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 second part in order to be treated of, is, The Object matter for which, or that for which Paul would have solemn thanksgiving after such solemn prayer. The gift bestowed upon us, [Greek or Hebrew], This temporal deliverance he calleth [Greek or Hebrew], because it came from the favour of God, not from any merits or deserts in Paul. Some make a difference between [Greek or Hebrew] and [Greek or Hebrew], as if [Greek or Hebrew] was applied only to the common gifts of Gods Spirit, especially those which Divines call Dona ministrantia, Gifts of service; and the Schools, Gratiae gratis datae, and [Greek or Hebrew], to the grace and favour of God in a special manner; or to the effect thereof, which is inherent grace in the soul. These graces are called Dona sanctificantia, Gifts that do truly sanctify those that have them. The Schools falsely call them, Gratiae gratum facientes. But though [Greek or Hebrew] be often applied to such common spiritual gifts, as 1 Cor. 12. & alibi. Yet sometimes we must thereby understand sanctifying grace, and justifying grace, Rom. 5. 16. Rom. 11. 28. And indeed, if we will make any difference, it seemeth to be this rather, that [Greek or Hebrew] is the Effect, and [Greek or Hebrew], the Cause, as Rom. 12. 6. Having gifts according to the grace that is given to us. Hence it is that [Greek or Hebrew] is generally translated gift, in the New Testament. So Favorinus [Greek or Hebrew]. So that what the Scripture other where calleth [Greek or Hebrew], or [Greek or Hebrew], or [Greek or Hebrew], Jac. 1. 17. Act. 8. 21. Psal. 1. 17. it may be the same with [Greek or Hebrew] only it doth properly signify such a gift, as maketh to the public and spiritual advantage of the Church; only in this Text it may have the general signification, and the special. The general, Paul's Deliverance was a temporal gift. It was a mercy in these outward things, a preservation from death, either violent, as the common exposition (you heard) is, or from natural. For Baldwin the Lutheran Expositor, thinketh it may well enough be understood of some desperate sickness Paul was afflicted with. Howsoever this outward mercy of preservation is called [Greek or Hebrew], and it may have also the special signification of a common gift advancing the Church of God spiritually.