§ 116. Of Good; and the divers acceptions thereof.
THat divers and strange doctrins may be the better avoided, the Apostle ex∣presly sheweth, what is that true, sound, saving doctrine, which is to be entertained. This he styleth Grace: and the more to commend it, he premiseth this Preface, It is a good thing that the heart be established with Grace. This is a forcible motive to take heed of being carried about with divers doctrins. It is therefore inferred with this causall particle, a 1.1 FOR. If it be a good thing to be established with grace; then it cannot be good to be carried about with divers doctrins.
Good is an extensive word, and applied to sundry desirable things. It is used to* 1.2 set out:
- 1. That which is upright, right and righteous, 1 Sam. 12. 23. Psal. 125. 4.
- 2. That which is profitable and beneficial, Gen. 2. 18.
- 3. That which is delectable, pleasant and sweet, Cant. 1. 3.
- 4. That which is great, large and abundant, 2 Sam. 6. 19.
- 5. That which is excellent, Mat. 17. 4. 1 Tim. 3. 1.
- 6. That which is seasonable, 2 Sam. 17. 7.
- 7. That which is prosperous, 1 Kings 22. 13.
- 8. The truth and substance of legal types and shadows, Heb. 9. 11. & 10. 1.
- 9. The blessings of this world, Psal. 4. 6. 1 Ioh. 3. 17.
- 10. True happinesse, Deut. 30. 15.
In most of these respects may this Epithete Good be here taken: but especially for that which is profitable; extending the profit here intended to the profit of the soul▪ That it is here thus to be taken is evident by the Apostles inference of a contrary effect, upon a contrary cause, thus, Meats have not profited.
This positive [Good] is oft used comparatively, for better, as if he had said, It is better that the heart be established with grace then with meat. Thus is this posi∣tive translated, Mark 9 42, 45, 47. The expression of it in the positive [Good] is an Hebraism, and carrieth emphasis; and it is here fitly translated according to the letter of the original.
This is a strong inducement to observe the duty here set down, that it is good so to do. This inducement is oft and much pressed by the Psalmist; both on his own behalf (as where he saith, I will praise thy Name, O Lord, for it is good, Psal. 54. 6.) and also on the behalf of others, thus, Praise ye the Lord, for it is good, &c. Psal. 147. 1.
The Motive will appear to be the greater, if we apply it to the several acceptions of good before set down.
To shew wherein the power and life of the duty whereunto he exhorteth, espe∣cially lieth, he expresseth this subject thereof, the heart. It is a good thing that the heart be established.
Of the divers acceptions of this word heart, See Chap. 3. v. 8. §. 79.
It is here put for the whole soul of man: and the mention thereof in this place, sheweth, that the heart is especially to be looked into: that is it which ought most of all to be well setled and established. See Ch. 3. v. 12. §. 126.