of whom the Apostle makes mention, Rom. 16.23. That he was Paul's Hofte, and the Hofte of the Church. i. e. He was one that either Entertained the Brethren that went up, and down, to preach the Gofpel gratis, at his own charge, or elfe that he had the chief overfight of that publick house, that was for their entertainment there. And that which may well lead us to this conjecture, is that which we have verf. 5,6. of this Epifle; where John gives him this teftimony; That whatever he did to the Brethren, and Strangers, he did it faithfully, and they bare witness of his charity. So that, either this was that Gaius, or elfe, as he had the fame name, fo he had the fame difpofition. He was charitable, and hofpitable. And this let him very deeply into John's affection. He loved him dearly, calls him, His beloved, (the fame word is rendered, Dearly beloved and prayeth for him.

Note. Perfons of publick Spirits, that do good with what they have, according to their ability; efpecially for the promoting of Religion, are most likely to have, and it is fit they fhould have, most prayers put up to God, for their welfare and profperity, in every respect.

It is faid fob. 31 20. that The loins of the poor bleffed him. They had no bleffing to dif pofe of: but the meaning is, They heartily

prayed

prayed for a bleffing upon Job, and all that he had. We read Act. 9. 31. of a good wo'man, her name was Dorcas. She was full of good works. Peter finds a great many about her Corps, weeping, and telling him, what good the had done, whilfst among them, and fhewed him, not her own Wardrobe, but the Coats fhe had made for them. Doubtless, fhe that had fo many Tears fhed for her, when the was dead, had many prayers put up for her, while fhe was alive. Perhaps, they were not like to find another Dorcas. It might be then, as it is now. All feek their own, none the things of Christ. All look after their own particular intereft. Thefe are like to be, as that wicked Prince, 2 Chron. 21. 20. who lived undefired, and dyed unlamented. What will perfons fay of fuch? Pfal. 49. 19. They will bless them while they live, in hope to get fomething by them; but when they dye, farewel they. They were good for none, but themfelves. But it was not fo with Gaius, it was not fo with Dorcas. It is Calvin's note: He thinks God raifed Dorcas to life, out of refpect to the poor people.

2. Obferve our Tranflation. [I wish ] oua. It is in the margent [pray] And the word is indifferently rendred. Act. 27. 19. ἤυχοντο ἡμέραν γενέθαι. They wifed fer day. But 2 Cor. 13. 7. Euxμal de pos

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τὸν Θεὸν, μὴ ποιῆσαι ὑμᾶς κακὸν μηδέν. I pray God, that ye do no evil; and yet verf. 9. To ἢ καὶ συχόμεθα, ἢ ὑμῶν κατάρτισιν. I will your perfection. Paul's withes, were his Pray

ers.

Note. That it is no inconfiderable part of a Chriftians wisdom, to be wary, and well advifed, in what they wish; for Wishing is like Praying.

We find in Scripture, that very much guilt hath been contracted, and very much folly. expreffed, by wild, and extravagant wishes. I fhall inftance in the mifcarriages of good people, this way. Job wifheth that he had never been born, chap. 3. Jeremy wifheth that either, he had never been horn, or dyed by and by, chap. 20, Jonah wisheth he were dead, and as much under ground, as he was above ground, chap. 4. 9. David wifheth, that he had dyed for Abfolom. But the faddeft wish is that of Joshua, chap. 7. v.9. He was at prayer, but forgate himself fadly. Would God (faith he) we had not come over Jordan. He wifheth, that God had never made good his Promife, of their coming into the Land of Canaan. There is much folly expreffed hereby. Many perfons please themselves, if they may have liberty of wir thing, That they might wish for what they would have, and have what they with.for, then they would be in a brave condition.

A

A fond, and foolish conceit this is, Ecclef.6. 12. Who knows what is good for himself in this life? The words are fpoken questionwife, and we are to understand them negatively. That is only good for us in this life, which is improved in order to our Eternal life, Now God can carry on that course to bring us to Eternal happiness, which he hath chofen his people to, by adverfity, as well as profperity. Therefore this is the duty, and wisdom of the people of God, to leave it with God, as it is Pfal. 47. 4. Thou halt choose our inheritance for us. Wisdom is required to make a good choice in any thing. God is the only wife God, he will choose well.

Note this farther. In three things God hath fet us bounds: Bounds to our Faith, what to believe. Bounds to our Actions, what to do: And bounds to our Prayers, what to defire, and what to ask. And why fhould our Wishes be unbounded, fince they are like Prayers? Idle wishes are, at least, as bad, as idle words, which no man can give account of, Matth. 12. 36. Many have gotten their death, and deftruction, by getting what they wifht for. They wished, they might dye in the Wilderness, and they did fo. Nam. 14.

Farther, John here witheth, That Gaius might profper; John's with was a prayer to

God

God for him. From hence we may take

this note.

Note. The well-being, and profperity of every man's outward condition, is wholly at God's difpofing. Pfal.127.1. Except the Lord build the houfe, &c. It is neither the care of the Master, nor the faithfulness of the Servants, nor any thing else, that can do any thing at all, if God fay Nay. If God doth not make the house to grow (as David useth the expreffion 2 Sam. 23. 5.) certainly, it will wither. The Eftate, the Houfe, the Family will decay; and, in time, come to nothing. I note this, that we may be all ftirred up, to acknowledge God, to be the Fountain, and Spring of all outward Bleffings whatfoever. And accordingly.

1.) As we defire any thing fhould fucceed, that we take in hand, relating to our worldly affairs, engage God in all, that he may work with us therein. We have Warrant, in every thing to make known our requests to God. Phil. 4.6. In every thing, be it never fo fmall, engage God to be with us therein; and fay as Abraham's Servant did, Gen. 24. 11. Lord fend me good speed every day.

2.) As we defire to profper, fo ferve the Providence of God; wait upon him, and keep his ways, and believe his promises. David gives his Son this counfel; Keep the

chargeTM

W.NUTT. BINDEN