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 3.

SEcondly, it is illustrated by an instance in one particular which is famous: by this we understand the world was made of things not seene: therefore faith is the evidence of them.

Ages or times. The world mas made in time, hath continued in time, and shall end in time.

Omnibus numeris absolutus, no commoditie, no pleasure wanting.

To this end: that we might all understand, &c.

We believe the Scriptures, as Agrippa did: they tell us, that the world was made by GOD. In principio creavit Deus—therefore we believe the creation of the world. Aristotle held, that the world was eternall: Plato, that GOD made the heavens and Angels, but the Angels made the bodies of men and beasts: but we by faith understand, that God made the world: yea that all creatures were of his making, and that without him nothing was made: he made the high and celestial Angels, the Sun, Moone, and the whole host of heaven: birds of the ayre, fishes of the Sea: all trees, men and beasts on the earth: and all these, did he make by his owne bare

word: he commanded, and they were created: let there be a firmament, and there was one: let there be a Sea, birds; and it was so: only he pau∣sed and deliberated at the making of one creature, which was man, because he was to be his vicegerent, and a King over all creatures. By his omnipotent word all were made.

And of what was the world made: what timber, what stones had God to make this building withall? Surely nothing, yet hee made it. Not so much as any atomes: even materia prima was made of him: he found it not in the world before.

O mighty and puissant God! Let us all feare him that made hea∣ven and earth. O how wonderfully am I made, said David of himselfe! much more of the whole world, how wonderfully was the world made of nothing! The world came not by chance or fortune: it was fra∣med by no earthly artificers. Aholiab & Bezaleel made the Tabernacle, Hyram the Temple; God the world: and this did he make principal∣ly for sinfull man. All creatures were made for us, the Sun, Moone, Birds, Fishes, &c. that we might freely eat of all: yea the Angels were in a sort made for us, that they might be ministring spirits for our salvation. Therefore let us praise God all the dayes of our lives, that made the glorious pallace of the world for us.

Now as the world was made, so it must have an end, 2 Pet. 3. therefore notwithstanding all the pleasure and wealth of this world, let us use it as if wee used it not: for the glory thereof fadeth away: they waxe old as doth a garment. Therefore let us lay up our treasures in a better world. From hence, the Iesuites make this collection, we must believe the world was made out of nothing, though wee doe not see it: so we must believe that the body of CHRIST is corporally in the Lords Supper, though we cannot see it.

But, they might see there is a different reason. Wee believe the world was made of nothing, though we see it not, because the Word of God hath avouched it: God's Word never teacheth us, that the body of CHRIST is in the Sacrament corporally, but in heaven: therefore there is no cause why we should believe it.