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 34.

BOth these are confirmed. For the former, they sorrowed— Where? whether at Hierusalem, Rome, or any other place, is not expressed: but the Apostles bonds were as their owne bonds, Hebr. 13.3.

For the latter: they suffered the snatching of goods: the persequutors playd the harpies, violently taking away their goods, Silver, Gold, house-hold, Sheep, Oxen, &c. yet they suffered it: how? not con∣tentedly alone, but with joy: they rejoyced to be spoiled of their goods for Christ's sake: they were, not only not grieved, but glad of it: why? they were on a sure ground, not only guessing or conjecturing, but—That ye have: where? in your selves, fide & spe, Ioh. 3.36. What? A better substance: ratified by the place and qualitie of it: for place, it is not in earth, where thieves breake and steale: but in heaven, as in a strong castle, where it is safe. But say some: what tell you mee of goods in heaven? Let me have my goods on earth. A bird in the hand is better than two in a bush.

For the quality, not a fading, but an enduring substance.

These were excellent professours, that suffered joyfully the spoy∣ling of their good for Christ's sake. Men had as leave loose their lives as their goods.

Whereupon the Grecians comprehend them both in one word, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Yet if we were right Christians indeed, we will be content, and that with joy, to part with all we have in the world, for CHRIST, and his Gospel. Hee that loves father and mother more than me, is not worthy of me: much lesse is he worthy of Christ, that loves his goods more than him. 1. God gave us all: why shall he not have all, if he require it? can they be bestowed better than on him that gave them? 2. We shall have better in the roome: those goods tarry but a while, we may loose them by casualties in this life; at least, when death comes, wee must forsake all: these endure for ever. Who will not change for the better? give me a better house and take mine, a better horse—we love the better. If we loose these goods for Christ's sake, we shall finde better; therfore let it not grieve us to part with them.

But this is an hard thing: this made the young man goe sorrow∣full away. Now in the time of prosperity we will not bestow any of our goods on the poore, on the Church, on the maintenance of the Word of God, unlesse it be extorted by Law? then how will we suffer with joy the losse of all in the time of adversity? Let us not be so glewed to our riches: let us use them now, as if we used them not, that if the time of tryall should come, wee may joyfully forgoe Christ's sake.