622 An Expofition upon Chap. i 6, things, as others which be godly and wife (as Paul was) do praife in us. Thefe perfons faluted, were fome men and Tome women, fome Preachers, Come profeffors only, foine Jews,fome Gentiles; fome only named, fome both named and noted with Epithites of pralle. They be 28. in number, and betides tingle perlons, greeting is fent to Come whole families. Laffly, talutation`s be Pent both fingularly from a particular man as Paul, and generally from whole Churches, verfe 16. The firfi paire fainted be Aquila and Prifcilla, verfe 3. of whom read Ali. r 8. 2, 18. who are here commended ,four wayes: Firli , though they were no Minifters, yet were to Paul as fellow - helpers, not as working with him in the fame trade, Ali. t 8.3. but in the Lord; that is, in the Lords bulineffe, the fpreading of the Gofpell : for as they inftruaed Teftament about them. The fecond praife is, that for Paula fake,they put their lives in danger (lay - ing down their necks, fignifying their readineffe to die for his love and caufe) which as it doth ferve for a patterne to Minifters both to let out the condition of fuch as teach the Gofpell to be as Lambes among@ Wolves ; and the contlancy that ought to be in them, for preaching truth to put their lives in jeopardy,as Paul did : fo to all Chrifti- ans for imitation of the zeal of Pri- fcilla and Aquila in behalfe of Paul their Teacher. It is to be noted both with a checke to fuch as either lead their in- ftru&ors into dangers (as many malici- ous hearers do) or do forfake them in their troubles, as they of whom the A- pofile complaints 2 Tim. 4. 16. and with a comfort to all fuch as in perilous times and caufes flicke to their Paftors Apelles in the way of the Lord more , who have diligently fed them ; fithence perfetftly, All. 18. a6. fonodoubt out of their zeal and piety they laboured to bring others to the faith of Jefus. Note here Paula modefly, admitting the help of his inferiours in his labour for the Gofpell: the head difdaineth not the feet ; they were as feet in refpea of Paul, being a principali member of the Church, yet he defpifeth them not, but meekly receiveeh their aflittance. Secondly, their charity in communi- cating their knowledge to the good of others.As a Cloud the rain, and an Ewe her milke, fo they pow red out their wifdome in Scripture, for inftru&ion of many:all our knowledge(like a Candle) ought to thine unto others for their direEtion. Thirdly, the Popes arrogancy in dii daitaing firth helpers, he and his Mitred Bithops will have no fuch coadjutors : nay they forbid Lay - people fo much as to read Scriptures : they keep them in groffe blindneffe,thicker then Egyptian darkneffe, that they may not fee their deceitfull trickes, and horrible abomi- nations in their doarine and worfhip, in their teaching and living. I read of fon burned by Papiffs, for having a Gods Spirit hath regifired this example to the immortali praife of there two, who loved not their own lives ,to deli- ver their inflru &er from death,There is a marvailous {trait conjunaion between Pallor and Flock. Thirdly, he faith of himfelfe, and all the Churches of the Gentiles,that Aquila andPri fcilla had made them their debtors: and this he faith for good reafon becaule their benefit was publick, redounding unto the whole Church, to preferve fuch a worthy fervant of the Church. Whereof this ufe is to be made, that to do good to faithful! Pallors, by prefer - ving their life and liberty, is a fpeciall benefit ; for the which thankes arc from all generally due: which lhould hearten true hearers (as caufe requireth) not to fpare purfe,paines,nay their own perlons and lives, to fuccour fuch as are profita- ble to many. The left thing in their praife was,that they had a Church in their houle ; ei- ther for that their family for their god- ly order obferved in it, teemed to bea Church, inch religious exercifes being there ufed privately (fo farce as lawfully might be)aspublikely in the affemblies were frequented: and thus it fhould be in
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