1 Corinthians 7

1 Corinthians 7:1

IT is good,] namely it would bee more commodious for the instant necessities, and calamities of the Church, ver. 35 40. which might be more easily boren and overcome being in a free condition: And also now profitable, being not distracted by diverse cares, nor troubled with diverse roubles, which by reason of sinne doe accompany marriage, ver, 28. 32.

1 Corinthians 7:2

To avoyd,] though for many respects it could be expedient to be without it, yet there is one respect, which being of greater moment doth emmand the use of it, namely to avoyd lust, by reason of the ailie of the flesh.

1 Corinthians 7:3

Due eevlence,] by this word is honestly signified the duty of matrimoniall cohabitation.

1 Corinthians 7:4

Hath not,] by marriage her body is tied to her husband, and his body to his wife.

1 Corinthians 7:5

Defraud yee not,] namely of that foresaid dutie That yee may give,] namely that you may aend in a more expresse, solemne, and extraordinary manner to the exercises of pitie and humiliation before God, and to the mortification of the flesh, keeping your selves from all manner of delights though they be lawfull and honest, and from all distraction of carnall and earthly thoughts. See Exodus 19:15. 1 Samuel 21:4-5. Ioel 2. 16. Zechariah 7:3.

1 Corinthians 7:6

I speake this,] that is to say, I doe not speake this to impose the Law of marriage absolutely upon all, but onely to shew that it is lawfull to use it.

1 Corinthians 7:7

Were even as,] namely did live out of the bond of marriage, 1 Corinthians 9:5.

1 Corinthians 7:8

It is good,] as ver. 1.

1 Corinthians 7:9

If they cannot,] namely if they have not that singular gift from God to preserve themselves in holinesse and purenesse of body and spirit, without the remedy of marriage Then to burne,] with a carall desire: which God doth not give every one the gift to quench without marriage, whereby man is troubled in minde, and hindered in his spirituall actions, which require a tranquillity of all passions.

1 Corinthians 7:10

Not I,] not by a new doctrine or law, 〈◊〉 yet by meere councell and advice of wisdome, as ver. 25, 40. but by Christs expresse command, Mat. 5. 32. and 19. 6. 9 Depart,]namely by divorse unlesse it be for the only lawfull cause, which is adultry, which was very frequent amongst the Greke, and the Romans, and from them this abuse did also partly creep in amongst the Iewes though the law of Moses, gave the wife no power at al to be divorced from her husband. See Marke 10. 12. 〈◊〉 Ti. 5. 9.

1 Corinthians 7:11

Let her remaine,] this is not to say, that this separation, without marrying again is lawfull, v. 3. 4, 5. but if the woman can not be induced, or forced to live with her husband, or that there be some invincible le. The Law of God doth absolutely forbid her to marry another.

1 Corinthians 7:12

To the rest,] spoken of in the letter which you sent to me, namely beleevers married with unbeleevers Speake I] guided in this mine opinion by the Holy Ghost, ver. 15. 40. though without Gods expresse command in his word.

1 Corinthians 7:13

The woman,] namely the believing and Christian woman.

1 Corinthians 7:14

Is sanctified,] though the unbelieving partie be uncleane before God, yet the use of mamonie with her is holy unto the believing party, thorow the mediation of faith and invocation, Ti. 1 15 and Gods approation and blessing, no otherwise then if both parties weare holy. So he answeareth them, who thought themselves to be defiled by these maiges with infidels, contracted before their conversion, and by reason of this scruple sought for 〈◊〉 separation Yu Children,] borne of such unequall marriages Unclane,] that is to say, they would not from their birth bee comprehended within Gods coant made with the fathers, and with the sons, Ge. 17. 7. nor endowed with the spirit of sanctification. And would by the Church he held as profane, cap ab le of baptisme, untill such timeas being come to age, they were admitted thereunto by their owne faith Holy,] namely members of the Church, and partakers of the grace of regeneration, which Saint Paul speakes by Apostolicall declaration: according to which such little children were admitted to baptisme.

1 Corinthians 7:15

Depart,] be divorced for hatred to the religion, o that shee marrieth another. Or that all possible and reasonable remedies having beene used; and a convenient time allotted for that purpose, the unbelieving party cannot be induced to a due conjunction A brother,] namely the beleeving party is loosed from the bond, being thus forsaken by the unbelieving party.But God,] but the believers, they are 〈◊〉 by Gods command to endeavour to maintain by 〈◊〉 and concord, the matrimony which they 〈◊〉 contracted.

1 Corinthians 7:16

Thou shalt save,] whither thou staying with him mayest be the instrument of his conversion, 〈◊〉 salvation; by word, holy conversation, example, prayers, &c.

1 Corinthians 7:17

Bu as,] howsoever it be, if the Inidell be 〈◊〉 coverted, yet let the believer remaine in the state 〈◊〉 condition, which his person is in, be it marriage 〈◊〉 otherwise, and in that ordinary course of life, which God had appointed him before he called him to be a Christian; because these things may very well 〈◊〉 together.

1 Corinthians 7:18

Let him not become,] as some used to doe by Cirurgerie, to cancell in their bodies all signes of Idaisme, which they had renounced, 1Ma 1:16.

1 Corinthians 7:19

Is nothing,] Namely now under the Gospell it is of no force, nor anyway considerable for Gods service, or for mans salvation But the keeping,] the true Christian and spirituall vertues are not only sufficient, but do likewise disannull and exclude under the Gospell all ceremonies of the Law, Iohn 4. 23. Romans 14:17.

1 Corinthians 7:20

Abide,] hee may abide therein with a safe Conscience; and ought not rashly to change it, neither through superstition nor by doing another any wrong, but if hee can doe it for any just causes, or through any lawfull meanes, it is then lawfull for him to d it.

1 Corinthians 7:21

Care not for it,] be not grieved at it, nor doe not take it to heart, as if it were a condition unworthy of a Christian, or pernicious, and unlawfull for him: If thou mayest,] by lawfull and honest wayes.

1 Corinthians 7:22

For he,] hee confirmeth the exhortation made to servants, to beare their condition mildely, thorow the comfort of their spirituall freeing from sine, the Devill and death by esus Christ In the Lord,] to the communion of his spirituall body and Church, and to the participation of his grace Is Christs servant,] he is not master of himselfe, not of his actions, hee is subject to Christ his Lord. So in Christ all servants and distressed persons, have matter of comfort and those who are free and live at ease have cause to humble and subject themselves.

1 Corinthians 7:23

Be not yee,] if yee bee free, doe notwilfully make your selves servants, but keepe your selves wholly, both body and soule for Christs service: to which, bodily service is a great disturbance, in outward actions. Or in your servitude remember alwayes that before anyother you are Christs servants & therefore doe not doe any mens service, which may bee contrary to Christs service. Or as concerning your soule, and conscience, let not living man have any command over you, depend upon Christ onely and upon his word. See 2 Corinthians 11:20. Galath. 2. 4. Colossians 2:18.

1 Corinthians 7:24

With God,] in the order and degree of service which he hath appointed for every one.

1 Corinthians 7:25

Vergins,] namely daughters of families, concerning whom the Corinthians had also written to the Apostle, to know whither their Parents were oblieged to get matches for them or no I have no,] God hath not declared any thing expressely concerning it in his word I give my,] as of a thing which of it selfe is free, and indifferent: I doe advise by wisdome enspired by the Holy Ghost, what is most expedient, according to the circumstances. See 2 Corinthians 8:1-24. 〈◊〉, 10 That hath obtained,] being by especiall grace endowed with the infallible guide of the Holy Ghost, not onely in truth, but also in good and loyall councell. See Isaiah 11:2. 1 Corinthians 7:40. 1 Thessalonians 4:8.

1 Corinthians 7:26

That this,] this seemes to shew his opinion, concerning the Corinthians question, namely whither it was good to keepe ones daughter at home without marrying? This is good,] See ver. 1 For the] namely for the distresses, and persecutions which the Church, is falling into, which are more difficult to be borne then, when one is married, then when one is not. See Ier. 16. 1. and 29 6 I say that,] because the reason is generall for all manner of persons To be,] namely free from the bond of marriage.

1 Corinthians 7:28

Shall have trouble,] they shall be subject to more troubles and difficulties, especially in these approaching calamities In the flesh,] in the state of this life I spare you,] in this advice which I give you to abstaine from matrimony, I doe procure your owne ease.

1 Corinthians 7:29

But this I say,] I doe leave every man the freedome of making use of this advice, as hee shall thinke itting and expedient for himselfe, but here is an advice necessary for all men Namely that considering how neere the accomplishment of Christs Kingdome is, and the end of the world: beleevers should not let their hearts take roote in earthly things, but should alwayes have them raised and extended to heavenly and everlasting things.

1 Corinthians 7:31

Abusing it,] either by the intemperate use thereof, or by fixing their love and affection upon it For the,] he sheweth how unworthy and uneemely a thing it is, to set ones heart upon these things: Seeing they are but a false and transitory Image, yea but a very shadow of good.

1 Corinthians 7:32

Carulesse,] of worldly businesses, as much as you can Careth for,] may freely, and without any disturbance attend upon CHRISTS service.

1 Corinthians 7:33

Careth for,] oftentimes, and in many parts of his life, hee is troubled with cares, to satisfie the dutie and affection which hee beareth to his Wife and Children, whereby hee cannot so freely addict himselfe to spirituall things, especially if the woman doth not equally give her mind to such things as tend to the same end of pietie and service of God.

1 Corinthians 7:34

There is a difference,] some Texts doe joyne these words with the precedent verse in this sence, and is divided, that is to say, such a man is distracted by diverse cares, Luke 10:40 A Wife,] The Italian The woman] Namely she that is married. Others begin the verse here, the woman, namely the Widdow and the Virgin that is unmarried carrieth for, &c Careth for,] may wholly give her selfe to workes of pietie without any disturbnce or let How shee may,] that is to say, her studie to gaine or to preserve her husbands love, either by the comelinesse and grace of her body, or by her diligence, and faithfull service, often drives her either to worldly vanities; or to cares, and employments which divert her.

1 Corinthians 7:35

Profit,] See verse 26. 28, 32 A snare,] too strict a Law in a thing which is indifferent, yea oftentimes necessary. Which being not observed may fill your mindes with sruples and perplexities, out of which you may not bee able to free your selves. See Matth. 19 11.

1 Corinthians 7:36

If she passe,] without being married And need so reque,] thorow the will or necessitie of the daughter.

1 Corinthians 7:37

He that standeth,] that perseveres in his first proposition of keeping his daughters unmarried No necessitie.] namely on the daughters side, that is to say, if shee bee willing and can consent to her Fathers intention But hath power,] can lawfully, and without forcing his daughter, execute his designe.

1 Corinthians 7:38

Doth well,] according to the common order set de by God, and to provide for the good of his daughter Better,] in respect of the greater libertie for spirituall things, and the greater ease to beare the Crosse and other tryalls, verse 26. 38. 32.

1 Corinthians 7:39

In the Lord,] containing her selfe within the communion of CHRIST, and his Church, without Apostating for her marriage, 1 Timothy 5:12; 1 Timothy 5:15. Or marying a Husband that is a Christian, 2 Corinthians 6:14. or holily, and in the feare of God, as a believing woman, ought to doe.

1 Corinthians 7:40

Also that,] no lesse then the other Apostles, though some doe vilifie my ministery below theirs, 2 Cor. 11. 5. and 12, 11 The Spirit,] See ver. 25.