z6 An Expofition upon Chap.i, their Faith, witneffed and uttered by and fret at the good ehate, and good their confeffion ofChrift, Rom. I o. and other fruits of a lively Faith. Like to workes of others 3 carping at them, croffing and hindering their good cour- that, Rom. 16. 19. where obedience fes and indeavours : as Saul envied Da -' (that is, their faith, which made them vid, the jewes Chrilt, and the fall A- obedient, and wherein confifteth the potties Paul. Secondly, it minifireth chiefe obedience of a Chriftian) is Paid comfort to the Godly, when they feele to have cone abroad; that is, the rumor their heart furred up to chearfull thank- of it .Affetonpmteof the fubje& for the fulpefl towards God, for fuch as they adjun &. For Faith is a fecret thing, and fee to be bkffed with fpirituall bleffings lieth hid in the heart, knowne onely to in heavenly things,Eph.f. 1.4. God; yetbyfignesmanifeiled to men: Ta M. Why dotb bee give thanker to God who by the fruits are led to teethe root, and commend it. [throughCbrift ?] S 11 Firft,becaufe all graces come to Ti M. What manes he hereby, that he us, through him our Mediator, holm a. gives thanks! to God : 14,16. Secondly,becaufe all thankes are ST L. That he was glad, and with joy prayfed God for their converfion to the accepted for him, i Peter 2. 5. Thirdly, all ability to bee thankful' is given of Gofpell, and that it was Browne fo fa- him : for lice with the Father and the nious, as that their Conquclis over ma- Spirit is Author of every. Grace. Now ny Nations was not fo renowned, as the fame way which God takes in be- their zeale and fervency for Chriftian flowed his graces, we are bound to fol- Religion was. From whence we learne, that it is the duty ofevery faithfull man, to rejoyce for the well -doing ofothera, when they thrive and profper in godli- low it in returning rhankes; that is, by Chrifl our high Prieft. T a M. Why dothbe fay [Mj God el S I L. Hefpake this, as the Saints do nette. The Reafons of this duty be thefe out of a private feeling ; not to exclude following. Firíf, becaufe wee are meni- others, but to expreffe his faith and pe- bers cne of another, and therefore collar affiance, which he hath in Gods ought to fuffer together, and to rejoyce good neffe 3 confeffing, that God is his together. 1 Cor. 52. 26. Secondly, the in fpeciall, who was a common God to well- doing, and fpirituall profperity of all the faithfull. other Chriflians,redoundeth to us,who T t M. Is it enough to bave agenerall faith? have an intereft in all their gifts, as S I 1.. It is not futficient, but every touching the ufe and profit of them, though not for the propriety of them, for every Saint is the poffcffor of his one muff privately apply to himfelfe the mercies and promifes of God : Ge- neralland Hilloricall faith is common owne graces,yet in the fruition & bene- to Hypocrites and beleevers. fits,there is a communion, according to Ti M. What doth this teach ue, that it is that which wee profeffe in our Creed, concerning the Communion of Saints; raid their faith puhlijbed, why be nameth :heir faith,ratber then any grace ofthcirs ? wherein wee have juft and great matter S I L. To teach us, that Faith is the ofrejoycing and thankfgiving. Third - Qutene and Mother of all otherverrues. ly, to rejoyce at the welfare and the Secondly, that God honoureth them well -doing of the Brethren, isa Tefli- with good Fame and renowne, which mony, that wee have Chrifl hisSpirit, which is a Spirit ofCharity, chafing En- honour him, by placing their Faith in his promifes. Thirdly, that the power vy out of the heart,and in (lead thereof, planting brotherly love. Gal. 5. 22, i of God in fpreading abroad the Go- fpell, is very mighty in fo short a time, Cor. 14.4. This Doecrine ferveth to re- to carry it fo farre, notwithstanding all prove the envious and malicious, which either little regard and rejoyce oppofitions. Ti M. What learn we, that be [Called not at all ; or, which is worfe,do repine God to witneffen Srx..
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=