1 Corinthians 13

1 Corinthians 13:1

ANd of Angels,] this is added onely for a high kind of exaggeration used amongst the Iewes. See. Psalms 78:25 Charity,] to employ that gift to Gods glory and the edification of the church I am become,] I am as little pleasing to God, and profitable to men as if I did onely beat the aire with a vaine sound.

1 Corinthians 13:2

All faith,] namely a full measure of faith to do all manner of miracles, for this gift of working of miracles was in some persons restrained to certaine operations as it appares by 1. Cor. 12. 9. 3 See Romans 12:6 nothing,] namely of no esteeme before God, to be approved of, and rewarded. See Matth. 7. 22.

1 Corinthians 13:3

I bestow,] through vaine glory or some other vicious affection. Matth. 6. 1. 2. or thoro some meere naturall motion without any true spirituall charity of the heart. Isa. 58. 10. 2. Cor. 8. 5. Finally his meaning is to shew that charity is necessary in all Ecclesiasticall functions, as well pastors, as decons and that without it they have no impression of blessing to be burned,] thorow some feigned act of zeale or of constancie, without any upright iention of love to God and to his Church.

1 Corinthians 13:4

Uanteth not,] or is not insolent and rash or useth no dissimulation, puffed up,] is not prod and arrogant.

1 Corinthians 13:5

Vnseemely,] doth not disgrace any body.

1 Corinthians 13:7

Beareth all things,] this universall terme ought to be restrained to all such things as belongeth to the duties of true charity according to God.

1 Corinthians 13:8

Never faileth,] will never be annihilated neither the essence nor the exercise of it, no not i the life everlasting, prophecies,] all these gifts and offices which are conferred upon the church, for its edisication in this world shall take no more place, nor be of anyuse in the heavenly glory where God in the immediate communication of himself, shall be all, in all, without employing any ministers, or secondary causes, Knowledge,] namely the gift of understanding heavenly doctrine, by way of study, and meditation and to propound, and teach it See. Cor 12. 8.

1 Corinthians 13:9

For We,] he gives a reason of the vanishing away of those gifts in the everlasting life namely because they are but small, obscue, rude, and imprse meanes of illumination in respect of the communition o full light in the celestiall life. Rev, 21. 23. and 22. 5. as at the rising of the sunne all candles, and lampes are taken and away 2. Pet 1 19. as the first rudiments are left of, when men have goen the full habit of Knowledge.

1 Corinthians 13:10

Done away,] not the substance which is eternall, but only the imperfect meanes which are used in this life and all manner of presente distribution of them.

1 Corinthians 13:12

Aglasse,] namely in Gods word and sacraments, and in his workes in whh things by reflection is revealed the image of those of which we cannot in this world directly see the originall truth and proper essence. 2. Cor. 5. 7 Darkely,] that is to sy that eauen in this glasse we can not yet behold this image, but couered ouer with manie circumstances of words and corporall significations, accomodated to our manner of speaking, and to our apprehension. this is taken out of Num 12:8 Fac to face,] openlie, and as it were by direct line we shall have a full light of god, and of all his misteries; agreeable to our perfect happinesse I Know,] I my self. though an Apostle. and so much enlighed shall I Know,] I shall com to the perfect marke and effect of mine eternall election, in acompleate Knowledge of God. and full coniunction and communion with him, Knowen, to be chosen, accepted of, and marked for his. Romans 8:29. Gal. 4. 9. 2 〈◊〉. 2. 19.

1 Corinthians 13:13

Now,] that is to say even in this life, these three chief Christian vertues, are and doe opere in true beleevers at all times whereas miraculous 〈◊〉 were to cease presently after the foundation of 〈◊〉 churches, the greatest,] for faith and hope shall have no more place in the life everlasting. Romans. 8. 24. 2 Corinthans. 5. 7. Hebrews 11:1. 〈◊〉 charity shall. ver. 8. and besides because charity is 〈◊〉 end of the other two. Because man receaves by faith, and apprehends by hope, that he may enjoy by a perfect love by which he also giveth to the Lord what he hath receaved from him, and in this correspondency confisteth the accompshment of conjunction with God, and of mans beatitude.