1 Corinthians 14

1. God the Father is the God of peace. As he is the God of order (1 Corinthians 14:33), so the God of peace (Philippians 4:9). This was the form of the priests blessing the people (Numbers 6:26): The Lord give you peace.

And the comeliness and beauty of Gospel worship, consisteth in its relation to God by Jesus Christ, as the merciful high-Priest over his house, with the glorious administration of the spirit therein. The order also of it lies in the due and regular observation of all that Christ…

Quest. 17. Which are the principal institutions of the Gospel to be observed in the worship of God? Answ. (1.) The calling, gathering and setling of Churches with their Officers, as the seat and subject of all other solemn instituted worship. (2.) Prayer with thanksgiving. (3.)…

Quest. 19. What is an instituted Church of the Gospel? A society of persons, called out of the world, or their natural worldly state, by the administration of the Word and Spirit, to the obedience of the faith, or the knowledge and worship of God in Christ, joined together in an…

This authority in the Discipline of the Church they exert and put forth by virtue of their Office; and not either as declaring of the power of the Church itself, or acting what is delegated to them thereby, but as ministerially exercising the authority of Christ committed to the…

The principal means subservient or preparitory to the continuance and increase of the Church, is the preaching of the Word to the conviction, illumination and conversion of sinners, whereby they may be made meet to become living stones in this spiritual building, and members of…

But alas, this may be spoken of old men in these days, that in regard of this wisdom, they are very babes; a thing greatly disgraceful to their condition. For, Paul bids the Corinthians, 1 Corinthians 14:20, that they should not be children in understanding, but of ripe age: yea…

Therefore a man must endeavor that all his speech be in one language, at least in such as his hearers understand: for else if he speak the body of his speech in one, and piece out the members in other, which the people understand not; he may indeed in his own spirit speak myster…

Hence (holy Paul says) I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with understanding also. Else, when you shall bless with the spirit, how shall he which occupies the room of the unlearned say, Amen, at your…

Because it is against Gods glory, in stinting to him such a daily measure of service (consisting of prayer or praise) and so hindering the spiritual petitions and phrases, that otherwise would be, if Gods good gifts were used. It is against the dignity of Christ, which has quali…

By the word he wrought internally on the minds and consciences of men, and by these miraculous gifts he turned the thoughts of men to the consideration of what was preached, by what in an extraordinary manner was objected to their external senses. And this was not confined to a…

The assumption here is manifestly proved by those many instances in Scripture alleged and by experience; and the consequence we hope is not fallacious, but sound and good: for if it be frequently thus, why should not charity believe it is thus in this sort of persons, where noth…

And therefore that now when the number of the faithful is grown, there be many within the holy Church that retain the life of virtues, and yet have not those signs of virtues: because a miracle is to no purpose showed outwardly, if that be wanting which it should work inwardly.…

Well then, poverty and pride are most unsuitable, pride is allowable in none, but in the poor most prodigious; 'tis an odd sight to see those of the highest rank to turn fashionists, and display the signs of their own vanity, but when servants, and those of a low degree, put the…

Where any of these three are wanting, miracles may be suspected — because sometimes false prophets have their miracles to try men whether they will cleave to God or no (Deuteronomy 13:1-3). Again, miracles are not done or to be done for them that believe, but for infidels that b…

But how may that be proved that it is a sin? Why thus: to do any thing in the worship of God that is not decent is a sin, for the rule is express (1 Corinthians 14, last verse), let all things be done decently and in order, but to wear a fool's coat is not decent, but ridiculous…

It is gross hypocrisy for us to pretend to more holiness, reverence, and devotion in the act of receiving than Christ himself, or than the Apostles did, when Christ himself was there bodily present with them. We must follow the example of Christ and his Apostles, except where th…

The trumpets of silver and cornets of horn, were instituted by the hand of Moses (Numbers 10, in the ten first verses, and Leviticus 23:23, 24), and in David's time there were added cymbals of brass, and harps and psalteries of fine wood (1 Chronicles 16:4, 5), and that by autho…

The manifestation of the Spirit to any man is given to profit withal (1 Corinthians 12:7). And this is the great end for which men should seek to excel, namely, for the edifying of the church (1 Corinthians 14:12). For as much as you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that you…

[Called to fellowship with Christ] so (1 Corinthians 1:9) else if they be not united to Christ by faith, they are not fit materials for such a building as a Church of God, which is the house of the living God (Ephesians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Philippians 1:1; Revelation 21:27).…

And we doubt that every Pastor be well gifted, for all which comes within the compass of his vocation, or does well every thing, which he has power to do. Another objection is made from 1 Corinthians 14:32, The spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets: from where they…

My proposition he must either grant, or else say that the incestuous man was not to be put out of the midst of women, and that the Apostle did not forbid women to be commingled with fornicators. My assumption is his own, Pag. 24. where he tells us from (1 Corinthians 14:34, 35;…

To know, that hee that is in Christ has crucified the flesh, with the affections and lusts of it, is nothing, except you know that you your selves have crucified it. This particular knowledge is it that makes manifest to a man the secrets of his owne heart (1 Corinthians 14:25):…

But because I write not to men, who care not whether they hear or understand, what is their duty in the greatest concernments of their souls, I shall not remove it out of the way, nor hinder the Reader from partaking in the entertainment it will afford him. But our Author forese…

But for the most part this is the work and effect of the preached word of God. So the apostle teaches us (1 Corinthians 14:24, 25), and the prophet (Hosea 6:5). We will daily see the same power or energy accompanying the preaching of the word.

The study of theology, therefore, is nothing other than the effort, directed according to the norm of the divine word, to promote the saving light and the spiritual gifts in which this heavenly wisdom consists in the mind of the theologian. This Scripture itself teaches us every…

Also meditations, conference, &c. on the works of God, that so we might not only by doctrine, but by experience be taught, and so be brought to greater feeling, as is commanded (Deuteronomy 5:20). For others, we are commanded duties of love, in relieving, and comforting the need…

All addition of ministries in the service of the Lord: as the Papists added Priests to sacrifice, Exorcists to conjure, &c. (Luke 20:6; John 3:21-23). Also men's traditions and ceremonies brought into the church, not being to edifying, nor for comeliness, nor for order, &c. (1 C…

Consideration 1. The gospel is the will of God from heaven; yet it is a riddle, a parable not understood (Matthew 13:14). In the Law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak to this people (1 Corinthians 14:21). And (Isaiah 29:11): And the vision of a…

So God is said to be terrible in his holy places, (Psalm 68:35) whether heaven, or the church; indeed the awful carriage of his people in his worship should be one means to convince of the excellency and majesty of God. (1 Corinthians 14:25) The Apostle shows there, that an unbe…

The Gospel is full of this, yes, this is the main hinge of our religion: you are not Christians, unless you make Jehovah your righteousness in all you do, as well as God your ultimate end: You will go away as the proud Pharisee without acceptance, if you plead your enlargements…

So he came upon Christ at Jordan, in the likeness of a Dove: and in the likeness of fire upon the Apostles and other believers. And this was the first sending of the Holy Spirit: which was necessary in the primitive church, for it was expedient that it should be established by m…

For commonly the eldest must be the heir, the next the lawyer, the youngest the divine. Students must love and prize this calling above all other (1 Corinthians 14:1). Lastly, all men must make prayer that God would prosper and bless all schools of learning where this kind of te…

Again, that kind of preaching is to be blamed, in which there is used, a mixed kind of variety of languages, before the unlearned. For this is a sign to unbelievers (1 Corinthians 14:22). And in this kind of preaching we do not paint Christ, but we paint out our own selves.

First, those that have received the Spirit of regeneration, and do begin to savor the things of the Spirit (Romans 8). Secondly, those that have received a greater portion of the Spirit, and a greater measure of spiritual graces, of whom Paul speaks (1 Corinthians 14:37): If any…

And therefore some foolishly join this verse and that place of Saint Peter together: for they make the Prophet speak as if the Lord should be brought in seeking such disciples as were emptied of all pride; and were become like children lately weaned. But he rather complains that…

The preaching of the Gospel is justly compared to a net sunk beneath the water, to inform us that the present state of the Church is confused. Our God is the God of order, and not of confusion, (1 Corinthians 14:33,) and, therefore, recommends to us discipline; but he permits hy…

When he enjoins his followers to become like a child, this does not extend indiscriminately to all points. We know that in children there are many things faulty; and accordingly Paul bids us be children, not in understanding, but in malice, (1 Corinthians 14:20;) and in another…

But we must attend to Paul’s admonition, not to be children in understanding, but in malice, (1 Corinthians 14:20).

For they are all one, and a spiritual people: and therefore they are all priests together, and all both may and ought to show forth the Word of God. Saving that, in the church, women ought not to speak, but to refer that to men to teach and preach there, because of the commandme…

For we can all utter and declare those things that appertain to the glory of God, and Christian life: we also (so far as is needful and expedient for us) can foretell of things to come, as that there shall be a day of general judgment, and that we shall all rise again from the d…

The Word in the Reading or Preaching of it is the principal means hereof. This the Holy Spirit employes and makes use of in his entrance into this Work, 1 Cor. 14. 24, 25. For those Convictions befal not Men from the Word universally or promiscuously, but as the Holy Spirit will…

So (1 Peter 2:15). And the Apostle when he speaks of the orderly and regular managing the worship of God (1 Corinthians 14:23-25): If there comes an unbeliever among you, and he sees your order, says he, he shall fall down in the midst of you, he shall be convinced, and shall sa…

Neither have they any Reason for this distribution; but finding the general division before mentioned to have been received in the Church of old, they have disposed of the particular Books into their orders, at their pleasure, casting Daniel as is probable into their last order,…

And therefore as all direction and consolation is derived from Christ; so should the husband likewise derive down and communicate knowledge, and comfort, and guidance to the wife; called therefore her guide (Proverbs 2:17). And St. Peter requires of husbands that they should dwe…

(4) The plow turns up, and discovers such things as lay hid in the bosom of the earth before, and were covered under a fair green surface, from the eyes of men. Thus when the Lord plows up the heart of a sinner by conviction, then the secrets of his heart are made manifest [reco…

ib. v. (1 Corinthians 14:36) Has the word of God gone out from you, or has it lit on you alone? Wherein he teaches the Church of Corinth to know, that there was no such great odds between them and the rest of their brethren, that they should think themselves to be gold and the r…

So our Savior has told us (who, even after his resurrection, is called, the Holy Child Jesus (Acts 4:27)) (Matthew 18:3). And even when we have put away other childish things, yet still in malice we must be children (1 Corinthians 14:20). And as for the quarrels of others, in al…

2. That decency and order is necessary to the solemn worship of God, and only such things as are reducible to those two heads. Edification is one end and fruit of ordinances and duties, and not of ceremonies (1 Corinthians 14:26). Our glorified Savior gave gifts to men, when he…

They shall see since the people of God did close one with another, they are encreased in gifts; a poor boy, or girl, or servant, that understood nothing before, now they can understand more, and with their understanding their hearts are more humble then before; this is a great c…