A commentary vpon the Epistles of Saint Paul to Philemon, and to the Hebrewes together with a compendious explication of the second and third Epistles of Saint Iohn. By VVilliam Iones of East Bergholt in Suffolke, Dr. in Divinity, and sometimes one of the fellowes of the foundation of Emmanuel Colledge in Cambridge.

VERSE 6.

LAst of all, quorsum? To what end? We give thankes and pray: that the communication of thy faith— Where, 1. There is a narration of it. 2. A confirmation of it, Ver. 7. In the narration, 1. The act of communication. 2. The effect of it. 3. The end of it. As there is a communion of Saints, so there must be a communion of gifts: bonum, quò communius, eò melius, a good thing the more common it is, the better it is:* 1.1 the Sunne communi∣cates his light to all the world, and shines the brighter for that: the springs and fountaines communicate their water, and are the fuller for that: a nurse or mother communicates her milk to the infant, and her breasts are replenished still: the communication of faith, of knowledge and other gifts is not a diminution, but an augmentati∣on of them. Let us joyfully communicate that which we have, one to another.

May become effectuall. In some Greeke copies it is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 con∣spicuous, manifest: but 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is rather to be embraced; having an effectuall operation in others, to provoke them to the like.* 1.2 So Saint Paul provokes the Corinthians to liberality, by the example of the Macedonians: one student provokes another, one Merchant an o∣ther, and one Christian an other. Sanguis martyrum semen ecclesiae, the burning of one Martyr made many: and the liberality of one Christian makes many liberall: examples are more availeable then precepts.

But how? By the acknowledging of every good thing. Wee must acknowledge the good things that be in others.* 1.3 The Queene of Shebah extolled the good things that were in Salomon, and bles∣sed GOD for them. The elders of the Iewes acknowledged the good things that were in the Centurion.* 1.4 God set the good things that were in Iob, as on a stage,* 1.5 and the Devill himselfe could not but acknowledge them, though maliciously he depraved them. Christ though he were the giver of them,* 1.6 acknowledged the good things that were in Nathaniel.* 1.7 Peter acknowledges the good things that were in S^t. Paul. S^t. Augustine acknowledged the good things that were in S^t. Hierome: and Hierom also the good things that were in Saint. Aug. as appeares by their Epistles one to another. We are injurious to God, if we doe not acknowledge them. No Painter but would have his picture acknowledged: every good man is the beautifull picture of God Almighty; they be envious persons, that will not acknowledge them.

How comes it to be in them? In CHRIST IESUS. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. In us dwelleth no good thing.* 1.8 Christ is the worker of all good things in us:* 1.9 that yee may be plentifull in the fruits of righteousnesse by Iesus Christ.

Or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to CHRIST IESUS .i.* 1.10 In gloriam Christi

Iesu: that he may have the glory of it. Not to us, O Lord, but to thy name give the praise.* 1.11 Debes videri, thou oughtest to be seene Let your light so shine before men, that seeing your good workes, they may glorifie your Father,* 1.12 which is in heaven. Sed non ad h••c debes facere, ut videaris, but thou must not doe it to this end to bee seene. Ille in te laudetur, qui in te operatur; let him be praised, that worketh all good things in thee.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Clem. Alex. l. 3. Paedagogi. c. 7. Ambr. Offic. l. 1. c. 33.
• * 1.2

  2 Cor. 8.8.
• * 1.3

  1 Reg. 10.9.
• * 1.4

  Luk. 8.5.
• * 1.5

  Iob 1.8.
• * 1.6

  Ioh. 1.47.
• * 1.7

  2 Pet. 3.15.
• * 1.8

  Rom. 7.
• * 1.9

  Phil. 1.11.
• * 1.10

  Catharin.
• * 1.11

  Matth. 5.16.
• * 1.12

  Aug. In ep. 10. tract. 8.