I An Expofition upon Chap, S r L. The word here ufed,is applyed fometime to the body ; then it figni- fyeth either weaknels, which cometh by fore du tale or ficknefs, after which, men be feeble ; or elie it noteth the want of all might;as in that text of s Cor. r q. 43.T be body it fowen in weakttefi : or it is affirmed of the minde, and then it is ei- therputfor final! firength, as here in this Text. That this is here meant, may appear by this, that they which are cal - led weak,the fame are called ungodly,fin ners,enemies: fuch are void of al fpiritu- all & favingpower, to beleeve or repent. T r M. What doe theft tearmr teach ur ? S r L. That they for whom Chrift was given to death , were fuch as had no force of their owne to helpe themfelves, but needed all manner of help unto fa1- vation. Secondly,that fuck as Chrift dy- ed for, doe not only need all help, but being ungodly, refufe helpes being of- fered ; and being finners increafe their evils more and rore;and which is wort} of all,they grow in hatred of the reme- dy,being open enemies to God: here is a fingular gradation to amplifie Gods love to loft mankind. Tim. What it the tefe to be made ofthìu truth ? S r L. It fheweth the wretched eftate which men live in without" faith in Ghrift. Secondly, it condemneth the madnefs of Erich as affirm, that the cleft being in this eftate,were yet juflified,and the Eons, and heirs of God : this `their madnefs may appear in this,that the felt fame perlons at one time,fhallbe aftual- ly and indeed both enemies and friends toGod, (inners and righteous, ungodly and fonnes,to need all help, and yet to have all help; this is to confound hea- ven and hell,grace and corruption, Sa- tan and God , death and life together. Thirdly, it confuteth the Pelagian and Papift,who afcribe fore ftrength to na- ture to prepare,at leaf} to difpofe it idle to grace.This the Pelagian lets forth by a Gmilitude of waxe fit for any impreflì- on, ofwhite paper,or snaked table rea- dy to take any forme : fo is our nature (fay they]apt to learn,if it be taught us: alto the Papilla they expreffe i t by th e fimilitude of a man fore wounded or much enfeebled , or laden or borne downe with bolts and fetters, which I with alittle help of another mans hand, will raife up hiniCelfe, and make fhift to Rand upon his feet.So fay they,aature is bptwounded,enfeebled,or over burthen- ed,and with little help of grace, can rear it fell to heavenwards, Thefetheir cor- rupt opinions appear to be falfe, by E- 1 phef.e. r.where it is written that we are I dead in trefpaffet and fn',and therefore as touching God and godlinefs, we are by nature dead corps; and in this ou r text, we are laid to be of no ftrength.Feurth- ly, it provoked) Gods children to great humility ! and thankfulneffe towards God, to confider what they were before their converfion; for the more miferable our former effare, the more amiable prefent grace: alto it molt move them to compaffionate others, which yet bee in this wofulleflate,feeïug themfelves once were frtch.And laffly it muti lirre up a fervent love to God, who in this moll pitiful! cafe loved us, and gave filch a gift and remedy to us,and for us. TiM. What was the gift whereby God doth expref his love unto ur, being fo finfuil and wretched ? S r L. No leffe then Chilli his own and onely begotten Son , which is the n, greateftand bell gift,that themoli great roo ra and good God could beftow upon man- f1pB2thY' rcat kind : the reafon is becaufe it is more ten her im worth then all the world : for it is him- coil d'ot fellin the perfon of his Son, therefore giveagrea the greateft.Alfo through this gift all o- hvnheif;n ther gifts are made good and profitable the redo to us,which elfe would be fo many cur- of chop, les. Therefore the firft caufe that moved him to bellow filch a gift upon us, was the good pleafure of his will,which here and elfewhere is called his love, Ioh. 3. I 6. r Ioh. 4. TIM, Wbat did we learn by this,tbat God would witneffe his love by fuck. a fruit of it, a ndgift? Si L. That our love mull be like the love of God, that is, aneffe`tnall and fruitfull love, not in purpofe onely and good will, but in effe& as we, are able to expreffe it. Secondly, that as God de- clareth
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