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 40.

A Reason is used, taken from the gracious providence of God.

Who had respect to us, as well as to them. If Christ had beene exhibited in their dayes, the end of the world had beene come: for he came in the last dayes, Hebr. 1.1.

Then what should have become of us? but God knowing hee had other sheep to call throughout the wide compasse of the whole world, deferred the exhibition of Christ, for the accomplishing of the just number of his elect, that so both they in the old Testament, and we in the new might bee perfected together, and one day meete in heaven together with Christ our head, as a perfect man. God hath a care of all his Children, he will not have one to be perfect without another.

A better thing: not in substance, but in circumstance. We have Christ, and so have they. God hath provided heaven for us, and so he hath for them. How then are we better provided for▪ Yes, in respect of many circumstances. They saw Christ afarre off; we neere hand: they saw Christ to come; we already come: they saw him in the Paschall Lamb; our Passeover is already offered:* 1.1 they had the shadow; we the body: their Sacraments to confirme their faith in Christ were many, and

those hard and difficult; ours are few and easie: they had a little light, wee a great light: they had Moone light; we the Sun light.* 1.2 Blessed are the eyes that see, &c. Some of us are ready to say in our hearts, ô that I had beene in the dayes of Abraham, of David, of the Prophets! I but, we are in more happy dayes, if we had eyes to see them, and hearts to make use of them.

Now God having provided better things for us, we should bee the better. Those Children should bee more dutifull, for whom their father provides best. Our heavenly father hath provided best for us: therefore let us live more obediently to him. But we are worse than they. In the last dayes shall come perillous times: sinne most abounds in these last dayes; wherein God hath beene more bountifull to us, then to them in times past. The grace of God hath abounded; and sin doth super abound. What unkinde wretches are we? as God in mercy hath provided better for us, so let our lives bee better, that wee may bee in some measure answerable to the goodnesse of the Lord.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Col. 2.••7.
• * 1.2

  Luk. 10.23.