A60194:2426
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 18
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.
Indeed they maintain the doctrine of doubting, that we must doubt; as if our nature were not sufficiently prone to doubt, but we must get arguments to make us doubt: as if it were needful to have infirmities to stablish grace in us. Alas, we are too prone to doubt, and the Devil is ready to make us stagger in the time of temptation.
Again, the Invocation of Saints it is a Point wondrous full of uncertainties: Can they know and say certainly that the Saints hear them? They cannot know that one Saint having a finite power should hear a hundred Petitions at once. A finite creature hath but a finite power to hear one thing at one time distinctly: how can they be persuaded that a finite Saint in heaven at one time distinctly should hear many thousands that put up their Petitions at once? Can a man that is but a capable creature though glorified, as Peter, or Mary, &c. distinctly consider a thousand Petitions that are made? they cannot: how then can they think that a certain truth, the Invocation of Saints.
Again, the Invocation of Saints it is a Point wondrous full of uncertainties: Can they know and say certainly that the Saints hear them? They cannot know that one Saint having a finite power should hear a hundred Petitions at once. A finite creature hath but a finite power to hear one thing at one time distinctly: how can they be perswaded that a finite Saint in heaven at one time distinctly should hear many thousands that put up their Petitions at once? Can a man that is but a capable creature though glorified, as Peter, or Mary, &c. distinctly consider a thousand Petitions that are made? they cannot: how then can they think that a certain truth, the Invocation of Saints.
The main ground of all their Religion is yea, and nay; the Pillar of it, what is that? The infallible judgment of the Pope: but how can they tell when he speaks ex Cathedra? for 9. or 10. exceptions, and tricks they have, when he speaks to be built on, and when not; how can poor souls know when he speaks so, that the people may infallibly build on his judgment? Because many times he is an illiterate man that knows nothing in Divine things wherein he is to judge. So the very foundation of Popery is yea, and nay, that is a most uncertain thing.