An exposition with practical observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…

Some cannot live but in this fire, and in troubled waters (1 Cor. 11.16.) If any man seems to be contentious, or as the Greek carries it,¹ a lover of victory. Contentious spirits love victory more then truth, and to overcome more then to teach or be taught. Besides the verb, which we (in this text of the Apostle) translate seems, doth rather signify, is pleased to be, desires, or hath a will to be contentions, yea, boasts and prides himself in it. So the word ([Greek or Hebrew]) is used, Mat. 3.9. and Gal. 6.3. If a man think himself to be something, &c. That is, if he boast and take upon him as if he were some great man. Thus some glory to be meddling and contending in all Questions. Yea, though it be upon as unequal terms, as Jehoash the King of Israel, by his parable, supposed Amaziah King of Judah would war with him (2 King. 14.9.) The thistle that was in Lebanon, sent to the Cedar that was in Lebanon, &c. Thistles will sometimes challenge Cedars; whom we may counsel, as he doth, tarry at home, why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt? It argues folly enough in any man to love contention with man, and pride enough to love contention with men above him. Then how mad are they ⟨p. 151⟩both with folly and pride, who attempt to contend with God? Whom, as it follows, They cannot answer, One of a thousand.

Some cannot live but in this fire, and in troubled waters (1 Cor. 11.16.) If any man seems to be contentious, or as the Greek carries it,¹ a lover of victory. Contentious spirits love victory more then truth, and to overcome more then to teach or be taught. Besides the verb, which we (in this text of the Apostle) translate seems, doth rather signifie, is pleased to be, desires, or hath a will to be contentions, yea, boasts and prides himself in it. So the word () is used,