to Gaius from his friends, viz. the Saints, who were his true friends. 3. He wills him to salute in his name particularly, and by name all his friends, i. e. who loved him.

The Epistle of IUDE the Apostle Analytically Expounded.

The Preface contains an inscription, and salutation; The inscription shows the direction of this Epistle, from whom, and to whom it was written. The writer of this Epistle is (1) described from his name; (2) from his Apostolical office, under the name of a servant (in which title he more glories, than in the natural relation which was betwixt him and Christ the Lord.) (3) From the distinction of himself, from Judas the Traitor, from whom, not only in his disposition, but also in his name, he desired to be differenced.

Those to whom he writes, are described from four properties of the Elect. (1) They are in God the Father▪ i. e. reconciled by Christ, they have communion, or an holy fellowship with God. (2) They are sanctified by the special operation and inhabitation of the Holy Ghost. (3) Preserved by the gift of perseverance from Christ the Redeemer, who suffers none of his to be taken out of his hand. (4) Called, not only with an outward call, but with an inward and effectual calling.

In his salutation, by Apostolical authority, he does not only▪, wish, but applies to the confirmation of their Fait • , (1) The Mercy of God, which heal • all our evils, viz. our sin and misery. (2) Peace, which comprehends the parts of our Reconciliation and felicity. (3) And Love, which, as the spring of all good things, comprehends grace, and all those effects, which conduce to our sanctification, and the completing of our salvation. He desires that all these may be multiplied in respect to the degrees of increase and manifestation, in other various effects, such as the glory of God and their salvation should require.

The body and substance of the Epistle follows, wherein he propounds the cause and scope of his writing, which he further prosecutes. Two Reasons of his writing he sets down: (1) His earnest desire, not only in respect to his office in preaching the Gospel, wheresoever occasion was offered; but also of writing concerning the common Salvation of the Elect, obtained by Christ, and by degrees is to be perfected, which is the sum of the Gospel. (2) The second Reason: The necessities of the Church, being in danger by seducers, which urged him to write this Epistle. These things being premised, he propounds the scope of the Epistle, which is, that they would by all means endeavor to preserve the Apostolical doctrine to themselves and posterity, from the corruption of seducers. Sound Doctrine he calls the Faith, viz. to be believed, because it contains all things necessary to be believed unto salvation. Once delivered to the Saints, he saith▪ Because with one consent all the Apostles fully and perfectly delivered the same Truth, according to the Scriptures written before, concerning salvation to be obtained by Faith in Christ; that they might have an immutable rule for obtaining eternal life, and without addition or diminution to be observed to the coming of the Lord. For this Faith, he wills them to contend, because the Flesh, the Devil, and the World, and the servants of Satan which are in it, will never cease to oppose this Truth, so that of necessity it lies upon all true Believers to maintain an irreconcilable war with these.

The Arguments of his Exhortation are nine, whereof most of them are taken from the sins and punishments of seducers.

Argum. 1. Which proves that the Apostolical Faith is to be diligently preserved from the corruptions of seducers, which was once committed to the Church. Because the danger was great, by reason of seducers, who had privily crept in, as adversaries to this Doctrine: Whom he so describes, that each part of the description might serve to this end. For (1) The manner of insinuating their error to the Brethren was latent and private; for before they could be well observed, by indirect ways and means, they closely instilled their errors into the minds of some. (2) Not without the divine decree were they permitted to follow their own devices, for the sifting and winnowing of the Church. For in the holy and eternal Counsel of God they were reprobated, and destined, that through their sins they should come to this condemnation, no less c • rtainly, than if their names were written in a book. (3) They were ungodly, touched with no sense and reverence of the Divine Majesty, either to serve him, or believe in him. (4) The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, or the Doctrine of Grace (which is set forth in the Gospel, to this very end, that men denying all ungodliness might live holily:) they directly perverted to a quite contrary end, and turned it into an occasion of all lasciviousness, and carnal delights. (5) Indeed, in their doctrine and deeds, they denied our only Lord and Master, and our God Jesus Christ, whom he calls the only Lord God, not excluding the Father, and the Holy Ghost, but creatures, and feigned Deities: Therefore against these seducers, the purity of the Faith is to be preserved.

Argum. 2. God destroyed the unbelieving Apostate Israelites in the wilderness, after they were brought out of Egypt : Therefore warned by their examples, ye ought to beware, lest seduced, ye perish with others.

Arg. 3. God hath condemned the Apostate Angels (cast out of Heaven) to eternal destruction, by an irreversible decree: Therefore the faithful should beware of Apostasy, lest they also perish.

Arg. 4. God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, and the Cities about them, after they had given themselves over to fornication and filthy lusts (with which these Impostors polluted themselves) and for an example to those that should come after, cast them into eternal fire; You must beware therefore of these Impostors, which may draw you into the like sins and punishments.

Arg. 5. Because these Impostors are as vessels, fitted to destruction, whom God in like manner will destroy: the reason whereof he gives from nine or more sins which reigned in them: From which their fruits, as so many marks, they shown forth themselves to be openly known and discerned. (1) The first vice of these Libertines was; That deluded with dreams they defiled the flesh, that is to say, they securely gave themselves over to lust, and other heinous sins▪ by their diabolical enchantments they were bewitched in their minds and consciences, as if they had been taken with a dream. (2) The second vice was; They were adversaries to Civil Government, not enduring any kind of Magistracy or Dominion, but heaped up reproaches and evil speakings upon those honorable Ordinances of God, even as at this day we see in the carriage of the fanatic Anabaptists.

He amplifies this vice, from Michael the Archangel his disputing with Satan about the body of Moses, that his sepulcher might not be known to the Israelites, who would superstitiously have worshiped his relics being dead, whose words they despised while he was alive. He durst not, or could not by reason of his sanctity, cast such reproaches upon Satan, as those Heretics did upon Magistracy: It was enough for the Archangel to say, The Lord rebuke thee, or restrain thy purposes. From whence the Apostle fetched this history, they vainly inquire, who acknowledge the Scriptures to be of divine inspiration.

(3) The third vice; That seeing they were ignorant of divine ordinances, Christian duties, and of all spiritual things, not only void, but uncapable, yet impudently they dare to belch out their blasphemies against those things. (4) The fourth vice, they are taxed with, is, That those things which naturally they know, as sensitive animals, in them they deport themselves below the very beasts, and prompt themselves to all lust and intemperance.

(5) The fifth vice; That when the curse of God is denounced against them, their hatred to their brethren is as great as that of Cain, who slew his brother▪ (6) The sixth vice, is Covetousness, like that of Balaam, who as he made sale of his tongue, so they for filthy lucre adulterated and corrupted the Doctrine of Christ. (7) The seventh vice, is, Sedition, (like that of Core ) whereby they oppose themselves to the true Ministers of the Gospel, and by their tumults disturb the peace of the Church, who shall perish in their sedition, as Core did.

(8) The eighth vice was Glutt • ny, whereby they corrupted both themselves and others by their evil examples, in their Christian feasts, which were designed for the increase of love amongst them, but by such like Epicures were turned into feedings of Swine: whilst they cast off the fear of God, and attended to nothing but gluttony and intemperance: feeding their own flesh, but not the souls of their Auditors. (9) The ninth vice, or rather an heap of vices, is shadowed under divers similitudes, that they were most unfit for the work of the Ministry, and indeed reprobate to every good work: for as empty clouds carried about with every wind, that saving doctrine which they seemed to promise, yielded no dew or showers anywhere, but frustrated the earnest expectation of their hearers; and although they bear the show of good fruit, and boast themselves to be such, yet they are but autumn, and fruit-spoiling trees, because if they promise any fruit, yet they bring it to no ripeness or maturity: Much rather may they be called unfruitful, in as much as they bring forth no wholesome fruit, neither in themselves, nor their followers: And as trees cut down, withered, and rooted up, they leave no hopes of bringing forth any fruit, so they continue in their wickedness, dead by nature, and by their further wickedness contract judicial hardness of heart, as if dead the second time, and now given up to a reprobate sense, all hope is gone of their repentance and amendment.

Lastly, Such they are that cannot leave off to be wicked, but like waters of the boiling Sea, always they discover their filthiness; nor are they more constant in their doctrine, than wandering Stars in their motion. Against whom he denounces the most palpable and deep infernal darkness, as the just meed of their wickedness.

Arg. 6. Whereby he proves, that we should beware of seducers, &c. Because Enoch the seventh inclusively from Adam, by a spirit of prophecy foretold of the sins of these Impostors, and their condemnation in the day of judgment: when Christ shall bring along with him myriads of Saints and Angels to execute judgment upon all the ungodly, and especially will punish those who have stubbornly used their tongues against God, and his most holy Truth. Concerning the prophecy of Enoch, whether it was written before, or no, or how the Apostle came to know the Truth of it, we say the same as before, that the Spirit of God, which spake in Enoch, dictated the same to the Apostle, even that which by Enoch he had foretold long before; both what and how much he should commit to writing, the same was prescribed to the Apostle.

That a conclusion may be drawn, touching the destruction of these seducers, according to the prophecy of Enoch, and that by consequence they are to be avoided, by way of assumption, he shows these seducers to be such, as Enoch had described them, to be destroyed, from four marks.

(1) The first mark: They were murmurers, and complainers, never content with their condition, no ways satisfied concerning the righteous ordinations of God in Church or Common-wealth, impatient of any restraint, they carp'd at everything, and discommended all things.

(2) They appointed to themselves a rule, neither from divine Laws in divine or Ecclesiastical things, nor from human Laws in human or civil Affairs, but only their own wills and pleasures.

(3) Though they were the vilest slaves to their own lusts, yet that they might maintain some esteem, where there was none to control their insolency, they spake high swelling words, in a lofty style, ordered to create admiration with the people.

(4) On the other side, if there were any that they feared, or from whom they hoped for any gain, those they unworthily flattered, highly esteemed them, admired them, cried them up, they nothing regarding whether they were worthy or unworthy.

Arg. 7. We must beware of seducers, because the rest of the Apostles foretold that such Sons of Belial should arise in the Church, as Enoch had foretold.

That a conclusion may be drawn for the avoiding the forementioned seducers, he affirms that the • with whom they had to do were Impostors, and that by two marks. The first mark, That they separated themselves from the true Church of Christ, and from the sound doctrine of the Apostles, not out of any necessity, or from any divine warrant, but only upon their own pleasure, that they might not abide under the Lord's yoke, or his discipline. The second mark, They were Natural, having not the Spirit, Because they being void of Regenerating Grace, only savoured and followed the things to which Nature leads, or natural Reason not divinely illuminated; therefore they were destitute of the Spirit, or of the Grace of God sanctifying; It remains that sense and the flesh should reign in full power, and would force them to all pollutions both of body and soul.

Arg. 8. Proving perseverance in the Faith, propounded by way of precept against the contrivances of these seducers: Because the Holy Ghost hath prescribed the means by which both they may persevere, as also they that have fallen back may be recovered. And he propounds a Reason, whereby they may slight the devices of Satan, viz. (1) If they would lay their foundation upon the most holy Doctrine of the Apostles, which hath no mixture of human inventions, and would not depart anything at all from it. (2) If they would daily take care to carry on the superstructure, and would strive unto perfection in the knowledge and belief of the Truth revealed in the Word of God. (3) If they were diligent in their prayers, out of a sense of their necessities, following the guidance of the Holy Spirit, which helps the infirmities of the Saints, and shows them for what, and how they must pray according to the will of God.

(4) If they endeavored to love their brethren and neighbors out of a sense of the love of God towards them. (5) If they would set the coming of the Lord before their eyes. (6) If they apprehended eternal life. (7) If against their own unworthiness they adhered to the mercy of Christ, who is so to be our Judge, that he will take the Gospel, and the free benefit of our Redemption (procured by himself) for his rule. From this it follows, that we ought to persevere in the Faith.

Arg. 9. Is propounded by way of precept, because a reason is given of God to the Church, whereby not only they may persevere, but they may reduce into the way those that wandered out, and raise up those that were fallen: To wit, if they would handle everyone according to his condition, i. e. putting a difference between those that err; mercy and compassion was to be used towards those that were tractable and meek; but if any one was stubborn, and more securely shall indulge himself in his sin, with fear, and a more severe castigation, they should endeavor to preserve him to wit, by excommunication, if otherwise he could not be amended. There are two Reasons given of this.

Reas. 1. Under a fit similitude, for where we see any one in danger to be burnt with fire, we stick not to snatch him out by force: So are they to be cured, who repent not, unless they be sharply handled, who are to be rescued from hell and destruction even by the severest censures.

Reas. 2. By an allusion to a Legal type, Levite. 15. Because where there is danger of infection and contagion, as in obstinate offenders, and such as lead the way to others, their society is to be avoided, and we must depart from such Libertines, given up to the pollution of the flesh. As in times past under the Law there was a separation from Lepers, and those that were pestilentially infected, which is the consequence of excommunication.

The third part of the Epistle remains, to wit, the conclusion, in which he shows, that all the praise of their perseverance is to be given unto God, lest any man should ascribe too much to the power of man, whose diligence in the use of means, as to the premises, is so much urged. These five following Reasons show, that the praise of not perseverance is wholly to be attributed unto Christ.

Is able] Reas. 1. Because the power of preserving believers, wholly abides in him, that in this life they might not fall or faint in the course of holiness.

To present] Reas. 2. Because there is power in him to present all his in the day of judgment unblameable in the sight of God, with exceeding joy.

Reas. 3. Because he is the only wise God, that by his own ways and means he may accomplish this whole business.

Savior] Reas. 4. Because he is our Savior, by his merit, office, and efficacy, it is necessary he should accomplish what he hath undertaken.

Glory] Reas. 5. Because in everyone of his works he willeth the manifestation of his glory. So that chiefly in this business he will have the glory of his Majesty appear, his infinite power to be seen, and his supreme authority over all men and things, to be eminently discovered and acknowledged, both now and forever. Therefore you that are true believers shall persevere, and all the glory of your salvation shall be given unto God, to whom of right it belongs, and shall be ascribed forever. Amen.

A Catalogue of Books printed for Francis Eglesfield.

Books of Divinity.
• PIous and learned Annotations on the Bible, with a large and useful Analysis, in folio. By the learned John Diodate.
• The Body of Divinity, it being the sum and substance of Christian Religion, Catechistically propounded and explained, by way of Question and Answer, By Bishop Usher.
• The Holy Court in five Tomes, written in French by Nicholas Causine, and translated into English by Sir Thomas Hawkins, and others.
• The Works of that learned and pious Gentleman Sir Richard Baker, Knight, are these, viz.
  • 1 Meditations and Disquisitions on the Lord's Prayer, in 4 ^o .
  • 2 Meditations and Disquisitions on the first Psalm, in 4 ^o .
  • 3 Meditations and Disquisitions on the seven penitential Psalms, in 4 ^o .
  • 4 Meditations and Disquisitions on the seven Consolitory Psalms, in 4 ^o .
  • 5 Ca • o Variegatus, or Cato's Moral disticks translated and paraphrased with Variations of Expressings in English verse, in 4 ^o .
  • 6 Motives to Prayer, in 12.
  • 7 The Apology for Laymens writing of Divinity, together with the fall of Lucifer, in 12.
  • 8 Meditations and Disquisitions on the Creed, a very useful book for these times, in 12.
  • 9 Soliloquies for the Soul, in 12.
  • A learned Commentary on the first Psalm. in 4 ^o . Both by Finneus Fletcher.
• The Purple Island, being poetical Miscellanies, in 4 ^o . Both by Finneus Fletcher.
• Joy in Tribulation, being a Consolation for afflicted Consciences, by the same Author, in 12.
• Five Sermons preached on several Occasions at the Court before the Kings Majesty, By that Reverend and Learned Divine D. Preston, in 4 ^o .
• Riches of Mercy to men in misery, very fit for these times of Atheism and Apostasy, by the same Dr. Preston, and approved of by Dr. Sibbs, in 4 ^o .
• His Remains, containing three excellent Treatises, namely, Judas Repentance, the Saints spiritual Strength, and St. Paul's Conversion, by the same Author, in 4 ^o .
• A Commentary on the Divine Revelation of St. John, by David Parreus, in folio.
• Doomsday, or a Treatise of the Resurrection of the Body, delivered in 22 Sermons on the 1 Corinthians 15.16. by the Judicious Divine Dr. Day, in 4 ^o .
• Light from Heaven, in 4. By Dr. Sibbs.
• Lidas Conversion, or the Riches of Mercy, in 12. by Dr. Sibbs.

• The Works of that Eloquent Divine Dr. Playford, containing these fourteen Sermons.

  1 The Mean in Mourning,

  on Luke 23.28.

  2 The Path-way to perfection▪

  on Philip. 3.14.

  3 The Hearts Delight,

  on Psalm 37.4.

  4 The Power of Prayers,

  on Mat. 7.7.

  5 The Sick-man's Couch,

  on Psal. 6.6.

  6 God's Blessing is enough,

  on Matthew 4.4.

  7 Glory weighs down the Cross,

  on 2 Corinth. 4.17.

  8 God be with you,

  on Rom. 8.31.

  9 Christ's Wounds our Health.

  on John 20.27.

  10 Say well, do well,

  on Mat. 5.10.

  11 The Kings Crown,

  on Psalm 132.18.

  12 Good Ground,

  on Luke 8.15.

  13 Felicity of the Faithful,

  on Psalm 32.6.

  14 Difference between the Law and Gospel,

  on 2 Corinthians 3.18. in one Vol. in 8.

• The burthening and unburthening of a loaden Conscience, By Mr. Richard Kilby, in 12.
• Milk for the younger, Meat for the stronger, the substance of Divinity, and a Pill to purge out Popery, by way of Chatechising, by Mr. Mico late of Exeter, in 8.
• A Catechism, comprehending the Commandments, Lord's Prayer, and the Creed, By Mr. Nicholes of Plymouth, in 8.
• Corpus Christi, together with the Demonstration of Antichrist, by John Gurney, in 12.
• God's Summons to a General Repentance, by Adam Harsnet, in 12.
• The usefulness and excellency of Christ, in a learned piece on the Canticles, by Christoph. Iellinger, in 8.
• Divine Emblems, and Hieroglyphics, by Francis Quarles, reprinted, and many errors amended, which formerly escaped the Press, in 8.
• The Doctrine of the Bible, in 8.
• An Exposition on the whole Epistle to the Hebrews, by David Dixson, in 8.
• The Garden of Spiritual Flowers, in 12.
• The Excellency of a gracious Spirit, in 8. By Jeremiah Burroughs.
• Moses his Self-denial, in 8. By Jeremiah Burroughs.
• The Saints Inheritance, and the Worldlings portion, in 8. By Jeremiah Burroughs.
• Most excellent Notes on the whole Book of Psalms, by George Ab • t, and lately published by Richard Vines, in 4.
• The Souls Possession of Christ, by Thomas Hooker of New-England, in 12.
• The Saints dignity and duty, together with the danger of ignorance and hardness, by Thomas Hooker, in 4.
• A Treatise of Liberty and Necessity, wherein Predestination, Election, Free-will, Grace, Merits, Reprobation, &c. is decided and cleared, by Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, in 12.
• The Covenant of Grace, discovering the great worth of a sinners Reconciliation to God, by I. Cotton of New-England : The second Edition, much larger than the former, printed by an exact Copy left by the Author, in 8.
• Gospel-Conversation, discovering first, whether any gracious conditions or qualifications are wro • ght in the soul before Faith in Christ; secondly, how the assurance of a man's salvation is to be evidenced; thirdly, the manner of the Souls closing with Christ, by I. Cotton of New-England, in 8.
• Wol • hii Compendium Theology, in 12.
• A Brief of the Bibles History, by Ephraim Enock, in 12.
• Resolutions and Decisions of divers practical cases of Conscience, in continual use amongst men, very necessary for their information and direction in these evil times, by Bishop Hall.
• Spare Minutes or Meditations, by Arthur Warwick, in 12.
• Deaths Deliverance, and Elias fiery Chariot, in two Sermons, by Alexander Gross, in 8.
• The Power of Christian Magistrates in sacred things, by L. Du Mouline History Reader in Oxford, in 8.
• Munition against Mans Mi • ery, by R. Smith, in 8.
• The High Court of Justice, a Sermon preached before the Judges at Leicester, by Anthony Scattergood, in 12.
• None but Christ, by Mr. Clement Cotton, the Author of the Great Concordance, in 12.
• The Way to Heaven discovered, and the stumbling-blocks removed, by R. Purnel, in 8.
• Satan at Noon, or John Pordage discovered, in his Wiles and Devices, and laid open before the Commissioners of Berks, by Christop. Fowler Minister of Reading, first and second part.
• The Psalms of David most excellently translated into meeter, and to be sung in the most usual tunes, by Will. Barton, in 12.
• The Mortified Christian, showing the Nature, Signs, Necessity and Difficulty of true Mortification, with a discovery of Sincerity, by Christopher Love, in 8.
• A Glimse, discovering the sweet Incomes of Christ to a spiritual heart, by Robert Dingley, in 8.
• A most excellent Treatise of eighteen Attributes of God, plainly unfolded and applied, in 4.
• Also the Parable of the Wedding Supper, together, with a discourse of the payment of Tithes, by Thomas Larkham, Master of Arts, sometimes of Trinity College in Cambridge, in 8.
• Three Treatises, the first, The Young Mans Memento, showing
  • how
  • why
  • when
  we must remember God
• The second, Now if Ever.
• The third, The danger of being almost a Christian, by John Chishull Minister of Tiverton in Devon, in 12.
• Apologetical Letter, to a person of quality, by Bishop Hall, in 4.
• Decapla in Psalm • s, five Commentarios ex decem legibus, antiquis patribus Rab. Historicis & poetis, a Iohanne Viccars Angl. in folio.
• A Discourse of the Hierarchy of the blessed Angels, their Names, Orders and Offices, with the fall of Lucifer and his Angels, by T. Heywood, in folio.
• Natures Good-night, being a Sermon preached at the Funeral of Mrs. Mary Forbs, in Devon, in 4.
• All the Sermons which are in print of Mr. John Bond, late of the Savoy deceased, in 4.
• Singing of Psalms the duty of Christians, under the New Testament, or a Vindication of that Ordinance, in five Sermons, on Ephesians 5.19. wherein are asserted, that we must sing, what we must sing, how we must sing, and why we must sing, the second Edition, with many Additions, by Thomas Ford Minister of the Gospel at Exon, in 12.
• Novum Testamentum Domini nostri Jesus Christi, Interprete Theodoro Beza, in 12. More exactly corrected and printed for the use of Grammar schools in a larger letter than formerly, by R. D.

Books of Morality.
• A most compendious and easy way for the keeping of Merchants Accompts, after the Italian manner, by John. Carpenter, Merchant, in folio.
• E •• ans Tacticks, or the Art of Embattailing an Army most exquisitely set forth in many brass plates.
• Animadversions of War, or the Military Magazine of the truest Rules, the most refined Discipline, and choice Experiments that these late English and Swedish wa • s have produced, with divers new inventions both of Fortifications and Stratagems; also sundry Collections taken out of the most approved Authors, either in Greek, Latin, Italian, French, Spanish, Dutch or English, by Rob. Ward, Gentleman and Commander, in folio.
• The works of that famous Mathematician, Mr. Ed. Gunter, sometime Professor of Astronomy in Gresham College in London, reprinted and corrected with additions by Samuel Foster, late Professor of the same College, together with his Sector and Canons or Table, in this fourth Edition much enlarged, in 4.
• Decimal Arithmetic, showing the use of Napiers Bones, by William Barton, in 12.
• The Handmaid to Arithmetic, being an easy way to attain Arithmetic speedily, also it reduceth all foreign Coins, both of Brass, Silver, and Gold, to our English money; also the weights and measures to our English, it also makes known what Commodities every Country affords, by Nicholas Hunt, in 8.
• The use of the Quadrant, fitted for daily practice, by Samuel Foster, late Professor of Astronomy, in 4.
• The Art of Dialling, by Sam. Foster.
• Formulae Oratoriae in usum scholarum concin • atae cum pra • i & usu earundem in Epistolis, Th • matibus, Declamationibus conterendis, accessit d • x po • ticus cum suis all • quo • po • matiolis, Edit Novissima Authoris lima expolitis, per John. Clark, in 12.
• Select and choice phrases Latin and English, at first briefly collected for the use and benefit of young scholars, by John Clark, and since recognized and made more useful by William Du Gard, Master of Merchant-Tailors School in London, in 12.
• Also Phrasologiae Puerills, sive Sermones, or select Latin and English Phrases, methodically digested by way of common place, and alphabetically, for the more easy 〈…〉 is desired, very useful for young Latinists, to prevent Barbarism, and bald Latin making, and to initiate them in speaking and writing elegantly in both languages. The third Edition, very much enlarged by the same Author John Clark, B. D. and sometimes Master of a Free-school in Lincoln, in 8.
• C. Salustii Crispi Catilina seu Bellum Catilinarium, in 24.
• Lucii Annaei Flori rerum Romanorum libri quatuor. Ex museo Io. Isaci Poniani, in 24.
• The Map of England, with the pictures of all the Kings since the Conquest, cut in a Copper plate, it being the most exactest Map that hath been done, by William Holler.
• The Needles Excellency, a most excellent Book for Ladies and Gentlewomen to draw all sort of works by; cut in brass Plates, in 4.
• Johannes Possellii Syntaxis Graeca utilissimis exemplis Illustrata, una cum regulis ejusdem de accentibus & Varen • ii de iisdem tractatu, in 80.
• Esopes Fables in verse illustrated with Emblems, or Pictures, and also grammatically translated into prose, with apt Morals, and printed according to the order of the Latin Copy, together, with the History of his life, from the best Greek Copies, very useful for all, but especially for young Scholars, in 12.
• Rhetoricae Compendium Ang. Lat. per Thom. Hor • , Master of Eaten College, in 8.
• School Probation, in 8.
• Rhetorices Elementa, in 8.
• Vestibulum Linguae Latinae rerum & • inguarum fundamenta exhibens.
• The Rudiments of the Latin Tongue, all four by Willian Du Guard, Master of Merchant-Tailors School in London, in 8.
• 〈◊〉 Lexicon, in 8.
• 〈…〉 translated into English, in 4.
• Symb • la 〈◊〉 in tribus Classibus, Authore Nicbo. Reus • ero •• orino I.C. Plat. Caes. in 12.
• The Sc •• s design discovered, relating their dangerous attempts lately practiced against England, with the sad consequences of the same, by a noble person, in 4.
• Speculations on the excrements of Urin, with the distinctions, causes, colors, and contents thereof, with other symptoms observed in Nature, by Henry Hamand, in 8.
• The whole Trial of Lieutenant Colonel Io. Lilbourn, by an extraordinary Commission of Oyer and Terminer at the Guild-Hall of London, truly set forth, with his manner of pleading, in a brass plate, in 4.
• The Common-wealths friend, showing an exact and speedy way to Justice and Right, for the preventing and determining tedious Law-suits, by John March of Grayes Inn, in 8.
• The duty of Constables, Overseers for the poor, and Surveyers of High-ways, by John Layer, Counselor at Law, in 8.
• A faithful Register of the transactions in Parliament, in the third and fourth years of the Reign of King Charles, containing several Speeches, Cases, Arguments of Law, and the grand Mysteries of the Kingdom then in agitation, by Thomas Fuller, in folio.
• A Collection of Speeches in Parliament, by Sir Edward Dearing, in 4.
• A discourse of proper Sacrifice by Sir Ed. Dearing, in 4.
• Monuments in the Saxon Tongue, written seven hundred years since, proving that the Old and New Testament, Lord's Prayer, and the Creed, were then used in the Mother tongue, in 4.
• History of Heliodorus, translated into English, in 4.
• History of Bees, showing their admirable Nature and Properties, their Generation and Colonies, their Government, Loyalty, Art, Industry, Enemies, Wars, Magnanimity, &c. By Char • es 〈◊〉 of Magdalene College, in 4.
• King James Proverbs, in 16.
• A Manuel of Controversies, by Osiander, in 8.
• The height of Eloquence translated out of the Greek, by John Hall Esquire.
• Herocles on the golden Verses of Pythagoras, teaching a virtuous and godly life, by John Hall, Esquire. in 8.
• Letters of Monsieur de Balzac, the first, second, third, and fourth parts, translated into English by Sir Richard Baker, Knight, and others, collected into one Volume, in 8.
• Theatre of Complements, and Art of Eloquence, stored with variety of Love-songs, Sonnets, Letters, and Amorous Dialogues, in 12.
• Choice Poems, relating Songs, Sonnets, Epigrams, Carrols, Posies, Dialogues, with variety of other Mirth, together with his noble Numbers, or his pious pieces, by Robert Herick, Esquire.
• All the works of John Taylor the famous Water-Poet, collected in one Vol. in fol.
• Also Wit and Mirth, by John Taylor, in 8.
• Arcadia Plaies in 4.
• Antiquary Plaies in 4.
• Antigony Plaies in 4.
• Challenge for Beauty Plaies in 4.
• Coronation Plaies in 4.
• Chabot Plaies in 4.
• Discontented Colonel Plaies in 4.
• Humerous Courtier Plaies in 4.
• Hide Park Plaies in 4.
• Lady of Pleasure Plaies in 4.
• Mad world my Master • Plaies in 4.
• Noble Stranger Plaies in 4.
• Phoenix Plaies in 4.
• Richard the third Plaies in 4.
• Seven Champions Plaies in 4.
• Wollastin Plaies in 4.
• Woman will have her Will Plaies in 4.