A60194:2203
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 15
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.
I shall know it, if by that gracious means, by those gracious speeches, God distil into me a spirit to improve them to gracious purposes. As indeed, God turns all to a gracious end to his children: he gives them a principle of grace to work good out of every thing; they see grace in every thing: in affliction they see the love of God. In the worst things, Grace will pick out somewhat, and make use of it. As God by his providence intends all to good: so his Spirit by a provident eye to the Word works good out of every thing: but those that have not grace, they are not grace to them, but tend to their further hardening.
I shall know it, if by that gracious means, by those gracious speeches, God distill into me a spirit to improve them to gracious purposes. As indeed, God turns all to a gracious end to his children: he gives them a principle of grace to work good out of every thing; they see grace in every thing: in affliction they see the love of God. In the worst things, Grace will pick out somewhat, and make use of it. As God by his providence intends all to good: so his Spirit by a provident eye to the Word works good out of every thing: but those that have not grace, they are not grace to them, but tend to their further hardening.
To end this point: when you come to the Communion, come to it as a 1grace. It is the Grace of God that he hath ordained us to salvation; it is the grace of God that he hath sent his Word; it is the grace of God that he hath sent his Sacrament to seal that Word, and all little enough: he knows us better then we know our selves; he knows we have need of all, to confirm and help us, the Word and the Sacraments, even to the end of our days. As the Apostle saith, Ephes. 4. To build us up. The means of grace are not only necessary for the planting, but for the building up of the Church. And therefore come with this purpose, to have Grace confirmed, and receive it as a grace of God with thankfulness; that God will condescend to our infirmity, to give us helps, to support our weak faith. It is a true proverb, Grace begets grace; it begets thankfulness, where it is apprehended as a grace: therefore come with a thankful disposition to the Sacrament; embrace every Ordce of God with thankfulness. Alas, do not thousands sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death? they do: and therefore those that find the benefit of Gods Ordinances, they are disposed by the same Spirit that works any good in them, to return thankfulness to God again. That you might have a second Grace.