1 COR. 1. 26.
THe first subject enumerated by Paul, whom God is pleased to reject, and to say, They shall not be mine, in the day I make up my jewels, hath been dispatched. We proceed to the other two remaining; and because they agree in one common consideration, I shall handle them together. The first part, of those who for the most part are overlooked by God, Are wise men after the flesh, such as are eminent and admirable for internal excellencies. In the next place the Apostle instanceth in those that are exalted for external greatness: And that is twofold, either such which is acquired by humane industry, in the word (Mighty) or such which is natural, that we have by our birth, in the other word (Noble.)
The first sort of persons are called […] and in the next verse, […], answering the Hebrew Generim; and doth signifie any that are mighty and strong in this world, either by their power, or their wealth, or their honor, that are tall cedars, when others are but shrubs.
Secondly, The other are […], which word, though sometimes applied to the gracious disposition of the godly; as the Bereans are said to be more noble, because they did search the Scripture (observe that, its true nobility, and true honor, to be diligent in searching the Scripture) yet here its applyed unto that humane excellency and prerogative some have above others by their birth; for although there is none so nobly descended, but he is born a childe of wrath, and so hath no more priviledge from hell, then the childe of the meanest Beggar, yet in a political and civil consideration, they differ far from others: Now when you see God in the disposing of eternal glory, not much mattering these persons, it should be like a thunder bolt in the very heart of all those who boast themselves in their wealth, power and nobility, for they are the less likely to be made glorious hereafter: So that as God when he chose David to the Temporal Kingdom of Israel, commanded Samuel to call all Jesses Sons together, and chose clean contrary to Samuels expectation; for when he saw Eliab the first Son, he said, Surely the Lords anointed is before me; but God said, Look not upon his countenance, or the height of his stature, for God seeth not as man seeth: So it is here in Divine Election, he chooseth not, he approveth not, as man by worldly respects doth: Observe,
Observ. Although men temporally great in this world, are greatly exalted by men, yet God chooseth not many such to eternal glory.
The Pharisees made it a great argument against Christ and his way, Iohn 7. Do any of the Rulers believe in him, but the people that do not know the Law? Here you see they triumph; What? believe in Christ? see who they are that do it, the multitude, many of the poorer and contemptible sort; Do any of the Rulers, any of the great men, and rich men, do they believe in him? The Aposile James, Cap. 2. 11. speaks excellently to this purpose, reproving their sinful partiality in exalting a rich man for his gold ring, and goodly apparel, but despising those that were truly good, because poor; Hearken (saith he) i. e. Consider what I say, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith? Oh consider, thy wealth, thy greatness doth not make thee happy, unless rich in faith and grace also, unless we may say, O man, O woman, great is thy faith, as well as Great are thy earthly advantages.
To open this; Consider
First, That there are four things especially, which are the great things of the1 world; and if the Devil shew the glory of any of them, its an hard thing not to fall down and worship him, if they be had thereby.
The first is, Earthly Power and Dominion: Est natura hominum avida imperii, said Tully, The nature of man being ambitious, is greedy of power; and its Omnibus affectibus flagrantius, more hot and burning then any other lust, unless the heart be so sanctified, as to accompt nothing great but God; Though Histories do abound with the Tragical ends of many, who were in their time great and terrible in power; yet few are of that mans minde, that would not vouchsafe to take up a Crown from the earth, if he should finde it, because of the cares accompanying of it, Every Crown of gold, being also a Crown of thorns.
Secondly, Another admired thing in the world is Glory and Honor: For this2 many Civil, and many Religious attempts have been undertaken: A poor empty reward, yet the Heathens have busily disputed, whether this very nothing be not the chiefest good.