Imatges de pàgina
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XIV. 22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

But thou sayest, I have faith, and knowledge of the lawfulness of these things: why may I not freely make use of them? Hast thou faith? be thankful for it: this will secure thy conscience, in that which thou dost, betwixt God and thee; and do thou make this use of it but know, that thou must walk, in respect of others, by the rule of charity: thy charity therefore is for others; thy faith, for thyself: for, happy is that man, which is so settled by his faithful resolutions, as that he condemneth not himself in that, which ye yieldeth to do.

XIV. 23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

He, that doubteth whether he sin in eating or not, is condemned if he eat; because his conscience is unsettled, and he eateth sinfully, because he eateth doubtfully for whatsoever is not done in faith, and particularly, even in these indifferent things, whatsoever is done with a doubtful conscience, is sin.

XV. 1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

We then, that are well grounded in knowledge, and strong in resolution, ought to bear with the infirmities of our weak brethren; departing, in some kind, even from our own right, and not standing upon the terms of our liberty and contentment.

XV. 3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. For Christ himself, who is our perfect pattern, was so far from seeking to please himself, as that he willingly exposed himself to all the contumelies of men; according to that of the Psalm, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell upon me.

XV. 4 That we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

That we might thereby be armed with patience, and furnished with strong consolations, against the evil day; and that our hearts may be established in a lively hope of the glory to come.

XV. 5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another, according to Christ Jesus.

Now the God of patience and comfort work in you this charitable and loving respect, one towards another; according to that gracious example, which we have laid before us, in our Lord Jesus Christ. So also verse 7.

XV 8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:

Now I say that Jesus Christ was willing to stoop so low, as to refuse no service for the salvation of mankind; and particularly he graciously condescended, to be as a servant to those of the circumcision, his chosen people of the Jews; that he might make

good the truth of God unto them, in the confirmation of those promises, which were made to the fathers:

XV. 9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy ; as it is written, &c.

As also of the Gentiles, whom he hath mercifully called; that they may glorify God in his grace and goodness to them; as it is written, &c.

XV. 12 And again Esaias saith, There shall be &c. See Isaiah xi. 10.

XV. 13 With all joy and peace in believing.

With joy in the Holy Ghost: and with that happy peace of conscience, which ariseth in the heart, through a lively faith in Christ.

XV. 15, 16 Because of the grace that is given to me of God, That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

Because God hath trusted me with this great grace, and honourable, howsoever laboursome, privilege; That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, preaching the Gospel unto them; that I may thereby offer up the Gentiles unto God, in this office of my Evangelical priesthood, as an acceptable oblation to him; being sanctified, not by any legal observations, but by the inoperation of the Holy Ghost.

XV. 18, 19 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, &c. For I will not dare to set forth myself, by any faculty or worth of my own; or to mention any thing, but that which Christ hath wrought by me, both in my doctrine and actions, for the winning of the Gentiles to obedience: Wherein, indeed, he hath wrought wonderfully, and shewed his Almighty power, in those miraculous works, which we have done through the Holy Ghost; so that from Jerusalem, &c.

XV. 20, 21 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation: But as it is written, &c.

Yea, with the evidence of these signs and wonders, confirming the truth of my doctrine, I have laboured to preach the Gospel to those places, where the name of Christ was never before heard of: not so much striving to bestow my pains, where other men had planted a Church before me; lest I should seem to ease myself by building upon another man's foundation: But as it is written, &c.

XV. 23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you.

But now, having no further occasion to stay in these parts, for the planting of any new Churches; and having a great desire, these many years, to come unto you.

XV. 25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.

But now I must beforehand go to Jerusalem, to carry thither those contributions and collections, which the Grecian Churches have made for the relief of the poor Christians there.

XV. 28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit.

After I have carefully and faithfully discharged myself of this trust, which was committed unto me; and delivered this contribution to their hands.

XV. 29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, 1 shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. And I am sure, that, when I do come unto you, I shall bring with me unto you abundance of spiritual graces; and shall fill you with the blessings of the Gospel of Christ.

XV. 31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints.

That I may be delivered from the rage and violence of those unbelieving Jews, which are cruelly incensed against me; and that this service of mine, in bringing this collection to Jerusalem, may receive a good construction of those Jews which do believe, and be accepted of them without prejudice of my person or act.

XVI. 1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:

I commend unto your loving respects and entertainment Phebe our sister, which hath been very helpful to the Church that is at Cenchrea, and hath done many good offices to it:

XVI. 2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints. That ye receive her in a holy and Christian fashion, as becometh your profession.

XVI. 5 Epenetus, who is the first fruits of Achaia unto Christ. Epenetus, who is one of the first converts unto Christ in the region of Achaia.

XVI. 7 Who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

Who are of special note, and in high account with all the Apostles; and who were famous disciples, before my conversion.

XVI. 16 Salute one another with a holy kiss.

Since I cannot be personally present, to salute you with a faithful kiss of peace and love, do ye so as from me, salute one another.

XVI. 17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences.

Now I beseech you, brethren, to have a careful and vigilant eye upon them, that cause divisions; and, by that means, offences to the Church.

XVI. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly.

For they, that are such, howsoever they may pretend Christianity, yet indeed they serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own gain and profit, teaching false doctrines for filthy lucre's sake.

I am

XVI. 19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

But, as for you, the fame of your obedience and holy carriage is flown abroad all the world over; and I am therefore glad on your behalf, and rejoice in your constant repulse of these erroneous teachers: but I would have you still go on in that holy and Christian course, and be wise to maintain that which is good, and inexpert of and averse from that doctrine which is evil.

XVI. 20 And the God of Peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. And the God of Peace, howsoever he do for your trial suffer both false teachers and persecutors to afflict his Church, yet will shortly crush the power of Satan, and tread him under your feet.

XVI. 22 1 Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.

I, Tertius, who was Paul's notary or scribe, to write this his Epis tle to vou, salute you in the Lord.

XVI. 25, 26, 27 Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

Now to Him, that is able to confirm and establish your hearts in the truth of that Gospel, which I have preached unto you, of Jesus Christ; according to the revelation of that great mystery of godliness, which was kept secret, ever since the beginning of the world, and was only shadowed out in certain dim types and figures, But now is clearly made manifest to the world, and, by the full understanding of the scriptures of the ancient prophets, upon the commandment of the everlasting God, made known and published to all nations, to win them to the obedience and cheerful embracing of this holy faith, and to frame their lives and practices answerable thereunto: To God only wise, the author and fountain of all wisdom, who is only able to make us wise to salvation, be glory and praise through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO
THE CORINTHIANS.

I. 1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ, &c. See Romans i. 1.

I. 5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge.

That ye are in every thing richly furnished by him, with all graces, that may serve both for your own knowledge, and for the expression thereof to the good of others.

I. 6, 7 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:

So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Even as that promise, which Christ made in testimony to the truth of the Gospel, was made good and confirmed in you; who were accordingly endowed with many excellent fruits and gifts of his Spirit: So as ye were not wanting in any grace whatsoever, that is requisite for you; until ye shall attain to the full measure thereof, in the revelation of Jesus Christ in his Second Coming.

I. 9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

God is most firm and constant to his own decrees and promises; by whom ye are called and graciously admitted into the communion with his Son Jesus Christ: and, being therefore made one with him, your condition must needs be certain and happy.

I. 10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you.

Now I beseech you, brethren, and do, as it were, earnestly adjure you, by the sacred name of our Lord Jesus Christ, as ye love and honour that dear Saviour of ours, that ye all agree together in the truth of one and the same doctrine.

I. 12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

Now this I say, that ye are partially affected to your teachers, and make sides, in emulation of your respects to them: so as, one says, I am for Paul; another, I am for Apollos; another, I am for Peter; and another, I am for Christ.

I. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

What? are ye not all then for Christ? Or is Christ one in Paul, another in Apollos, another in Peter? Is Christ divided? Is he not one in all his messengers? Or why make ye mention of Paul or Peter? Was Paul crucified for you, or were ye baptized into the name of Paul?

I. 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius.

If ye be in that mind, I thank God that I have not meddled with you, this way; for I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius.

I. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel : not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

For the main errand, whereupon Christ sent me, was, not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel: not in the pomp and vain ostentation of eloquent speech, as the false teachers affect; lest I should rather seem to gain this way than by the plain simplicity of the laying forth of the sufferings of Christ, and should by this means frustrate that plain and effectual doctrine of the Cross of Christ.

I. 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For this homely preaching of the Cross of Christ, is to vain minds of carual men, which go on securely to their perdition, no better

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