A60194:2946
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 22
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.
When we are tempted therefore to sin, and to base courses, let us say as good Nehemiah when he was moved to fly, What shall such a man as I fly? so should we say to any temptation to base courses of life, what shall such a man as I do this? Why, if I be a Christian, if I be not only a titular Christian, (which is only sufficient to damn me, and not to do me good,) but if I be a real Christian, I must be a Priest, I must keep my self unspotted of the world, and undefiled, and not touch any unclean thing: I must be in a state and condition to pray to God, Shall I regard iniquity, that God should not hear my prayer?
When we are tempted therefore to sin, and to base courses, let us say as good Nehemiah when he was moved to flie, What shall such a man as I flie? so should we say to any temptation to base courses of life, what shall such a man as I do this? Why, if I be a Christian, if I be not onely a titular Christian, (which is onely sufficient to damne me, and not to do me good,) but if I be a real Christian, I must be a Priest, I must keep my self unspotted of the world, and undefiled, and not touch any unclean thing: I must be in a state and condition to pray to God, Shall I regard iniquity, that God should not hear my prayer?
If I be a Christian, I am a King; shall I debase my self? shall I cast my crown in the dirt? God hath raised me, and made me an heir of heaven, shall I abase my self to sins, and to base lusts, so that I cannot rule my own members, and yet profess my self to be a King? For a Christian that is a King, that hath a guard of Angels about him, that is the most excellent creature in the world, for him to abase himself to the world; he that is bred from heaven, for him to have no higher thoughts then the things below, to have an earthly mind, and earthly thoughts, it is a shrewd presumption that he is but only a titular Christian; and hath not received this inward and spiritual anointing. It was a speech of the Martyrs in the Primitive Church, when they were asked their names, they gave this answer, Christianus sum, I am a Christian; and that satisfied all questions: so when we are basely tempted to courses unbefitting our dignity, answer them from our Baptism, I am baptized into Christ, and so am become a Christian, and this is unbeseeming the profession of Christianity.