A60194:1189
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 11
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.
I answer, First of all thou shalt know it if thou be as willing to help otherwise if thou canst, as well as by prayer. St. James speaks in his time 1of certain men that would feed the poor people of God with good words; Now good words are good cheap, but they will do nothing, they will buy nothing, they will not clothe, nor feed. So Saint James tells them, that that is but a dead faith.
I answer, First of all thou shalt know it if thou be as willing to help otherwise if thou canst, as well as by prayer. St. James speaks in his time 1of certain men that would feed the poore people of God with good words; Now good words are good cheap, but they will do nothing, they will buy nothing, they will not cloath, nor feed. So Saint James tells them, that that is but a dead faith.
- 1Answ. 1. When we help them otherwise as we are able.
So there are a company that will only pray for the Church when they are able to do otherwaies, when they have countenance, and estate, and riches, and friends, and place, and many things that they might improve for the good of others, and for the good of the Church. Some will be ready to say, I pray for the Church, and I will pray: I, but art thou not able to do somewhat else? St. Paul when he wishes them to pray for him, he means not only prayer, but that duty implies to do all that they pray for, to help their prayers, or else it is a mocking of God. If thou pray aright for the Church, thou art willing to relieve them; if thou pray for thy friend, thou art willing to help him, and succour him: if thou pray for any, thou art willing to countenance them. That is one trial; which discovers many to be hypocrites: if their prayers were worth any thing, and the times stood in need of them, it is likely they should not have them, because they only give good words, and nothing else.