A60194:3087
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.
Where a little strength is, there they will not deny Christs Name, they 1will hold out in the profession of the truth, and confess it if occasion serve: and therefore where any are slight in their profession, that give in if they be ready to dash upon any displeasure of any one: if they be to venture their estates or so, then they are ashamed of Christ, and that profession which they took upon them; they deny his Name, at least they do not own it, they have not so much as a little strength, if they do not recover: Peter was in such a temptation, but he recovered his strength, and got more strength, and a firm standing upon it; the shaking of Peter was for the rooting of him.
Where a little strength is, there they will not deny Christs Name, they 1will hold out in the profession of the truth, and confesse it if occasion serve: and therefore where any are slight in their profession, that give in if they be ready to dash upon any displeasure of any one: if they be to venture their estates or so, then they are ashamed of Christ, and that profession which they took upon them; they deny his Name, at least they do not own it, they have not so much as a little strength, if they do not recover: Peter was in such a temptation, but he recovered his strength, and got more strength, and a firm standing upon it; the shaking of Peter was for the rooting of him.
- 110. It will persevere.
So God to shame his children, suffers them sometimes to have dastardly 1spirits, but they recover themselves, they are ashamed of it; but those that are common Politicians in this kind, that will not stand out in a good cause to maintain their truth and profession, when God thrusts his cause into their hands, specially at such times when God saith to them, Who is on my side? who? now is the time to appear then; if they have not a word for God, they will not own the quarrel and cause of God, and Religion, they have not a little strength; for they that have a little strength here, keep the Word, and have not denied the Name. Those therefore that can fashion themselves to all Religions, to all companies, they will have a Religion mutable and flexible to their occasions: where is the Earnest of the Spirit? the Spirit as much as he is, is strong and vigorous, and powerful; these men have not so much as a little strength, that are as water which is fashioned to the vessel it is in, like to the Samaritans, (as Joseph the Historian of the Jews writes of them,) When the Jews prospered, oh then they would be Jews; when the Jews had ill success, then they were great enemies to the Jews: so you have many that are no friends to the afflicted, to the disgraced truth; but as long as the Cause of Religion is carried out with the Countenance of the State, with the favour of great ones, so far they will own it; but if Christ once comes to be abased, they will not know Christ, nor his Cause.