A60194:192
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.
This I observe the rather, to appease the conscience of a sinner when it is suppressed with terror, and fear of the greatness of his sins. Consider how God hath set down himself, and will be known and apprehended of us, not only as merciful, but a Father of mercies, and not of one mercy, but of all mercies, not only giving, but forgiving especially, Which forgiveth all thy sins, and healeth all thy infirmities, Psal. 103. This I observe against a proneness in us to despair: we are not now proner in the time of peace to presume, then when conscience is awakened to despair, we are prone to 1both alike: For here is the poison of mans corruption. Is God so merciful? surely, I may go on in sin, and cry God mercy, and there is an end: God is merciful, nay, the Father of mercies.
This I observe the rather, to appease the conscience of a sinner when it is suppressed with terrour, and fear of the greatnesse of his sins. Consider how God hath set down himself, and will be known and apprehended of us, not onely as merciful, but a Father of mercies, and not of one mercy, but of all mercies, not only giving, but forgiving especially, Which forgiveth all thy sins, and healeth all thy infirmities, Psal. 103. This I observe against a pronenesse in us to despair: we are not now proner in the time of peace to presume, then when conscience is awakened to despair, we are prone to 1both alike: For here is the poyson of mans corruption. Is God so merciful? surely, I may go on in sin, and cry God mercy, and there is an end: God is merciful, nay, the Father of mercies.
- 1Men prone to presume of Gods mercies.
Now in the time of peace, sin is nothing with us, swearing is nothing, rotten discourse is nothing, going beyond others in our dealing and commerce is nothing, getting an estate by fraud and deceit is nothing: The bread of deceit is sweet; loose, licentious, libertine life is nothing: and those that do not follow the same excess, and are dissolute, it is a strange matter with us, they are strange people; we think it strange that others do not so, and if they be better then we, it is but hypocrisy: men measure all by themselves, so all is nothing. Great, gross swearing is nothing, men glory in it, and to make scruple of it; it is thus and thus: they have terms for it. And what is the bawd for all this? Oh! God is merciful, and Christ he is wondrous merciful, he took our nature that he might die for us, &c.