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. 8.

2 THE necessity of correction is set forth negatively: which is amplified by the generality of it.

All. Before the Law, under the Law, after the Law.

Are partakers. Some one way, some another; some in one mea∣sure, some in another: some in soule, some in body, name, goods. Some have a long sicknesse, some a short.

Is there any that never had Febriculam?

Bastards: spurius, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 semen: nothus, quasi, ignotus. Iud. 11.1. It is an ignominious thing to be a bastard. Bastards are despised by all: many brands of infamy are set on them by the Law.

1 A Bastard properly is not a son. Abraham was Pater, when he had Ishmael: but not filii Pater, till he had Isaac.* 1.1 So that he cannot inherit his Fathers lands, unlesse he be made legitimate by act of Parliament.

2 A bastard may be advanced to no Office in Church or Com∣mon-wealth, without speciall license, favour and dispensation.

If we be without correction, we are bastards. Seest thou a man that hath no crosse in himselfe, wife, children, cattell, his little fin∣ger doth never so much as ake? thou mayest safely say, yonder goes a bastard: he is none of Gods childe, Iob 21.9. Psal. 73.4.

Here we see the lot of all Gods children; not one is exempted. The Grammarians say, From this generall rule are excepted these that follow. Here we have a rule in Divinity, that admits no exception. All are partakers of correction: all that will live godly in Christ Iesus, must suffer persecution. There is not any one that can claime a pri∣viledge. This is Christs cup, and we must all drinke of it: hee hath begun in it, and we must all pledge him. If thou beest Gods childe, thou must be corrected. Whatsoever thy place bee in the world, whether thou beest Magistrat, or Subject, Minister, or people, high or low, rich, or poore: yea Kings themselves have their afflictions.

Mariage is a sweet state: the best Wine that ever was, was at a Mariage, even Wine of CHRIST's owne making: yet maried folkes must looke for their afflictions. This Rose hath many prick∣ing thornes about it: bona vincula: nuptiarum, sayes S. Ambrose, de Virg. l. 3. sed tamen vincula: bonum conjugium; sed tamen à jugo tra∣ctum: nubit & plorat: parturit & agrotat, de Virg. l. 1. Such (sayes S. Paul) shall have troubles in the flesh.* 1.2 Sometimes the wife hath a churlish Husband, as Abigail had of Nabal. Somtimes the Husband hath a crosse Wife, as Iob had of his. Sometimes they have both untoward children, as Isaac and Rebekah had, that made them weary of their lives. We must looke for our afflictions in all conditions. If we be not Bastards, but Sonnes, we cannot be without correction. Let us intreat the LORD to give us faith, wisdome and patience, religiously to beare all his fatherly chastisements, in this life, that wee may have the inheritance of children in his eternall kingdome in the life to come.

Now follow two other arguments. 1. From the lesse to the greater, 9, 10. 2. From the event and end of afflictions, Verse 11.

The first argument is, 1. Propounded. 2. Enforced, Verse 10. it is propounded. 1. Quoad terrestrem. 2. Quoad coelestem patrem.

1. If wee have quietly endured the chastisements of our earthly Fa∣thers, then much more should wee endure the castigations of our heavenly Father.

But wee have quietly endured the chastisements of our earthly Fa∣thers, Ergo.

The assumption is set downe, Verse 9.

Then the force of the consequence is urged, Verse 10.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Amb. de Abr. pat. l. 1. c. 4.
• * 1.2

  1 Cor. 7.28.