bh This Verſe contains a New Argument to perſwade Chriſti- ans, not to ftrive about. meats, or ſuch like things; and thar is, That the Kingdom of God doth not conliſt in theſe , but in weigh- tier matters, By the Kingdom of Goz , you may underſtand the Goſpel or true Religion and Godlineſs; that Kingaom which God ereCts in the hearts of Men, Luke 17. 21. 1 Cor. 4. 20. When he faith, The Kingdom of God ts not meat and arink; he means, That it doth nor ſtand or conſiſt therein. M-at and Drink are put by a Synecdoche for all things of an indifferent or middle Nature ; ſuch things, as the Apoſtle elſ:where fayes, Comment 115 m0: to God, 1 Cor. 8. 8. They are no part of his Worſhip and Service : The Kingdom of God or Godlin:{s is not promoted , either by- the uſe or the forbearance thereof, wid. Gal. 5. 6. 1 Tim 4, 8. ; Here he tells you poſitively wherein the Kingdom of God con- liſterh, not in outward Obſervarions, but in inward Graces , and gracious Diſpoſitionas. He doth not reckon up all, but contents himſelf with theiz three, Righteouſnrſs, Peace and Joy, By Rig- tcouſneſs ſome underſtand char which is impured, of which you read, chap. 4 Others rath:zr, That wich 1s implanted and in. herent ; it 1s the ſame with Helin-ſs, both the Habit of it in rhe Heart, and the exerciſe of it in the Life. By Peace, fome think he means Peace wich God, or Peac? of Conſci-mee + Ochers , thar he rather means, Peace with Men: Or if you will, peaccalteuc}; or Chriſtian Concord and Unity, This ſuits belt with wit follows, vcr. 19. and ir is ofren commended to us in Scripture. By Joy, may be underſtood, thar ſpiritual comſart which arileth from a preſent Feeling of the Favorr of God , or from a well-oround-d Hope of fucure $ziv3:ion. As alſo, the Comfort and D-lighr whicly Chriſtians take ia the good and welfare of each other. FH: rlar loverh his Brother, 7cjoycerb in his Welfare, 1 Coy. 13. 6, and thwcres fore will not offcx4, or occalion him to ji. & This 1s add, ro ſhew the efficienc Cauſe of theſe Graces, which is the 8-7 of God; and to diltinguith this Righteoufncſs, Prace, avd Tor, from thar which is meerly Civil and Carnal.
18 For he that in theſe things ferveth Chrilt, 35 ac- ceptable ro God, and approved of imen /, SSoyy] 1 Tkis
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Phap, XV MAN Chap, NY, (R (0; Dl A 1 3, | Chap, Y ! This proves theforegoing Affertion, That the Kingdom of God con- the ſtronger and more Knowing Chiiſtian ; the fnf is, he :
fiſteth in »ighteouſueſs, peace, and joy, becauſe he that ſirverh Chrift in happy man, rhat when he knowerh a thing to be lawful, he hs and by theſs things, is accepted of God, and approv d of mex ; this can't io manage the prattice of it , that he hath therein ng de... be affirmed of meat and drink, &c, When he ſayes, That the accuſe or condemn himſelf: Or elfe, that doth nor inwardly «.. Serving of Chriſt in theſs things, is approved of Men, he means, ſuch demn himſelf , for doing that againſt his Conſcience, whe asare Godly, and of ſound Judgment ; for of others they are ofcen [openly alloweth or prattiſcth : Such a one is happy in thi 12 hated and reviled for the exerciſe of theſe very Graces : And yet |{pe& , becauſe he is free from thoſe terrors that rormene __ rightcouſneſs and peaceablen;ſs, have oftentimes their Praiſe from the who aQ againſt their Conſciences. Cle Wicked themſelves, wid. 1 Sam. 2. 26. Prov. 3. 4. Luke 2. $2. As 2. 47-
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23 And he that [| doubteth, is damned if he eat, þ ; . , {cauſe he eaterh not of || faith 7: for * whatſoever ;; Mes 19 Let us therefore follow after the things WhICN |Faich is fins. Ot of oh ; I ealiec
make for peace, and things wherewith one may : In this Verſe is another Aphoriſme reſpeQting eſyec;,