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LECTƲRE IX.
And this I pray, that your loue may abound yet more and more in knowledge, and in all iudgement, that ye may discerne things that differ, &c.
NOw, after the signification of the Apo∣stles thankesgiuing vnto God on the Philippians behalfe, for their fellowship in the Gospell, and of his perswasion of their perseuerance therein vnto the end, followeth for a full complement of testifying his loue vnto them, and winning their at∣tention vnto him, a signification of his praying vnto God for them in these words, And this, &c. before hee had said, vers. 4. that alwaies in all his prayers he had thē in remembrance; and now he sheweth what his prayer for them was, and that was, That their loue might abound, &c. Which prayer, as it doth abundantly testifie his loue towards the Philippians, so doth it also imply a com∣mendation of them, and an exhortation vnto them: for in praying, that their loue may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all iudgement, hee giueth them testimonie of their loue, and of their knowledge, and iudgement, & that they did abound in these things, & his prayer is, that they may abound yet more & more in these things. And againe, in thus praying for them, he lets them in his owne example see what they are to pray for, and in effect, exhorteth them to giue all diligence hereunto, that their loue may abound yet more and more in knowledge, &c. And indeed, this is the very maine pro∣position, and principall exhortation of this Epistle, that