360 ricas, dicere de hoc significent, omne quod rabbini loquuntur. gog. c. 1. p. 64. sermons and expositions delivered by | hentament per the rabbins, to testify that the people quod credant id assented and agreed to all that they taught. Hence Amen may not unfitly Buxtorf, de Syna- be called, as it were, a kind of audible subscription. Thus the apostle directs the Christians to speak in a known tongue, that the unlearned, understanding what he hears, may give his assent to it by saying Amen, 1 Cor. xiv. 16. 2. It imports earnest desire. Hence Jeremiah said Amen to the false prophecy of Hananiah, concerning the return of the captives to their land, to show how earnestly he desired that it might be so, Jer. xxviii. 6. 3. Stedfast faith, or a trusting that the thing to which we say Amen shall so be as was spoken, either when petitioned by us, or promised by God. And hence it is that Christ having made a promise of his second coming, the church saith Amen, Rev. xxii. 20. Having thus briefly explained this concluding doxology, I might draw from its several parts very many large and fruitful observations. But because I have noted many of them in the forenamed places, where I have met with the same subjects contained in these verses, as also because I only intended to touch upon this doxology, I shall conclude with these general notes. VER. 25. gicæ Deo pro 2 Pet. patronos et cavi, pag. 1659. AN EXPOSITION UPON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. Obs. 1. Praising God is a work very suitable to saints. Obs. 2. After all exhortations for obtaining any good, God must be acknowledged the Author of that good. Obs. 3. It is our duty to praise God for future blessings, for what we have in hope as well as for what we have in hand. Obs. 4. Spiritual blessings principally deserve our praises. Obs. 5. In our addresses to God we should have such apprehensions and use such expressions concerning him as may most strengthen our faith. Obs. 6. Our speeches concerning Christ must be with highest honour and reverence. Obs. 7. Praise should conclude that work which prayer began. Obs. 8. The concluding thanksgivings which are affixed to writings are only to be given to God, divini numinis Tom. 1. Annal. cessione da, ut Spiritus Sanctus Cui me, meaque hoc opere direxit, da, et impolita mea fierent cala ld. ibid. For myself, all good that I can do, or in this or any other service have done, I humbly desire may be returned only to the honour and praise of my most dear and blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, whose grace was the principle of all that is rightly done in this performance, whose Spirit was my guide in doing it, whose word was my rule, whose glory was my end, whose merit can alone procure acceptance for me and all my services, and the everlasting enjoyment of whose presence is my soul's desire and longing. Amen. THE END. Ministers, should be of untainted reputation 7 7 291 the dignity and duty of ought to promote and pray for the peace the holiness of the people is the crown of their duty to love their people their labour should proceed from love the people should study to be fit for the their love must be ardent love to their persons causes love to their why they should labour to be beloved the utmost they can do is to use diligence if diligent, not to be neglected their desire should be to benefit as many 25 54, 262 35 52 53 53 53 53 53 54 55 to be set on God 44 if set on God, will be also given to man 45 great is the dignity of their office 55 65 of God, not to be measured by outward events 225 not to be discouraged by toward God, how preserved the forgetfulness of the people 108 of God, proneness to decay in must not contrive but recall doctrines |