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 12.

NOw this vesture of the heavens is spread abroad, and cast as a mantle about us: then it shall be folded up. Esay 34.4. And all the host of Heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scrole, and all their host shal fall down as the leafe fal∣leth from off the Vine, and as a falling figge from the figge-tree: but CHRIST yesterday, and to day the same, for ever: there is not a shadow of turning in Him: He is the same both in respect of His essence and promise.

Properly to speake, CHRIST hath no yeeres. In the first or fortieth yeare of such a Kings reigne: but CHRIST reigneth without yeares. This is spoken onely for our capacity. Such a King reignes so many yeeres and in the end hee dyes: but Christs yeeres never faile.

The world it shall be changed. Plato, lighting on the bookes of Moses, affirmed that it had a beginning: but would not grant it should have an ending: which opinion of his Aristotle confuteth; for Omne genitum est corruptibile.

Democritus, Empedocles and Heraclitus, held that it had a be∣ginning; and shall have an ending: yea, some of them did speake of two destructions of the world; the one by water, the other by fire.

There shall not be consumptio, but mutatio & renovatio mundi.

1 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, praeteribunt. Marc. 13.31. Non peribunt: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 transit. 1 Cor. 7.31. Non, interit.

2 Figura mundi, non natura. 1 Cor. 7.31. the fashion of this world passeth away.

3 As the old world perished by water: so shall the new by fire. 2 Pet. 3.6. but the substance of that perished not: no more of this.

4. It shall be delivered onely from corruption,* 1.1 for the which it sigheth.

5 There shall be new heavens and earth, 2 Pet. 3.13. Apo. 21.1.

6 As our bodies shall not perish, but be changed, of corrupti∣ble made incorruptible, 1 Cor. 15. And as it is in the little world of mans body, so it is in the great world. Vid. Aug. lib. 20. de civ. Dei, cap. 14. & 16.

CHRIST remaines ever without any change or alteration, ei∣ther in respect of His promise, or essence: which may cause us both to put our trust in Him, to believe whatsoever He hath sayd, and to depend on Him, as a strong and unmoveable pillar. Kings and Princes dye, our friends dye, our fathers and mothers that were our stayes are taken out of the world: but CHRIST the King and pro∣tectour of the Church continues for ever. King Henry the eight is dead, who banished the Pope out of England. That worthy Prince Edward another Iosiah, and favourer of the Gospell, is dead. Queene Elizabeth that famous Queene, the wonder of the world, while she lived, a carefull and loving nursing mother to the Gospell, is dead. King Iames of Blessed memory a great Patron of the

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Church, a just and a peacefull Prince is dead. Yet CHRIST lives still, His yeares faile not, and He will alwayes provide for his Church and children.

When we heare any ill newes, that such and such be gone, such wise Counsellours, such godly and religious common-wealths-men be gone; let us in some measure grieve at it: the faithfull dye, and no man considers it: that is not well. There should not be such blockishnesse among us: yet let us not be too much daunted at it: let this be a castle of refuge for us to flye unto; Iesus Christ our Cap∣taine, keeper and defender remaines for ever: He is the same, and His yeares never faile.

Now as the head remaines for ever, so shall we that be His mem∣bers: our soules never dye at all, but are immediately in Paradise with Christ: our bodyes though they dye, putrifie in the Earth, and and there sleepe for a season as in beds, yet they shall bee raised up at the latter day: wee shall meete CHRIST in the ayre, and remaine with Him for ever. Let this be a singular comfort to us all.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Rom. 8.21.22.