A60194:177
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.
There was mercy showed to Angels that stood, to free them, to give them grace to stand; they might have fallen as the Devils did when they were Angels; none are the Subjects of mercy, but such as either are in misery, or are possible to fall into misery: now when God keeps and upholds the creature from falling into that which he is subject to fall into, he being a creature taken out of nothing, and therefore subject to fall to nothing without assistance, to hold him from that whereto he would fall without being upheld; this makes him the Object of mercy, whatsoever the misery be spiritual or outward.
There was mercie shewed to Angels that stood, to free them, to give them grace to stand; they might have fallen as the Devils did when they were Angels; none are the Subjects of mercie, but such as either are in misery, or are possible to fall into miserie: now when God keeps and upholds the creature from falling into that which he is subject to fall into, he being a creature taken out of nothing, and therefore subject to fall to nothing without assistance, to hold him from that whereto he would fall without being upheld; this makes him the Object of mercy, whatsoever the misery be spirituall or outward.
Thus God is the Father of mercy, he upholds his Children from that which else they would fall into continually, He is the Father of mercy, before 1conversion, offering and enjoining mercy to them, that as they will be good to their souls, they would receive mercy. He joins his glory and his mercy together, that he will be glorified in showing mercy, and he presseth it upon us. What a mercy is this, that he should press mercy upon us for our own good? Why will ye dye, O House of Israel. And Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden, there is mercy before conversion; and there is mercy in prolonging his wrath, in not punishing, and there is mercy in pardoning sin freely, in pardoning all sin, the punishment and the guilt, and all: and when we are in the state of Grace, and have our sins pardoned, still it is his mercy to forbear the punishments due to us: in mitigating his corrections, and in seasonable corrections: for it is a mercy for God to correct his Children seasonably: Therefore we are corrected of God, that we should not be damned with the world.