Annotations upon all the New Testament philologicall and theologicall wherein the emphasis and elegancie of the Greeke is observed, some imperfections in our translation are discovered, divers Jewish rites and customes tending to illustrate the text are mentioned, many antilogies and seeming contradictions reconciled, severall darke and obscure places opened, sundry passages vindicated from the false glosses of papists and hereticks / by Edward Leigh ...

CHAP. III.

Vers. 1 SEeke those things which are above] It implies, 1. An act of the understan∣ding minde, and contemplate on the things that are above. 2. Of the will; long for, favour and affect them.

Set your affections on things which are above, and not on things which are on earth] He repeates what he had said in the former verse, to shew our dulnesse of capacity in con∣ceiving, and backwardnesse in practise, and the necessity and excellency of the duty.

Vers. 3. Your life is hid with Christ in God] A happy and glorious life, hid chiefely in respect of security, a 1.1 and also in respect of obscurity, that your selves sometimes can

not find it; not onely hid from the eyes of the world, but also from our owne eyes,* 1.2 in respect of the fulnesse, and perfection of it.

Vers. 5. Mortifie] or put to death, He alludeth unto the ancient sacrifices, whereof so many as consisted of things having life, were appointed to be slaine by the Priest afore they were offered upon the Altar; as a type of our killing the old man, before we can become an acceptable sacrifie unto God.

Your Members which are upon the earth] That is b 1.3 lusts, called Members, 1. Because the whole corruption of our evill nature, is compared to a mans body; and called the body of death. 2. Because they are as naturall to a carnall man; and as well beloved as his Members, Marke 9.43. 3. Because they doe dwell and worke in our Members, Rom, 7.23. Iames 4.1. Vpon earth, first because they are exercised upon things of this earth, as their proper object, secondly because they will continue with us during our naturall life, and abode upon the earth. The sinnes here reckoned up are sinnes either against the seventh Commandement, viz. fornication, uncleanesse, inordinate affection; or against the tenth Commandement, evill concupiscence; or the first, covetousnesse which is Idolatry;

Inordinate affection] In the originall, it is but one word, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, any violent strong passion, that chiefely which we call being in love.* 1.4 Some thinke it meanes the burn∣ing and flaming of lust though it never come to action; or the daily passions of lust, which arise out of such a softnesse, or effeminatenesse of mind as is fired with every occasion, or temptation.

Vers. 11. But Christ is all and in all] Christ is all in a twofold relation,* 1.5 of God and man; looke what God can require for his satisfaction, or we desire for our per∣fection, is so compleatly to be found in Christ, that it need not be sought else-where.

In all] Men or things; it may be read either way; he is all things in all persons; or all things in all things.

Vers. 12. Put on therefore as the elect of God bowells of mercies, kindnesse, humble∣nesse of mind, meeknesse, long-suffering] He wisheth them as they would be sure of their election, to have a sound note of their holinesse, and that God loved them,* 1.6 so to put on the bowels of mercy; let these be your robes and coverings, weare them as you weare your garments; and let them be as tender and inward unto you, as your own principall and most vitall parts. Such a measure of pitty and compassion, as maketh the inward bowels to yearn; and mercies of divers kinds, it is in the plurall number.

Kindnesse] This vertue extendeth further then the former; for pitty and com∣passion is proper to those which are in some affliction and misery; but kindnesse reacheth to all whether in prosperity or adversity; it is a sweet and loving dispositi∣on of the heart, and a courteous affection to all, shewing it se••fe in pleasing and good speech.

Humblenesse of mind] A meane esteeme of our selves.

Meekenesse] A quiet and calme disposition of heart, neither prone to provoke, nor easily provoked to anger by an injury.

Long-suffering] A further degree of meeknesse, a continued quietnesse of minde, after many wrongs offered.

Vers 14. And above all these things, put on charity which is the bond of perfectnesse] Above all] Because love is the root of all, he doth by this phrase compare charity to the most precious garment which is put upon all others.

The bond of perfectnesse] That is, the most perfect bond which is among men to unite them together:* 1.7 for according to the Hebrew phrase which is usuall in the writings of the Apostle] vinculum perfectionis is vinculum perfectissimum, quo plures inter se colligantur: for it is not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, but 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, That is, as Cajetan speaketh, vinculum conjungeus amantes, or as Iustinian, perfectissimum quoddam vinculum.

Vers. 16. Dwell in you * 1.8] That is, let it not come as a stranger, but let it be familiar

with you, Richly] be not content to know one part of the word, but know it throughout, have a high esteeme of the Gospell. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 notes two things, 1: The measure and so it is well rendred plenteously. 2. The worth of the knowledge of the word; and so it is rendred richly.

In all * 1.9 wisdome] A Childe may be able to say much by heart, and yet not have it in wisdome. Vt jnde scilicet edocti sapiamus quod oportet. The word of God is a rule for all the virtues before mentioned, and the study of that will fit us to the duties of our severall relations after rehearsed.

Teaching and admonishing one another in Psalmes, and Hymnes, and spirituall Songs] See Ephes. 5.19. In both which places, as the Apostle exhorteh us to singing, so he in∣structeth what the matter of our Song should be,* 1.10 viz. Psalmes, Hymnes, and spirituall Songs. Those three are the Titles of the Songs of David, as they are delivered to us by the Holy Ghost himselfe; some of them are called Mizmorim Psalmes; some Tehil∣lim Hymnes; some Shirim Songs, Spirituall Songs.

Psalmes] Were sung on the voyce, and Instrument both, Psal. 108.1. Dan. 3.7.

Hymnes] Were Songs of thankesgiving, for a particular benefit received, Matth. 26.30.

Songs] Wherein we give thankes for generall blessings; as when David praiseth the Lord for the workes of creation, Psal. 104 3.

* 1.11Singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord] Psal. 103.1. That is, (say some) with a comely and reverent gesture; a decent and sweet Tune, rather with understanding and feeling hearts, 1 Cor. 14, 15.

Vers. 17. And whatsoever you doe] If you would have God to accept of it.

Doe all in the name of the Lord Iesus] To doe any thing in anothers name, imports three things, 1. To doe it by some Warrant or Commission from another. 2. To doe it for his sake and service. 3. By the assistance of another. That is, to be autho∣rized, and allowed by Christ, what we speak or doe, to doe it for Christs glory, and likewise for his sake, and by his strength; do it in this perswasion; that through Christ God is well pleased with you. Hildersam.

Verses 18.19. Wives submit your selves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands love your wives, &c.] The Apostle begins first with the duties of married per∣sons, as Ephes. 5.22.25. and so proceedeth to the duties of Children and Parents, of Servante and Masters, as Ephes. 5.20, 21. and 6.1.4. First, because this society is first in nature, and therefore in order. Secondly, this is the fountaine from whence the rest flow, Psal. 120.3. and 127.3. Prov. 5.15.16. And of them he begins first with wives; constantly observed both by Peter 1 Pet. 3.1. and Paul Ephes. 5.22.* 1.12 First to shew the inferiority of the wife in regard of the husband; for the Apostle begins ever with the duty of the Inferiours, Ephes. 6.20.22. and 4.1. Secondly to shew where duty is to begin, at the Inferiour, and so to ascend to the Superiour.

Wives submit your selves unto your owne husbands] That is, yeeld your selves unto the will, direction,* 1.13 and discretion of your husbands.

* 1.14As it is fit] The originall word is rendred three wayes, 1. Vt oportet as ye ought, and so is a reason from Gods institution. Yee must doe it. 2. Vt convenit, as it is meet. 3. Vt deeet, as it is comely; women delight in neatnesse. It is meet or come∣ly, in regard, 1. Of the Law of nature. 2. Of Gods Institution after the fall. 3. The Husbands headship. 4. womanly infirmities.

* 1.15In the Lord] It may be taken as a note of direction, prescribing the ground and mannor of this submission; that it be done in obedience of God, and the com∣mand of God; in conscience of the order, and ordinance of God; so it is used

Ephes. 6.1.2 As a note of limitation,* 1.16 describing the bounds and limits of this sub∣mission, reverence and obedience, that it extend not it selfe to any thing against the will and word of God. So it is used 1 Cor. 7.39.

Vers. 19. Husbands love your wives] That is, carry in your hearts a kind and loving affection toward them, and shew it forth both in word and deed.* 1.17

And be not bitter against them] A metaphor taken from such things as are bitter in the taste;* 1.18 as Gall which when it is mingled with sweet things makes them di∣stastefull: so if the husband shall be bitter and fierce in his authority, reproofes, and commands, things in themselves wholsome, the wife will neither brook nor digest them.* 1.19 Among the Heathen the Gall of the Sacrifice that was slain and offered at Weddings was thrown out of doores, to signifie that married folkes should be as Doves without Gall.* 1.20

Vers. 20. Children] Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, whereby is signified unto us a mans whole progeny. So that sonnes and daughters are not onely to be understood here, but likewise grand-children.

Your parents] Under which word both fathers and mothers are equally compre∣hended; the child takes his originall from both.* 1.21

Vers. 22. In all things] That is, in all lawfull and bodily things, in all outward things which are indifferent. Ephes. 6.1.

Your masters] All masters indifferently, without difference of sex, 1 Tim. 5.14. or of condition.

Not with eye service] Not with eye-services, in the Greek, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Not onely when their eye is upon you.

Vers. 23. Doe it] Work it; so the word properly signifies.

Heartily] The originall word signifies from the very soule.* 1.22 The obedience of ser∣vants should be a hearty obedience.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Extra pericu∣lum est vita nostra etsi non appareat. Nam & Deus fidelis; ••ideóque non abnegabit depositum, nec sallet in susceptu custodia: & Christi societas majorem etiamnum securitatem affert. Calvinus.
• * 1.2

  It is called mortification to shew that there is a great deale of misery and paine in it. A Father saith this is the hardest Text in all the Bible; and the hardest duty in all Christianity, that we can goe about. Mr. Fenner.
• b 1.3

  Some of which he nameth after∣ward.
• * 1.4

  Mollities verti solet. Ab hac Pathici & Molles dicun∣tur: quales fue∣runt Heliogabalus, & ipsius foedissimi asseclae. Pareus.
• * 1.5

  Hoc est, Chri∣stus solus pro∣ram & puppim (ut aiunt) prin∣cipium & finem tenet. Calvinus.
• * 1.6

  Qua locutione serium, & qua∣si visceralem miserecordiae af∣fectum notat. Calvinus.
• * 1.7

  Bishop Down. Of Justificati∣on, l. 5. c. 7. See Bifield.
• * 1.8

  Vult doctrinā Evangelij illis esse familiarem. Calvinus.
• * 1.9

  By daily me∣ditation of the Commande∣ments, promi∣es, and threatnings revealed in the same.
• * 1.10

  Mr. Cotton of singing of Psalmes, c. 4. and on 1 Cant. Psalmus est in quo concinendo adhibetia musi∣cum aliquod in∣st••umentum praeter linguam. Hymnus propriè est laudis canticum, sive alta voce, sive aliter canatur. Oda non laudes tantum continet, sed paraeneses & alia argumenta. Cal∣vinus.
• * 1.11

  Gratiam hoc in loco nonnulli exponunt animi gratitudinem, sive gratiarum actionem; vocabulum 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 aliquoties hoc sensu accipitur, 1 Cor. 15.57. 2 Cor. 2.14. alii exponunt in dex∣teritate quadam gratiosa, quae & jucunditatem & utilitatem afferat auditoribus; in hunc etiam sensum quandoque capitur voca∣bulum 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ut infra 4.6. & ad Ephes. 4.29. Episc. Dav.
• * 1.12

  Mr. Gataker.
• * 1.13

  1 Pet. 3.5.
• * 1.14

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.15

  Mr. Gataker.
• * 1.16

  Sic placeat uxor voluntati con∣jugis ut non displiceat vo∣luntati conditoris. Gregory.
• * 1.17

  A man loves his childe, tan∣quam aliquid sui; his wife, tanquam se.
• * 1.18

  See Ephes. 4.3.
• * 1.19

  Mr. Gataker.
• * 1.20

  Olim apud eas gentes, quae fal∣sos deos colebant, qui Junoni nuptiali seu pronubae sacrificabant, ii fel cum reliqua non conficiebant victima, sed exemptum abjiciebant apud altare: quo instituto legis autor obscurè intuebat à conjugio semper debere bilem iramque abesse; cujus rei testis est Plutarchus. Drus. Prov. Class. 2. l. 4.
• * 1.21

  Prov. 23.22. & 15.20. Levit. 19.3.
• * 1.22

  Ex anime.