A60194:2540
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 20
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.
A Promise is nothing but a manifestation of love, an intendment of bestowing some good, and removing some ill; a manifestation of our mind 1in that kind is a promise, of conferring of a future good, or removing of a future ill, therefore it comes from love in the party promising.
- 1Three degrees of love.
There are three degrees of loving steps, whereof a promise is the last. The first is inward love: The second is real performance: And the third is a manifestation of performance intended before it be; and this (I say) is a degree of love. For love concealed, it doth not comfort in the interim, in the time that is betwixt. Now God who is love, doth not only love us, and will not only show his love in time; but because he will have us rest sweetly in his bosom, and settle our selves on his gracious Promises, in the mean time, he gives us rich and precious Promises. He is not only love, and shows it in deed, but he expresseth it in word. And we may well build on his Word, as verily as if he had performed it in deed: for whatsoever he saith is Yea, and Amen. This is the nature of a promise; It is not only love, and the expression of love in deed; but the expression of it in word, when he intends to solace, and comfort, and stablish, and stay the mind of man till the good promised be performed.
There are three degrees of loving steps, whereof a promise is the last. The first is inward love: The second is real performance: And the third is a manifestation of performance intended before it be; and this (I say) is a degree of love. For love concealed, it doth not comfort in the interim, in the time that is betwixt. Now God who is love, doth not onely love us, and will not only shew his love in time; but because he will have us rest sweetly in his bosome, and settle our selves on his gracious Promises, in the mean time, he gives us rich and precious Promises. He is not onely love, and shewes it in deed, but he expresseth it in word. And we may well build on his Word, as verily as if he had performed it in deed: for whatsoever he saith is Yea, and Amen. This is the nature of a promise; It is not only love, and the expression of love in deed; but the expression of it in word, when he intends to solace, and comfort, and stablish, and stay the mind of man till the good promised be performed.