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Verse 15, 16. How beautifull are the feete of them which bring glad tydings of peace, & glad tydings of good things! But they haue not all obeyed the Gospel, &c.
VVHat doth this Text containe?
It proueth two things very needfull: First, that the Apostles were sent of
God to preach the Gospel vnto the Iewes and Gentiles, verse 15. Secondly, that it is not to bee maruailed at, al∣though the most Iewes remained vnbeleeuers, Verse 16. Which is knit to the former by a preoccupatiō; for it might* 1.1 be obiected, if Christ sent his Apostles to preach Christ, and offer peace by him, howe comes it to passe that no more of the Iewes did beleeue and weere saued? Let not that offend any man (sayeth Paul) to make him thinke the worse of the Gospell or of the Preachers of it; for it was foretold by Esay the Prophet, that fewe woulde obey the word. Others giue the reason of the connexion otherwise, as that he should now shewe, that howsoeuer hearing was necessary to faith, yet that faith did not alwayes followe hearing. Some thinke that whereas it might be obiected, If the Apostles did declare peace, why did not all the Iews enioy peace and saluation? The answere is, because vnto the enioying of peace and saluation, it is required not on∣ly to haue the message of peace brought, but to beleeue al∣so; which seeing nūbers did not, as Esay prophesied, there∣fore they obtained not saluation.
How doth Paul proue the Apostlos to be sent of God to preach the word?
By the testimony of Esay the Prophet in his chap. 52. verse 7. Heere we may obserue that the Apostle doeth not in all poynts cite this place as Esay hath it, for hee lea∣ueth out some words, as (〈◊〉〈◊〉 the mountaine) which had respect to the situation of Ierusalem: also hee changeth the number, turning the singular into the plurall, because God there speaketh of many that should be messengers of peace.
But that place of Esay is meant of messengers sent* 1.2 to publish the deliuerance of the people, from the bondage of the Asyrians?
It is so, yet in this place it is fitly applyed vnto the* 1.3 preaching of saluation by Christ, because it was the foun∣dation of all temporall deliuerances whatsoeuer: for see∣ing all the oppressions and miseries of Gods people, were
effects and fruites of their sinnes, it followes that their op∣pressions beeing taken away, their sinnes also did cease thorough forgiuenesse and reconciliation with God by Christ. Therefore all particular deliuerances, had euer their rootes and ground-worke, in the redemption pur∣chased by the bloud of Christ.
But this place might be meant by the Prophets, which* 1.4 did also preach of the sufferings of Christ, and the peace which was made with God thereby.
Yet it is not onely meant of the Prophets, because Paul heere applieth it to the Apostles which published the Gospell: also the Prophets in their preaching, with glad∣some thinges did mingle very heauy thinges and terrible threatnings, but the preaching of the Apostles was most gladsome and wholesome. We beseech you be reconciled &c. 2. Cor.5.
What is here meant by [feet?]
One member is put for the wholeman, so as by* 1.5 feet is meant the Apostles themselues, and their comming with the Gospell. The reason why hee onely mentioned the [feete] is, because they trauelled vppon their feete, to spread the Gospel both naked and weary, being poore and needy, see Math. 10. Secondly, to shewe thereby that the Gospel should not be spread abroad by force and strength but by a humble lowly kinde of teaching.
Why are the Apostles feete called [beautifull?]
To signifie that their comming was beautifull and desirable, preaching most sweet and comfortable matters. Their comming was thus beautifull, first, in respect of the manner of their teaching, which was with great alluring and delighting, their words being sweet as hony, and very gracious. Secondly, in respect of their sweet exhortations and holy life. Thirdly, because of their powerfull mira∣cles, wherewith they confirmed their doctrine. Lastly, in respect of the message which they brought, which was glad tidings of peace and good things.
What signifies [peace?]
Atonement with God by Christ, who of enemies are made friendes to God by iustifying them, Rom.5. 1. Whereof followes a double peace, first of the conscience, in that sinne being now forgiuen it can no more vexe or torment the conscience, which cannot now accuse and fu∣riously raile against vs as it was wont to doe; neither can our wicked affections so disquiete vs being renewed and led by the spirit. Secondly, a most louing peace with the brethren, hauing all one heart in the Lord and one soule.
What are the good things heere spoken of?
Not earthly and perishing, but celestiall and e∣ternall good things, as remission of sinnes, righteousnesse, the holy Ghost, regeneration and eternall life, the least of them greater then a world.
What doctrine doth arise from the words thus ope∣ned.
First, that the substance of the Gospell is to de∣clare* 1.6 the enmity of God with man in regard of sinne, and that reconciliation is to be attained only in Christ through faith. Secondly, that the Gospell ought to be much loued* 1.7 & respected of vs aboue all other things, because it brings vs tydings sure and sweete of the chiefest good thinges, as that our sinnes are forgiuen vs, &c. Thirdly, that all out∣ward blessings and deliuerances are tokens of God re∣conciled to true beleeuers. Fourthly, that all afflictions whatsoeuer, haue not now the nature of punishments, but are for chastisment vnto amendment, and remembrances, &c. O how ioyfull tydings are these, especially to contrite and troubled soules, which are feared with their sinnes and Gods iudgements? How should we esteeme of that Gos∣pell which declareth such desireable and gladsome mat∣ters, how dull and heauie be those soules which be not af∣fected? which leape not for ioy?
What vse of this point?
To reproue such as neglect the Gospell, or* 1.8 prefer ought before it, or contemne it, or do not duly con∣sider the excellency of it. Secondly, to exhort all men to
bee much more aboundantly thankefull for the Gospell, which offers and opens a treasure of most worthy and rare good things, liuing well and godlily, that God may long graunt vs the possession of it; least for vnbeliefe and vn∣thankfulnes, we deserue to loose it, as the seauen Churches of Asia did, Reue.2. & 3.* 1.9
What other doctrine gather you hence?* 1.10
That the true and diligent Minister of the Gospel ought greatly to bee had in reuerence. The reason is be∣cause they are the messengers that bring vnto vs these ex∣cellent and needfull things; and God hath here comman∣ded vs to admire their very [feete] which are their basest members. For if such as bring vs good newes though but of temporall things, are welcome to vs, and wee gladly re∣spect them: then how much more are the messengers of e∣ternall saluation to be had in honour: againe, if we thinke them worthy to be esteemed that offer vnto vs but a world ly treasure, how much more are they to bee accounted off, which brings vs a spirituall and heauenly treasure? Lastly, if in euery profession, the Ministers thereof vse to bee ho∣noured, as the idolatrous Pagans honour their sacrificing Priests, the Papistes their massing priestes, the Turkes their praying Priests: therefore a shame were it to Christians, if they should not honor their preachers, which preach peace to thē, being messēgers of reconcilement to the K. of heauē.
What vse of this poynt?
It exhorts all godly Christians, to haue their Mi∣nisters in singular loue, and to acknowledge them thanke∣fully, to prouide for them not grudgingly, to exchaunge their temporall for spirituall good things, their earthly for celestiall, 1 Cor. 9. Galat. 6. 1 Thes.5. 12. 13. Secondly, a sharp reprehension of such as vse their well deseruing Mi∣nisters vnkindly, or vnreuerently, falsly accusing them, wil∣fully resisting them, cowardly forsaking them; these shew themselues vnwoorthy of the Gospell, which so badly en∣treat the Ministers of it.
What other doctrine?
That it is the duty of Gods Ministers to preach good things to the people, which reproues the vnsuffi∣cient,* 1.11 or vnwilling, which will not or cannot; there is an* 1.12 heauy and eternall waight of vengeance due to such. Al∣so it bewraies the Pope to be no true Minister of Christ, because he doth nothing lesse then bring peace and the message of saluation; nay hee is a maine enemy to the doctrine of the Gospell, & disturbes the peace of king∣domes and common-wealths by his ambition and ty∣ranny: and yet he dareth to appropriate this text to him∣selfe, offering his feete couered with Buskins of gold to be kissed of Kings and Princes, because it is written, How beautifull are the feete that bringeth glad tidings? applying that vnto his proud pompous shooes, which the Holy∣Ghost vnderstood of sounde and painefull preaching, which the Pope flyes from as the Owle abhorres the light.
Coherence.
Doubt.
Solution.
Doubt.
Interpreta∣tion.
Doctrine.
2. Doctrine.
Vse.
5. Doctrine.
Reason.
Ezek. 3, 18.
1. Cor. 9, 16, 17.