A30242:479
The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…
The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole third chapter of the first Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians to which is annexed The godly and the natural mans choice, upon Psal. 4, vers. 6, 7, 8 / by Anthony Burgess ...The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole third chapter of the first Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians to which is annexed The godly and the natural mans choice, upon Psal. 4, vers. 6, 7, 8 / by Anthony Burgesse ...
London: printed by Abraham Miller for T.U., 1659
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
But God gave the increase.
But God gave the encrease.
The Apostle (as you heard) doth excellently join these two things togeher, which the world is so apt to sever, The Ministry, and Gods efficacy thereby: We may not rest upon the Ministry, so as not to depend on Gods efficacy; we may not expect Gods efficacy, but in the Ministry. Here may be a sweet subordination, mans corruption makes the opposition; so that this Text, as it doth divide the whole Ministerial employment in two parts, planting and watering, so it attributeth the chiefest and noblest of all to God, without whom the other abilities are in vain: The fat in the offerings was to be given to God, and God gives the fat to us in spiritual services; the soul and life of all is expressed in this word [Greek or Hebrew], it is one word in the Greek, but our English Translators, and so the Latin ⟨p. 86⟩read it, giving the increase: The Metaphor is easy. As the Gardiner sets his herbs, waters them, but he cannot make them grow, he cannot make the least flower that is, though he hath never so much skill: Thus it is here, though they be Ministers of Seraphical affections, and Cherubinical knowledge, yet they cannot make the Word to prosper, and to increase in the hearer; it's God doth that, Isa. 55.10. Isa. 61.11. There you have such similitudes; so that this latter part is an admirable direction to look above the abilities, above the parts and gifts of men: We think, Oh if we have such a Ministry, all would be well! whereas Apollo and Paul cannot give increase.1 Observe
The Apostle (as you heard) doth excellently joyn these two things togeher, which the world is so apt to sever, The Ministry, and Gods efficacy therby: We may not rest upon the Ministery, so as not to depend on Gods efficacy; we may not expect Gods efficacy, but in the Ministery. Here may be a sweet subordination, mans corruption makes the opposition; so that this Text, as it doth divide the whole Ministerial employment in two parts, planting and watering, so it attributeth the cheifest and noblest of all to God, without whom the other abilities are in vain: The fat in the offerings was to be given to God, and God gives the fat to us in spiritual services; the soul and life of all is expressed in this word , it is one word in the Greek, but our English Translatours, and so the Latin