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…

SERM. XCVIII.

Of Gods Presence with the Ministry, how it renders the People inexcusable.

WE are now arrived at the close and last particular of this verse, wherein is contained the ground of Paul's comfort, from the testimony of his conscience. As the former particulars did declare his conversation, with the manner of it, universally without restriction or limitation to times, persons, or places, so this last clause is added to affect the Corinthians the more, who listened too much to false Apostles, from his peculiar conversation to them, it was more abundantly towards them, then to any other in the world. Not that Paul was less sincere, or less faithful in other places; but only there were more outward effects and demonstrations of it towards them, then to others. So that the Greek word [Greek or Hebrew], doth denote the abundance and overflowing evidences of the power of God in his Ministry towards them. And this comparative may be taken both intensively, his carriage towards them was fuller of love and compassion, fuller of care and diligence to them then others, because they were in greater danger, and under more temptations. As also extensively, there he had laboured more, continued longer, and the power of God had been more successful in his Ministry amongst them. In the Greek it is [Greek or Hebrew], which some render amongst you; for [Greek or Hebrew], as Beza showeth the phrase used so out of Demosthenes. Others render it towards you, for [Greek or Hebrew], and so the Apostle hath this expression,