A60194:115
A learned commentary or exposition
A learned commentary or exposition: upon the first chapter of the second Epistle of S. Paul to the Corinthians Being the substance of many sermons formerly preached at Gray's-Inn, London, by that reverend and judicious divine, Richard Sibbs, D.D. Sometimes Master of Catherine-Hall in Cambridge, and preacher to that honourable society. Published for the public good and benefit of the Church of Christ. By Tho. Manton, B.D. and preacher of the Gospel at Stoke-Newington, near London.A learned commentary or exposition: upon the first chapter of the second Epistle of S. Paul to the Corinthians Being the substance of many sermons formerly preached at Grayes-Inne, London, by that reverend and judicious divine, Richard Sibbs, D.D. Sometimes Master of Catherine-Hall in Cambridge, and preacher to that honourable society. Published for the publick good and benefit of the Church of Christ. By Tho. Manton, B.D. and preacher of the Gospel at Stoake-Newington, near London.
London: printed by J.L. for N.B., 1655
A COMMENTARY upon the first CHAPTER of the second Epistle of S. PAU… › Commentary on verse 2
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.
After the Preface he comes to the Argument which he intends, and begins with blessing.
One part of the scope of this blessed Apostle is, to avoid the scandal of his sufferings; for, he was a man of sorrows, if ever man was (next Christ, who was a true man of sorrow) the blessed Apostle was a man of miseries and sorrow. Now, weak shallow Christians thought him to be a man deserted of God, they thought it was impossible for God to regard a man so forlorn, so despicable as this man was: What doth he? before he comes to other matters, he wipes away this imputation, and clears this scandal; You lay my crosses and sufferings, and disgraces in the world to my shame, it is your weakness, that which you account my shame, is a matter of praise. I am so far from being disheartened or discouraged from what I suffer, that, Blessed be God the Father of Christ, the Father of mercies, &c.
One part of the scope of this blessed Apostle is, to avoid the scandall of his sufferings; for, he was a man of sorrows, if ever man was (next Christ, who was a true man of sorrow) the blessed Apostle was a man of miseries and sorrow. Now, weake shallow Christians thought him to be a man diserted of God, they thought it was impossible for God to regard a man so forlorn, so despicable as this man was: What doth he? before he comes to other matters, he wipes away this imputation, and cleers this scandal; You lay my crosses and sufferings, and disgraces in the world to my shame, it is your weakness, that which you account my shame, is a matter of praise. I am so farre from being disheartned or discouraged from what I suffer, that, Blessed be God the Father of Christ, the Father of mercies, &c.
That which to the flesh is matter of scandal and offence, that to the spirit, and to a spiritual man is matter of glory, so contrary is the flesh and the Spirit, and so opposite is the disposition, and the current of the fleshly man to the spiritual man. Job was so far from cursing God for taking away, that he saith, Blessed be the name of God, not only for giving, but for taking away too.