A60194:1864
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.
Whatsoever we had that was good, before we were gracious, that we keep still, and it is under a better guide. Were we learned before? were we wise before? had we authority before? were we noble before? we lose none of these when we come under Christ; but he advanceth and elevates these, he makes them better. If we were wise, he makes us graciously wise; if we were learned, if we were noble, he makes us doubly noble: we lose nothing, but we are under a sweeter government, the government of grace, which is a mild government, a government that tends to the advancing of us above our selves; that advanceth us to be the Spouse of Christ, and the heirs of heaven.
Whatsoever we had that was good, before we were gracious, that we keep still, and it is under a better guide. Were we learned before? were we wise before? had we authority before? were we noble before? we lose none of these when we come under Christ; but he advanceth and elevates these, he makes them better. If we were wise, he makes us graciously wise; if we were learned, if we were noble, he makes us doubly noble: we lose nothing, but we are under a sweeter government, the government of grace, which is a mild government, a government that tends to the advancing of us above our selves; that advanceth us to be the Spouse of Christ, and the heires of heaven.
Those that are in Christ Jesus, and are led by his Spirit, they are his. In Rom. 8. there is excellently set down the prerogatives that they have: those that lead their conversation in simplicity and sincerity, those that are in Christ, and in the Spirit, and in Grace, there is no Damnation to them. And then again, if they suffer any thing; saith he, The afflictions of this world are not worthy of the glory that shall be revealed. If they have any infirmities, saith he, The Spirit helps our infirmities. The Spirit teacheth us how to pray, when we know not how to pray. If we suffer any evil, God turns all to good: All things shall work together for the best to them that fear God. For infirmities in other things we have Christ, and he makes intercession in heaven: Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods people that are in Christ, that are in Grace, that are in the Spirit? such as S. Paul was here, it is Christ that is dead, or rather that is risen again, and makes intercession for us. And if he have given us Christ, shall he not with him give us all things else? If he have given us Christ, he will give us grace to bring us to heaven. See the excellent estate of a Christian that is under the regiment of Christ, that is led by the Spirit, That Chapter may serve instead of all.