ftinct officers, and thefe helpful both for their . fpiritual and temporal condition: and befide these we are to acknowledge no officer authorized by Christ in his houfe; fo that the pope, cardinals, patriarchs, primates, metropolitans, archbishops, and bishops, as diftinct, whether in order or degree, from the highest of these mentioned here, are but creatures of man's invention: for here the apostle is reckoning up all the ordinary ftanding officers of Chrift's houfe, and he mentions all fuch officers as are ready to think of themfelves otherways than becometh fobriety, and have need to be directed how to employ their gifts for the edification of the body of Chrift; and none of thefe are here mentioned, except they be understood by paftors or doctors, and then they cannot be diftinct from them, either in order or degree, and there is not a fuperior order, nor a fuperior degree of officers in the houfe of God now, after the extraordinary officers are ceased, than paftors and doctors. See all fuch excluded in other places, Eph. iv. 11. 12. And he gave fome, apofles; and fome, prophets; and Jome, evangelifts; and fome, pastors and teachers, &c. 1 Cor. xii. 28. 29.

have them cleaving to that which is good, as glewed or married to it. 4. He would have their love, (1.) brotherly, as becometh brethren: And, (2.) He would have this brotherly love flowing natively and kindly; in this brotherly love he would have them kindly affectioned, and that to one another. 5. He would have them prefering one another in honour, think-ing foberly and modeftly of themfelves. 6. He would not have them lazy, backward and flothful to any duty of their callings in a world. 7. But withal would have them exercifing themfelves in their callings, the as they may not abate their fervour and fpirit in their religious duties. 8. He would have them in all their duties, whether in their chriftian or in their particular duties, eyeing the Lord, and doing all as fervice to him as their mafter and commander.

From verfe 9. OBSERVE,

I. True chriftian love is a notable mean to help Chriftians to the confcientious difcharge of all their duties towards their neighbour; like oyl it makes all the reft of the wheels to go, and fo is called the fulfilling of the law, Rom. xiii. 10. Gal. V. 14. and therefore it is here put in the

another:

II. This true chriftian love must be unfeigned, 2 Cor. vi. 6. 1 Pet. i. 22. having fincerity in it, 2 Cor. viii. 8. wrought out by faith, Gal. v. 6. flowing from holy principles, even from a pure unbyaffed heart, 1 Pet. i. 22. kything in word and deed, 1 John iii. 18. 1 Theff. i. 3. Heb. vi. 10. Let love be without diffimulation.

III. This true fincere chriftian love to our neighbour, may well confift with a refufing to comply with him in his finful courfes; and the more truly and fincerely we love him, the more will we teftify our difpleafure at his finful ways: Immediately after he fays, Let love be without diffi mulation, he prefently fubjoins, abhor that which is evil. See Lev. xix. 17.

IV. It is the duty of all Chriftians, to

be

Bless them which perfecute you, blefs and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

IN

N thefe verfes he lays before them fome other duties, more nearly relating unto a time of affliction: And thefe duties are of three forts; first, Some touching themselves in that time. Secondly, Some touching others, verfes 13, 15. And thirdly, Some concerning the inftruments of their affliction, ver. 14. Firft, As for themfelves, he would have them, 1. rejoicing in hope of a happy outgate in due time. 2. Patient under the fadeft of dispensations, till the Lord fend a better. And, 3. In the mean time taken up with fervent, ferious and important prayer. Secondly, As to others, he would have them, 1. diftributing out of their own fubftance, according to their power, unto the indigent ftraitened faints. And, 2. ready to give fhelter and accommodation unto poor exiled faints. 3. He would have them in a kindly warm manner fympathizing with their brethren, and taking a fhare of their lot, be it better or worse. Thirdly, As to their perfecutors, he would have them indeed bleffing, and wishing well unto them.

From verse 12. OBSERVE,

1. Let the ftorm which lieth upon the godly be never fo great and terrible, the Lord alloweth his people to hope for an outgate, and of being bettered by that difpenfation in the end: Rejoicing in hope.

II. As at all times the Lord alloweth his children a rejoicing life, Phil. iv. 4. 1 Theff v. 6. fo especially in a day of fad affliction, it becometh the godly to be merry and to rejoice, that others may fee what a noble Mafter they ferve: Rejoice in hope. See 2 Cor. vii. 4.

III. As believers have many grounds of rejoicing in a hard time; fo, among others, the hope of an outgate may bear up their heads, and keep them from being over

come with difcouragement; and when hope is rightly exercifed, it will make the foul fing in the midst of a prifon: Rejoicing in hope.

IV. Believers, and all who will live godly in this prefent world, muft refolve upon a life of fufferings and afflictions, and expect the worst, even griping, pinching and ftraitening troubles; they muft look for tribulation: Patient in tribulation. See Rom. v. 3. and viii. 35. 2 Cor. i. 4. 1 Theff. iii. 4.

V.. Whatever be the ftraits, difficulties and troubles which believers are meeting with, they ought not to fret, grudge or repine thereat, but fhould humbly fubmit, and patiently endure the worst that man can do; and the lively exercife of hope, will teach a foul filent fubmiffion and humble patience under the difpenfation: Patient in tribulation.

VI. This patient fubmiflion under an affliction is no way inconfiftent with, but rather a notable help to a diligent wrestling with God for a delivery; and be the trouble what it will, it fhould never drive a foul further from the Lord, but rather be a fpur in his fide to push him forward to earnestnefs in his addreffes to the Lord; for it is added, Continuing instant in prayer. See Pfal. 1. 15. James i. 5.

VII. Howbeit God's children may put up many petitions unto the Lord in a time of affliction, and yet receive no fenfible return; and may meet with several other difcouragements, which may make them weary and faint, Pfal. vi. 6. and Ixix. 3. yet it is their duty to be keeping their heart always in a praying frame and difpofition, and laying hold on all occafions to call upon the Lord, and refolving to give him no reft until he fhew mercy, Pfal. cxxiii. 1. 2.; they should continue inftant in prayer, as dogs are upon the purfuit, and to follow this course earnestly and affiduously. See Col. iv. 2. Luke xviii. 1. 1 Theff. v. 17.

From

From verfe 13. OBSERVE,

I. The only wife God hath thought good to order things fo in a world, as that his own chofen ones, his precious jewels, thall have a hampered poor life in a world, for the most part, full of ftraits and neceffities: we hear of the neceffities of the faints. See Rom. xv. 26.

II. Tho' there be none of God's children that can promife to themselves wealth and profperity in the world, and freedom from that common lot of poverty and wants which other meet with; yet the infinitely wife God, who is most careful and tender of his own, hath, in his deep wifdom, fo ordered matters, as that they fhall not be all alike exercifed with that difpenfation, but there fhall be fome left in a capacity to help and relieve others; there are fome to whom this direction is given, viz. that they would distribute to the neceffities of the faints. See Heb. xiii. 16. 2 Cor. ix. 2. 3. and viii. 14.

III. As it is the duty of Chriftians to be liberal and bountiful unto all in diftrefs, and especially the faints, who are the boufehold of faith, Gal. vi. 10. that thereby they may evidence their love to Chrift, Matth. xxv. 35. 36. 37.; fo the right confideration that thefe in diftrefs are faints, beloved of God and dear to Chrift, fhould endear them to us, and make us willing to lay our of our fubftance for their relief; and therefore he calls them faints, diftributing to the neceffities of the faints.

IV. This liberality and munificence fhould be with forwardness, 2 Cor. ix. 2. with bountifulness, 2 Cor. ix. 6. not with grudging, or of neceffity, verfe 7. but cheerfully, heartily, and affectionately, as fympathizing with them in their ftraits, and as looking upon them as having fome right to share with them in their fulness, and to be made partakers thereof; they should give out of their fubftance as if it were a common stock-purfe, and themselves but ftewards, for fo the word imports: Distributing to the neceffities of the faints.

See Heb. xiii. 2. 1 Tim. vi. 18. 2 Cor. viii. and ix. chapters.

V. The precious people of God may fome of them be brought to that pafs, as not to have a houfe to fhelter themfelves in, but be forced to wander in defarts, and among ftrangers, as exiles, needing hofpitality. See Heb. xi. 38.

VI. Chriftians that have the benefit of their dwelling-houfes, when others of the dear faints of Chrift are banished from house and harbour, should be most ready to entertain fuch, yea, and follow this courfe with earneftnefs, preffing this courtefy upon fuch as are modeft, as Abraham, Gen. xviii. and Lot, Gen. xix. he would have them given to hofpitality; that is, following it with eagernefs of affection, and earnestness of spirit.

From verfe 14. OBSERVE,

I. However the perfecuters of God's people be using much cruelty and favage barbarity towards them, yet it is the duty of the children of God to be carrying chriftianly towards them, wishing well to them, and praying to God for them, not knowing but there may be fome of the elect among them: Blefs them which perfecute you. See Matth. v. 43. 44. 46. Acts vii. 6. 1 Pet. ii. 22. Luke vi. 27. 35.

II. As this duty is crofs the hair, and contrary to flesh and blood, and fo a matter of great difficulty to win to; fo honeft believers, who would look like Chriftians indeed, fhould ftudy fo much the more to reach this duty, and fet the more earneftly about it, and look upon it as most neceffary; therefore is the exhortation doubled, Bless them which perfecute you; blefs, and curse not.

III. Chriftians do not enough when they abftain from imprecations, upon their own private account, but pofitively they must be wishing good to their perfecutors, and that really and uncerely from the very heart: Blefs, and curfe not.