A60194:1790
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 12
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.
It is good for Inferiors alway to be under the Government of Superiors, and so God hath framed the world: for beasts, because they have no wisdom of their own, they are led, and guided by men: and man because he is (as I said before) a beast by his own knowledge, and hath but a finite, a limited understanding; he is guided by a larger understanding, he is guided by God, if he be good. And it is the happiness of the creature to be under the guidance of a better wisdom. All things in the world are guided to their end; things without life are guided to their end without their privity. We see there is an end in every thing: there is nothing in nature but it hath its end; whereupon comes that saying of the Philosophers, (which is good) That the work of nature is a work of deep understanding: not so much as the leaves but they serve to shelter, and cover the fruit from the Sun, and the storms, that it may thrive the better: there is nothing in nature but it is of great use, the work of nature is a work of deep understanding. Now man, because he hath a principle of understanding in himself, he is so guided by the wisdom of God to his end, as that he understands his own end himself: he is so led by the wisdom of God, as that God hath created a work of wisdom in himself, that he together with God is carried to his end. Now, as I said, when we are out of the regiment, and government of the flesh, we come under the gracious Government of God. Therefore the Apostle saith here, Not in fleshly wisdom, but by the Grace of God.
It is good for Inferiours alway to be under the Government of Superiours, and so God hath framed the world: for beasts, because they have no wisdome of their own, they are led, and guided by men: and man because he is (as I said before) a beast by his own knowledge, and hath but a finite, a limited understanding; he is guided by a larger understanding, he is guided by God, if he be good. And it is the happinesse of the creature to be under the guidance of a better wisdome. All things in the world are guided to their end; things without life are guided to their end without their privity. We see there is an end in every thing: there is nothing in nature but it hath its end; whereupon comes that saying of the Philosophers, (which is good) That the work of nature is a work of deep understanding: not so much as the leaves but they serve to shelter, and cover the fruit from the Sun, and the stormes, that it may thrive the better: there is nothing in nature but it is of great use, the work of nature is a work of deep understanding. Now man, because he hath a principle of understanding in himself, he is so guided by the wisdome of God to his end, as that he understands his own end himself: he is so led by the wisdome of God, as that God hath created a work of wisdome in himself, that he together with God is carried to his end. Now, as I said, when we are out of the regiment, and government of the flesh, we come under the gracious Government of God. Therefore the Apostle saith here, Not in fleshly wisdome, but by the Grace of God.