A60194:16
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
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.
To the Reader.
Good READER,
There is no end of Books, and yet we seem to need more every day; there was such a darkness brought in by the Fall, as will not thoroughly be dispelled till we come to Heaven, where the Sun shineth without either cloud or night: for the present all should contribute their help according to the rate and measure of their abilities; Some can only hold up a Candle, others a Torch, but all are useful: The Press is an excellent means to scatter Knowledge, were it not so often abused: all complain there is enough written; and think that now there should be a stop: indeed it were well if in this scribbling age there were some restraint; Useless Pamphlets are grown almost as great a mischief as the erroneous and profane: Yet 'tis not good to shut the door upon industry and diligence; there is yet room left to discover more (above all that hath been said) of the Wisdom of God, and the riches of his grace, in the Gospel; yea, more of the stratagems of Satan, and the deceitfulness of mans heart: means need to be increased every day to weaken sin, and strengthen trust, and quicken us to holiness: Fundamentals are the same in all ages, but the constant necessities of the Church and private Christians will continually enforce a further explication; as the Arts and sleights of besieging and battering increase, so doth skill in fortification: if we have no other benefit by the multitude of Books that are written, we shall have this benefit, an opportunity to Observe the various workings of the same Spirit about the same truths; and indeed, the speculation is neither Idle, nor unfruitful.
THere is no end of Books, and yet we seem to need more every day; there was such a darknesse brought in by the Fall, as will not thoroughly be dispelled till we come to Heaven, where the Sun shineth without either cloud or night: for the present all should contribute their help according to the rate and measure of their abilities; Some can onely hold up a Candle, others a Torch, but all are usefull: The Presse is an excellent meanes to scatter Knowledge, were it not so often abused: all complain there is enough written; and think that now there should be a stop: indeed it were well if in this scribling age there were some restraint; Uselesse Pamphlets are grown almost as great a mischief as the erroneous and prophane: Yet 'tis not good to shut the door upon industry and diligence; there is yet room left to discover more (above all that hath been said) of the Wisdome of God, and the riches of his grace, in the Gospel; yea, more of the stratagems of Satan, and the deceitfulnesse of mans heart: meanes need to be encreased every day to weaken sin, and strengthen trust, and quicken us to holinesse: Fundamentals are the same in all ages, but the constant necessities of the Church and private Christians will continually enforce a further explication; as the Arts and sleights of besieging and battering encrease, so doth skill in fortification: if we have no other benefit by the multitude of Books that are written, we shall have this benefit, an opportunity to Observe the various workings of the same Spirit about the same truths; and indeed, the speculation is neither Idle, nor unfruitfull.