Annotations on Chap. XII.
[ a] * 1.1 V. 1. Reasonable service] What notion of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which we have rendred rational service, is here to be fastned on, is not easie to determine. It may pos∣sibly be such a•• will be agreeable to the notion of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the word, as it signifies Christ, and then 'tis the Christian service. It may be as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifies the word or scripture, and then 'twill be that worship which is prescribed us in the Scripture; and so the Syriack seems to understand it, setting down for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 se∣cundùmos verbi, according to the mouth of the word, that is, such as the word prescribes. It may be also as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 word is opposed to 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 law, and then twill be the Evangelical worship. And once more, it may note such a worship of God as is most agreeable to reason, and such as a rational man will resolve to be most a∣greeable to so excellent and pure a Deity. But the cir∣cumstances of the place, and opposition to the sacrifi∣ces of the Law, the beasts that were offered there, seem to restrain it to the vulgar and ordinary notion of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 rational, in opposition to the irrational sacrifices under the Law, as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 living, before, to the dead bo∣dies among them. Thus is the Table of Christ called by Theodores 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 rationalis missa, Serm. 6. de Provid. that is, the table, or altar, where we offer up our selves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and lively sacrifice unto God, in stead of those tables or altars on which the beasts were offered. Thus in Hermes in P••••andro, in the Hynne or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which closes the book, this prayer is to be found, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, receive these rational sacrifices. Thus, I conceive, may 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 rational milk 1. Pet. 2. 2. be rendred also, not that milk of cattl, which mens bodies are wont to be fed with, but this rationall milk by which mens souls are improved, to wit instruction, or Christian doctrine. And thus the ancient Latine translation hath rendred it in both places.
[ b] * 1.2 V. 11. Serving the Lord] The authority of those copie, is great which read 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in this place, serving the time, or the season, which being written short thus, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, might easily be mistaken for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. One argument that it is here to be retain'd is Ignatius's Epistle to Polycarp, where he joynes two precepts to∣gether, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Become more diligent then thou art, observe, or consider, the seasons, or times: that is, the times being times of great corruption first, and then of persecution also (both mention'd in the former part of the period, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, let not the heterodox, or false teachers, move thee, or terrifie thee, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, stand firm, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, we must beyond all persevere and en∣dure all for Gods sake) he must not be slothfull, but very diligent to defend his flock against all false infusions, and sustain them constant in sufferings. And this is ex∣actly agreeable and parallel to this exhortation here thus set, and may well seem an imitation of it. In re∣spect of diligence, not slothfull; zealous in spirit, ser∣ving the time, or season, which was in like manner a season of great corruption from the Gnosticks, and of persecution also from the Jewes, with whom these Gno∣sticks comply'd, and stirr'd them up against the Or∣thodox Christians. See Note on Eph. 5. d.
[ c] * 1.3 V. 15. Rejoyce with them that doe—] This verse seems to referre to the two gates of the Temple, one cal∣led the gate of the Bridegrooms, and the other, of the mourners, into which two sorts of men all kindes of persons are divided: under the first are contained all those that continue unblemish'd members of the Church, under no kind of censure; under the other are the excommunicate of any the lowest kind, those under Nidui, which though they might come into the Temple, yet were to come in at that dore of mourners, with some difference upon them, & discrimination from other men, that they that saw them might pray for them in this form, Qui inhabitat domum hanc consoletur te, in∣datque animo tuo ut obtemperes. He that dwels in this house comfort thee, and give thee a heart to obey. See 1 Cor. 5. 2. Note c. and 7. 30. and 2 Cor. 2. 1. and 7. 8. and 12. 21. And accordingly the exhortation is to have affections Christianly disposed toward all men,