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…

1. The power of God, which is put forth in us by his grace, which we receive and partake of; and so in that sense may be called our power, viz. objectively; yea and in some sense subjectively, though not efficiently, Ephes. 3. 20. According to his power which worketh in us. Again saith Paul, I can do all things through Christ that strengtheneth me, Phil. 4. 13.

2. There is our own humane and natural strength, what we can do by our ⟨p. 279⟩selves only. Now the Question is, Whether Paul mean that this affliction was above even his divine strength, or that measure of grace and power which God had given him. So that if the Lord had not come in with extraordinary supply, and more than wonted grace, this trouble had overcome him? Or whether he mean only of his natural strength and power? So that his meaning should be; as a man he could not bear it, though as a Christian he did. It is very probable, that both these are included. So that neither the natural strength Paul had, nor that divine strength which usually he enjoyed, could have carried him through that difficulty.

Now to this expression which Paul useth in the Text, we have another place in Paul, which seemeth directly, and in express words to contradict this; it is 1 Cor. 10. 13. There hath no temptation taken you, but what is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able, &c. There Paul saith, God will not let his people be tempted above what they are able. And here Paul speaketh the contrary, He is troubled above what he is able: How can this be reconciled? Some untie this knot from the difference between temptation and affliction; There is no temptation (say they) befalleth the godly above what they are able; but there may some trouble and affliction. For it is a temptation, when it doth induce us into sin, and maketh us to offend God. Therefore we pray, God would not lead us into temptation; but it may be an affliction, even when it is so far from being a temptation, that we do thereby more exercise and put forth our graces. Thus (say they) it was with Paul, It was an affliction above his strength, but not a temptation above his strength. For at that time Paul kept up his graces, his faith and patience were made more illustrious, as file getteth off rust. I cannot say this is solid enough.