An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

The next thing considerable in the Text, is the description of that tribulation which did fall upon the Apostle, which was so necessary and useful to be known. In which we have,

THe next thing considerable in the Text, is the description of that tribulation which did fall upon the Apostle, which was so necessary and usefull to be known. In which we have,

1. The Nature of this exercise, expressed in the name it hath [Greek or Hebrew]. 2. There is the place where, in Afia. 3. There is the aggravation of it. Of which in its time.

1. The Nature of this exercise, expressed in the name it hath 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. 2. There is the place where, in Afia. 3. There is the aggravation of it. Of which in its time.

The exercise it self is called [Greek or Hebrew]. Beza (in Annotat. in Cor. cap. 13.) saith, this word is properly rendered affliction, not tribulation, for that is [Greek or Hebrew], rather than [Greek or Hebrew]. Hence he showeth out of Tully, that Affligo is properly to throw a thing to the ground, so as to press it down, and therefore is the same with [Greek or Hebrew]. The word then signifieth not an ordinary trouble, but such as doth most strictly constringe and bind, pressing a man to the ground; and this he saith, did come upon him in Asia, [Greek or Hebrew], not that it came by chance or fortune, or by the mere malice and power of men; no it came by the special appointment of God, in much wisdom and mercy, thereby propagating the Gospel. For afflictions are so many arrows delivered out of Gods quiver, which are sure to hit the mark they are destined unto. Here is no more difficulty in the words; only Expositors question, What this trouble was, he met with in Asia? Where may we find any thing about the particulars of it? Cajetan on the place acknowledgeth, That concerning this trouble in Asia, he could read nothing in any Book that was authentic; yet it seemeth not to refer generally to all the troubles he met with in publishing of the Gospel, but to some eminent singular one; and therefore he saith, the trouble, not troubles in the plural number. Some learned men therefore refer this to those passages mentioned in the former Epistle to the Corinthians,