5 32 An Expofitión upon Secondly, fuch things as cannot be done without offence though they be lawful '', s Cor. 10. 23. When he faith thefe things muff be [provided :] he thereby fheweth very manifeftly, that thefe things are not to be done carelefly and at all adventure, but with great diligence and providence or fore -caft : fo the word in the ori- ginali importeth, as if in our mindes and thoughts we fhould lady before- hand, and provide that nothing be done but what may be approved of God and all good men : and it is to be noted, that thefe termes [before all men,] may either be oppofed unto God, as if it were Paid: Be very carefull that the things ye do be hone'' and good,both in the fight of God and men. This oppofition is ,expreffed in 2 Cor. 8.2. or elfe alfo the antithefis is between man and man; as who Mould fay, Both to this man and to that man, to the 7ew and to the Grecian, to one as well as another, friend dr Iranger, car- ry your feives 'tonally, whether they be pleafed or not pleafed,yet let all that is done before them be hone''. Here- by be 'reproved fuch who procure things hone'', only before men, neg- leaing,God, as hypocrites who look alone to their reputation among men, Mat. b. 1. Secondly, they which do hone} things before God, but are wretchlefs in giving fatisfa &ion to men, or if they julifie their doings to tome men, it is with contempt of others. Lafly,they which exercife honefly nei- ther before God nor men,but are with- out reverence of God, or care of men, like to the Judge in Luk, 18.3. Many fuch lewd and notorious evils livers there be, which have lhaken out of their beasts the fear of God, and the fhame of the world, the love of hea- ven, and the dreadof hell ; not caring what be thought or fpoken of them in earth, or what evil/ happen to them from heaven ; forlorn perlons addifted to evils tourfes. Chap. la i Din Lo u X. Ver. 18,19,20, 21. If it be pof ible, inafmuch as in you is, have peace with all mea. Dearly beloved,avenge notyour felves, but give place unto wrath ; for it it written, vengeance is mine, I will repay, faith the Lord : Therefore if thine enemy hunger, &v. TiMOruEus. V T Hat venues doe theft Iaff verfes V o ¿bio Chapter exhort us unto ? S I L. tlnto thefe two : the fir} is peaceableneffe, or love and care of a peaceable life. The fecond is meek- neffe in forbearing revenge, upon this reafon, that Gods office is to take ven. geance : which is confirmed by autho- rity of Seri ptu re,verf. s 9, 20, 2 1: and let forth by the contrary ofdoing good for ev ill, in lead of taking revenge. This is amplified by the event, [fo fhalt thou heap codes] ; all is flan up with this worthy Aphorifme,[be tot overcome with evill, but overcome evil/ with goodneffe.] T 1 M. How Both this precept of imbra- cing peace differ from that which enjoyeth concord of minds, verf 16. and why are we to follow peace, and towards whom ? and with what conditions ? S 1 L. In the s 6. verle, inward con- cord among'' Chrilian btèthren was commended (as a thing limply neceffa- ry) now the Judy of retaining peace with bangers from the faith and Infi- dels or Hereticks (as well as Chrili- ans) is required, as this claufe thew- eth [with all men.] Firi, becaufe God commanded it to be fo. Secondly,he de- lighteth in peace, thence he is called the God ofpeace,Rom.16. Thirdly, he bath pronounced them bleffed, that keep and make peace,1V/at.5. Fourthly, many and fweet are the benefits of peace, but bitter and fundry are the fruits of conten- tion, vexation ofminde, wairof lab- fiance, &c. We are to follow this peace upon two conditions,wherein this pre- cept differeth from the next before it, for we mu} abfolutely at all times, be- fore Reatoas of a ppcea- blc life.
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