256 vii. 15 The believing party may convert the unbelieving. peace. SECT. admitted to baptism in all our churches, as if 15 But if the unxiii. both the parents were Christians; so that the believing depart, let case you see, is in effect decided by this prevail- ther or sister is not him depart. A bro1 Cor. ing practice. However, if the unbelieving party, under bondage in in such circumstances as these, be absolutely such cases: but God determined, and will depart, let him, or her de hath called us to part, and take the course they think best; and the consequence is, that a brother, or a sister, who hath been united to such a wife, or husband, in matrimonial bonds, is by such a conduct of a former partner, discharged from future obligation, and is not in bondage in such [cases.] But let it be always remembered, that God hath by his gospel called us to peace; and therefore it ought to be our care, to behave in as inoffensive a manner as possible, in all the relations of life; that so, if there must be a breach, the blame may not be chargeable upon the Christian. 16 wife? And it is worth your while, to be very care- 16 For what knowful in your behaviour to those who thus make, est thou, O wife, whether thou shalt as it were, a part of yourselves, that you may save thy husband! adorn the gospel you profess, by the most ami- Or how knowest able and engaging conduct : for it is possible, thou, O man, wheththe unbeliever may be thereby gained to Christ- er thou shalt save thy ianity. Let each therefore reflect on his own concern in this observation. For, how knowest thou, O wife, but thou mayest save [thine] husband? Or how knowest thou, O husband, but thou mayest save [thy] wife? And surely the everlasting happiness of the person, now the companion of your life, will be more than an equivalent for all the self denial to which you may be required at present to submit. 17 But if this should not be the effect, it still be- 17 But as God comes you to do your duty; and therefore hath distributed to since the providence of God is concerned in every man, as the Lord hath called all these relations, and in the steps by which every one, so let they were contracted, as God hath distributed him walk and so to every one, and as it were, cast the parts of ordain I in all life, let every one so walk, even as the Lord hath called him. This is the lesson I would incul be more evident, than that the argument will by no means bear it ; for it would be proving a thing by itself, idem per idem, to argue that the converse of the parents was lawful, because the children were not bastards; whereas all who thought the converse of the parents unlawful, must of course think that the children were illegitimate. As the Lord hath called him.] This is a very pertinent digression, as it so di churches. : rectly contradicts the notion which prevailed among the Jews, that embracing the true religion dissolved all the relations which had before been contracted. Whereas the apostle here declares, that the gospel left them in this respect, just as it found them; increasing, instead of lessening, the obligations they were under to a faithful and affectionate discharge of their correspondent duties. In general, as God hath called every man, so let him walk ; 257 cised? let him not become uncircum circumcised. cate on you Corinthians, and thus I command sect. in all the churches, and charge it upon the con- xiii. sciences of men, as a lesson of the highest importance. 1 Cor. vii. 17 18 Is any man Is any one, for instance, called, being circum- 18 called being circum- cised, let him not become, so far as in him lies, uncircumcised, nor act, as if he were desirous, cised: is any called as far as possible, to undo what was done by in uncircumcision? his Jewish parents, or masters, in his infancy. let him not become Is any one called to the fellowship of gospel blessings in uncircumcision, let him not be solic itous to be circumcised, as if that rite were necessary to his salvation, as the Jews, and some zealots amongst ourselves, havé taught. 19 Circumcisionis For to speak the important truth in a few plain 19 nothing, and uncir words, Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcumcision is nothing, but the keeping of cision is nothing; the observation or nonobserthe commandments vation, of the Mosaic law, will neither secure of God. As 20 nor obstruct our salvation; but all depends upon keeping the commandments of God. An obediential faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, produced by the sanctifying influences of his Spirit on the heart, and bringing forth the genuine fruits of holiness in our temper and life, is the great concern and whether we be Jews, or Gentiles, circumcised, or uncircumcised, we shall be happy, or miserable for ever, as we are 20 Let every man careful or negligent with respect to this. abide in the same for other matters, be not excessively concerned alling wherein he was called. about them; but in whatever calling, that is, profession and circumstance, any one of you was called, in that let him continue; affect not to change without the clear and evident leadings of Providence, as there is generally greater reason to expect comfort and usefulness in such 21 Art thou called a calling than another. And I may apply this, 21 being a servant? care not only to the different employments, but renot for it; but if lations in life, as well as diversity in religious professions. Art thou, for instance, called into * Become uncircumcised.] The word - it is not necessary more particularly to 14, has an evident relation to attempts, illustrate. like those referred to 1 Mac. i. 15, which VOL. 4. 34 258 1 Cor. Without affecting to change his former station. SECT. any sinful method of obtaining it, be made free, thou mayest be made xiii. choose it rather; as what is no doubt in itself free, use it rather. eligible, yet not absolutely necessary, to the vil. 21 happiness of a good man." For he that is called 22 For he that is 22 by the Lord to the Christian faith, [being] a ser- called in the Lord, being a servant, is vant, or slave, is the Lord's free man. Christ the Lord's free man: has made him free indeed, in making him par- likewise also he that taker of the glorious liberties of the children is called, being free, of God; (John viii. 36 ;) and on the other hand, he also that is called, [being] free from the authority of any human master, is still the servant, the property of Christ, and owes him a 23 most implicit and universal obedience. But 23 Ye are bought upon this head, remember, that as Christians, with a price; be not you were all bought with a most invaluable price:f ye the servants of Christ hath redeemed you at the expense 24 of his own blood; and therefore, let me caution is Christ's servant. men. 24 Brethren, let This, brethren, is the particular advice which I thought proper to give upon this head; and every man wherein he is called, therein the general rule I laid down above, is of such abide with God. great importance, that I must repeat it; in whatever [condition] a man was called at first, by the gospel and grace of Christ, in that let him abide with God, taking care to behave in a prudent and religious manner, as under the restrained thereby, to those slaves who had been redeemed; which plainly, as well suited those who had their freedom given them, and indeed suited all Christians who never had been at all slaves, and who might more easily have been prevailed upon, by their poverty, to bring themselves into a condition, the evils and inconveniences of which they did not thoroughly know. You were bought with a price, &c.] Dr. sion, because the advice is unnecessarily Whitby would render it," Are ye bought with a price, that is, redeemed from servitude? Become not servants of men; do not sell yourselves for slaves again." It is indeed probable, that the apostle does counsel Christians against becoming slaves, if it could be prevented; and with great reason, as it was a circumstance which seemed less suitable to the dignity of the Christian profession, and must expose them to many incumbrances and interruptions in duty, especially on the Lord's day, and other seasons of religious assemblies; besides the danger of being present at domestic idolatrous sacrifices, or being ill used, if they refused their compliance. But I cannot thoroughly approve of the Doctor's ver Abide with God.] L'Enfant explains aga ra sa in the sight of God, (Compare 2 Cor. xi 11; Eph. v. 21,) and thinks there had been some disorders at Corinth, pro ceeding from some irregular claim which Christian slaves made to liberty, under pretence, that, as Christian brethren, they were equal with their masters. Reflections on the improvement of our relations and callings. 259 Divine inspection; and not changing his bu- SECT IMPROVEMENT. 1 Cor. LFT us learn, from the exhortations and reasonings of the verse apostle, a becoming solicitude, to contribute as much as we pos- 14 sibly can, to the Christian edification of each other; and especially let this be the care of the nearest relatives in life. What can be more desirable, than that the husband may be sanctified by the wife, and the wife by the husband! May all prudent care be taken, in contracting marriages, as to the religious character of the intended partner of life; and in those already contracted, where this precaution has been neglected, or where the judgment formed seems to have been mistaken, let all considerations of prudence, of religion, of affection, concur to animate to a mutual care of each other's soul, that most important effort of love, that most solid expression and demonstration of friendship. Nor let the improbability of success be pleaded in excuse for neglect, even where the attempt must be made by the subordinate sex. A possibility should be sufficient encouragement; and surely there is room to say, How knowest thou, O wife, but thou mayest 16 save him, whose salvation, next to thine own, must be most desirable to thee? Let us all study the duties of the relations in which God hath fixed us; and walk with him in our proper callings, not desiring 24 so much to exchange, as to improve them. His wise Providence hath distributed the part; it is our wisdom, and will be our happiness, to act in humble congruity to that distribution. Surely the apostle could not have expressed in stronger terms, his deep conviction of the small importance of human distinctions, than he here does; when speaking of what seems to great and generous minds, the most miserable lot, even that of a slave, he says, Care not for it. If liberty itself, the first of all tempo- 21 ral blessings, be not of so great importance, as that a man, blessed with the high hopes and glorious consolations of Christianity, should make himself very solicitous about it, how much less is there in those comparatively trifling distinctions on which many lay so disproportionate, so extravagant a stress! Care not for it.] This fine remark, (for such indeed it is,) occurs in Dr. Goodvin's Works, Vol. I. p. 50. 260 The apostle again says, that marriage was then inexpedient. verse SECT. Let Christian servants, (for blessed be God, amongst us we xiii. have no slaves,) remember their high privileges, as the Lords' freemen. Let Christian masters remember the restraint, as the Lord's servants. And let the benefits of liberty, especially, when considered in its aspect upon religion, be so far valued, as not to be bartered away for any price which the enemies of mankind may offer in exchange. SECT. xiv. 1 Cor. But above all, let us remember the infinite importance of maintaining the freedom of the mind from the bondage of cor ruption; and of keeping, with all humble and cheerful observance, & the commandments of God. While many express the warmest zeal for circumcision, or uncircumcision, in defence of, or in opposition to, this, or that mode or form of external worship, let our hearts be set on what is most vital and essential in religion; and we shall find the happiest equivalent, in the composure and satisfaction of our own spirit now, as well as in those abundant rewards which the Lord hath laid up for them who fear him, SE C T. XIV. The apostle treats on the inexpediency of marriage, in the circum stances of the church at that juncture; and inculcates a serious sense of the shortness of time, as the best remedy against immoderate attachment to any secular interest. 1 Cor. VII. 25, to the end. 1 CORINTHIANS VII. 25. 1 COR. VII. 25. BUT I have been insensibly led by these gen- NOW concerning be faithful. eral views of our obligations and hopes, as virgins, I have Christians, to digress from the subject of mar- the Lord: yet I give no commandment of vii. 25 riage, which I had first in view, and to which my judgment as one it is time I should return. And here, concern, that hath obtained ing the case of virgins of either sex, I have mercy of the Lord to received no express commandment from the Lord, as I had in the case handled above; whether by what is transmitted to us in Christ's discourses, or by any immediate and personal revelation ;* nevertheless, I give my opinion, as one who hath received grace and mercy of the Lord, to be faithful in the great charge he hath committed to me; and therefore, considering the many instances, in which I have been enabled to approve my fidelity to Christ and his church, may Or by immediate and personal reve- singular number; whereas else he might lation.] To this, I think he refers, rather more properly have said, we have receiv than the former, as he speaks in the ed none. |